Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia at the Millennial Upskilling Week (Milenial Naik Kelas), April 5, 2022

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

May peace be upon us all,
Om Swastiastu,
Namo Buddhaya,
Greetings of virtue.

Distinguished Minister of State-Owned Enterprises and Ministers of the Indonesia Onward Cabinet in attendance;
Distinguished President Commissioner of Bisnis Indonesia Group, Hariyadi B. Sukamdani;
Distinguished President Director of Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI);
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, Esteemed Guests.

In Indonesia’s population structure, 25.87 percent out of 270 million of the country’s total population is millennial or equivalent to 69 million people, whereas 27.94 percent or equivalent to 75 million people is Gen Z. It is such an enormous amount; composition of millennials and Gen Z in our country became more dominant. They are the ones who will lead Indonesia in the future and determine the betterment of the nation.

We must support millennials and Gen Z to get trained so they can optimize their productiveness, have financial literacy, do their businesses, be digital savvy, and adapt well to the digital technology while still showing social awareness.

The young generation,

Having financial literacy is needed for the millennials so they are able to make excellent financial planning, balance consumption, and investment. The Government fully supports provisions of access to capital to the millennials in order to encourage the youth to do business and be ready to work, for instance, through Pre-Employment Card program which has been used to start business.

Meanwhile, entrepreneurship is important, fun, and challenging. We need more entrepreneurs to improve and match with the character of the young generation, namely high-spirited, creative, daring for challenges, adaptable, agile, and open for new things.

By becoming entrepreneurs, young people are not completely dependent on employment. On the contrary, they create new employments and help the community and the people around them, to land jobs and improve their welfare.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

The youth must take part in the utilization of digital technology. To date, almost all activities depend on digital devices. How we learn, invest, shop, transport, get medical service, and any other activities have forced us to be a digital literate and technology savvy so we will not be left behind in many opportunities.

Lastly, allow me to remind millennials in Indonesia to develop their future skills and emerging skills, bolster confidence to be ready to compete with global talents, and make their families, community, the nation and state proud of them. That concludes my remarks. I thank you.

Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
Om santi santi santi om.

(RAS/MUR)