Indonesia Must Change and Get Out of Comfort Zone: Cabinet Secretary

Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung

Technology is the key of future changes, and it is part of innovation process. Therefore, the winner of the competition is the person who wins the technology. Technology will bring the key of future changes. The statement was delivered by Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung on Tuesday (9/8), in Jakarta, to respond the commemoration of National Technology Awakening Day to be held on Wednesday (10/8), in Solo. “Therefore, I believe, if Indonesia want to innovate, we must leave the comfort zone and improve the technology as a key factor to a better future,” Pramono said.

Relating to innovations done by the Government so far, Pramono explained that the most fundamental point is the Government can get out of the comfort zone, and reform the policy sector. The launching of 12 economic policy packages on the economy is also part of innovation. Moreover, the President also made some breakthoughs by conducting the first meeting with the Government Officials up to Echelon 3 Officials.

“Thus, the President has left his comfort zone to make changes. If we do not improve, then Indonesia will always be a medium track income country. Meanwhile, this is the time for Indonesia to become a more powerful country because we are already a member of the G20,” Pramono added.

Pramono further said that the most important thing is the willingness to change ourselves, and it must be started from the leader. The leader as well as his subordinates should be willing to change themselves. We must abandon our old habits that may be comfortable but unproductive. “Comfortable habit is fine, but it must make us productive as well. The future competition is all about the productivity, a new thing for us,” Pramono said.

Pramono took an example of changes in technology. Ten years ago, Nokia was the world leader in mobile phones, but it changed to Blackberry, then Iphone. Maybe in another two years, it will change again. “What is the key? It’s the technology that always changes. The country must always change as well. It is okay to maintain our comfort zone but we must change. Otherwise, we will be left behind,” Pramono concluded.(DNA/RMI/ES) (RAS/MMB/YM/Naster)