President Jokowi Tells West Java Regional Leaders to Continue Working With Central Government
West Java Governor Ahmad Heryawan (second from the left) attends a limited cabinet meeting presided over by President Jokowi at the Presidential Office, Jakarta, Tuesday (2/5). (Photo by: Rahmat/Public Relations Division)
President Joko Jokowi Widodo said as one of Jakartas important neighboring provinces, West Java Province has a very strategic position and has a strong economic tie with Jakarta, as the two provinces have been in collaboration not only in terms of providing raw materials and manpower, but also in public facilities and services, especially transportation and residential houses.
In addition, West Java Province also has been the destination of investment in processing industries and service industries that can no longer be done in Jakarta.
Economic ties between West Java and Jakarta have to be well-prepared. We need connectivity, integration, and a stronger synergy between the two provinces President Jokowi said in his introductory remarks at a Limited Cabinet Meeting on the Evaluation of the Implementation of National Strategic Projects and Priority Programs in West Java Province, at the Presidential Office, Jakarta, Tuesday (2/5).
With economic growth at 5.67 percent in 2016, economy in West Java Province, the President said, must further grow so that it can provide more job opportunities for the unemployed.
Based on the Governments data, the Province has seen a rise in the number of open unemployment. In 2016, open unemployment rate in the Province stood at 8.89 percent, a slight increase from 8.72 percent in the previous year.
Therefore, President Jokowi urged West Java Governor and the Provinces regional leaders to be more pro-active and continue working with the Central Government to address problems on the ground, such as land acquisition as well as to anticipate impacts of development process, especially infrastructures development. I believe that infrastructures development will become a foundation to create a faster and equal economic growth in West Java, the President firmly said.
The Limited Cabinet Meeting was also attended by Vice President Jusuf Kalla, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Wiranto, Coordinating Minister for the Economy Darmin Nasution, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Minister of National Development Planning/Head of the National Development Planning Board Bambang Brodjonegoro, Minister of State-owned Enterprises Rini Soemarno, Minister of Industry Airlangga Hartarto, Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono, Minister of Communication and Informatics Rudiantara, Minister of Home Affairs Tjahjo Kumolo, Minister of Transportation Budi K. Sumadi, Minister of Education and Culture Muhadjir Effendy, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Ignasius Jonan, and West Java Governor Ahmad Heryawan. (DNA/RAH/ES) (EP/YM/Naster)
