VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) secretary general Ma'ruf Cahyono at an event entitled 'Building Indonesia from Villages', originating from here on Saturday (November 27, 2021). (ANTARA/HO-Humas MPR RI/FR) - 

Development efforts to open villages to the influence of the outside world should be responded with the bolstering of local identity, secretary general of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), Ma'ruf Cahyono, has said.

In a written statement received here on Saturday, Cahyono argued that such an effort would ensure that the local culture, the spirit of mutual assistance, national identity and character in villages remains protected.

To optimize this effort, the Indonesian Village Government Association (Apdesi) could collaborate with MPR, which will consistently develop the nation's character by disseminating the Four Pillars of MPR, he affirmed.

"Apdesi could assist in supporting MPR's vision as the well of nationality, guardian of the Pancasila ideology and the people's sovereignty, and back MPR's duty in disseminating the Four Pillars of MPR, review the governance system, and absorb the people's aspirations," he remarked.

National development can successfully be achieved if villages are taken care of properly by the state in terms of their advancement and independence, the secretary general said.

Villages play an important role in supporting the government's success as a whole, he added. Villages are also the frontliners in terms of achieving success in various matters and government programs, he said.

Villages have two strategic functions, he highlighted. First, in terms of economy, villages' prosperity is one of the indicators that determine how strong a region or a nation's economy is, he said.

Second, politically, a village could become the indicator for the people's voice and aspirations that should not be ignored, he added.

According to Cahyono, the village potential development program is directed at the realization of agro-tourist, industry, and digital villages.

"In the future, I am optimistic that villages could grow to become the center of economic and technological growth," he affirmed.

This would make the younger generation become interested in returning to villages, developing their regions, and optimizing various existing opportunities//ANT