C

entral Java Governor Bibit Waluyo says his administration would make strenuous efforts to alleviate poverty by stimulating economic potential in the province through an economic cluster strategy, such as developing sugar producing centers at optimum and then clustering with other sectors, like milk production and fisheries.

Speaking during a working trip in Panembangan, Cilongok, Banyumas, recently, Bibit added he would place poverty alleviation at the top of his priority list and make it part of the Bali Deso Mbangun Deso, or return and develop the village concept, which was the highlight of his campaign during his gubernatorial campaign. Bibit was appointed as governor in June last year.

At least 8 million people in Central Java are still categorized as poor, since 6.5 million of them are under-employed with no proper job, while 1.5 million others are registered unemployed, the governor said.

The poor people in the province are scattered across 8,774 villages and subdistricts in 36 regencies.

"The number of poor people in Central Java is still above the national average," Bibit said, speaking to residents, adding the national poverty rate stood at 15 percent of the total population.

However, the poverty rate in Central Java stood at 20.5 percent in 2007, with a minor drop in 2008 to 19.5 percent.

"This means the number in poverty has reached 8 million out of the 33 million inhabitants of the province," said Bibit.

He compared the number of poor people in Central Java to the population of Singapore. "But the 8 million people in Singapore live in prosperity, while those in Central Java live in poverty," he said.

He added that to address these issues, poverty alleviation efforts should be carried out by the government and people, working together.

"The government cannot work alone. We must work hand in hand to alleviate poverty," he said.

The governor expects all levels of administration in Central Java to be committed and to make the Mbangun Desa concept a success by renewing the rural economy.

"The Bali Ndeso Mbangun Deso program should not be just a slogan but our joint commitment on how to lift Central Java out of its economic deprivation, by facilitating rural potential," said Bibit.

Bibit also said poverty alleviation efforts included stimulus programs funded by the state and provincial budgets. His administration has announced it would embark on various programs and he hoped these could help revitalize the economy in Central Java.

These programs include the construction of the 72-km Semarang-Surakarta turnpike, expected to completed in 2012, the south coast highway, a cement factory in Pati and oil exploration at the Cepu Block in Blora, which is expected to begin production this year.

"I'm positive accelerated growth in Central Java could be achieved thanks to the available programs and potential," he said, adding the forecast annual growth target of 5.1 percent could be surpassed given the allocated provincial budget of Rp 5.2 trillion.

"Provided with all this potential, we are positive the growth rate could be reached despite the current global economic crisis," said Bibit.

He added the Mbangun Desa program would be implemented in stages, beginning with consolidation with all levels of the bureaucracy from 2009 to 2010.