Indonesian youth urged to adopt Chinese work ethic for economic growth

Al Busyra Basnur, the Chairman of the Indonesia-China Friendship Association (PPIT), has emphasized the need for Indonesia's younger generation to embrace the work ethic characteristic of the Chinese people. Basnur argues that adopting this approach is vital for Indonesia to transition from being merely a global market to becoming a significant economic player on the world stage.

He pointed to China's rapid economic advancement over recent decades, attributing it significantly to the discipline and competitiveness of its human resources. "The work culture of people in China is something we need to learn. They are hard workers who never waste time, and their time discipline is very high," Basnur stated in Bandung. He believes Indonesia possesses substantial potential, including raw material availability, international networks, and educational quality, but this potential remains underutilized due to a competitive disadvantage in work ethic.

Basnur warned that without a prompt improvement in work mentality, Indonesia will struggle to counter the dominance of foreign economies. He suggested that Indonesia should study and emulate successful strategies from various countries, including China, to foster national economic progress. The PPIT chairman also stressed the role of education and language skills in securing professional futures, noting that Mandarin proficiency offers a premium in Indonesia's job market.

He observed a significant imbalance in student exchange programs, with nearly 20,000 Indonesian students studying in China, partly due to scholarships. Conversely, the number of Chinese students in Indonesia is minimal. To address this, the PPIT is committed to fostering societal connectivity and promoting a more balanced provision of language scholarships for students from both nations. Basnur concluded that Indonesia still has much to improve, not only economically but also in its educational systems.