According to Indonesia's Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Maman Abdurrahman, growing MSMEs can help achieve the economic growth target set by the president.

 

Minister Maman Abdurrahman even described MSME entrepreneurs as small candles lit in every corner of the country. He viewed that small candles with large lights are a cosmological representation of MSMEs, which although small in scale, have a significant role and impact on the Indonesian economy.

 

The minister also emphasized that the current task is to create a network of light that ignites hope, creates innovation, and keeps the wheels of the economy turning.

 

To strengthen the network and increase connectivity between business actors in the sector with large businesses, the Indonesian government plans to form a holding company or parent company for MSMEs.

 

Through this method, it is hoped that the number of MSME businesses that become partners of large business actors will increase. Because currently, the partnership between the two is only around 7% of the total MSME actors which reaches tens of millions.

In addition to having large business partners, it is hoped that MSME businesses can also play a role and be actively involved in the supply chain. The quality of production from MSME businesses in Indonesia is also expected to be better. Because MSME businesses will also get certification so that quality can be maintained.

With maintained quality and active marketing, it is possible that Indonesian micro, small, and medium enterprises will make a significant contribution to achieving the country's economic growth target of 8 percent.

This year, Indonesia has a Hajj quota of 221,000 people and 2,210 Hajj officers. This is actually a decrease from the 2024 quota, where Indonesia had 241,000 pilgrims and more than 4,000 officers. However, the government is still working to increase the number of officers by 2% of the total pilgrims to ensure better services. This step is important considering the large number of pilgrims need supervision and support during their pilgrimage.

 

But beyond the numbers, this MoU emphasizes the importance of being aware of the rules and ethics while in the Holy Land. Pilgrims are reminded to maintain order, respect the sanctity of worship places, and follow the rules, including those related to public activities and the use of electronic devices. This is part of the effort to make sure the implementation of Hajj is not only smooth but also conducted with full devotion and its sanctity preserved.

 

The cooperation between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia in organizing the Hajj has been going on for decades. Hopefully, efforts by the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs and other related parties will help increase Indonesia's Hajj quota and the number of officers in the coming years, considering the long waiting list of people who want to perform Hajj.

 

With thorough preparation from the organizers, officers, and pilgrims, the 2025 Hajj can be a safe, comfortable, and blessed journey for all Indonesian pilgrims. (Publish: Rama)

This year’s observance is centered in West Java, with celebrations taking place in the regencies of Subang and Sumedang. The event is underscored by the theme “Build Villages, Build Indonesia,” aligning seamlessly with the sixth mission of the Indonesian president Prabowo Subianto’s Asta Cita – a framework of eight governing principles – which advocates for building from the ground up, focusing on villages as the foundation for economic equity and the eradication of poverty. This mission also encompasses efforts to fortify national ideology and democracy.

 

The importance of village development cannot be overstated. With villages contributing a remarkable 74% towards Indonesia’s achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), they are undeniably integral to the nation’s progress. In terms of territorial governance, 91% of Indonesia’s administrative regions are villages. From a demographic standpoint, nearly 188 million people residing in villages represent 43% of the country's population. Thus, addressing the needs of rural communities directly correlates to improving the well-being of the entire nation.

 

Village development spans numerous aspects, including human resources, healthcare, economic potential, and environmental sustainability. When these facets are collectively empowered and nurtured, the benefits extend far beyond the villages themselves, catalyzing national development.

 

Bey Machmudin, the Acting Governor of West Java, the province selected to host this year’s National Village Day, highlighted a notable achievement: there are no longer any underdeveloped or extremely underdeveloped villages within the province. Of the over 5,000 villages in West Java, more than 90% are classified as independent or advanced, with only 508 remaining in the developing category.

 

On a national scale, the latest figures from Indonesia’s Central Statistics Agency reveal that as of 2024, there are a total of 84,276 administrative villages. While many of these villages have made strides in development, a significant number still fall behind, though the proportion of such villages has dramatically decreased in recent years. Nevertheless, several thousand villages continue to face challenges, underscoring the ongoing work required by the government to elevate these areas.

 

Importantly, this effort cannot be solely shouldered by the government. The support of all sectors, including the active participation of the general public, is crucial. (Publish: Rama)

In his press statement, PM Ishiba Shigeru said that Indonesia was one of the countries he visited as part of his first overseas trip. It is because Indonesia is seen as having a large economic market; hence he wants to improve relations with the Southeast Asian region.

 

Another notable aspect of the Japanese prime minister’s visit to Indonesia, apart from being the first country visited in early 2025, is Japan's intention to support the Asta Cita (eight missions) introduced by President Prabowo Subianto’s administration.

 

During the meeting, Japan agreed to assist food security and enhance human quality through the Free Nutritious Meals and Food Self-sufficiency programs. According to President Prabowo, Japan has conducted the free meals program for the past 80 years. In the defense sector, both countries agreed to support regional security and stability to create a safe and peaceful environment. Japan is providing Indonesia with patrol boats, including military defense training, to support regional security.

 

In environmental support and disaster mitigation, Indonesia and Japan are collaborating to study disaster mitigation, including volcanic disasters. Japan will also cooperate and invest in natural energy, natural resources down-streaming, and industrialization.

 

Looking at the major agenda brought by Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru during this visit, Indonesia should respond promptly and seize the opportunities presented. This is especially important during the early 100 days of President Prabowo’s administration, which is filled with programs focused on food security, safety, food self-sufficiency, and economic development. The Japanese prime minister's visit to Indonesia at the year's beginning as his first state visit signifies Indonesia's importance in the eyes of Japan. It symbolizes the strengthening of relations between the two countries in the future. All offers, assistance, and cooperation are hoped to be mutually beneficial and not only lead to increased debt. Regarding PM Ishiba Shigeru's visit, President Prabowo also emphasized the importance of maintaining regional stability amid global dynamics, as it is essential to foster good relations with countries worldwide, including all economic blocs. (Publish: Rama)

One of the key points in the address of the UN Secretary-General was the financial issue faced by developing countries. According to Antonio Guterres, loan capacity improvement for the Multilateral Development Bank (MBD) was needed to accelerate energy transition for developing countries.

 

The 15th IRENA Assembly focused on tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030 with increased ambition in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0), supporting the transition and harnessing innovative financial flows in developing countries. Financial challenges are usually arise as the world tries to move forward, considering the uneven quality of the economies of countries in the world.

 

That is why the Climate Change Conference (COP29) meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan last November focused discussions on efforts to increase climate finance. At that time, COP29 agreed on a climate finance target of US$300 billion per year for developing countries by 2025.

 

At the COP29 meeting, Indonesia succeeded in obtaining a green funding agreement of 1.2 billion Euros. The funds came from the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) for the electricity sector.

 

Indonesia itself was projected to need green financing of up to US$281 billion. Despite financing sources might come from the private sector and cooperation between countries, the existing funding is still far from ideal.

 

Another important issue in achieving the acceleration of the energy transition is the support of state regulations on climate change, and the design of the energy transition from fossils to clean energy. However, the financing aspect is very urgent and requires international support, especially from large countries.

 

The world wished that the first energy conference in 2025 could produce real results for efforts to maintain the earth's temperature and improve the climate. Hopefully the positive achievements at COP29 last November can be replicated, so that the world does not lose hope in facing the climate challenges that are increasingly felt by everyone. (Publish: Rama)

Until now, transmigration is still part of the Indonesian government's policy. However, the form of policy regarding transmigration has undergone many changes. Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, during a press conference at his office, Wednesday (8/1/2025) emphasized that the transmigration program in the era of President Prabowo Subianto's administration carries a new paradigm. It aims not only to move people, but also emphasize the development of economic growth in the transmigration destination areas. These areas must be developed into new, independent and sustainable economic centers so that they can provide a bright future for the transmigrants.

The Indonesian Ministry of Transmigration noted that by the end of 2024, there were a total of 419 transmigration areas spread throughout Indonesia. 153 of them need special government attention. Of that number, 45 areas are declared a priority in the 2025-2029 National Medium-Term Development Plan.

The development of transmigration areas is certainly not easy. It requires synergistic cooperation from various parties. Indonesia's Deputy Minister of Transmigration, Viva Yoga Mauladi in Jakarta, Thursday (9/1) stated that the ministries under the auspices of the country's Coordinating Ministry for Infrastructure and Regional Development are synergizing to keep developing transmigration areas into new centers of economic growth.

Certainly, the government cannot work alone in this matter. There needs to be collaboration with the private sector, especially in developing superior products in transmigration areas. The focus is not only on the agricultural sector, but also other business sectors, such as the livestock sector, tourism, and plantations.

According to the Indonesian Minister of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration, Yandri Susanto, the utilization of Village Funds in 2025 will prioritize programs aimed at eradicating extreme poverty and strengthening food security.

Quoting worldbank.org, the international extreme poverty line is set at US$2.15 per person per day, using 2017 prices.

Meanwhile, data from Indonesia's Central Agency on Statistics (BPS) as of March 2024 shows that the percentage of people living in extreme poverty in Indonesia was 0.83% of the total population, a decrease of 0.29 percentage points from the previous year’s figure of 1.12%.

At a socialization event for Ministerial Regulation Number 2 of 2024, which provides operational guidelines for the focus of the Village Fund usage in 2025, held in Jakarta on Wednesday (7/1), Minister Yandri Susanto stated that 15% of Village Funds will be allocated to reduce extreme poverty rates. If no extreme poverty is present in a particular village, the use of Village Funds will be further regulated in technical guidelines.

Furthermore, the utilization of Village Funds in 2025 will also prioritize to support food security programs. Ministerial Regulation Number 2 of 2024 mandates that at least 20% of Village Funds must be used for food self-sufficiency programs to bolster food security.

President Prabowo Subianto’s administration's programs to reduce poverty rates and achieve food self-sufficiency have become one of the top priorities for the Ministry of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration. However, these efforts will require support from other ministries and agencies to ensure smooth implementation and achievement of targets.

With strong cooperation from all parties, and proper oversight to ensure the effective use of funds, the government’s Asta Cita agenda, particularly for eradicating poverty and achieving food self-sufficiency, can be successfully realized. (Publish: Rama)

Earlier, Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita urged Apple to consider the first investment scheme, which involves setting up production facilities or factories. This initiative is seen as a key opportunity to create jobs through direct investment.

 

Meanwhile, discussions with Minister of Investment and Downstream Affairs (BKPM), Rosan Roeslani revealed that Apple has committed to building an Airtag vendor factory in Batam, Riau Islands. The estimated investment value for this project is approximately Rp16 trillion (about US$986 million).

 

This meeting between the two ministries within the Red and White Cabinet represents a tangible step towards achieving one of the key goals outlined in Asta Cita, the eight strategic missions of President Prabowo Subianto’s administration. The third point of Asta Cita is to "enhance the creation of quality jobs, foster entrepreneurship, develop the creative industries, and continue infrastructure development."

 

Job creation has indeed been a central focus of President Prabowo’s administration. However, opening high-quality employment opportunities cannot be achieved in the short term. It requires comprehensive planning and a strategic approach to industrialization. This implies the need for well-thought-out programs aimed at enhancing the quality of the workforce in Indonesia.

Therefore, the development of quality human resources is one of the priority programs of the Prabowo Subianto administration. It is outlined in Asta Cita, which consists of 8 missions to achieve the vision of "Together Indonesia Onwards towards Golden Indonesia 2045".

 

Quality human resources are an important asset in development, as competent and skilled people can create innovations and utilize technology to drive economic growth. These innovations will enhance the nation's competitiveness nationally, regionally, and internationally. Moreover, quality human resources can also improve national productivity, enabling the country's economy to grow rapidly.

 

A nation can reduce dependence on foreign experts or technology by having excellent human resources. This allows the country to be independent in various sectors, including technology, healthcare, and education.

 

By focusing on quality human resources development, a nation can face various global challenges and realize the vision of becoming an advanced nation. Excellent human resources are not only an asset, but also the key to sustainable development.

While running for three months from January until March 2025, the program is predicted to benefit around 3.3 million students. Some 6 million students are aimed to receive it by mid-2025, and 82 million by 2029. The government stated the beneficiaries are not only students from preschool to high school, but also pregnant mothers and toddlers, for being a vital part of the nation's future.

 

To ensure the program's continuity, in 2025, the Indonesian government allocated around 20 percent of the state budget, or around Rp 71 trillion (about US$4.3 billion). The budget aimed to ensure nutritious meals could be distributed to all students across Indonesia. Predictably, some 1,000 nutrition fulfillment centers work hard to provide 3,000 to 3,500 food portions everyday. Every portion worth Rp 10,000 or less than $1.

 

However, more than fulfilling nutrition needs, the program also plays a key role in boosting the local economy. By involving many parties in the production and distribution of staple foods such as egg, vegetable, fish, and rice, the program is expected to create a positive economic cycle in the village while supporting the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

 

Providing free nutritious meals to students, mainly children, is an important investment in the health and future of the country. This program not only addresses malnutrition, but also supports children’s academic and cognitive development, with the hope that Indonesia’s young generation will be ready to contribute to the country’s progress in
the future.

 

While enthusiasm for this program is high, some challenges remain, especially in ensuring efficient distribution and maintaining food quality.

 

However, the program reflects a long-term vision for Indonesia’s social and economic progress, with the goal of improving the quality of life for millions while supporting a cooperative-based economy across the country.

 

It is important to continue to monitor and assess the impact of the program. Should it be successful, the program could serve as a model for other countries seeking to address hunger, improve public health, and empower local communities.

 

Overall, the Indonesia Free Nutritious Meals Program is an innovative and bold initiative that demonstrates the Indonesian government’s commitment to improving the health and well-being of its people.