REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Vice President Jusuf Kalla has expressed hope that the country could record a higher economic growth and equal development, which would reduce inequality, after 72 years of its independence.

"We hope that economic growth could be higher and fair; thus, we could reduce inequality, benefit from advanced technology, and have a safe country," Kalla stated here on Tuesday.

The Central Bureau of Statistic (BPS) has recorded Indonesia's economic growth at 5.01 percent in the second quarter of 2017 and household consumption growth at 4.95 percent year-on-year.

Kalla noted that the government still had many works to be completed and targets to be reached.

"We should not stop at 70 years or 100 years, but we should continue (the growth)," he added.

Indonesia would celebrate its 72nd anniversary on Thursday.

On Wednesday, the president would convey his state address and the state budget financial report before the House of Representatives.