Collaboration and Breakthroughs in Luthfi-Yasin's First Year Leading Central Java

The leadership pair of Ahmad Luthfi and Taj Yasin Maemoen have steered Central Java through a series of breakthroughs via pro-people programmes during their first year in office. These include free health check-ups through the mobile specialist doctor programme (Speling), free education through partnership schools, scholarships for Islamic boarding school students, and repairs to substandard housing.

As governor and deputy governor for the 2025–2030 term, the pair have engaged a wide range of stakeholders to advance their programmes, including regents and mayors, dozens of universities, entrepreneurs, investors, neighbouring provinces, friendly nations, civil society organisations and community leaders. Luthfi has described this approach as “collaborative government.”

“We are partnering with several universities and all elements of society,” he said. “Collaborative government is a collective way to build Central Java.” According to the governor, the principle of collaborative governance must be pursued because neither the provincial nor district and municipal governments can operate in isolation. Active involvement from all elements is needed to advance and develop the region.

The values of mutual cooperation, togetherness, collaboration and teamwork are said to be Central Java’s lifeblood. These have been implemented across every sector, yielding a range of achievements and progress in infrastructure development, investment, education, healthcare and poverty reduction.

The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) recorded Central Java’s economic growth in the fourth quarter of 2025 at 5.37 per cent year-on-year, positioning the province above the national average of 5.11 per cent. This placed Central Java as the province with the second-highest economic growth on the island of Java.

Meanwhile, Central Java’s investment realisation in 2025 reached Rp 88.50 trillion, comprising Rp 50.86 trillion in Foreign Direct Investment (PMA) and Rp 37.64 trillion in Domestic Direct Investment (PMDN). This figure represents the highest achievement in the past ten years. From that investment value, 105,078 projects were realised, absorbing 418,138 workers.

This growth has had a demonstrably positive impact on public welfare, with a significant decline in poverty rates. “We must intensify the reduction of poverty further. Budgets must be directed towards poverty reduction collectively, including providing better access to education for people with disabilities, so that their quality of life improves,” said the governor.

The Central Java Provincial Government acknowledges that work remains on the Human Development Index (IPM), which currently stands at 74.77.

The collaborative efforts by Luthfi and Yasin to boost investment and grow the regional economy have drawn considerable appreciation, including from National Economic Council Chairman Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan. He praised the collaborative approach and partnerships pursued by the Central Java Governor in developing the region, particularly in fostering economic growth and increasing investment.

According to Luhut, thanks to these efforts, Central Java has become a magnet for investors, with many keen to invest in the province. He said the growth momentum above the national average must be maintained and directed towards programmes that benefit grassroots communities.