Indonesia targets up to 80,000 in SMK Go Global programme
“We are targeting at least 70,000 to 80,000 participants,” Muhaimin, popularly known as Cak Imin, said at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta on Tuesday.
Muhaimin said the SMK Go Global program was expanding steadily, with the number of participants leaving for overseas placements continuing to rise.
He said the program includes mentoring, assistance and training, targeting vocational high school graduates from the lowest-income communities and regions with the highest poverty rates.
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The government aims to enroll 500,000 graduates in the SMK Go Global program by 2029. “By 2029, the target is 500,000,” he said.
Muhaimin said partner destinations under the program include Japan, South Korea, the Middle East, the United States, and countries in Western and Eastern Europe.
The SMK Go Global program has become one of President Prabowo Subianto’s priority initiatives after he instructed the ministry to accelerate the program following a cabinet meeting on Nov. 5, 2025.
Muhaimin arrived at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta to attend a limited cabinet meeting with Prabowo.
During the meeting, Muhaimin planned to report on programs covering poverty alleviation and job creation.
“Today I will report all responsibilities under the community empowerment ministry, including poverty reduction, empowerment programs, job creation targets and improving MSME productivity,” he said.
Muhaimin said the government was promoting community empowerment through its “1,001 community market points” program to help micro, small and medium enterprises access stronger markets.
He added the government was also providing training subsidies and expanding financing access for MSMEs.
Muhaimin said disbursement of the government-backed People’s Business Credit (KUR) scheme continued to rise and would be expanded further. Around 1,000 MSMEs in Bali will soon receive KUR financing.
“Thank God, KUR distribution continues to increase and we will keep expanding it for our MSMEs. Tomorrow morning, 1,000 MSMEs in Bali will receive KUR,” he said.
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Translator: Fathur Rochman, Tegar Nurfitra