IO, Jakarta – President Jokowi emphasized several issues in his address during the People’s Consultative Assembly (Majelis Permusyawaratan Rakyat – “MPR”) Session held in the Parliament Building, Jakarta, last weekend. Two of these issues were addressed to the State’s agencies, which include the MPR, the House of Representatives (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat – “DPR”), the Regional Representative Council (Dewan Perwakilan Daerah – “DPD”), the Audit Board of Indonesia (Badan Pemeriksa Keuangan – “BPK”), the Supreme Court (Mahkamah Agung – “MA”), the Constitution Court (Mahkamah Konstitusi – “MK”), and the Judicial Commission.
In his address, Jokowi first reminded these State agencies not to be satisfied. Each part of the Government must reinforce and support the others in order to achieve Indonesia’s development, especially since Indonesia is a democratic country. “We (State agencies) must never become allergic to criticism. No matter how harsh the criticism is, we must accept it as a form of concern, so that we work even harder to satisfy the people’s wishes,” he said.
Jokowi also requests that all State agencies build a strong synergy. All elements of the Government must support each other in order to achieve the eradication of poverty, the closing of gaps, and the opening of job opportunities in Indonesia. Jokowi wants everyone in the Government to be able to face threats of intolerance, radicalism, and terrorism. “We all need to develop superior human resources, which can advance our nation,” he said.
Secondly, Jokowi is optimistic that Indonesia will be able to face challenges, because of Pancasila’s strong foundation that unites the people, despite the nation’s large size and varied population. He is certain that all of our nation’s children can live in peace without differentiating religious, tribal, racial, or group backgrounds because they abide by Pancasila principles. Differences must not obstruct the nation’s unity.
Other than stating these two issues, Jokowi also urged all elements of the nation to maintain our unity and brotherhood in this glorious era of openness. In this era, that is also characterized by a rapid flow of information, all State agencies must be faster and more responsive when adapting to technological advances. This will prevent technological abuse by irresponsible people. Jokowi further demands that we keep on creating and innovating in order to survive amid harsh international competition. Finally, he states that we need to repeal and reconstruct all laws that obstruct the people’s development.
Separately, the Ministry for the Empowerment of Women and Protection of Children (Pemberdayaan Perempuan dan Perlindungan Anak – “PPPA”) supports the Government’s plan to generate superior human resources. PPPA Secretary Pribudiarta Nur Sitepu stated that such development should start from early on. “We hope that babies can grow properly, free from stunting; and when they grow, their rights are satisfied and that they are freed from all forms of violence and discrimination,” he said in the discussion titled “The President of RI’s 2019 State Address and the Role of the PPPA Ministry” held in his office in Central Jakarta on Monday (19/08/2019).
Developing superior HR is far from easy. Indonesia’s success in developing talented generations with Indonesian hearts and Pancasila ideology for its own advancement requires the involvement of all its people. However, the National Child and Teen Life Experience Survey 2018 noted that two out of three, or a prevalence of 66.67% of children (a total of 53.06 million male and female children and teens) have suffered some form of violence in their lifetime. “The development of smart and noble HR must be preceded by the generation of strong and healthy HR. We need to prepare not just future mothers, but also future fathers and a healthy environment, so that all components of growth – whether in small, medium, or large environments, are safe and suitable for children,” Pribudiarta said. (Dan)