VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Infrastructure development continues to be sped up by the government of President Joko Widodo and Vice President Jusuf Kalla, especially for areas outside of Java. During the period 2015-2019, the government targets the development of infrastructure covering 1.000 kilometers of toll roads, 2.650 kilometers of new roads, 30 kilometers of new bridges and 65 dams.

In early 2018, there are several infrastructure projects that have been built by the government, such as toll roads, railways, dams, airports, housing complex and cross border posts.

The newly-inaugurated development project by President Joko Widodo on Sunday (21/1/2018) is the initial toll road of Bakauheni-Terbanggi Besar in Bakauheni district, South Lampung regency. This is the first toll road in Lampung province.

The ready-to-operate toll road is the one of Bakauheni Harbor-Simpang Susun Bakauheni covering 8.9 kilometers and the toll road of Simpang Susun Lematang-Simpang Susun Kotabaru covers 5.5 kilometers.

Since their initial reins of government, even before being elected as president and vice president of Indonesia, Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and Jusuf Kalla (JK) have already launched a program called Nawa Cita or nine- priority agenda for the road of change towards being politically sovereign, economically independent and culturally personalized for Indonesia.

One of the Nawa Cita's programs is to enhance people's productivity and competitiveness in international markets so that Indonesian nation can move forward and rise in a bid to be equal as advanced Asian nations. This can be done by building infrastructure not only in Java but also outside Java, such as Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Papua.

The existence of infrastructure is believed to speed up economic growth and reduce regional inequalities. In addition, the infrastructure development must be carried out to win the competition against other countries.

What the government of Joko Widodo and Jusuf Kalla has done is worth being supported by all stakeholders. All of the toll roads, airports, and seaports can all be a means of pressuring prices and accelerating the flow of logistics. This will greatly affect Indonesia's competitiveness internationally. (Trans by Rhm)

At the end of 2010, a wave of revolutions in the form of demonstrations and protests for the change of government, whether peacefully or not, struck some of Middle East and African countries. The occurrence, known as "Arab Spring", originated in Tunisia precisely on December 17, 2010. A few days later, entering the year 2011, the Tunisian government led by Zine el Abidin Ben Ali collapsed. Tunisia also experienced the most democratic transitions and political changes compared to other Arab countries, which were then also affected by Arab Spring. At that time, the ruling regime was overthrown without bloodshed and civil war.

But what happened in Tunisia last week, when commemorating the fall of the Ben Ali regime 7 years ago, was a mass demonstration against price and tax increases. Before this demonstration, a protester was killed on Monday, January 8th. The unrest prompted the government to send troops to several areas in Tunisia, and arrested nearly 800 people, including opposition leaders.

The act of protest occurred when the Tunisian government announced and provided a "new year gift" in the form of fuel price adjustment and some consumer goods starting January 1, 2018. In addition, some types of taxes and tariffs such as car taxes, telephone rates and internet also rose.

Following the demonstration, the Tunisian government also offered a social reform scheme that has been submitted to the parliament, in the form of medical care reforms, housing and assistance to the poor. So far, the government programs have not been able to overcome unemployment and poverty, including unable to restore the tourism industry, after being hit by terror attacks to foreign tourists 3 years ago. Tunisian Prime Minister, Yousef Chahed is trying to convince his citizens that 2018 is the last year of trouble in the country. But it seems that the Tunisian opposition is dissatisfied with the programs offered and urges to stage rally against the government.

The escalating violent act in Tunisia that has previously experienced a peaceful transition is alarming. The Tunisian government and the opposition should negotiate a peaceful solution. Solving the problem with the "Tunisian tradition" such as the toppling of the Ben Ali regime 7 years ago should be carried out in a bid to avoid violence, such as bloodshed that may pose casualties.

Presiden Joko Widodo receives the Fishers delegates to find the solution of Government Policy in Istana Merdeka Jakarta (17/1/2018).