Cabinet Secretary: Indonesia Will Become a Great Nation

Pramono Anung in an interview prior to the 73rd Indonesian Independence Day, at Building III of Ministry of State Secretariat, Jakarta, on Thursday (16/8). (Photo by: Rahmat/Public Relations).

Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung said that as a member of the G-20 with GDP exceeding US$4,000 per capita, Indonesia’s economy position is currently between rank 15 or 16 in the world.

“Indonesia will soon become a great nation, which previously was considered as an emerging, growing nation,” Pramono Anung said in an interview prior to the 73^rd Indonesian Independence Day, in his office at Building III of Ministry of State Secretariat, Jakarta, on Thursday (16/8).

According to Pramono, during 73 years, Indonesia has achieved many things. Moreover, international community acknowledges the achievement of Indonesian children.

More importantly, for Pramono, Indonesia is lucky to have Pancasila as its ideology. Indonesia has a relatively stable political status. Indonesia is also a country with the largest Muslim population, upholding rahmatan lil alamin (blessing for the universe) value.

Therefore, continued Pramono, if anyone wants to see the diversity of the world, look at Indonesia. Moreover, Indonesia can become an Islamic-Democratic country but its economy grows above 5 percent, which is an extraordinary thing.

In the meantime, regarding the Government’s achievements over the last four years, Cabinet Secretary said that President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and Vice President Jusuf Kalla have laid a foundation for this nation so it will be ready to fight for the future.

“Infrastructure development making it easier, so that our connectivity becomes more well scheduled; we feel closer to our brothers and sisters in Papua, in Aceh and so on,” he said.

One of other impacts of infrastructure development is declining prices. According to Pramono, difference of prices between areas inside and outside Java Island has shown a decline, including prices in Papua, West Papua and Maluku. Compared to 10 years ago, the difference is getting smaller now.

This year and next year, President Jokowi and Vice President Jusuf Kalla’s priority is to develop human resources because if the human resources are not ready, it will create cause a problem. If that can be done, Pramono believes in the upcoming periods this nation is ready to become a fighting nation at global level.

To young generation who will be successor of the nation, Pramono reminded that Indonesia is fortunate to have 4 pillars, namely, Pancasila, the 1945 Constitution, Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (unity in diversity) and the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI).

“This is our foundation. Please be creative in any form but please still uphold our foundation. This is what we have which other countries don’t have,” he said. (DNA/RAH/ES) (GWH/MMB/Naster)