"We consider the infrastructure development to make Jokowi`s capital convincing the public to win the 2019 Presidential Election," said Harist Hijrah, Lecturer at the Setia Budhi Rangkasbitung College of Social and Political Sciences (STISIP), here on Sunday.
Jokowi`s government for the last four years, has made infrastructure development in various regions including in Banten Province, a priority.
Direct benefits of the development of infrastructure have been greatly felt by the community.
In fact, the construction of toll roads has now penetrated between the western part of Java, namely Banten, and East Java.
Jokowi is very committed to implementing infrastructure development programs, such as toll roads, sea tolls, airports, power plants, reservoirs, railroads and special economic zones (SEZs).
Infrastructure development can support access to traffic as well as bring closer to community service.
If the government builds education and health facilities, but if the roads and bridges are not built, it is useless, because there is no traffic accessibility.
Therefore, Jokowi realized various infrastructure developments in order to facilitate the mobilization of goods and services distribution and also reduce transportation costs.
"We believe that the presidential debate tonight will be superior in terms of infrastructure compared to Prabowo Subianto, because Prabowo has never implemented the wheels of government," he explained.
According to him, Jokowi also realized infrastructure development in Papua to catch up with the other areas.
Where Papua`s infrastructure is very far behind, resulting in the emergence of separatisme movements or the Free Papua Organization (OPM).
Because, they were very jealous to see the condition of Papua`s infrastructure lagging far behind that of Java and Sumatra.
Thus, he said, Jokowi was present and realized the infrastructure development in Papua Province.
Possibly it`s the first time that Jokowi`s government responded to infrastructure development to create equitable development.
At present, infrastructure development is also felt by the people of Eastern Indonesia, including in Papua.
"The construction of infrastructure built by Jokowi as a capital step to win the presidential election because it can be felt by the community," he said.
In the debate on infrastructure theme, it is certain that the number 02 presidential candidate pair will attack the country`s debt problems which are now increasingly burdening the people.
As long as Jokowi`s government debt continues to swell, it will make the presidential debate very interesting.
However, Jokowi will break the country`s debt which burdens the people, because the country`s debt is categorized as productive debt and not consumptive.
"We predict the second round of the presidential debate will be more interesting and the candidates will attack each other," he said.
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Reporting by Mansyur suryana
Editing by Eliswan Azly, Fardah Assegaf
Reporter: Antara
Editor: Azizah Fitriyanti
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