Anies: BUMN Cannot Turn Off Private

Presidential Candidate Anies Baswedan in the 2024 presidential candidate dialogue with APINDO in Jakarta/PHOTO: Diah Ayu-VOI

Presidential candidate number 1, Anies Baswedan, talked about harmonizing the role of the government and private groups in carrying out development. According to Anies, the division of government and private roles must be built collaboratively.

In a sense, development in Indonesia is not only disbursed from the state budget (APBN) and is run by state-owned enterprises (BUMN). Part of the development, according to Anies, can be carried out by the private sector.

"We are of the view that SOEs should not turn off the private sector. SOEs should actually provide space for the private sector. And what I read, the founders of this republic did not set up SOEs to increase government revenue," Anies said in the 2024 presidential candidate dialogue with APINDO in Jakarta, Monday, December 11.

Based on his experience as Governor of DKI Jakarta for the 2017-2022 period, Anies claimed that he instructed regional-owned enterprises (BUMD) to minimize conflicts of interest in carrying out development.

The government has a function as a regulator. Meanwhile, government-owned corporations, Anies continued, work with development goals.

"This was not created to increase government revenue or the government plays in the market. This is a conflict of interest. One side of the right hand becomes a regulator, the left hand becomes a market player. So it must be straightened out," said Anies.

"In fact, that way, SOEs will concentrate on development in nature. Well, space for the private sector is involved in development, that's the first," he added.

Anies said there needs to be improvements in state revenue management. He proposed the establishment of a state revenue agency.

Along with that, Anies also sees the need for improvement in the aspect of income. This can be done with the use of the latest technology to human resources who are experts in their fields.

"We see that the revenue here is the fastest to save state money. Those whose money has already come out, the return is difficult. However, saving income from customs to tax issues, leaking there, must be corrected and cannot be tolerated," Anies added.