Thekabarnews.com—Harris Turino, a member of Commission XI of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), expressed concerns over the economic structure of West Kalimantan. He said that the province’s strong growth figures do not yet reflect inclusive and sustainable development.
Harris said West Kalimantan still depends too much on the extraction of natural resources, especially mining commodities such as bauxite and alumina. Despite these concerns, the province recorded 6.14 percent economic growth this year.
He made the statement during a working visit meeting with Bank Indonesia, the Finance Ministry, the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK), and the Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDP). The meeting was held in Pontianak, West Kalimantan. It took place on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
“Now we have positive achievements in macroeconomic indicators,” Harris said.
He also mentioned the latest figures of the absorption of the Special Allocation Fund (DAK) and regional transfers (TKD) and the implementation of BPDP programs. According to him, these programs were running relatively well.
“TKD is also massive, BPDP is running well, and DAK is being absorbed, so if we just read this data, this looks like a perfect province,” said Harris at the meeting.
But he pointed out that the more fundamental reality is a less balanced economic base.
He attributed the current growth of the province to activities in the mining sector. In particular, the bauxite and alumina sector grew by 34.14 percent.
“This creates an unhealthy economic structure that is very vulnerable to changes in world commodity prices,” he said.
He also pointed out that this kind of growth does not generate optimal local added value for communities.
“But when you examine the facts, this high growth is heavily based on natural resource extraction. Bauxite and alumina are the strongest growth drivers at 34.14 percent. This situation clearly shows an unhealthy economic structure. Local added value is still not optimal, and the economy depends heavily on commodities,” said the politician from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) faction.
Harris also criticized the sharp decline in Palm Oil Revenue Sharing Funds (DBH) for West Kalimantan. It, he said, had dropped 58 percent.
“This reduction is worrying because the province still bears the environmental and social impacts of the palm oil industry while receiving only limited financial returns,” he said.
He said local governments should receive better compensation for the ecological burden and infrastructure pressure imposed by large-scale plantations.
Commentators say Harris’ comments underscore a broader discussion around economic resiliency in the region. This is especially true in resource-rich provinces that have not yet fully tapped downstream industry and local prosperity.
The discussion also emphasizes the necessity of economic diversification to reduce dependence on volatile commodity markets. Furthermore, it aims to promote stronger long-term development in West Kalimantan.
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