65 New Red and White Fishermen's Village 50%: Trenggono Claims Progress, Details Are Still Dark

JAKARTA - The Red and White Fishermen's Village program is beginning to be pushed into the main agenda of the Palace. Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Sakti Wahyu Trenggono said the first phase of construction was 50 percent complete, but explanations about deadlines, achievement measures, and technical details were still minimal.

"Progress is 50 percent of Phase 1," said Trenggono at the Presidential Palace complex, Thursday, February 12.

He said the program was prepared at 65 points. When asked for follow-up directions after meeting President Prabowo Subianto, Trenggono only said the government reported the progress of development - including the development of ponds that "are in progress" - without disclosing the location, scheme, or target time for completion.

But the question about the Minister of Finance Purbaya, Trenggono did not answer. When asked if there was a problem with "Pak Pur" that was discussed with the President, Trenggono chose to remain silent.

In the same place, Head of the Poverty Eradication Acceleration Agency (BP Taskin) Budiman Sudjatmiko encouraged the Red and White Fishermen Village not to stand alone. He asked that this program be combined with the President's strategic policies - starting from free nutritious meals, cooperatives, housing, to other programs - so that "they can talk to each other as one ecosystem".

Budiman said the meeting was limited in time. Only two parties delivered directly, namely KKP and BP Taskin. However, the President's message, according to Budiman, is clear that poverty alleviation will not last if institutions such as cooperatives and fishing villages are not strengthened. People who have been lifted up can fall into poverty again.

BP Taskin admitted that he agreed, and at the same time filed a strong demand that the institution must be financially strong, productivity must be on track, and the results must really be felt by members.

Budiman said the President would give further instructions. Until the order is out, the numbers "50 percent" and "65 points" still resemble claims of progress rather than performance measures that can be tested by the public.