President Jokowi Asks For The Regional Budge To Be Used To Expand Labor-Intensive Programs

Indonesian President Joko Widodo delivered a directive to regional heads in the Coordination Meeting of Regional Heads in 2021 held virtually on Wednesday (14/4). (Presidential Secretariat Press Bureau)

JAKARTA - Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) asked regional heads to take advantage of the Regional Budget (APBD) by expanding labor-intensive programs, in order to create jobs in the region.

"I ask that this Budget can provide jobs to the people at the bottom by multiplying labor-intensive programs for job creation while waiting for the economy to fully recovered", Said President Jokowi in a press release of the Presidential Secretariat in Jakarta, Thursday, April 15.

The President conveyed this when giving a briefing to the participants of the Coordination Meeting of Regional Heads in 2021 held virtually from the State Palace, Jakarta, on Wednesday, April 14.

In addition to labor-intensive programs, the President also asked local governments to immediately execute social assistance for the community.

The central government, said the President, has allocated the social assistance budget given to communities in the region. However, if there are a number of points in the area that are still untouched by the aid, then the local government can immediately move quickly to provide social assistance.

"Also to help micro, small, and medium enterprises, be it capital, production, or marketing because this will drive the regional economy", he said.

The president also emphasized the importance of increasing investment in areas that can create jobs. Currently, Indonesia has a Copyright Act whose implementation must be fully supported in order to open the widest range of employment opportunities for the community.

"Regions, both provinces, districts, and cities should not slow down the so-called investment permits because investment creates jobs", he said.

Investments that go into an area in turn will also drive the economy of the region. The unwillingness to serve investment licensing, the President said, will also slow regional economic growth which will also slow national economic growth.

In addition, the investment will also provide income to countries and regions through tax receipts and levies.

"As much as 76 percent of the country's revenue is derived from taxes. That's huge. If there is a new investment to set up a company, factory, or industry means that we collect taxes. There are more", the President said.

Therefore, the President again reminded local governments to provide full service and support for businesses that want to make investments.