Opens the XVIII Muhammadiyah Youth Conference, President: Demographic Bonus Becomes the Nation's Capital for Developing Indonesia

INDUSTRY.co.id - Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) officially opened the 2023 Muhammadiyah Youth Congress XVIII, Wednesday (22/02/2023), at the Balikpapan Sport and Convention Center, Balikpapan City, East Kalimantan.

The president in his remarks said that he had high hopes for the XVIII Muktamar Muhammadiyah Youth to come up with an agenda and big steps. 

"The first is because Muhammadiyah is a big name, a big brand , a pioneer organization for Islamic reform in Indonesia. Second, the number of young people today is very large," said the President starting his remarks.

The head of state said that Indonesia's current demographic structure is dominated by the younger generation. 

"In 2023, our population will be 280 million. The youth, for ages 15 to 30, is already at 66.3 million," he said.

Therefore, the President added, in the future this demographic bonus will be very important for Indonesia. According to him, this should not be a burden, but a capital for Indonesia to jump forward to become a just, prosperous and progressive country. 

"If we really don't manage this demographic bonus properly, it will be a burden for all of us. Therefore, the development of human resources is something very important, "he continued.

President Jokowi gave an example of several Asian countries, such as South Korea, Taiwan and Japan, which could jump to become developed countries. Meanwhile, several countries in the Latin American region, which in 1950-1960 were already developing countries, are still not developed countries.

According to him, the success of South Korea, Taiwan and Japan was due to product innovations that made other countries dependent.

“South Korea has digital components that all countries and companies need. Taiwan produces chips that all countries, all big companies need and depend on, said the President.

Therefore, said the Head of State, Indonesia must also have goods products that other countries depend on Indonesia for. 

President Jokowi emphasized that Indonesia can build an EV battery or electric car battery which is expected to become a large ecosystem as an electric car producer.

“We have nickel, we have copper, we have tin, we have bauxite. All the components needed for an electric car are all in Indonesia," he said

Meanwhile, he continued, Latin American countries have not done this even though they have a lot of natural resources (SDA). 

"So with lots of natural resources, countries in Latin America will continue to be developing countries. We don't want that. We are now a developing country but the desire to become a developed country is mandatory. One way or another, we have to," he said.

The President continued, related to natural resources owned by Indonesia, such as nickel in Sulawesi, copper in Sumbawa and Papua, tin in Bangka Belitung, bauxite in West Kalimantan and the Riau Islands, can be integrated into EV batteries .

The Head of State believes that Indonesia can build a bigger ecosystem for the production of electric cars, which many countries will need in the future.  

"Everything can be integrated into an item called an EV battery and an even bigger ecosystem into an electric car, which all countries will need in the future. And what, the added value that we will get can be multiplied, "he concluded.

Accompanying the President in the event were the 5th Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, General Chairperson of PP Muhammadiyah Haedar Nashir, General Chairperson of PP Pemuda Muhammadiyah Sunanto, and East Kalimantan Governor Isran Noor.

Also present at the event were SOE Minister Erick Thohir, Minister of Investment/Head of BKPM Bahlil Lahadalia, Minister of ATR/Head of BPN Hadi Tjahjanto, Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini, Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, TNI Commander Admiral Yudo Margono, and National Police Chief Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo.