Government efforts to increase economic growth have borne fruit. The economy, in the second quarter of 2018, grew 5.27 percent through an increase in household spending.
The second quarter growth improved compared to the first quarter of 5.06 percent. If compared to the first quarter of 2016 (5.21 percent) and the first quarter of 2017 (5.01), the growth in the first quarter of 2018 was much better.
We are certainly happy with the increase in economic growth. This is important to pursue the government\'s target, namely 5.2 percent growth this year.
On the other hand, we are also reminded that besides growth, the economy must also be qualified. The current growth, according to the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) data, is driven more by the growth of household spending.
Growth in the last quarter still relied on social assistance and holiday allowances provided by the business community to their employees and the government to the state civil servants and retirees, as well as the regional elections in 171 regions on June 27.
We hope that economic growth can continue, especially amid global economic uncertainty, which is predicted to continue for the coming year. The increase in economic growth in the second quarter in 2018 shows that accurate economic stimulants can bring the expected results.
However, stimulants such as holiday allowances are seasonal, so in order to push the economy for the rest of this year, there must be a more sustainable source of growth. We want sustainable and more qualified economic growth. Quality in this case is that the increase in household spending should not be solely due to direct injections of funds into households by the government, but from the growing economic power of the community.
To get sustainable growth, there must be more qualified job opportunities. The government has made a number of efforts to increase economic growth and at the same time reduce inequality, among others, through the distribution of village funds.
Data shows that the depth and severity of poverty in the villages is greater than in cities. However, the villages also have a lot of potential to be a source of growth if managed properly. There have been many success stories involving villages, which are able to develop their natural resources, agriculture and the creativity of their citizens.
The government also wants to immediately increase foreign and domestic tourist visits, increase exports and reduce imports of consumer goods to reduce the current-account deficit, as well as increase food production to maintain inflation and reduce the number of poor people.
If all can be coordinated, we can hope that the economic growth will occur in a sustainable and qualified way.