Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Djamari Chaniago: Regional Competitive Climate is Key to National Progress
The Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs, Djamari Chaniago, has emphasised the importance of maintaining a competitive climate between regional governments as a driving force for national progress. He made these remarks during the 2026 Regional Java-Bali Outstanding Regional Government Awards Appreciation Night held in Yogyakarta on Thursday night.
According to Djamari, healthy competition between regions is a positive indicator that governance in Indonesia is continuously evolving. He assessed that current regional performance achievements demonstrate balanced progress across the country.
“This competitive rivalry is what must be continuously maintained. The existence of a competitive climate is vital to achieving collective progress,” the Coordinating Minister stated in his address.
He added that the intensity of the competition was evident in this year’s evaluation process. Qualitatively, the differences in scores between regions were very slim, indicating that every region is striving to provide the best services and innovations for its citizens.
Djamari reminded participants that these awards should not be viewed as the end of achievement. Instead, this momentum should serve as a starting point for continuous improvement and sustainable development.
“The momentum of this award is not the finish line. Rather, it is the starting point to improve, maintain, and develop all the achievements attained. Let us work together; our work is not yet finished,” he asserted.
He also expressed appreciation for the role of the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda) at the city, regency, and provincial levels, which has worked in synergy to realise these achievements. “I am confident that what has been achieved today is the result of solid Forkopimda cooperation,” he added.
The event, initiated by the Minister of Home Affairs, Muhammad Tito Karnavian, was attended by several high-ranking officials, including the Minister of Housing and Settlement Areas, Maruarar Sirait, the Chair of Commission II of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Rifqinizamy Karsayuda, and the Chair of Commission IV of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Siti Hediati Soeharto.
Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian explained that this appreciation event is conducted in an integrated manner across six regional areas, covering Sumatra, Kalimantan, Maluku and Nusa Tenggara, Sulawesi, Java and Bali, and Papua. Evaluations are conducted transparently, referring to objective data from the Indonesian Central Statistics Agency (BPS).
As a tangible form of appreciation, regions that successfully achieve winning status will not only receive trophies but will also receive fiscal incentives from the central government to support the sustainability of development programmes in their respective regions.