Indonesia Must Have Strategies to Achieve Vision, President Jokowi Says

President Jokowi attends the Commemoration of Constitution Day, at the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) Building, Jakarta, Friday (08/18). (Photo by: PR of Cabinet Secretariat/Agung)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo asserted that Indonesia must have main and technical strategies to achieve visions that have been developed.

“We must draw up main and technical strategies. In a bid to achieve our vision, it could be in form of the State Policy Guidelines (Pokok-Pokok Haluan Negara/PPHN), as often mentioned by Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly,” the President said at the Commemoration of Constitution Day, at the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) Building, Jakarta, Friday (08/18).

He went on to say that regulations should be more agile and flexible so that Indonesia can immediately seize opportunities to win competition against other countries. He added that the present world as well as challenges and opportunities are so dynamic.

“Don’t make regulations that will stop us to move forward. Don’t get stuck in our own trap. Give freedom to the executive [power] to be more agile in addressing changes and uncertainties; yet, it should be given under strict supervision,” he stated adding that all countries in this competition era must learn from their rivals.

According to the President, Indonesia should learn from other countries and be more adaptive. We should improve our policies if necessary.  Therefore, flexibility is important.

The President also cited an example of subsidy policy for electric vehicle that made the public raised questions. He further explained that this kind of policy is also adopted in other countries.

“Thailand also provides subsidy for electric vehicle [around] Rp68 [million]. If our figure is lower than that, all investment will go to Thailand, not Indonesia. This is an example of tough competition,” he remarked. (FID/UN) (RAS/MMB)