HIPMI: President Jokowi Is Unmatched By Previous Leaders In Infrastructure

President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo. (Photo: Setkab)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (HIPMI) considers that the government has made efforts to improve the economy and investment. This was stated by HIPMI in the one-year evaluation of the second term of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and Vice President (Wapres) Ma'ruf Amin's administration since being inaugurated on October 20, 2019.

This was revealed by the Chairman of the Central Executive Board (BPP) of HIPMI Mardani H. Maming. It can be seen from the government that passed the Omnibus Law, even though the regulation was criticized by a number of groups, ranging from environmental activists to labor unions. Maming said the Jokowi administration was on the right track to increase investment.

"There has been an increase in the ease of doing business index in the five years of Jokowi's administration. The Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) itself is targeting investment achievements in 2020 of more than IDR 880 trillion or about 11 percent higher than 2019," said Maming, in a written statement in Jakarta. , Tuesday (20/10/2020).

The former Regent of Tanah Bumbu, South Kalimantan said that the economic slow down was felt by a number of entrepreneurs in Indonesia, especially the decline in export value. This is not only a matter of incentives but there are fundamental things that must be improved, where incentives will be difficult to obtain if regulations are not yet supportive.

Maming explained, Indonesia has a large market in exports. Therefore, apart from licensing and incentive issues, the utilization of existing resources also needs to be increased.

"Many people think that the Job Creation Law is detrimental. In fact, it creates the widest possible new job opportunities," he said.

An important point in the Job Creation Law, said Maming, is that efforts are made to provide better guarantees regarding employment, better income security, and better social security. Through this Job Creation Law, it opens tremendous opportunities for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and cooperatives.

"Those who previously took care of the long and complicated licensing, later it will be enough to go through one door. So, don't rush into excessive complaints even though you don't fully understand, the content and substance of the latest version of the Job Creation Law," he said.

In addition, the achievements of President Joko Widodo-Ma'ruf Amin's administration in the past year from the perspective of the business world include making efforts easier and promoting to investment grade. One thing that stands out is the ease of doing business.

"In just two years, Indonesia's position has jumped 42 places, from 114th place in 2015 to 72nd in 2018. Even though it dropped one level in 2019 and 2020, Indonesia's ease of doing business score improved from 68.0 points in 2019 to 69.6 points in 2020, "he said.

This means, according to Maming, the ease of doing business in Indonesia shows continuous improvement, although in the last two years the improvement has slowed down a little. What must be improved is to simplify licensing regulations, encourage local investors to cooperate with foreign investors, and increase exports.

"If the ease of doing business is prioritized and focused, then the ease of doing business in Indonesia will be much better and could reach the 40th rank as targeted by President Jokowi. So that, it is no longer far behind Malaysia and Thailand and can be better than Vietnam , "he concluded.

President Jokowi's achievements are unmatched by previous presidents in terms of infrastructure development. This activity is more of an investment in the future than it is now.

"The availability of road infrastructure will make the area more attractive as a location for production and distribution activities, which in turn will attract domestic and foreign investment. Infrastructure also determines food security," he added.