Behind the PKK Celebration, Disappointment Brews in Samarinda
Within the organisational structure of the Family Welfare Empowerment (PKK), the relationship between provincial and regency/city levels is often likened to the bond between a mother and child. As the ‘mother’, the East Kalimantan Provincial PKK Driving Team holds a crucial role in accompanying, guiding, and strengthening the ranks beneath it.
However, the dynamics occurring during the 54th PKK Movement Unity Day (HKG) celebrations in Samarinda have revealed gaps in this supervisory function. Long-standing disappointment has surfaced publicly as the Chairperson of the Samarinda City PKK, Rinda Wahyuni, delivered open criticism regarding the leadership of the East Kalimantan Provincial PKK.
This issue is not merely about physical presence at ceremonial events, but concerns the essence of the supervisory function that serves as a vital bridge between provincial policy and regional implementation.
The Samarinda City PKK building on Monday (29/06/2026) witnessed an unusual expression of aspirations. In front of invited guests, Rinda Wahyuni highlighted the absence of the East Kalimantan Provincial PKK Chairperson, Syarifah Suraidah, from direct coaching processes in Samarinda during her tenure.
Rinda emphasised that as a mentored region under the province’s auspices, Samarinda should receive intensive attention and assistance. “The province is the mother. But the Governor’s wife has never accompanied Samarinda City,” Rinda stated on Tuesday (30/06/2026).
This disappointment feels even more profound given that Samarinda City was appointed as the host for the provincial-level PKK HKG celebrations. As organisers, the city authorities have made maximum efforts to follow all directions and schedules set by the provincial authorities, yet they feel they have received insufficient appreciation in the form of presence and moral support from the highest provincial PKK leadership.
Structurally, the PKK operates with a tiered supervisory system. The central government supervises the provincial level, while the province is responsible for supervising regencies and cities. The criticism levelled by Rinda Wahyuni touches upon a fundamental aspect of the organisation: the necessity of effective communication.
Rinda emphasised that collaboration cannot be built if communication and supervision do not function in both directions. “The province and the regions must collaborate, because the province is the supervisor of regencies and cities. If regencies and cities are not supervised, how can this organisation function properly?” she added.
The case in East Kalimantan serves as an important lesson for similar organisations across Indonesia. A harmonious relationship between provinces and regions requires more than just formal decrees or written instructions; it requires consistent emotional presence and technical guidance.
The Samarinda PKK team stated that this critical stance was taken not to seek attention or special treatment, but as a form of respect for the region’s position as a mentored partner. Moving forward, it is hoped that a thorough evaluation of communication patterns will be conducted so that the PKK’s grand vision of improving family welfare can be achieved uniformly down to the lowest level.