President: Guts to Bring Indonesia Forward

For this reason, President Joko Widodo warned that this rare opportunity could be utilized as well as possible. "Usually in civilization a country is only given one opportunity to jump to become a developed country," he said at the opening of the XII Congress of the Indonesian Buddhist Student Association (Hikmahbudhi) in Jakarta, Thursday (28/3 /2024).

As an example, Latin American countries missed the opportunity when they received the demographic bonus in the 1970s. South Africa also had 63 percent of its population in the productive age group in 2015. However, 25 percent of them were unemployed and in 2021, the unemployment rate actually rose to 33 percent.

Also read: President Jokowi: Fast work is the key to a country's success

South Korea is cited as a successful example of a country that has leapt into becoming a developed nation. If in 1987 the per capita income in South Korea was only 3,500 US dollars, in 1995 it had increased to 11,800 US dollars.

South Korea's success is attributed to education and training that is deemed successful in improving the quality of its human resources. Therefore, Indonesia must be able to respond to the challenges in becoming a developed country.

Usually in civilization a country is only given one chance to jump to become a developed country.

"It should be possible, but with consistency. Good political stability. No changing of programs or events, and the momentum of transformation is already visible," he said.

If the policies taken by the state have begun to be opposed, he continued, it means that the choice was correct in the interests of the state. The President gave an example, downstreaming of nickel, which provides multiple added value for Indonesia, was opposed by other countries and was sued by the World Trade Organization (WTO).

And we lose, not win. (But) We compare again, yes, we face it. We may lose again, but the industry is already established. It's okay to take a step back, but the nickel industry, EV batteries, and electric cars are already established.

”And we lost, not won. (But) Let's appeal again, yes, we'll face it. We may lose again, but the industry is ready. "It's okay if we go back and forth, but the nickel industry, EV batteries and electric cars are ready," he added.

In fact, the value of raw nickel exports in 2014 was only 2.1 million US dollars or around 30 trillion Indonesian rupiahs. After the ban on raw nickel exports and the development of the nickel industry, in 2022, the value of nickel exports increased to 33 million US dollars or almost 500 trillion Indonesian rupiahs.

"Try to multiply the value we receive from taxes, non-tax state revenue (PNBP), and royalties for national income," he said.

Freeport belongs to Indonesia

President Jokowi also talked about the process of increasing the Indonesian Government's ownership of PT Freeport Indonesia. If initially Indonesia only owned 9 percent of the shares in the company, since 2018 Indonesia can take over 51 percent of the shares.

"Therefore, Freeport (Indonesia) is no longer owned by the United States, but by Indonesia. Soon, we will increase our ownership to 61 percent. Currently, 71 percent of Freeport's revenue goes to the country. If the ownership becomes 61 percent (owned by Indonesia), 81 percent of Freeport's revenue will go to the country," said the President.

However, it is acknowledged that this will face great challenges. Pushing for all of this to be realized, according to the President, will require courage. Because, he said, when the takeover of Freeport's shares was carried out, there was no one who supported it, instead, many mocked it. "But, I am used to being insulted, mocked, and cursed. I just keep going. If I believe I am right, I will keep going," he said.

Freeport (Indonesia) no longer belongs to the United States, but to Indonesia. Soon we will increase it to 61 percent.

If Indonesia is consistent with downstreaming, digitization, and entering the green economy, President Jokowi believes that achieving Indonesia Emas (Golden Indonesia) by 2045 is not impossible.

"I have great hope in the younger generation, in the Buddhist student community of Indonesia, in the national-oriented student unions, who always maintain unity, who always uphold Pancasila, who always uphold the unity of Indonesia, because that is the key to solidarity that will lead our country to leap forward and become a developed nation," said President Jokowi.

Also read: President asks PT Freeport to speed up copper smelter operations

Strong leadership

In his speech, the Chairman of the Central Presidium of Hikmahbudhi, Wiryawan, also believes that Indonesia needs strong and sustainable leadership towards Indonesia Emas 2045 (Golden Indonesia 2045). "According to us, not only the country needs sustainable leadership, but all sectors need to continue all the good things," he said.

The opening of the 12th Hikmahbudhi Congress was marked by the striking of a gong. Among those present at the event were Minister of Youth and Sports Dito Ariotedjo, Chief of Police General (Pol) Listyo Sigit Prabowo, Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces General Agus Subiyanto, as well as several Buddhist religious leaders such as Biku Dhammasubho Mahathera and Biksu Dutavira Mahasthavira.