JAKARTA, KOMPAS – The economic gap and regional inequality remain a major problem faced by all countries, including Indonesia. For this reason, the government is preparing a draft on new policy in building a just and fair economy to solve regional disparity.
In his address during the opening of the 16th National Working Meeting of Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (Hipmi), in Jakarta on Monday, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said the government would soon issue a new policy to build a just and fair economy.
"A policy on economic equality will be issued soon," he said in front of hundreds of entrepreneurs and aspiring young entrepreneurs. The implementation of the new policy on building a just and fair economy is needed to address the economic gaps that have now become one of the country’s big problems. The economic gaps are seen not only between the rich and poor, but also between regions.
Indonesia\'s Gini ratio decreased from 0.4 to 0.39 in 2016. However, according to President Jokowi, despite the drop, the figure indicates the gap is still wide. "Thank God, the Gini ratio, which was previously 0.4, in 2016 dropped to 0.39. We should be thankful, but the numbers are like a yellow light turning red, "he said.
Three sectors are the focus of the policy on a just and fair economy, namely asset redistribution and agrarian reform, access to finance and capital, as well as the improvement of human resources.
President Jokowi said the government had prepared 12.7 million hectares of land for the asset redistribution program. Idle land of 12.7 million hectares will be given to the public, both individuals and groups such as cooperatives, indigenous peoples and boarding schools.
The people are expected to manage the land given by the government for a certain period. Through the redistribution of assets, economic equality and social welfare could be improved.
In particular, the President also called on young entrepreneurs, especially those grouped under Hipmi, to help overcome the inequality problem. "I hope Hipmi can contribute to economic equality, particularly in asset redistribution and agrarian reform," he added.
The young entrepreneurs also have the opportunity to get permission to manage part of the 12.7 million hectares of land. However, according to the President, there are certain requirements that must be met by entrepreneurs to be able to manage unused land and asset redistribution program of agrarian reform.
Hipmi chairman Bahlil Lahadalia welcomed the equal and just economic policy. Hipmi will define the role to be taken to help the government create economic equality.
Entrepreneurship
In the opening of Hipmi’s annual meeting, President Jokowi also launched the “Hipmi Goes to School” program. Bahlil said the program was a continuation of the previous “Hipmi Goes to Campus” program. Both programs aim to introduce entrepreneurship from an early age.
Through the program, it is expected that more people will be able to start a business from a young age. As a result, the business world will not continue to be dominated by the same group of entrepreneurs.
(NTA)
