AHY: Aspiration of Young People Must Enter the Policy Process, Not Just Be an Object of Development
JAKARTA - The General Chair of the Democratic Party, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY), considers that today's younger generation is increasingly critical and brave in voicing aspirations. According to him, this attitude is important for policymakers in formulating development directions.
"In the future, our young people are a generation that is critical and brave to voice aspirations. That is important for decision makers, including us who are entrusted to oversee the development of infrastructure," said AHY in his statement, Friday, March 6.
The Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development emphasized that the aspirations of young people must really be part of the policy-making process. That way, development does not only make the younger generation an object.
"In that way, the policies that are produced really represent and accommodate aspirations, including the younger generation. They are not only objects, but also subjects of development," he said.
AHY also touched on the direction of future infrastructure development. He assessed that development should not only focus on physical projects such as roads and bridges, but should also touch other sectors that have a direct impact on the community.
"In addition to basic infrastructure such as roads and bridges, we must also pay attention to the education sector so that it will get better, including health facilities that must be more easily accessible to all people," said AHY.
Apart from education and health, AHY also highlighted the importance of creative space for young generations. According to him, modern cities need to provide space for young people to express ideas and works.
"We hope that in the future there will be creative centers that provide relief for the Indonesian young generation, especially in Jakarta, to continue to be creative and express their works. This is the hallmark of a modern city and a developed city," he said.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the DKI Jakarta Democratic Party DPD Mujiyono assessed that the idea of development involving young people is in line with the needs of Jakarta as a global city.
He said that creative spaces and public facilities are an important part of building a city ecosystem that is friendly to young people.
"Jakarta needs more creative spaces and public facilities that support the activities of the younger generation. The aspirations of young people must be an important part of city development planning," said Mujiyono.
AHY previously heard directly the aspirations of the younger generation in the Ngobrol Santai Bareng Mas AHY activity held in Cipayung, East Jakarta, Thursday, March 5.
The activity was initiated by a member of the DKI Jakarta DPRD from the Democratic Party Faction, Andika Wisnuadji Putra Soebroto. He said the forum was a space for open dialogue between national leaders and the younger generation.
"Today's young generation needs an open dialogue space with leaders. Through this activity, we want to present closer, relaxed, but still substantial communication," he said.
The dialogue was interactive with various questions from participants, ranging from infrastructure development issues, opportunities for young generations in national development, to hopes for Indonesia's future.
Some time ago, AHY also held a similar meeting with young people in Serang, Bogor, and Singkawang. In the meeting, he listened directly to the aspirations of the younger generation while explaining the government's programs under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto.