Bima Arya Urges Regional Heads to Shift Development Paradigm
Deputy Home Affairs Minister Bima Arya Sugiarto is encouraging regional heads to change their development paradigm so that it is not solely oriented towards economic growth. He said that social, cultural, and ecological sustainability, as well as the benefits of development for future generations, must also be considered. This shift in perspective is deemed important to prevent clashes between the interests of economic growth, indigenous communities, and environmental preservation.
Bima said regional heads need to have a comprehensive perspective when formulating development policies. Policies should not only focus on popularity, meeting basic needs, or regulation, but also need to consider cultural heritage, natural wealth, and customary law that develop in the regions. Therefore, community involvement is important in every decision related to the use of an area.
“Our challenge is how every plan meaningfully involves and listens to indigenous leaders and long-standing ecological advocates,” Bima said during his remarks at the People’s Environmental Week event titled “Movement to Recover Indonesia for Ecological Justice” at the Riau Malay Customary Institution Hall in Pekanbaru on Friday (21/8).
Bima encouraged the paradigm shift to be translated into concrete regional policies. One way is through accelerating the recognition of customary law communities through regional regulations. He noted that some regions already have regional regulations concerning indigenous communities but have not implemented them, while others do not yet have such regulations at all.
In addition to recognising customary law communities, Bima stressed the importance of integrating the principle of ecological balance into spatial planning. According to him, spatial planning should not be viewed merely as an administrative complement, but must serve as the foundation for the entire design of regional development.
“All planning designs based on spatial planning should also breathe a concern for ecological balance. Not only in certain areas where customary law elements are dominant, but in all regions,” Bima said.
The perspective on indigenous communities is also evolving. Previously viewed mostly as objects of development, they later came to be seen as groups needing protection. This view has since shifted to positioning indigenous communities as rights holders, and now as primary guardians of nature.
“Not only making indigenous communities objects but subjects. Not only focusing on regulation, but also collaborating and co-creating,” Bima said.
According to him, the co-creation approach places communities as active participants in the development process, from designing, thinking, implementing, to jointly overseeing policies. With this approach, indigenous communities are not merely accommodated but also help determine the direction of development that affects their living spaces.
Bima also expressed appreciation to environmental advocates and activists who have contributed to protecting nature. He said the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (WALHI) and environmental activists can serve as a bridge between indigenous communities, local wisdom, and policymakers.
“We hope our friends at WALHI can be a bridge between indigenous communities, between local wisdom and existing policymakers,” he said.
Bima affirmed that the Ministry of Home Affairs is ready to collaborate with regional governments, indigenous communities, and environmental advocates to promote development that maintains balance while achieving ecological justice.