President Jokowi: I Do Not Believe Pessimistic Mindset

: President Jokowi accompanied by Minister of Industry Airlangga Hartarto watches a robot works when launching ‘Making Indonesia 4.0’, at Cendrawasih Hall, JCC Jakarta, Wednesday (4/4). (Photo: Rahmat/PR)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo do not believe McKenzie Global Institute’s prediction that Industrial Revolution 4.0 will eliminate 800 million jobs until 2030 as labor will be replaced by robots and machines. However, the President expressed his conviction that the impact of Industrial Revolution 4.0 will be 3,000 times bigger than the first Industrial Revolution 200 years ago.

“I do not believe pessimistic (mindset),” said President Jokowi when launching ‘Making Indonesia 4.0’, a roadmap about Indonesia’s strategy to enter Industry 4.0 era at Cendrawasih Hall, Jakarta Convention Center (JCC), Jakarta, on Wednesday (4/4).

President Jokowi expressed his belief that Industrial Revolution 4.0 will create much more jobs instead of eliminate.  “It means, Industry 4.0 is a very good opportunity if we prepare, plan, and anticipate it well.” the President continued.

Therefore, President Jokowi appreciated Ministry of Industry for the hard work in preparing the implementation of Industry 4.0 roadmap, known as Making Indonesia 4.0.

President Jokowi considers the name of this program is very suitable because, first, “making” means to make/ to build. In this case, it means to rebuild industry. Second, combination of “making” and “Indonesia” means to build Indonesia to a new era, the Indonesia 4.0, which include some great aspirations to revitalize the whole Indonesian industry.

“With the implementation of Industry 4.0, we hope Indonesia can reach top 10 global economy in 2030 by increasing our net exports back to 10% of GDP and improving productivity with the adoption of new technology and innovation,” President Jokowi added. Making Indonesia 4.0 also listed an aspiration to create 10 million new jobs in 2030.

“For the first step to implement Making Indonesia 4.0, there are five industries that become focus of this program: food and beverage, textile, automotive, electronic, and chemical. Those five industries are our (economic) backbone. We hope it will bring great benefits in terms of competitiveness and contribution to Indonesian economy toward top 10 global economy by 2030.” the President continued.

“Starting from today, I declare Making Indonesia 4.0 as a national agenda and Ministry of Industry will be the Leading Sector,”  said President Jokowi.

On that occasion, President Jokowi also asked other ministries, institutions, local governments, and business people to fully support this program based on their functions for the sake of the success and progress of our beloved nation.

Also attending the event were Coordinating Minister for the Economy Darmin Nasution, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Minister of Industry Airlangga Hartato, and Chairman of Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Thomas Lembong. (FID/RAH/ES) (STU/MMB/Naster)