As the Most Innovative Region, Tabalong Urged to Enhance Innovation Quality

The National Internal Policy Strategy Agency (BSKDN) of the Ministry of Home Affairs is encouraging local governments to accelerate innovation leaps as an effort to enhance competitiveness and the quality of public services. BSKDN Head Yusharto Huntoyungo conveyed this statement during the Regional Innovation Evaluation and Strengthening Activity Towards National Recognition, organised by the Regional Development Planning, Research, and Innovation Agency (Bapperida) of Tabalong Regency at the Aston Tanjung Hotel on Monday (14/4/2026). Yusharto stressed that local governments cannot rely solely on creativity to achieve innovation leaps. This must be supported by strong collaboration among stakeholders and evidence-based policies. According to him, innovations built on data, research, and best practices will be more targeted, effective, and sustainable. “In innovation development efforts, the Tabalong Regency Government needs to involve all elements of the pentahelix, from academics, the business world, society, to the media, so that the resulting innovations are not only solution-oriented but also have broad impacts,” Yusharto stated. He explained that the evidence-based policy approach ensures that every policy taken has undergone a data analysis process and empirical validation, thereby minimising the risk of failure and increasing public policy accountability. With this approach, innovations are no longer sporadic but directed and integrated into the regional development system.