Gives Opportunities to Small Contractors, President Jokowi Says

President Jokowi gives directives at a Plenary Cabinet Meeting, at the State Palace, Jakarta, on Wednesday (1/2) (Photo: JAY/PR)

In order to spend capital expenditure, ministers and/or heads of institutions were asked by President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo to engage the people,to give opportunities to contractors in the regions, and to create more labor-intensive projects. “Small and medium contractors should also learn how to handle big projects,” the President said when delivering his introductory remarks at a Plenary Cabinet Meeting, at the State Palace, Jakarta, on Wednesday (1/2) afternoon.

By involving them, the works will be productive, will increase national and regional economic growth, will provide job opportunities, will eradicate poverty and will reduce disparities. “Don’t work alone. It usually happens in State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), particularly, because SOEs have subsidiary companies. They do all the works by themselves. Please involve small and medium contractors in the regions,” the President firmly said.

The President also reminded to directly monitor and control the implementation so that the quality can be maintained and the implementation matches the planning. Don’t let any deviation. “It must be prevented from the beginning,” the President said.

Previously, President Jokowi mentioned about capital expenditure in SOEs amounting to more than Rp400 trillion, in Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing amounting to Rp101 trillion, and Ministry of Transportation amounting to Rp46 trillion.

Must Focus

Starting his introductory remarks, President Jokowi asked all ministers/heads of government institutions to stay focused so they can work effectively as well as productively and manage to make achievements.

The President reminded that budget increase must give real contribution to achievements. “So, we must focus on the results not the procedures. Don’t just think about budget absorption but forget about the results or achievements,” the President further said.

So the President added, the budget should be well-absorbed and the results must be good. Therefore, the details of the programs must be carefully reviewed, including the description of the programs in each ministry’s/institution’s working units. “Please make sure that the programs are in accordance with national development priorities,” the President said.

In addition, the President also asked to ensure that the programs are really productive and can give contribution to increase economic growth. “It is really important,” President Jokowi said while adding that the programs in ministries/institutions are expected to provide job opportunities, eradicate poverty, and reduce disparities.

The Plenary Cabinet Meeting was attended by Vice President Jusuf Kalla, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Wiranto, Coordinating Minister for the Economy Darmin Nasution, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Puan Maharani, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut B. Pandjaitan, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Minister of Home Affairs Tjahjo Kumolo, Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, Minister of Law and Human Rights Yasonna H. Laoly, Minister of Transportation Budi K. Sumadi, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Ignasius Jonan, Minister of National Development Planning/Head of National Development Planning Agency Bambang Brodjonegoro, and Minister of Social Affairs KhofifahIndar Parawansa. (DNA/SM/JAY/ES)(MMB/YM/Naster)