INFRASTRUCTURE POLICY IN INDONESIA, 1965-2015: A SURVEY

This survey, first, provides an overview of the main developments in the infrastructure sector in Indonesia during the past five decades and, second, considers what the main policy and management bottlenecks in infrastructure appear to be. The overview of main developments indicates that, in broad terms, most parts of the sector have expanded considerably but that the needs remain acute for further expansion and for attention to the maintenance of existing facilities. Demand for infrastructure is high, especially since the regulated prices set for infrastructure services are often low. Access is often difficult, however, because of shortages of infrastructure, and quality is often unsatisfactory because of poor maintenance and indifferent management. These problems of access are exacerbated by the regulation of prices. This overview also points to the markedly different performances of industries in which pro-competitive policies have been applied and those in which more traditional policies of close regulation have restricted the operation of markets.