The Alumni Family of Universitas Gadjah Mada (KAGAMA) once again proved to the public their commitment to continue to participate in solving various national problems through their contribution of ideas and thoughts. By cooperating with KOMPAS and Radio Sonora, KAGAMA held a national dialogue “Teras Kita” on Saturday (12/8) at Balairung Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM). Coinciding with the momentum of independence in 2017, the Dialogue that is open for public took the theme of “Reflection of 72 years of Indonesia, Working Together towards the Triumph of Indonesia”.
UGM alumni three ministers, who are in the ranks of the ‘Kabinet Kerja’ of President Joko Widodo; Minister of Public Works and Housing (PUPR), Basuki Hadi Muljono; Minister of Foreign Affairs; Retno Marsudi, and Minister of Transportation, Budi Karya Sumadi, were presented as speakers in this critical and solutive dialogue.
In his presentation, Basuki Hadi Muljono said that PUPR ministry is still trying hard to realize several infrastructure development projects that have been declared. This is in accordance with the direction of President Joko Widodo who wants to create an equitable distribution of physical development in the country to improve the Indonesia’s competitiveness and the society’s welfare.
“We continue to build infrastructure such as roads, dams, and housings so those can be completed on schedule. We also prioritize developing border areas such as Papua and Kalimantan,” said the alumnus Faculty of Engineering UGM.
Basuki added, to make all the development process run well, he has five kinds of breakthroughs applied. Among others are land acquisition, financing, technology implementation, bureaucratic and leadership patterns, and good communication among involved government agencies.
Meanwhile, Retno Marsudi explained about the achievements made by the ministry she led for three years in office. Among them is focus on the protection of Indonesian citizens (WNI) who are abroad. Moreover, protection for those who are in a country that is experiencing a prolonged national conflict like those in the Middle East.
“In 2016, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has managed to handle more than 18,000 cases that befell the Indonesian citizens abroad. We are also committed to maintain the sovereignty of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia from foreign threats and to contribute to the maintenance of world peace,” she said.
In addition to the three ministers present, KAGAMA also invited Vice Minister of Finance, Mardiasmo, and the Governor of Central Java Province who is also Chairman of KAGAMA Central Executive, Ganjar Pranowo, to convey their views in front of the invited guests and discussion participants who packed Balairung UGM.