Jakarta, December 19, 2019-The Civil Society Coalition for the 2020-2024 RPJMN criticized the 2020-2024 RPJMN Technocratic Draft that was – prepared by the Ministry of PPN / Bappenas in July 2019 as a basis for developing the 2020-2024 RPJMN. To be noted, the RPJMN for the 2020-2024 – period is the final stage of the 2005-2025 Long Term National Development Plan (RPJP Nasional).

“The development approach is still business as usual, based on the capital. Certainly a pro for large corporations, not the people’s economy. Meanwhile, the History proves that people’s economy saved us when the economic crisis occurred,” said Sri Palupi from The Institute for Ecosoc Rights in the launch of a position paper on the 2020-2024 RPJMN Technocratic Draft , Thursday (12/19/2019).

Palupi also added that there was no novelty in the 2020-2024 RPJMN. As a result, the development results that will be achieved have the same potential as the previous achievements. The RPJMN also does not show the government’s efforts to face challenges that hindering the development, namely the global economic crisis and the environmental crisis.

“After being analyzed, there is nothing new in this RPJMN narrative. It is very different from what President Jokowi has said if he wanted to use an out of the box development approach. Where is the out of the box? ” he asked rhetorically.

Siti Rakhma Mary Herwati from the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) stated that every development program implemented by the government should ensure access and protection for citizens. However, this was not seen in the RPJMN text.

“The approach is pro capital and pro investment. Just like the New Order era, “said Siti Rakhma Mary Herwati from the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI).

He added that the approach has the potential to close human rights instruments (HAM) from the development agenda. Whereas, The entire development process from planning to implementation must be integrated with human rights.

In line with Rakhma, Khamid Istakhori from the Popular Workers Union (SERBUK) stated that the RPJMN development agenda did not touch the interests of workers. He also specifically underlined the Omnibus Law.

“In our opinion, the 2020-2024 RPJMN does not pertain to the welfare of workers, whether it is a proper wage, protection, and safety. It is a right that laborers must accept. Not to mention the existence of Omnibus Law which will smooth the interests of investors. That will negate the fulfillment of labor rights in the future, ” said Khamid.

In addition to fulfilling human rights, Yuyun Indradi, Executive Director of Trend Asia, expressed his concern about the development agenda in terms of the energy sector.

“Our development agenda is paradoxical. On the other hand, they want it to develop massively, but it also pollutes the environment. The fulfillment of energy in our country is still dominated by coal, which we know from upstream to downstream the industry is damaging the environment, “he said.

According to him, this clearly shows that there is no serious commitment from the government to reduce carbon emissions nationally.

“I dare to say that the low carbon emission policy does not become the mainstream in this RPJMN text,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, Nibras Fadhlillah from Kiara observed that the existing RPJMN manuscript experienced a setback. In particular, in terms of the sustainability of the region and the life of coastal communities.

“So far, the development projects carried out by the government in the coastal region have not brought welfare to coastal communities. The existing development actually takes the lands that became the fishing areas for the fishermen,” said Nibras.

He also added that the deterioration of the RPJMN would make coastal communities increasingly marginalized from the development agenda that should improve welfare.

“In the future, when the government should talk about how infrastructure development is carried out massively, the potential for fraud and corruption is also large, then it should also be carried out on a large scale, including internal control,” said Tama Satya Langkun from ICW.

Recommendation:

  • The 2020-2024 RPJMN needs to be prepared using a development approach based on human rights following the rights guaranteed in the 1945 Constitution and international human rights law.
  • The orientation of national development must be directed to achieve the welfare of the community. The development agenda must be able to see the interests of the wider community and the protection of human rights for the poor and marginalized, minorities and vulnerable groups, social and environmental.
  • Strengthen community participation and access in the process of making development policies.