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Anies to prioritize micro infrastructure development if elected
Anies said that the government is still overlooking basic infrastructure in Pekanbaru, Riau.
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Presidential candidate Anies Baswedan (waving, right) and running mate Muhaimin Iskandar (waving, left) arrive on Nov. 27, 2023, at the General Elections Commission (KPU) office in Jakarta to take part in a joint declaration to hold a peaceful 2024 election campaign. (Antara/Aditya Pradana Putra)
Presidential hopeful Anies Baswedan said he would prioritize micro infrastructure development with the goal of providing people with basic needs.
"The change [I offer] in the future is to prioritize meeting basic needs, building not only large infrastructure but also micro infrastructure. What is that? For example, drinking water facilities, village roads and other things," Anies said during his campaign in Bata village, Pekanbaru, Riau, on Wednesday, as quoted by Antara.
While visiting brickmaking centers and assessing the infrastructure condition in the village, Anies said that the government is still overlooking basic infrastructure in the area. Despite the proximity of the village to Pekanbaru, the provincial capital, Anies said the infrastructure in the village is insufficient.
The presidential candidate also observed the local community's wells and springs, where murky water flows. Despite its murkiness, the local community uses the water for drinking and personal hygiene, as obtaining clean water is challenging.
He then promised to improve the village's condition, outlining several prioritized points, including beautifying the village, increasing the village budget, making health centers (Puskesmas) and integrated health services post (posyandu) more proactive and inviting residents to actively participate in village development.
"We will do it so that villages feel the progress, [so they don’t feel] inferior to other urban areas. Therefore, we want to give more attention to the village related to the fulfillment of basic infrastructure," Anies said.
Aside from focusing on micro infrastructure in the area, Anies also proposed a social assistance program called bansos plus, an upgrade of the previous social assistance program. He also plans to increase the benefits of social assistance, fix its recipient database and provide higher quality service.
