President Jokowi Orders Regional Leaders to Intensify Cash for Work Program

President Jokowi, accompanied by several Cabinet Ministers, attends a virtual Regional Heads Coordination Meeting at the State Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday (14/04). Photo by: BPMI/Muchlis Jr

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has ordered regional heads to use the Regional Budget to intensify cash for works program that can create jobs in the regions.

“The Regional Budget must be allocated to provide jobs for low-income communities by multiplying cash for works program while waiting for the economy to fully recover,” the President said in his virtual remarks at the 2021 Regional Heads Coordination Meeting, Wednesday (14/04).

The President said that regional governments must also speed up the disbursement of social assistance for the people. The Central Government, he added, has allocated social assistance to communities in the regions. However, if there are a number of areas uncovered by the assistance, the regional governments should immediately provide social assistance for them.

“Micro, small and medium enterprises must be supported in terms of capital, production and marketing because they will drive the regional economy,” the President said.

President Jokowi also underscored the importance of investment in regions to create jobs, and the implementation of the existing Job Creation Law must be fully supported in order to provide as many job opportunities as possible for communities.

President Jokowi also said that investments will drive regional and national economic growth.

“As much as 76 percent of the country’s income comes from tax. If there is a new investment, new companies, new factories, or new industries, it means that we will receive more tax,” the President said.

The President further said that in a bid to speed up regional and national economic recovery, regional governments must provide full service and support for businesses that seek to make an investment. (BPMI/UN) (RI/LW)