Jokowi Forms Ministry of Investment to Attract Investors, DPR Members Remind Not Keep The Image

President Jokowi (DOK Setkab)

JAKARTA - Member of Commission XI of the House of Representatives Sarmuji said the Ministry of Investment is not only meaningful to equalize the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) with other ministries. But it is an effort by the government to improve the investment climate in the country.

With the establishment of the Ministry of Investment, Sarmuji believes it will be able to increase the interest of foreign investors to invest in Indonesia. Thus, the incoming investment can help the government in funding projects that are not entirely able to rely on the power of the state budget. For example infrastructure.

"So we do not keep the image. We're not clear what he wants. We don't want debt, we don't want to be burdened with taxes, so where's the money from? That's the problem", he said in a virtual discussion, Saturday, April 10.

According to Sarmuji, the establishment of the Ministry of Investment helped the government improve the investment climate in the country. Moreover, Indonesia is still losing in terms of attracting investors from other countries, because the investment ease index is still low.

In fact, the government continues to have other options to increase funding in addition to boosting investment by widening the deficit. This year, the government has widened its deficit gap to 6.09 percent due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We'll increase the budget deficit. But this is very risky. Of course, the option to increase the budget is not selected, hence the increase in foreign investment", he said.

However, Sarmuji said, the establishment of the Ministry of Investment is not only encouraged to attract foreign investment into the country but also to increase domestic investment.

Earlier in the plenary meeting on Friday, April 9, the House of Representatives (DPR) approved the establishment of the Ministry of Investment. This decision is a follow-up to the decision of the Board of Deliberations which discussed a letter from President Joko Widodo regarding the consideration of changing the ministry.