DPD Deputy Speaker GKR Hemas Stresses Need for Regionally Equitable Development
Wakil Ketua DPD RI Gusti Kanjeng Ratu (GKR) Hemas has stated that the speeches by DPD Speaker Sultan Baktiar Najamudin and President Prabowo Subianto during the Joint Session of the DPR and DPD underscore the importance of development that favours the regions. She noted that the message conveyed by the DPD Speaker through the theme ‘Strong Regions, Sovereign Indonesia’ aligns with the national development direction, which requires synergy between the central and regional governments.
‘The DPD Speaker’s speech affirmed that Indonesia’s strength truly rests on the strength of its regions. Therefore, national development must not leave the regions behind. Policies made at the central level must be genuinely felt by the people,’ GKR Hemas said in a statement on Friday.
Following the Joint Session at the Parliament Complex in Jakarta, GKR Hemas also appreciated the key points in President Prabowo Subianto’s speech regarding equitable development, national self-reliance, strengthening the people’s economy, and siding with the people. She stressed that these strategic agendas must be realised concretely at the regional level.
‘What is most important is how national policies are translated into real programmes in the regions. The public must feel the state’s presence in education, health, the economy, infrastructure, and public services,’ she said.
GKR Hemas also highlighted the inclusion of the Archipelagic Regions Bill in the 2026 National Legislation Programme Priority List. She described this as an important development following a long struggle by the DPD and communities in archipelagic regions.
‘This is a momentum we must safeguard together. The Archipelagic Regions Bill is not just for the interest of archipelagic regions, but part of the effort to deliver development justice within Indonesia as an archipelagic state,’ she explained.
She expressed hope that the bill’s deliberation would produce regulations that affirm the unique characteristics and needs of archipelagic regions. ‘People in archipelagic areas must not continue to face inequality due to geographical conditions. The state must be present by providing fair policies that match the characteristics of each region,’ she stressed.
GKR Hemas affirmed that the DPD will continue to carry out its function of regional representation by ensuring that the aspirations of people from all over Indonesia become part of national policy. ‘The DPD must continue to ensure that the voices of the people from Sabang to Merauke are heard at the national level. We must be present to ensure that state policies truly address the problems of people in the regions,’ she said.
She expressed hope that the synergy between the central government, the House of Representatives, the DPD, and regional governments would grow stronger in executing the national development agenda. ‘If the central and regional governments move together, Indonesia will become stronger. Because ultimately, strong regions are the foundation of a sovereign Indonesia,’ GKR Hemas concluded.