"Indonesia’s Development Strategy" by Farahdiba Rahma Bachtiar
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Abstract

Following the Asian Crisis, many believed that the era of the developmental state model had ended. However, amidst debates of pros and cons, there was a strong tendency to observe that, before the Jokowi administration, several Indonesian government policies were highly interventionist. This article examines the possibility that the developmental state model will no longer continue in Indonesia, which is merely a myth. Using a qualitative research approach that draws on various literature, including data from 2022–2024 and field research findings in Indonesia during the 2015–2021 period, this article argues that the developmental model has evolved toward a more practical and pragmatic approach. However, this article takes a different perspective than previous literature on Indonesia's developmental state model. By focusing on state-owned enterprises (SOEs) such as PT Perkebunan Nusantara, PT Semen Indonesia, and PT Pertamina, the article highlights three main points: first, the formation of holding companies enables SOEs to become strong economic players; second, the ambition behind the creation of these holdings is political; and third, the expansion trend reflects the government’s commitment to strengthening the role of SOEs in national development. These three points indicate that Indonesia has transformed into a neo-developmental state model, at least since the SBY administration, followed by Jokowi. Ultimately, although the global expansion policy faces challenges, this does not signify the failure of Indonesia as a developmental state.

Bahasa Abstract

Setelah Krisis Asia, banyak pihak meyakini bahwa era model negara pembangunan telah usai. Namun, di tengah perdebatan pro dan kontra, terlihat adanya kecenderungan kuat bahwa sebelum era pemerintahan Jokowi, sejumlah kebijakan pemerintah Indonesia cenderung bersifat sangat intervensionis. Artikel ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji kemungkinan bahwa anggapan mengenai tidak dilanjutkannya model negara pembangunan di Indonesia hanyalah sebuah mitos. Melalui pendekatan penelitian kualitatif dengan memanfaatkan berbagai literatur, termasuk data dari tahun 2022–2024, serta hasil penelitian lapangan di Indonesia pada periode 2015–2021, artikel ini berpendapat bahwa model pembangunan telah mengalami evolusi menuju pendekatan yang lebih praktis dan pragmatis. Namun artikel ini mengambil sudut pandang berbeda dari literatur sebelumnya tentang model negara pembangunan di Indonesia. Dengan fokus pada BUMN seperti PT Perkebunan Nusantara, PT Semen Indonesia, dan PT Pertamina, artikel ini menyoroti tiga poin utama: pertama, pembentukan holding memungkinkan BUMN menjadi pelaku ekonomi yang kuat; kedua, ambisi di balik pembentukan holding bersifat politis; dan ketiga, tren ekspansi mencerminkan komitmen pemerintah untuk memperkuat peran BUMN dalam pembangunan nasional. Ketiga poin ini secara jelas menunjukkan bahwa Indonesia telah bertransformasi menjadi model neo-developmental state, setidaknya sejak era kepemimpinan SBY yang kemudian dilanjutkan oleh Jokowi. Pada akhirnya, meskipun kebijakan ekspansi global menghadapi berbagai tantangan, hal ini tidak menandakan kegagalan Indonesia sebagai negara pembangunan.

References

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