Tempo, September 18, 2006
The six “growth tier” cities (Banjarmasin, Balikpapan, Pekanbaru, Makassar, Lampung and Padang) have an important role to play as regards “sustainable utilization of resources”. If a balance has to be struck between development and environmental concerns then the sustainability debate and coordination must shift from western capitals or Jakarta to these smaller cities that are at the frontline. Local provincial governments need to be engaged and the buy-in of their constituents obtained. Otherwise the gap between “seminar pledges” and reality will continue to widen.
From a social perspective these six cities also offer the govenment an opportunity to provide an exciting alternative to youngsters facing a future of struggle, inconsistent employment and high cost of living. Naturally, given bad memories of the coercive transmigration policies of the past, the focus of the government should principally be on educating its youth and facilitating voluntary relocation. Current awareness levels amongst large sections of the country’s youth about non Java employment options is abysmally low.
These cities also deserve significantly higher levels of investment in their infrastructure. Without this they will not be able to cope with the continued high demand for commodities. Social infrastructure must also get due attention. Large parts of these cities still do not reflect the high economic contributions being made and this can breed disontent in the long term.
Development of the critical six is a true test of Indonesia’s decentralization program and the ability of the nation’s leaders to broaden horizons beyond Jakarta – at a picture that is far more promising and will remain so for the foreseeable future.
