West Java governor: 80,000 still lack electricity on Indonesia's 81st Independence Day

Despite Indonesia celebrating its 81st Independence Day, a significant irony persists in West Java, where 80,000 residents remain without access to electricity. Governor Dedi Mulyadi acknowledged this shortfall, expressing regret that the province has not yet achieved full "independence" from darkness for all its citizens.

"We apologize, 81 years after Indonesia's independence, we have not been able to liberate all the people of West Java," Mulyadi stated during an Independence Day ceremony. "There are still 80,000 West Java residents who do not have electricity networks, so they live in darkness at night."

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We apologize, 81 years after Indonesia's independence, we have not been able to liberate all the people of West Java. There are still 80,000 West Java residents who do not have electricity networks, so they live in darkness at night.

Mulyadi, affectionately known as KDM, has set a target to fully resolve the electricity access issue by 2027. He highlighted the progress made since he took office, stating that approximately 500,000 people initially lacked electricity access. This indicates a substantial reduction in the number of unconnected households during his tenure.

The governor pointed out the particular irony given West Java's status as a major energy hub, housing significant geothermal, hydroelectric, and thermal power plants. "There is an irony when we have large energy resources, but our people, even those near the power plants, do not have electricity," he said. The province hosts major facilities like Jatigede, Jatiluhur, Cirata, and Saguling, which supply power across Java and Bali.

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There is an irony when we have large energy resources, but our people, even those near the power plants, do not have electricity.