"It (the achievement) can even surpass the target," the minister stated at the national coordination meeting on disadvantaged regions' development acceleration held in Palu, Central Sulawesi, on Tuesday, according to a press release issued by his ministry on Wednesday.
Iskandar noted that the 2020-2024 National Medium-Term Development Plan set a target of alleviating 25 disadvantaged districts out of 62 regions categorized as disadvantaged.
He affirmed that starting from this year, the development of disadvantaged regions is carried out on the basis of data and the regions' conditions and potentials.
Development programs for disadvantaged regions are implemented based on detailed data that includes the names and addresses of beneficiaries to ensure that no one is left behind.
Apart from that, Iskandar further noted that mutual cooperation between ministries and agencies as well as synergy with regional governments, the private sector, universities, and mass media had been bolstered to expedite the development of disadvantaged regions.
"Optimism to alleviate all disadvantaged regions emerged through strengthening synergy of regional governments that is in line with efforts of the central government," he remarked.
Related news: Govt seeking to develop 62 underdeveloped districts by 2024
He stated that the central government is also coordinating to improve the central government and regional governments' spending planning regarding the development of disadvantaged regions.
"Specifically, implementing a collaborative development approach that is unique to the community, culture, and physical conditions of disadvantaged regions, such as in Papua Island," he remarked.
Meanwhile, Vice President Ma'ruf Amin stated that the acceleration of disadvantaged regions' development is a real form of the government's support.
He underlined that the alleviation of disadvantaged regions aligns with the Golden Indonesia 2045 vision to realize an advanced and prosperous nation with productive, quality, and competitive generations.
"Towards (realizing) the vision, the issues of regional equity, poverty alleviation, and elimination of extreme poverty as well as accelerating the development of disadvantaged, frontier, and outermost regions, or 3T regions, are the government's current focus," he stated.
Related news: President Jokowi receives Golden Indonesia road map book
Related news: All societal elements should realize Golden Indonesia 2045: Official
Translator: Zubi Mahrofi, Raka Adji
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
Copyright © ANTARA 2023
