Despite Being Insulted And Reviled, Jokowi Reaffirms His Stance On Building Infrastructure For Indonesia's Progress

President Jokowi at PSI Anniversary (Capture via ANTARA)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) continues to develop infrastructure even though a number of parties have criticized and criticized the policy. This was emphasized by Jokowi at the moment of PSI's 7th Anniversary, Wednesday, December 22.

Present at the event were Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Deputy Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/Deputy Head of the National Land Agency Surya Tjandra who is also a PSI cadre, PSI General Chair Giring Ganesha, and PSI Deputy Chairperson of the Board of Trustees Grace Natalie, as well as other PSI administrators.

"If the foundation doesn't exist, we don't build this fundamental thing, don't dream anywhere. Yes, whatever insults or insults, I'm still straight, I will continue to work on this (infrastructure development)," said Jokowi in Jakarta as quoted by Antara. , Wednesday, December 22.

Infrastructure is the main foundation so that Indonesia can compete with other countries, build civilization, increase economic growth, competition and wide employment opportunities.

"Because for me the road is welfare. If there is no road, no infrastructure, no these things, it will not be possible. However, don't just think that the big ones are built, we take care of the small ones, lol," said Jokowi.

President Jokowi in his last presentation showed that the use of village funds in the last 5 years had reached Rp. 400.1 trillion.

"Until today, we have transferred to the village for 5 years Rp. 400.1 trillion to build village roads, reservoirs, irrigation, bridges, people's markets, bumdes, we take care of all small matters. take care, clean village water, posyandu, this is what the community doesn't take," said the President.

In fact, according to President Jokowi, during the last 5 years 227,000 kilometers of village roads have been built.

"Even that in my opinion is still small because we have 74,900 villages, which means how much is this per village? Only 3 kilometers, this is small. Then there are 4,500 small ponds in the village. If we divide 74,900 villages, the number is still very small. which will support our economy, especially the village economy," said the President.

President Jokowi also appreciated PSI cadres who became members of the DPRD for overseeing the APBD.

"The APBD should not be neglected, the small ones are taken care of. Rp. 1 million, Rp. 2 million, Rp. 5 million, Rp. 10 million, take care of it. Moreover, those that have entered billions, trillions, manage them properly because once this is a wrong target, the APBN and APBD will not become goods , said the President.

Based on his experience as a former mayor and governor, President Jokowi said that if the budget in the APBD and APBN were distributed to various budget lines, it would not be useful for the people.

"If the APBD and APBN money are retailed, they will not become goods, trust me. So, regional leaders must dare to lead the budget, of course, by insisting with the DPRD so that the budget is focused, what do you want 1-2 This year?" he said.

"Oh, I want to complete the market, yes, I have concentrated the money there, don't give all the services in the end, it's not clear what has been produced, it's not clear because it's been retailed. That's our model of error for years."

President Jokowi also asked that if 100 percent of the APBD cannot be focused on one thing, at least 60-70 percent of the APBD can be concentrated on development.

"This year, the entire market must be built clean, next year take care of all schools, next year it will be on roads in the village so controlling them is easier, checking them is easier. Why do you retail for thousands of budget points? Up to 40 thousand-50 thousand budget points ? So controlling it is difficult. That's the only answer, really, "said the President.

In her speech, PSI Deputy Chairperson of the Board of Trustees Grace Natalie invited PSI cadres to work hard so that the party can pass to the DPR.

"PSI must pass to Senayan. We make a noise in Senayan so that the people's money will not continue to be robbed by robbers using the guise of 'people's representatives'," said Grace.