President Jokowi: Gov’t to Focus on Human Capital Development

President Jokowi delivers his remarks at the opening of the 2019 PKB Conference, at the Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Badung Regency, Bali, Tuesday (20/8). (Photo by: JAY/PR)

For the next five years, the Government will focus on developing human capital, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has said.

“Human capital development will start from the initial stage, since fetal life by paying attention to nutrition. Thus, we hope we can continue to reduce stunting cases,” the President said in his remarks at the opening of the 2019 PKB Conference at the Westin Resort Nusa Dua in Badung Regency, Bali, Tuesday (20/8).

In 2015, the President added, stunting rate was very high at 38 percent and although the figure is now dropped to 30 percent, stunting rate is still considered high. “Do not dream of competing with other countries if we cannot reduce our stunting rate. It will be very difficult,” he said.

The President also said that the skills and abilities needed for the future would be different from those of previous years, adding that new types of jobs will also emerge as much as the development of science and technology.

President Jokowi cited an example of autonomous vehicle that could eliminate driving jobs. “(The vehicle) already exists. Please bear it in mind,” he said.

If Indonesian human resources are not prepared to face these changes, according to President Jokowi, it is not impossible that Indonesia will be left behind from other countries.

The President further said that the topic of human capital development and rapid development of technology has always been the focus point in various international fora, such as the G20, APEC, or ASEAN Summit since the regulations are no longer consistent with the fast-paced technology development.

“So, once again, let me reiterate that this will bring changes to economic, political, social, and cultural conditons. Everything will change. Be careful about matters relating to today’s technology. It can be useful but it can also inflict damage if we cannot prepare and plan it well,” President Jokowi said. (AIT/JAY/ES)

Translated by : Fairuzzamani Inayatillah
Edited by : Rany A. Subachrum, M. Ersan Pamungkas