Ahmad Luthfi Leads Central Java to Win Inflation Control Award
The award from the Indonesian Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri) was received directly by Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi during the Regional Java-Bali Outstanding Local Government Appreciation Night 2026 at the Yogyakarta Marriott Yogyakarta. Luthfi stated that the recognition serves as a catalyst for both provincial and district/city governments within his jurisdiction. He noted that the provincial government cannot operate in isolation without the involvement of regents, mayors, and even village administrations.
Inflation control, he noted, is vital to ensuring that public needs are met and purchasing power is maintained, specifically regarding the availability and affordability of essential commodities. To this end, he stressed the necessity of collaboration with Regional State-Owned Enterprises (BUMD), district/city governments, village administrations, and the banking sector to ensure the smooth distribution of essential goods to consumers. “For instance, we can distribute shallots and chillies effectively, ensuring affordability, which is crucial for suppressing inflation,” Luthfi stated in a written release on Friday (5/6/2026).
Luthfi added that the current achievements will be maintained and improved by involving all components and potential of the community. In addition to the Central Java Provincial Government, several district and city governments also received awards. These include Semarang City, which ranked third at the city level for the Stunting Reduction category; Sukoharjo Regency, which ranked second at the regency level for Inflation Control; Magelang City, which ranked first; and Surakarta City, which ranked second at the city level for Unemployment Reduction.
The Minister of Home Affairs, Tito Karnavian, stated that this first wave of Local Government Appreciation covers four categories. The judging panel’s assessments resulted in final scores with very narrow margins. This appreciation programme is designed to evaluate the performance of each local government and to incentivise programmes that provide tangible benefits to the public. Furthermore, incentives are provided to high-performing local governments. “Many regional heads demonstrate excellent performance and lead their regions to success,” said Tito.
Tito added that the awards are not merely a form of appreciation but an effort to showcase leadership examples that successfully address community needs. He explained that the government intentionally organised the appreciation on a regional basis to ensure equal competition, allowing regions with smaller fiscal capacities to demonstrate their innovations and best achievements.
Meanwhile, the Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs, Djamari Chaniago, noted that the achievements of the award recipients indicate relatively even progress across the board. Chaniago reminded the recipients that the award is not a finish line, but rather a starting point to maintain and enhance the milestones they have achieved.