Anies Criticizes North Maluku's Fantastic Economic Growth

Anies Baswedan criticized North Maluku's fantastic growth as a result of downstreaming which has not provided prosperity for the residents.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI. The original article can be found in Anies Kritik Pertumbuhan Ekonomi Fantastis Maluku Utara

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

Presidential candidate number 1, Anies Baswedan, participated in a debate held by the General Election Commission (KPU) at the KPU office in Jakarta on Tuesday (12/12/2023).

TERNATE, KOMPAS - Candidate number 1 for the presidency, Anies Rasyid Baswedan, criticized the double-digit growth of North Maluku which has yet to provide welfare for the people in this nickel-rich province. It is predicted that in 2024, mining and mineral processing will continue to support the economic growth of North Maluku at a rate of 18-22 percent. In addition to welfare, equal access to education needs to be present in every corner of the island.

In his open campaign in Ternate, North Maluku, on Thursday (26/1/2024), Anies Baswedan explained that the wealth of minerals driving the economy of North Maluku has not been felt by the people, as can be seen from the still high level of inequality. The expensive price of basic necessities in the island region is seen as putting pressure on the economy of the people. Anies also called for change in front of his supporters.

The mineral wealth needs to be utilized and managed fairly to become a capital for the development of North Maluku in the future. He mentioned that North Maluku is often regarded as a historic region as it was visited by traders from several European countries to seek spices. Therefore, this region must develop its wealth for the future prosperity.

"Do not view North Maluku as a region with a glorious past anymore, let's make this richness as our capital for the future," said the running mate of the Presidential candidate, Muhaimin Iskandar.

Also read: Anies Criticizes the Government Has Not Delivered Welfare in the Archipelago Region

Anies' visit to North Maluku is not his first. Anies shared that through the Indonesia Mengajar program in 2011-2012, he and volunteer teachers sailed from Ternate to Bacan Island, South Halmahera, to provide education in remote areas. Through this experience, he realized that quality education had not yet been enjoyed by all communities in the eastern regions of Indonesia.

Road infrastructure and damaged school buildings, as well as minimal electricity supply are still a common issue in the areas of the North Moluccas islands. According to him, children in North Moluccas have exceptional intelligence and potential, but their development is hindered by unequal development.

KOMPAS/RADITYA HELABUMI

HPAL Smelters

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Based on Bank Indonesia's projection, the economy of North Maluku will grow within the range of 18 to 22 percent in 2024. Last year, the economy of North Maluku grew by 23 percent, the highest in Indonesia. In fact, this figure has become one of the largest regional growth achievements in the world. This double-digit growth began in late 2019 with the establishment of several mineral processing facilities (smelters) in North Maluku as part of the downstreaming program.

The results of mineral wealth in North Maluku have not been felt by the community. Change is necessary.

Despite growing at a fantastic rate, inequality remains an issue. According to the analysis conducted by the Directorate General of Treasury in the Ministry of Finance in North Maluku, the inequality can be seen from the high average value of Theil Entropy Index in districts and cities in North Maluku, which is 4.09 in 2022.

This index explains the disparity between regions, which occurs because economic growth is only centered on one sector without being accompanied by an increase in other sectors. In North Maluku, since downstreaming, the growth of the mining sector has consistently exceeded traditional sectors such as agriculture and fisheries. However, please note that the words PBB, PKS, and PPP cannot be translated due to their specific meanings in Bahasa Indonesia.

Also read: Fish Now "Su" Run Away, Displaced by Mines

In 2022, in North Maluku, the highest Entrophy Theil value was found in Central Halmahera with a value of 28.48. This number is concerning given its significant increase from the 2018 value of just 4.37. Other Entrophy Theil index values in other regions are 1.67 in South Halmahera and the lowest is 0.49 in West Halmahera. Values that continue to move away from "0" indicate increasing inequality.

KOMPAS/RADITYA HELABUMI

Fishermen are bringing in yellowfin tuna catch in Kawasi Village, Obi Island, South Halmahera, North Maluku, on Sunday (11/26/2023).

Therefore, Anies also wants the central fund transfer scheme from mineral wealth to be changed so that Maluku Utara gets a large portion for its development capital. Anies revealed the plan to change the central fund transfer calculation scheme during his campaign in Ambon, Maluku, a few weeks ago.

According to him, transfers made through the Distributable Funds or Special Allocation Funds only use calculations based on land area, not waters, thus harming island communities. "This equality is what the Anies-Muhaimin (Amin) tandem wants for North Maluku," he said.

Also read: Nickel, a double-edged sword in North Maluku

During his visit to North Maluku, Anies also paid a visit to the Kedaton Palace of the Ternate Sultanate to meet with Sultan Ternate Hidayat Syah. The Head of the Amin North Maluku Campaign Team, Achmad Hatari, is optimistic that this number 1 candidate pair will be able to secure a high vote in this province. The coalition party is requested to work hard to win Amin in North Maluku. The number of registered permanent voters in North Maluku for the 2024 General Election is recorded as 956,978 people.

"From that number, we believe we can get 50 percent, the rest may be for other couples," said the politician from the National Democratic Party who also serves as Vice Chairman of Commission XI of the Indonesian House of Representatives.