Indonesia underlines need for equitable development in all regions

Nusantara, E Kalimantan, Aug 17 (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) on Saturday highlighted the need for equitable development in Indonesia — be it in the western, eastern, and central regions — to realize regional equality.

"Indonesia is a very large country; equality in all regions is needed. Eastern, central, and western regions must get the same cake (share)," he told the press after the flag-lowering ceremony in Nusantara, East Kalimantan.

He made the statement in response to a question about the continuity of the new capital Nusantara's development.

In this regard, he noted that at the beginning of his presidency, he highlighted an important point that national development must be Indonesia-centric, not Java-centric.

Under the Indonesia-centric approach, development has been pursued in the periphery, villages, and outermost areas, the President explained.

"For future designs, the next five years, the next ten years, you can ask (President-elect) Prabowo Subianto," he added.

While delivering a press statement in Nusantara on Monday (August 12, 2024), Subianto affirmed that the development of Nusantara will continue under his government.

He expressed optimism that Nusantara will start to function well in 4–5 years though the new capital's construction is projected to take dozens of years to complete.

Earlier, at the annual session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) on Friday (August 16), President Widodo highlighted that his government has carried out Indonesia-centric development in the last 10 years.

He noted that under his leadership, the government has built 366 thousand kilometers of village roads, 1.9 million meters of village bridges, and 2,700 kilometers of new toll roads.