PUPR Minister Basuki Admits He Received Special Tasks From Jokowi For The 2024 Work Program

Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Basuki Hadimuljono and Indonesian Preside Joko Widodo (Jokowi). (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Basuki Hadimuljono admitted that his party has a special task from President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) to complete infrastructure projects this year.

Basuki said, there were two main focuses for state development at the end of President Jokowi's term of office. According to Basuki, the implementation of the 2024 work program is to accelerate an inclusive and sustainable economic transformation.

"In accordance with the direction of the President (Jokowi) the focus of 2024, namely one completing all more construction work in the first semester of 2024," he said during a Working Meeting with Commission V of the Indonesian House of Representatives at the Senayan Parliament Building, Jakarta, quoted on Tuesday, April 2.

Even so, Basuki said, there were several exceptions to a number of projects. He said, there are a number of projects that are not in question if they can only be completed in the second semester of 2024.

He said several projects that were excluded included the construction of the Cibeet Dam and Cijurey Dam in West Java, Karangnongko Dam in Central Java and Pelosika Dam in Southeast Sulawesi. Then, Cabean Dam in Central Java to Nias Ring Road in North Sumatra.

Some of these projects have received relaxation because they only started in October 2023.

"So, it can be completed in 2025. This must also be approved by the Minister of State Secretary (Mensesneg Pratikno)," he said.

Second, Basuki emphasized that the focus of the 2024 development that will be carried out by his party will adjust the direction directly from the head of state. He called it the president's directive.

Several projects referred to as direct directions for President Jokowi are market renovations to soccer stadiums.

"There are 32 markets, this is mostly the result of a working visit (kunker) of the President (Jokowi). There were 22 stadiums that yesterday, one of which we reviewed in Pamekasan (Madura), Madura United," said Basuki.

"And the presidential instructions (inpres) are regional roads, water drinking inpres and waste water inpres. Seeing the success of regional road inpres, the President (Jokowi) approved the existence of drinking water and waste water inpres. The goal is to speed up household connections, not build new Water Processing Installations (IPA)," he added.