Getting Directions From Jokowi, Acting Governor Of South Sulawesi Talks About The Makassar Development Concept Like China's Shenzhen

Acting Governor of South Sulawesi Bahtiar Bahharuddin and the South Sulawesi Forkopimda ranks gave a statement to reporters at the Jakarta Presidential Palace, Tuesday (27/2/2024). ANTARA/Afra Augesti

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo is said to want Makassar City, South Sulawesi, to be built as a metropolitan city like the city of Shenzhen in China.

This was conveyed by Jokowi in a meeting with the Acting Governor of South Sulawesi Bahtiar Bahharuddin and the ranks of the South Sulawesi Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda), at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, Tuesday, February 27.

"Today the agenda is to discuss the concepts and plans for Makassar development and the surrounding areas," said Acting Governor of South Sulawesi Bahtiar, starting his statement, after the meeting at the Jakarta Presidential Palace, reported by ANTARA.

Bahtiar said that so far his party has made plans for the construction of the Mamminasata area (Makassar-Maros-Sunggungminasa-Takarar).

In a meeting with the President, he said that he would add Pangkajene and Islands (Pangkep) areas to enter development areas.

"We add Pangkep because Makassar and its surroundings are connected from the mainland and from the sea side. Because Makassar is by the sea. Pangkep is by the ocean and there is a geopark called Geopark Maros Pangkep," he explained.

According to him, the President wants to listen to the aspirations of the provincial government and its ranks so that Makassar City can become a comfortable, healthy city with a good economic ecosystem.

Makassar Mayor Danny Pomanto said Jokowi advised Makassar to be built like the Chinese city of Shenzhen.

"He (the president) described his desire as Shenzhen," said Danny.

According to Danny, the President's directive was a challenge for his party under the guidance of the Acting Governor and forkopimda.

However, he stated that he was ready to realize the President's message.

"God willing, we will be ready to carry out what he directs and what he dreams of, Makassar and its surroundings are like Shenzhen near Hong Kong. It's something like that," Danny said.