Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Basuki Hadimuljono unmasked President Joko Widodo’s (Jokowi) resentment over land acquisition for a US (US) company in Batang. According to Basuki, President Jokowi was upset because PTPN IX found it difficult to provide around 4,000 hectares of land, out of the millions of hectares it managed.
Basuki said, the 4,000 hectares of land would later be used to accommodate US investors who had left China.
“Mr. President is angry that PTPN has millions of hectares asking for 4,000 ewel, we are unable to compete, this is competing to provide services,” Basuki said in a video conference on Saturday (6/27/2020).
But Basukit did not tell in detail the reasons why Jokowi was angry. “We are competing with Vietnam, Bangladesh, which is where land is free. Mr. President is angry that PTPN has millions of hectares asking for 4,000, we are unable to compete, this is competing to provide services,” Basuki said. .
Previously, Jokowi expressed his frustration because investment coming into Indonesia lost to neighboring countries. Many companies have moved from China, not to Indonesia.
According to Basuki, the government is currently clearing the 4,000 hectare land. It is hoped that the land provided will be a squeeze for investors who want to leave China.
“We are preparing 4,000 hectares in Batang, an industrial area because we want a move from China, yesterday we did not get anything, now we are preparing 4,000 hectares in Batang on PTPN IX land,” he said.
