Jokowi-Era Infrastructure Assessed as Development Legacy Felt by Regions

Jakarta – DPD RI member from Lampung, Bustami Zainudin, has assessed that Indonesia’s 7th President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) deserves to be called the Father of Indonesian Infrastructure Development. According to him, infrastructure development during Jokowi’s two terms in office has left a mark that is felt by communities in various regions. The statement was made by Bustami in response to the speech of DPD RI Speaker Sultan B Najamudin at the 2026 MPR RI Annual Session and the Joint Session of the DPR-DPD RI on Friday, 14 August 2026. In his speech, Sultan paid tribute to previous presidents based on their respective contributions to the nation’s journey. For Jokowi, Sultan bestowed the title ‘Father of Infrastructure’. Bustami assessed that the title is not merely a political honour, but has a basis that can be seen from the development that took place during Jokowi’s administration. ‘In my view, when Mr Jokowi is called the Father of Indonesian Infrastructure Development, it is not just about giving a nickname. There are facts that we can see and feel on the ground. In almost all regions, people have felt the presence of infrastructure development during his leadership,’ said Bustami on Saturday, 15 August 2026. According to him, infrastructure development in the Jokowi era was not only centred on Java. A number of projects were also directed at opening access and strengthening inter-regional connectivity. The construction of roads, bridges, toll roads, ports, airports, dams and other supporting infrastructure is considered to have had a direct impact on regional communities. For Bustami, the existence of infrastructure is important because it can open up areas that were previously difficult to reach. Infrastructure also helps to smooth public mobility, the distribution of goods, and connect production centres with markets. ‘As a DPD member representing the regions, we have seen for ourselves how infrastructure development has brought change to communities. There are areas that were previously difficult to reach, and now access has been opened. There are production centres that are now more easily connected to markets. This is a development legacy whose benefits do not stop when a government changes,’ said Bustami. Bustami assessed that appreciation for the achievements of previous presidents should not be seen as an attempt to compare one administration with another. According to him, each administration has its own challenges and policies. What is more important is that the development foundation that has already provided benefits to the community must continue to be maintained and developed.