Deputy Interior Minister Urges Central-Regional Synergy to Tackle Global Challenges
Deputy Interior Minister (Wamendagri), Bima Arya Sugiarto, has emphasised the importance of synergy between central and regional governments to confront global challenges while strengthening national competitiveness. This approach is essential to accelerate the implementation of various priority programmes and bolster the nation’s standing on the international stage.
The statement was delivered at the National Development Orchestration Forum, themed ‘Regional Synergy in Addressing Challenges with a Focus on Accelerating the Reduction of Unemployment, Poverty, and Stunting, Inflation Control, and Strengthening Creative Financing Schemes’, held at the Platinum Hotel in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, on Tuesday (5/5).
In his presentation, Bima highlighted the complexities of challenges currently facing regional heads. These are not merely local issues but are influenced by global dynamics and national policy directions.
Global pressures such as fluctuations in energy prices and inflation are among the factors that regions must anticipate. At the same time, regional heads are required to execute national priority programmes while fulfilling political promises and providing basic services to the public.
“Having experienced the difficult times of leading a region myself, I fully understand the inner turmoil of how challenging it is to be a regent, mayor, or governor,” he said in a written statement on Wednesday (6/5).
This situation, according to Bima, demands that regional heads possess adaptive capacity alongside strong execution skills. It is not enough to merely understand problems; they must also act swiftly and accurately.
He further stressed the importance of applying the concept of statecraft in modern governance. This concept encompasses strategic thinking, implementation skills, and integrity that can be trusted by the public.
“A new way of managing the state that requires capable, skilled, and intelligent leaders,” he asserted.
Bima also encouraged strengthening more flexible and responsive cross-sector collaboration. Controlling inflation, increasing Regional Original Revenue (PAD), and optimising development financing through creative schemes are focuses that need to be accelerated immediately.
Creative financing schemes are deemed important to fill gaps in regional budget limitations. Meanwhile, innovations in development financing are believed to open up new opportunities that have not yet been maximised.
Bima hopes this forum will not end with mere discussions and formal coordination. He urges it to produce concrete steps that can be immediately implemented in the field and have a real impact on society.