With elections set to take place on Feb 14, Anies, 54, told Corston-Smith’s Shireen Muhiudeen he wants to infuse principles of justice and equality into his country’s development policies.

Speaking on the inaugural episode of “Stakeholders, with Shireen” which premiered on FMT today, Anies, who was governor of Jakarta from 2017 to 2022, said there was a need to narrow wide societal gaps presently prevalent in Indonesia.

He said the world is seeing an “interesting phenomenon”, with disparities within countries widening, particularly in wealth and education, even as they are narrowing between countries and cities across the world.

“(Compare) Jakarta, KL, Tokyo, London, New York in the ‘70s and today, we are seeing the gap is narrowing.

“However, disparities within countries are widening, so (as between) Kuala Lumpur (and) the regions of Malaysia, Jakarta (and the) regions of Indonesia, the gap is also widening,” said Anies.

For that reason, he said, a change in approach is necessary, but without compromising on Indonesia’s “stability” and “predictability”, two important facets of the country’s growing appeal to foreign investors.

“We will be encouraging around 14 other cities to serve as engines of economic growth across Indonesia. These are existing cities to be promoted and scaled up to serve as engines so that our economy won’t be concentrated only in Java or Nusantara but across Indonesia,” he said.

Anies said he wants to infuse principles of justice and equality into Indonesia’s development policies, concepts he introduced during his tenure as governor of Jakarta.

“People (used to ask), what do you mean by equality?

“Let’s make sure that our road is for all modes of transportation – for pedestrians, bicyclists, two-wheelers, four-wheelers and also public transport,” he said.

Anies said a “complete street” policy he introduced that did not merely focus only on four-wheelers but incorporated bike routes as well has increased the number of cyclists “tenfold”.

“So, set the value, translate that into policy, then mirror that value, and (make) everyone under your bureaucracy – from the cabinet to heads of regions and heads of districts – actually follow that policy,” he said.

Luring FDI

Acknowledging the presence of stiff competition for foreign direct investment, Anies said Indonesia can stay ahead by offering certainty in terms of law, consistency in regulations, upholding the rule of law, combatting corruption, and promoting good governance.

He also said the country must work to improve its logistical system and infrastructure and ensure the availability of human capital.

“We have plenty in terms of education and training institutions that can be adjusted to the needs of FDIs in (any) particular sector,” said Anies.

He identified three sectors that the country can focus on.

“The low-hanging fruit is in the natural resources area, (where) the opportunities are still vast.

“Number two is manufacturing. Why that is important? Because we need to create no less than three million jobs every year,” said Anies.

For that purpose, he said, Indonesia must undertake a re-industrialisation policy which will see it spread jobs across the entire country.

He also wants to give the creative industries in his country a boost to leverage on the many young talents who have already been attracting the attention of foreign investors.

Monetary policy must allow market to operate

Asked on strategies he has to strengthen the rupiah, Anies said: “I believe the strength of our currency reflects the functions of our productivity.”

He also said Indonesia must be prepared to readily engage in trans-boundary commerce.

“We will have to continue supplying goods and services to the world and actively contributing to the world economy.”

Envisioning an administration that relies on “highly competent technocrat economists” to draw up “coherent” monetary, sectoral and fiscal policies, Anies said his leadership will focus on giving political direction with “less” monetary and fiscal intervention “unless it is necessary to maintain stability within the country”.

He said the rupiah must be allowed to fluctuate within a band “to send a signal to the world market about where we stand in terms of providing room for (the) market to operate.”

Also recognising the need to control inflation to maintain the rupiah’s strength, Anies said: “Stability in the food sector is key.”

He also promised to ensure political stability by maintaining a “vibrant democracy”.

Anies faces Prabowo Subianto and Ganjar Pronowo at the polls next year.