Appreciation for High-Performing Local Governments Set to Take Place in Borneo

The Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri) is responsible for boosting performance, motivating, and encouraging local government heads to excel and carry out their duties effectively. “As local leaders elected by their people, the best method in my view is to create a competitive environment. Healthy competition among them,” said Minister of Home Affairs Muhammad Tito Karnavian. To this end, Kemendagri is holding the 2026 Appreciation for High-Performing Local Governments. In its implementation, this competition is not conducted uniformly; Kemendagri opts for a regional approach. The event is divided into several waves, covering Sumatra, Kalimantan, Java-Bali, Sulawesi, Maluku-Nusa Tenggara, and Papua. On 25 April 2026, the appreciation for the Sumatra region was held in Palembang, South Sumatra. Now, the same event will be held in Kalimantan. The 2026 High-Performing Local Government Appreciation will take place at the Platinum Hotel & Convention Hall in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, on Tuesday, 5 May 2026. A total of 24 local governments will receive appreciation in Borneo. For the Unemployment Reduction category, there will be one province, three regencies, and two cities receiving appreciation. The same applies to the Poverty Alleviation and Stunting Reduction, Inflation Control, and Creative Financing/Entrepreneurial Government categories. Meanwhile, provinces, regencies, and cities will receive fiscal incentives of Rp 3 billion for first place, Rp 2 billion for second place, and Rp 1 billion for third place. Head of the Domestic Policy Strategy Agency (BSKDN) at Kemendagri, Yusharto Huntoyungo, stated that preparations for the 2026 High-Performing Local Governments Appreciation series have been underway since February. “We have prepared a series of activities and hope that the Minister can attend.” This event, he continued, is intended to support or enhance local government performance. “Local governments that receive awards will be more motivated, while those that do not will strive to become winners in other aspects.”