Indonesia Completes 161 National Strategic Projects in 8 Years

President Jokowi attends commemoration of Eight Years of National Strategic Projects, at Kota Kasablanka Mall, Jakarta, Wednesday (09/13). (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/ Lukas)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo confirmed that the Government has successfully completed 161 National Strategic Projects (PSN) which absorbed 11 million labors.

“In the past eight years, we have completed 161 major national strategic projects and absorbed 11 million people,” President Jokowi said during the commemoration of Eight Years of National Strategic Projects, at Kota Kasablanka Mall, Jakarta, Wednesday (09/13).

According to the President, infrastructures built during PSN program have boosted Indonesia’s competitiveness in IMD World Competitiveness Index 2022 from 44 to 34.

“Based on International Institute for Management Development (IMD), our competitiveness index in 2022 jumped from 44 to 34. An increase of 10 (ranking) is the world’s highest increase. One of the reasons is because we have built many infrastructures,” he said.

Therefore, the President called for completion of other National Strategic Projects by the first semester of 2024. He also ordered related institutions to regularly monitor progress of the projects.

“The construction should not halt. Monitor it carefully, identify any issues, set target completion date,” he firmly said.

On that occasion, the President also reminded his ranks to seek innovative solutions to solve problems during the construction of PSN. He underscored that repressive approaches are not necessary, preferring instead to adopt measures that benefit the people since the aim of building infrastructures of national strategic projects is to bring greatest benefits to the people.

“I always remind you not to use repressive approaches to the local residents. They will satisfy with compensation [in land acquisition]. They will receive appropriate compensation since we offer them the best price. Let me reiterate that the objective of PSN is to bring benefits to the people, not to harm them,” he remarked. (KS/UN) (RAS/LW)