Synergy between the central and regional governments` policies is the key to the success of the poverty eradication programs in Indonesia, the president said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has asked regional governments to make programs to cut the poverty rate in their respective regions in line with the central government`s policy.

Synergy between the central and regional governments` policies is the key to the success of the poverty eradication programs in Indonesia, the president said when installing the new cabinet lineup at the State Palace here on Wednesday.

Poverty eradication programs would be much better if the central government`s policy was supported by regional governments, he said.

"In many ways, what we have done is not enough, therefore there must be special programs that have to be implemented and intensified," he said.

The president said existing funds for the poverty eradication programs are currently scattered in many ministries and institutions. He promised to rearrange the budget spending so it would be more focused on poverty fighting efforts.

In the next three years, poverty eradication program will target jobless young intellectuals so they can develop entrepreneurship, he said.

He instructed the economic ministers and regional government heads to carry out special programs to reduce the poverty rate by creating job opportunities through appropriate allocations of funds.

The government will also remain focused on food and energy resilience in the next three years.

"For food in particular, I order government personnel to implement and make the program of rice surplus amounting 10 million tons by 2014 a success. Every body has to be creative and active. Food must be adequate and appropriate," he said.

He said all ministers would be required to submit reports to him on their rice surplus programs every six months.

To achieve energy security, the president emphasized the need to increase production of oil, gas, electricity and renewable energy such as geothermal energy.

Sometimes, obstacles in the development of geothermal energy come from regional governments which issued inappropriate regulations, he said.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2011