Pungkas Bahjuri Ali: Contributing to Indonesia's SDGs and Bilateral Partnerships
Pungkas Bahjuri Ali has continuously used his experiences and knowledge to shape policies and drive change at Bappenas, Indonesia's Ministry of National Development Planning. As a Senior Advisor to the Minister for Social Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, as well as the Head of the National Secretariat for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Pungkas plays a key role in shaping the country’s long-term development agenda.
In 2009, Pungkas decided to pursue a PhD at the Australian National University (ANU), focusing on Population Health and Demography through the Australian Development Scholarship.
Exploring Courses, Leveraging Knowledge
During his time studying in Australia, Pungkas was particularly impressed by the research-focused education system. Australian universities like ANU offer a research-driven curriculum, which pushed Pungkas to dive straight into his thesis work. Conducting research at the Australian Demographic & Social Research Institute (ADSRI), Pungkas found that the availability of detailed and updated data played a crucial role in enhancing the quality of his work.
Pungkas also used his time in Australia to broaden his understanding of complex issues, taking subjects such as economics, philosophy, and social sciences.
"We were surrounded by opportunities to gain new insights. Attending seminars and conferences allowed me to broaden my understanding,.. in how other disciplines connected to my research."
Applying Knowledge to Policy at Bappenas
In 2013, Pungkas returned to Bappenas and began applying the knowledge he had accumulated through his studies. Immediately he was involved in formulation of national health policies aimed at addressing issues like stunting and improving maternal, child health and enhancing the coverage and accessibility of Indonesia’s health insurance systems, BPJS.
In 2016, as the Director of Public Health and Nutrition (Direktur Kesehatan dan Gizi Masyarakat), Pungkas was tasked with tackling issues with stunting and malnutrition. He used the research methodologies and data analysis techniques from Australia to conduct population health studies and projections, mapping out areas most affected by and pinpointing the cost-effective interventions.
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic tested the country’s healthcare system. The pandemic highlighted the need for urgent changes in Indonesia’s health infrastructure, pushing for reforms not only in health services but also in the country’s preparedness for future health crises. Pungkas worked closely with the Ministry of Health to address these weaknesses, increasing the number of laboratories in each city to prepare for future health emergencies.
The Makan Bergizi Gratis (MBG) Programme
Starting in 2023, as the Senior Advisor to the Minister for Social Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Pungkas is responsible for providing input to the Minister of National Development Planning on strategic issues including health, nutrition, social welfare, poverty and development assistance.
An ongoing project he is involved in is the Makan Bergizi Gratis (MBG) programme, which aims to provide free nutritious meals to vulnerable populations, especially children and pregnant women. Australian experts have been involved in advising the Indonesian government on improving the nutritional value of meals, as well as on the monitoring and evaluation of the programme's impact.
"We have worked with Australian institutions, such as the University of Sydney and DFAT, on various initiatives related to nutrition and public health. Their support has helped us refine the MBG programme and ensure it aligns with global best practices," Pungkas shared.
Partnerships with Australian universities to support the SDGs
Since 2013, Pungkas has been tasked with leading the National Secretariat for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at Bappenas. To achieve the goals, Pungkas works closely with several institutions, including universities from Australia.
"There were already many linkages between Bappenas and Australian institutions long before my PhD studies. These long-standing relationships have been crucial in fostering strong collaborations that drive progress in Indonesia's SDG efforts," he explained.
In 2024, Pungkas lead the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Sydney. This partnership aims to strengthen Indonesia's capacity to tackle some of the country's most pressing development challenges, particularly in climate change, sustainable agriculture, and the overall implementation of the SDGs. It is expected to lead to joint research, training, and collaborative projects addressing challenges such as environmental sustainability and social inclusion.
In addition to the collaboration with the University of Sydney, in 2024, Bappenas also signed an MoU with Monash University both in Australia and Indonesia. The goal is to strengthen the academic and technical support in advancing the SDGs in Indonesia.
An exciting aspect of the MoU with Monash University is the scholarship programme, which will provide opportunities for Indonesian government officials and development professionals to pursue further education and training at Monash University.
