BANDUNG (ANTARA) - The Speaker of the West Java Regional House of Representatives (DPRD), Buky Wibawa Karya Goena, has called on the West Java Provincial Government to strike a balance between physical infrastructure development and public services alongside community empowerment.

Speaking in Bandung on Tuesday, Buky noted that the construction of provincial roads and street lighting over the past two years has progressed well. However, he emphasized that efforts to tackle poverty and unemployment must also be strengthened.

“It is time for the government to align its priority programs with the public service and community empowerment sectors, as poverty and unemployment rates remain notably high hovering between 6 and 7 percent,” Buky said.

He explained that the West Java DPRD is advocating for this policy rebalancing to enhance community economic independence, which ultimately reduces the government's budgetary burden.

“The more empowered the community becomes, the lighter the government's burden will be,” he added.

Buky mentioned that public satisfaction with regional development under the leadership of West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi has reached 95.4 percent. Nevertheless, he stressed that this high rating must be matched by reinforced programs in public services and community empowerment.

Meanwhile, Governor Dedi Mulyadi previously stated that approximately 80,000 residents in West Java still lack access to electricity in 2026.

“We extend our sincere apologies. After 81 years of Indonesian independence, we have not yet been able to fully 'liberate' all the people of West Java. There are still 80,000 citizens in West Java who lack electricity access to this day, leaving them in the dark at night,” Dedi expressed during the 81st Indonesian Independence Day ceremony at the Gedung Sate courtyard in Bandung on Monday (Aug 17).

Dedi affirmed that the West Java Provincial Government is fully committed to resolving the electricity access issue by 2027.

He described the situation as a major irony, given that West Java is widely recognized as a national energy hub home to extensive hydroelectric facilities including Jatiluhur, Jatigede, Cirata, and Saguling as well as rich geothermal potential, yet some of its own residents have not enjoyed access to electricity.

In addition to expanding electrical coverage, Dedi highlighted that the provincial government remains focused on improving irrigation infrastructure, roads, street lighting, and school buildings.

[Source]