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Jokowi lays out vision for human capital development in state of nation address
Human resource development is one of several priorities President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and vice-president elect Ma’ruf Amin have for the next five years.
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President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, dressed in golden attire with a black and gold sarong and traditional headband from West Nusa Tenggara, delivers his state of the nation address at the House of Representatives complex in Jakarta. (JP/Dhoni Setiawan)
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n his annual state of the nation address, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo highlighted his vision to develop the nation’s human capital, a vision that formed part of his reelection campaign Indonesia Maju (Indonesia Onward).
Dressed in traditional Sasak attire from West Nusa Tenggara, the President delivered his annual address before members of the country’s executive, legislative and judicial branches on Friday.
Acknowledging that Indonesia currently faces impacts from disruption to the global economy as well as fierce international competition, Jokowi urged people to embrace science and technology so Indonesia could compete with other nations.
“We need superior human resources, with people holding Indonesia in their hearts and upholding [state ideology] Pancasila,” Jokowi said in his second of three speeches delivered on Friday.
“With innovation, superior human resources and technology, we will escape our dependence on natural resources,” he added.
The country’s human capital should be world-class, so Indonesia can expand its influence in international markets, Jokowi said, adding that this included the ability to master current and future knowledge.
“The time is now, between 2020 and 2024, we will experience a demographic bonus. If we focus on developing our human capital using the latest [methods], the bonus will see us make a leap in progress,” he said.
The state of the nation, which is held annually ahead of Indonesia’s Independence Day on Aug. 17, came roughly two months before Jokowi will be inaugurated for his second term in October.
Human resource development is one of several priorities Jokowi and vice-president elect Ma’ruf Amin have for the next five years.
To realize this vision, Indonesia will require a major reform of its education and vocational institutions, he said, adding that the skills needed by emerging markets should be taught to middle schools students.
“Our nation’s workforce must be competitive in terms of emerging skills, so workers can fill jobs and build businesses in emerging industries,” Jokowi said.
Furthermore, the President asserted that achieving this vision was not solely the job of his Cabinet members, but required the support of everyone, including the country’s political parties, regardless of who they supported during the election.
“I’m sure that if we all agree on the Indonesia Maju vision, we will make a leap in success that will put us ahead of other nations,” Jokowi said. (afr)
