In the 2017-2018 *Global Competitiveness Report* from the *World Economic Forum*, Indonesia's infrastructure competitiveness scored 4.5, ranking 52nd out of 137 countries. This achievement lags behind several other ASEAN countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand.
Malaysia boasts the highest competitiveness in Southeast Asia with a score of 5.5, ranking 22nd globally. This is followed by Singapore with a score of 5.4 at 26th, and Thailand with a score of 4.7 at 43rd.
Indonesia's archipelagic nature presents a significant obstacle to infrastructure development, contributing to its lower competitiveness compared to other ASEAN nations. To address this gap and ensure equitable development, the government has undertaken infrastructure projects in Eastern Indonesia, encompassing road construction, sea toll roads, airports in remote areas, and internet connectivity networks (Palapa Ring).
(Read Databoks: Where is Energy Subsidy Being Redirected?)