Introductory Remarks of President Joko Widodo in Plenary Cabinet Session on the 2018 Government Work Plan and the Preparation of Simultaneous Regional Elections in 171 Regions, on 6 December 2017, in Garuda Room, Bogor Presidential Palace

By Office of Assistant to Deputy Cabinet Secretary for State Documents & Translation     Date 6 Desember 2017
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Unofficial English Translation 

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim,

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

Good afternoon, may prosperity be upon us all.

There are two main issues that we will discuss in this plenary cabinet session. The first one is the 2018 Government Work Plan and the second one is the preparation of simultaneous regional elections in 171 regions.

Soon, we will enter 2018. I would like to remind all of us that 2018 is not only a political year but also the beginning stage of 2019 general election. Furthermore, 2018 is full of strategic agendas, including the agenda of hosting an international event the 2018 Asian Games. This event will involve more than 30,000 participants. In addition, the IMF-World Bank Annual Meeting will involve approximately 15,000 participants.

Therefore, I ask all of the ministers, the heads of institution to be more focused on working and pursuing the targets that we have set.

Do not let this political year distract our concentration on working. This should be emphasised. I ask all of the ministers and the heads of institution to ensure that the programs we have planned are carefully checked on site and controlled, so they are well implemented.

Moreover, in 2018, we want to achieve the economic growth of 5.4 percent. I am optimistic that it will be achieved if we can maintain the economic growth momentum by continuously improving the ease of doing business and investment climate.

I believe it corresponds with what the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs has stated that later in January or maximum in February, we will have a single submition system (for business and investment permits). Therefore, I think we should have a target of creating a task force to monitor every investment that comes into our country.

Secondly, let us maintain economic stability, be it the stability of price, the stability of finance, or balance of payments.

Regarding price stability, I remind you that we should beware of inflation and keep it under control. We should also beware of the climate change and extreme weather. Moreover, we should beware of the disasters occurred in some areas since it will also influence price stability.

Furthermore, in 2018, we will also initiate a labour-intensive program. In terms of the labour-intensive program or “cash for work” program, carried out by the Ministry of Village, Development of Disadvantaged Regions and Transmigration; Ministry of Public Works and Housing; Ministry of Transportation; Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries; and so on, I hope that later at the beginning of January, we can see that it is already implemented. We hope that it will boost people’s purchasing power, especially that of the people in the villages.

Moreover, I have to remind you that the prosperity rice and non-cash food subsidy should be distributed on time without any delay, so that we can help pre-prosperity families.

I think that is all I can deliver as my introductory remarks in this Plenary Session. If there are any matters to be discussed, please, the floor is yours. (PR, Cabinet Secretariat) (ECSM/AW/YM/Naster)

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