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| The Rector of Muhammadiyah University of Malang (UMM), Prof. Dr. Nazaruddin Malik, S.E., M.Si. (Photo: Special) |
The simultaneous regional elections are over and the regional heads must start working to provide the best for the people. This was emphasized by the Rector of the University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM) Prof. Dr. Nazaruddin Malik, S.E., M.Si. According to him, there are four important aspects that need to be pursued so that the government carried out by regional heads can run successfully and sustainably.
Nazar said that limited funds are still the main problem of infrastructure development in various regions. Therefore, the selection of the right priority scale is a crucial thing to do so that public satisfaction with public utilities is equivalent to the taxes paid.
Nazar also believes that the right priority in infrastructure development is one of the solutions. This can be done by regional heads of various regions in Indonesia. At least, the regions can first solve infrastructure problems in the fields of health, education and tourism. Coupled with the ease of road access in the three fields.
Nazar gave an example of tourism infrastructure. According to him, when people finish enjoying tourist attractions, they should be able to work harder. Tourism is expected to restore energy to be productive. This goal will not be achieved when tourism conditions are disappointing. Access to tourist sites is no exception.
Then, infrastructure in the field of education. At least basic education access for the community should be fully met. This can be evaluated by comparing the number of children of school age to those who are actually attending school, or the Net Enrollment Rate (NER). For example, the NER for elementary schools in Malang City is 99.50%, Batu City is 99.98%, and Malang Regency is 98.63%.
"Such data mapping can serve as a basis for developing education infrastructure. Therefore, the priority in budget allocation should be to ensure that all school-age children complete basic education first. To maximize the NER, free education is key. However, to make this a reality, the community must be disciplined and willingly pay taxes," he said.
The same approach should also be applied in the healthcare sector. The success of infrastructure development can be seen from the accessibility to healthcare services. For instance, how close their residences are to healthcare facilities. The final indicators can vary, such as maternal mortality rates after childbirth, tuberculosis (TB), stunting, and the availability of healthcare workers.
For example, based on data from the Health Office (Dinkes) in Malang Raya, within 1.5 years, around 39 pregnant women have died. This data can be used as a basis for making policies on healthcare infrastructure development.
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"The fulfillment of infrastructure in the three sectors above needs to be supported by road accessibility. Road viability will support many aspects, including addressing the challenges of economic growth and industrial development," he added.
One of the budget sources for infrastructure is the Regional Budget (APBD), which includes regional taxes. Infrastructure development indeed requires substantial funding. Therefore, both the executive and legislative bodies must be able to distribute it according to the conditions on the ground. This is the right solution for various regions in Indonesia. (*/wil/ind)
