Supporting Infrastructure Development Under the Prabowo-Gibran Administration
By: Sunandar Karya Kartasasmita
As President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka approach their first anniversary, the direction of national development increasingly demonstrates consistency with the grand vision of national independence. The government has emphasized its focus on strengthening the economic foundation through infrastructure development that is not only physically massive but also has a direct impact on the people’s welfare. In this context, the infrastructure development policies of the Prabowo-Gibran era serve as concrete evidence of the continuation of the long-term development vision laid out in the previous term.
Minister of Public Works, Dody Hanggodo, stated that the Ministry of Public Works projects that national infrastructure development will reach more than 90 percent by the end of 2025. This achievement is an ambitious target that demonstrates the government’s commitment to completing various strategic projects that address the basic needs of the community. Dody emphasized that one of his ministry’s top priorities is the development and rehabilitation of the national irrigation system. This step is not only about improving water channels, but also a crucial part of efforts to achieve national food sovereignty. The government understands that without adequate water availability, farmers will not be able to increase productivity and will ultimately hinder the achievement of food self-sufficiency.
As a form of commitment, the Ministry of Public Works has allocated an initial budget of IDR 1 trillion for irrigation projects in various regions, although the entire budget is not yet available. This step reflects a realistic yet progressive approach to implementing development policies. The government strives to ensure that every rupiah spent directly benefits the wider community. Within the context of the national economy, investments in the infrastructure sector such as this also have a significant multiplier effect, creating jobs, stimulating the construction sector, and strengthening the domestic supply chain.
The government’s commitment to infrastructure development extends beyond the agricultural and energy sectors to urban public transportation. Tuhiyat, President Director of PT MRT Jakarta (Perseroda), stated that Vice President Gibran Rakabuming continues to monitor and ensure that the construction of the Sawah Besar MRT Station is proceeding according to plan. This attention is not only to ensure the project’s timely completion but also to underscore the government’s commitment to building safe, affordable, and integrated public transportation. With direct oversight from national leaders, strategic projects like the MRT are expected to symbolize the transformation of Indonesia’s public transportation towards a more modern and inclusive one.
This step is also in line with President Prabowo Subianto’s directive to accelerate the development of strategic national infrastructure across various regions, not just concentrated in Java. The government aims to create an efficient and user-friendly public transportation system for all levels of society. With improved connectivity, logistics costs can be reduced, travel times between cities shortened, and regional economic competitiveness increased. This development approach demonstrates that Prabowo-Gibran positions infrastructure as a key instrument for economic equality, not merely a symbol of the splendor of large cities.
From an academic perspective, Mohammad Nur Rianto Al Arif, a lecturer and researcher at UIN Syarif Hidayatullah and CSEAS Indonesia, assessed that within one year of the Prabowo-Gibran administration, there have been impressive achievements in the infrastructure sector. He noted that development programs remain consistent, including the extension of the toll road network, the construction of new dams, port improvements, and the expansion of digital infrastructure. This approach demonstrates policy continuity between the previous and current administrations, but with improvements in the aspect of equitable distribution of benefits.
He believes that infrastructure development in this era has a new orientation, namely a direct impact on people’s productivity. Dams, for example, are not merely built as technocratic monuments, but are also intended to irrigate community agricultural land. Meanwhile, digital infrastructure development is oriented towards expanding MSMEs’ access to online markets, opening up new economic opportunities in rural and peri-urban areas. In this way, infrastructure becomes a genuine tool for socio-economic empowerment, not merely a political image-making tool or a symbol of physical progress.
