Indonesia Equitable Development Rely on the Infrastructure Readiness

JAKARTA - Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Basuki Hadimuljono explained that the availability of adequate infrastructure is a key element of equitable development and economic growth in Indonesia. In fact, he also explained that the infrastructure is the key to facing global competition.

PUPR Ministry throughout 2016 has built the infrastructure in order to support national priorities programs such as water and food resilience, connectivity between regions, as well as the provision of housing and settlements. Final financial realisation of PUPR ministry in the fiscal year 2016 is 91,32% from the effective ceiling of Rp 91,21 trillion.

As for the implementation of infrastructure development in 2017 remains one of the foundation to achieve the economic growth target which is 5,2 to 5,4% and equitable distribution of national welfare. In 2017, the Government allocated a total infrastructure spending of Rp 387 trillion, which the Ministry PUPR given the mandate to manage the budget with the largest portion, ie Rp101,4 trillion.

"The PUPR Ministry for three years has got a mandate to manage and spend the biggest budget compared with the other Ministry/institutions," said Basuki Hadimuljono as reported from pu.go.id (16/2/2017).

From the government, perspective infrastructure is key to dealing with global economic competition. Infrastructure availability would be a solution to the basic problems related to poverty and inequality that has been shackled most of the people in Indonesia. Therefore, the government has a mission to boost infrastructure development throughout the country.

Minister Basuki said that one of the biggest challenges in infrastructure development is the gap between the regions is still high. For that, he continued to promote the establishment of a more equitable development in the border region, the area of the outer islands, disadvantaged areas, and rural areas through various programs for the poor.

The programs include road access and the environment, suspension bridges, small irrigation, Water Supply and Sanitation based on Community (Sanimas), self-help houses, and flats. According to Minister Basuki the development challenges ahead even greater, for the development of infrastructure will continue to be accelerated in order to reach RPJMN 2015-2019 target.