More Effective Regulations Pivotal for Nation’s Progress: President Jokowi

President Jokowi, accompanied by chairman of the National Awakening Party (PKB), opens the 2019 PKB Conference at the Westin Hotel, Nusa Dua, Bali, Tuesday (20/8). Photo by: Jay/PR

In his remarks at the opening of the National Awakening Party (PKB) Conference at the Westin Hotel, Nusa Dua, Bali, Tuesday (20/8), President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo told the audience his experience with Sheikh Muhammad from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) when visiting Abu Dhabi in 2015.

President Jokowi said that he was invited by Sheikh Muhammad to ride his car. It was the Sheikh himself who drove the car.

“There was no protocol. It was very fast and simple, without any complicated procedures,” the President explained.

He went on to say that Indonesia has too many Laws, Presidential Regulations, Ministerial Regulations, Regional Regulations, Regulations of Governors, Regulations of Mayors or Regulations of Regents.

“We are trapped by our own regulations,” President Jokowi said, adding that the regulations make policy-making more complicated.

The President further said that speed is a key for UAE economic transformation. UAE has US$ 43,000 per capita income while Indonesia has US$ 4,000 per capita income.

“I often say that in the future, a big country will not control a small country, a rich country will not control a poor country, but the fast will control the slow,” President Jokowi said.

He further explained that 17 years ago, when he was the Mayor of Solo, he got firsthand experience on the quality of service related to investment licensing procedures in UAE. The whole procedure took only 30 minutes.

At that time, 259 permits are needed for a license to build a power plant in Indonesia and the licensing process could take six years. Today, he added, there are only 58 permits needed, but the President expects more.

“We must not continue this (lengthy process), ” President Jokowi said.

The President stressed that speed will bring Indonesia into a developed country. He said that he has called on the Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR) to avoid making many laws.

“We don’t need to create much legislation. A few Regulations with high quality are better. I have also conveyed this message to the association of DPRD (Regional House of Representatives),” President Jokowi said.

The Regional Governments and the DPRD do not need to make a lot of Regional Regulations. “Make one or two regulations, with good quality, which protect the interests of the people, protect the interests of the country and protect the interests of the region. That’s what we need,” President Jokowi concluded. (AIT/JAY/ES)

Translated by: Ridwan Ibadurrohman
Edited by: Mia Medyana