Bappenas to Serve as Jokowi's Think Tank
29 October 2014 16:34 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - In addition to the Secretariat of State and Head of the Presidential Office, the National Development Planning Agency/Ministry (Bappenas) is now directly under the president. According to Bappenas Minister Andrinof A. Chaniago, the change was made to create an easier coordination workflow with the president.
"Bappenas is now no longer under the Coordinating Minister for the Economy," he said yesterday.
In previous administrations, development planning was identical to the economic field. The fact is Bappenas's main task is to formulate policies in various fields. In addition to the economy, the agency must also be involved in political, legal and human rights, as well as social and cultural policies. Now that Bappenas is put directly under the president's control, the agency will play a bigger role for Indonesia's development.
"The role is added, which is to be president's think tank," said Andrinof.
President Joko Widodo two days ago said Bappenas will translate the programs he conveyed during his presidential campaign into actual policies. "The planning of the president's vision and mission must be guarded," he said. Jokowi also said that the planning does not only cover the economy, as "Bappenas' task is macro."
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