Converging Development Toward Golden Indonesia 2045
The country’s vision of achieving Golden Indonesia 2045 calls for careful development planning. How did the government orient the RPJPN toward Golden Indonesia 2045?
Suharso Monoarfa
The National Development Planning Ministry/National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) seeks to realize this through the 2025-2024 National Long-Term Development Plan (RPJPN).
There are five targets that must be met: achieving per-capita income equivalent to developed countries, poverty reduction toward 0 percent, increases in international leadership and influence, increases in competitiveness of human resources and net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. However, there are several obstacles in the way.
It is hoped the 2025-2035 RPJPN will accommodate the ambitions of the nation’s children in welcoming Indonesia’s 100th year of independence. How did the government orient the RPJPN toward Golden Indonesia 2045? The following are excerpts of a Kompas interview with National Development Planning Minister/Bappenas head Suharso Monoarfa in Jakarta on Wednesday (24/5/2023).
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What has Bappenas planned for Golden Indonesia 2045?
Long-term development plans are drafted every 20 years. We have completed the first 20 years (2005-2025). Now, we have been asked to prepare the 2025-2045 RPJPN. Because 2045 is Indonesia’s 100th year of independence, we are also preparing for that.
We have already obtained permission from the President [Joko “Jokowi” Widodo] to draft the RPJPN. According to the President’s instructions, the RPJPN should also serve as a guideline for future presidential, vice-presidential and regional head candidates.
We hope in the future, it will be more harmonious.
Because it will be a guideline, all national development plans will converge. That way, development in the regions led by the central government will be welcomed and complement the development of the regional administrations (pemda).
Currently, the central government has initiated development but regional administrations often have other interests. We hope in the future, it will be more harmonious. As a result, budget and financing efficiency will be outlined, as well as whether they can be achieved through groups or simultaneously.
However, creative opportunities remain open for future presidents, vice presidents, governors, regents and mayors, within the guidelines of the RPJPN. The world is ever-changing, so we do not have plans to make Indonesia unchanging.
Kompas Editor in Chief Sutta Dharmasaputra (left) shakes hands with Minister of National Development Planning/Head of the National Development Planning Agency Suharso Monoarfa after an interview session in Jakarta, Wednesday (24/5/2023).
This RPJPN is owned by all. Do not assume it belongs to Bappenas or Jokowi’s administration. It is the property of the state and there are political processes in place, namely the law.
This means the RPJPN must be sophisticated, since the target is precise. How has Bappenas prepared for this and have futurologists been involved?
Toward the end of the 20th century, futurologists have come up with extraordinary ideas. We recall Alvin Toffler, Herman Kahn and John Naissbitt.
There was also a Hollywood film in the 1960s that predicted we could see people when making calls in the 2000s. Working no longer has to be in the office but can be done remotely. It has happened. So, it is right [to engage] those futurologists. We have already invited a number of them, but we haven’t yet spoken with them.
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In planning, several other countries have also drawn up long-term plans. China made a 100-year plan. The United States does not make long-term plans but it has strategic goals, such as sending its citizens into outer space.
In the RPJPN, are there things that will awaken the dreams of Indonesian children in 2045?
Dreams must be achievable. We have aspirations to become champions of the sea because Indonesia is an archipelago. There is no need to create multiple airports on the ground.
Why not develop airports and seaports simultaneously? So that Indonesia can become one of the kings of the seaplane. We’re moving toward that.
The public can also be involved in contributing their dreams. Becoming a ‘king’ of seaplanes in the world is a dream we must make come true. It makes sense in an archipelago this large.
We propose a fundamental change in the primary school curriculum.
There are also great challenges in the field of education. How do you seek to increase productivity if education does not support it?
We propose a fundamental change in the primary school curriculum. For one, three languages must be mastered in elementary school, namely regional languages because they are culture and identity as a nation, English and coding.
Accordingly, future research still has a long way to go. Hopefully the research consolidated now can still be used. However, we must have future research chosen by ourselves, such as research for industrialization.
What about supporting food intake to build human resources in the future?
Food security also requires attention. Regions that have become food estates must be maintained. However, it is no longer limited to rice. Applied research has been carried out to increase seed productivity and ensure its quality, to lead to healthier organic food.
This article was translated by Kesya Adhalia.
