In fact, the president remarked that the construction of physical infrastructure is the same as the development of civilization.
"There are still many who misunderstand and see only from the physical side when we build infrastructure such as toll roads, airports, MRT, and LRT, whereas in fact we are building civilizations, building cultural connectivity, building new cultural infrastructure," the president said in his annual state of the nation address to the Parliament on Thursday, prior to the celebration of Indonesia`s 73rd Independence on August 17, 2018.
President Jokowi noted that the construction of physical infrastructure must be seen as a way to unite the nation and accelerate cultural connectivity that can bring different cultures across the archipelago together.
"With the infrastructure and accessibility, the people of Aceh can easily connect with the people of Papua, and the people in Miangas can also connect with their brothers and sisters in Rote, and have the feeling that we are one nation and one homeland," the head of state said.
Jokowi stated that since the beginning of his leadership, the government focused on accelerating infrastructure development and increasing productivity and competitiveness of the nation.
He added that the acceleration of infrastructure development is not only intended to catch up with infrastructure development compared to other countries.
According to him, the acceleration of development is also carried out to foster new economic centers that are able to provide added value to regions throughout the country.
"That is why infrastructure is not only built in Java, but also on Sumatra Island, Kalimantan Island, Sulawesi Island, Maluku Islands and Nusa Tenggara, to the Land of Papua because, as a pluralistic nation, we want to grow together, and prosper together, from Sabang to Merauke, and from Miangas to Rote Island," Jokowi said.
Reporting by Ade Irma Junida
Editing by Otniel Tamindael, Fardah Assegaf
Reporter: antara
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
