Central Java Governor stresses TNI–community collaboration to develop the region

Banyumas (ANTARA) – Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi has stressed the importance of collaboration between the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), local government, the police and the public to accelerate development and improve residents’ welfare.

“Bakti TNI untuk Rakyat [TNI Service to the People] is not merely a ceremonial programme, but a concrete expression of the Indonesian Army’s unity with the people through care, togetherness and service,” he said on Friday, while officiating at the opening ceremony of the TNI AD Service to the People programme in the Kodam IV/Diponegoro area, at the square in Banyumas sub-district, Banyumas regency.

He said regional development required collaboration among the government, the TNI, the police, community protection units (Satlinmas), university students, businesses and all sections of society to drive economic growth, speed up infrastructure development and improve residents’ welfare.

Ahmad called for infrastructure built under the TNI service programme to be monitored and maintained so that it would provide lasting benefits. The governor also praised the construction of water-storage facilities to help communities cope with the dry season and the effects of El Niño.

Ahmad said Central Java played an important role as a national food granary, producing 8.5 million tonnes of dry-milled paddy, or around 15 per cent of national output.

Alongside physical construction, he welcomed the rehabilitation of uninhabitable homes for people on low incomes. He also said free health services, cataract surgery, mass circumcision, blood donation drives and low-cost markets should reach those in need.

Speaking after the ceremony, he said the programme was a practical example of collaboration involving the government, universities and all sections of society to address people’s needs and problems.

“This is collaborative government: together, we can make it happen,” Luthfi said.

According to the data, the TNI AD programme will run for 60 days, from October to November 2026, in the areas covered by Military District Commands 0701/Banyumas and 0709/Kebumen.

In Banyumas regency, the programme covers 21 sub-districts and 40 villages. Physical works include rehabilitating 105 uninhabitable homes; building 10 bridges; drilling 30 wells and constructing sanitation facilities at 30 sites; repairing six places of worship and four schools; renovating four orphanages; restoring one cemetery; laying concrete road surfaces at two sites; and building retaining walls at two sites and concrete revetments at five sites.

In Kebumen regency, the programme covers 18 sub-districts and 112 villages. Its physical works include building 12 bridges; drilling 50 wells; rehabilitating 45 uninhabitable homes; constructing 20 public bathing, washing and toilet facilities; repairing four places of worship and four schools; renovating one orphanage; restoring one cemetery; and laying concrete road surfaces at three sites.

Funding in Banyumas comprises Rp9.2 billion from the TNI AD programme, Rp1.5 billion in TNI contributions, Rp3.08 billion from the local government and Rp500 million from Kodam. In Kebumen, funding includes Rp14.4 billion from the TNI AD programme, Rp1.4 billion in TNI contributions, Rp489 million from the local government and Rp500 million from Kodam.

In addition to physical development, the programme includes free health services, blood donation, the planting of 5,000 tree seedlings, and social assistance in the form of prosthetic legs, free glasses, wheelchairs and food packages.