Being a Regional Head is Not Easy: Bima Arya Says Innovation is Needed to Address Local to Global Issues

Deputy Minister of Home Affairs (Wamendagri) Bima Arya Sugiarto has appreciated the various innovations undertaken by local governments in addressing development challenges, while underscoring the importance of adaptive, skilled leadership capable of reading global, national, and local dynamics.

In his speech at the Platinum Hotel and Convention Hall in Balikpapan on Tuesday (5/5/2026), Bima Arya reminded that regional heads now face far more complex dynamics than in previous periods, from the impacts of global geopolitics to evolving national policies, as well as demands to meet community needs at the local level.

“Having experienced the difficult times of leading a region myself, I fully understand the inner turmoil of how challenging it is to be a regional head, regent, mayor, or governor. There are three simultaneous challenges currently faced by fellow regional heads, which may differ somewhat from the first generation of directly elected regional heads,” he said.

He explained that these challenges encompass global aspects that directly affect inflation and regional economic stability, changes in national policies that demand quick adaptation, and the obligation of regional heads to fulfil political promises and public services.

Furthermore, Bima Arya emphasised the importance of applying the concept of statecraft in government governance. According to him, regional heads are not only required to be intelligent but also skilled and trustworthy.

“Intelligence alone is not enough, as the President says, if not skilled. Skilled in a technical sense means being quick, but being skilled does not necessarily mean being reliable. Reliable means trusted or trustworthy. As the President says, one must be reliable, trustworthy, quick and skilled, and thirdly, intelligent,” he asserted.