Indonesian President Joko Widodo delivered his final State of the Nation address on Friday, highlighting the achievements of his administration during his decade-long tenure as the head of Southeast Asia’s largest economy. He will step down from office in October.
Widodo emphasized the significant progress made in various sectors, including economic growth, infrastructure development, and poverty reduction. He pointed to the successful control of inflation, a decline in unemployment and extreme poverty rates, and the construction of new infrastructure in previously underserved areas. He also underscored the nation’s resilience in confronting global challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and escalating geopolitical tensions.
Indonesia plays a vital role in the economic and political landscape of Southeast Asia, a region where global powers are increasingly at odds over issues like Taiwan, human rights, US military presence, and China’s assertive actions in the South China Sea. As a tropical archipelago with the world’s third-largest rainforest, Indonesia faces the challenge of balancing economic development with environmental conservation.
Despite significant economic growth, deforestation, fossil fuel use, and peatland fires have led to Indonesia becoming a major emitter of greenhouse gases. In response, Widodo has championed a transition to green energy, promoting the development of smelters and processing industries for commodities like nickel, bauxite, and copper. He believes these initiatives will create over 200,000 jobs and increase state revenue.
Indonesia, with a population of about 275 million, is the largest economy in Southeast Asia and boasts the world’s largest nickel reserves. The country’s commitment to dominating the global nickel supply has seen the number of nickel smelters increase from two to 27 in the last decade, with 22 more planned. By 2023, Indonesia was responsible for over half the global supply of nickel ore.
While acknowledging the significant achievements, Widodo recognized that a decade is insufficient to fully realize all of his government’s goals. He will be succeeded by Prabowo Subianto, who was formally declared president-elect in April after winning the February election. Widodo’s son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, was elected as the vice president.
A notable part of Widodo’s legacy includes the ambitious $33 billion megaproject to move Indonesia’s capital from Jakarta to the new city of Nusantara in Borneo. Widodo expressed his confidence in the future of Indonesia, saying he believes the nation will achieve its “2045 Golden Indonesia vision” – a goal of becoming a sovereign, advanced, fair, and prosperous country by 2045, marking its 100th year of independence.
In his final address, Widodo symbolically passed the leadership baton to his successor, Prabowo Subianto, while sharing the hopes and dreams of all Indonesians. He emphasized the unity of the nation, spanning from the islands of Sabang to Merauke, Miangas to Rote, and from rural areas to urban centers, entrusting Prabowo with the task of leading the nation towards its vision of a prosperous future.
