President Jokowi Tells Ministers to Focus on De-regulation, Infrastructures, Human Resources

President Jokowi, accompanied by Vice President Jusuf Kalla, leads a plenary cabinet meeting in Jakarta on Thursday (7/4)

President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo in a Plenary Cabinet Meeting on Thursday (7/4) at the office of the Ministry of State Secretariat renewed his call to his ministers about three issues to note:  de-regulation, infrastructures, and human resources.

Related to de-regulation, the President said that the existing regulations that are too many in number must be simplified and that all ministries must actively take measures to immediately eliminate regulations, including regional laws, that are complex and complicated.

“Once again, we have to cut regulations that impede us in making decisions and those which slow down our actions. By so doing, it will give us a push in competing with other countries,” the President said.

Regarding infrastructures, the President reminded that capital expenditures for infrastructures must be prioritized.

“I have repeatedly said that we must not be trapped in the ‘money follow function’ mindset. The functions (not to the money) must be evenly spread in units within ministries and institutions. We have to stay focused. Our priorities must also be clear,” the President said.

According to the President, infrastructures are the key to reduce logistics costs, to improve competitiveness, and to unite cities, regencies, provinces, and islands.

In the meantime, regarding human resources, the President said that speed in handling human resources issue would also speed up development. Therefore, the President hopes that cooperation between Ministry of Manpower, Ministry of Education and Culture, Ministry of Research, Technology, and Higher Education, Ministry of Industry, and other related ministries must immediately begin so they can immediately take action on the ground.

The plenary cabinet meeting was also attended by Vice President Jusuf Kalla, Coordinating Ministers, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, and Presidential Chief of Staff Teten Masduki. (DND/FID/JAY/ES) (Naster/YM/EP)