Indonesia, a sprawling archipelago abundant in natural resources, faces a significant challenge in evenly distributing development, particularly in Eastern Indonesia. Despite being home to thousands of islands, the bulk of infrastructure development and economic activity has historically centered around Java Island, given its dense population and status as the seat of government.
Traditionally, infrastructure development and economic activities have been concentrated on Java Island. This is because Java Island has a densely populated area, albeit smaller than other Indonesian islands such as Papua, Kalimantan, and Sulawesi. In 2015, Java Island had a population of 145 million, contributing 60% to the total population of Indonesia.
Moreover, the capital city and government center are also located on Java Island. This is the reason why development seems to be centralized on this island. The development gap is undeniable and greatly felt by the Indonesian people in other parts of the country.
However, this centralization has left other regions, especially those in the east, feeling a palpable development gap. Recognizing this disparity, the government has been actively pursuing policies to stimulate economic activities across the nation and narrow the economic divide between regions.
In response to this imperative, the government has embarked on various initiatives aimed at promoting regional development, with a particular focus on infrastructure transformation. One of the key strategies is the prioritization of National Strategic Projects (PSN), high-impact endeavors spanning sectors such as transportation, energy, telecommunications, and more.
These projects, dispersed throughout the Indonesian archipelago, encompass a wide range of initiatives designed not only to bolster physical infrastructure but also to foster economic growth, food security, technological advancement, and education in underserved regions.
Source: bizindo.com
