East Java Governor Introduces 'Pelita ASN' Programme to Strengthen Family Resilience

East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa, together with Indonesian Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA) Arifatul Choiri Fauzi, launched the Integrated Assistance and Services for Civil Servant Families (Pelita ASN) programme. The launch coincided with the 33rd National Family Day (Harganas) commemoration.

During the launch held at Graha Menur, Prof. Dr. Moeljono Regional Hospital of East Java Province in Surabaya, Khofifah stressed that civil servants are not only required to be professional in carrying out government duties but also need to have healthy, harmonious, and quality families as a foundation for providing the best service to the public.

‘On this Harganas commemoration, we are also launching Pelita ASN. It is about how we provide integrated assistance and services for ASN, especially those related to family resilience,’ Khofifah said in a written statement.

Khofifah added that this programme is a preventive measure to provide a consultation space for ASN facing various family issues before they develop into larger conflicts, including divorce. ‘So this is actually more of an inward-looking approach. We see that ASN in East Java need a space where they can consult, so that as much as possible we can prevent possibilities that could lead to divorce,’ she explained.

Khofifah expressed concern over the still-high divorce rate among civil servants. The East Java Provincial Government is therefore seeking to present a more comprehensive assistance system so that domestic problems can be addressed from the outset. ‘I often say, why is it that almost every Friday is the day the Governor signs divorce permits? As far as we can still find consultation solutions for the problems faced by each family, we want to do it through solution-oriented consultation,’ she stated.

Khofifah said that Pelita ASN is akin to ‘ibda’ binafsik’, an Arabic phrase meaning an invitation to start change, improvement, or set an example from oneself before inviting or demanding others to do the same. ‘If it proves suitable, regents and mayors are welcome to adopt the Pelita ASN programme because this is part of our own ibda’ binafsik, trying to identify and provide services as best we can,’ she explained.

The occasion also saw the signing of a Joint Agreement between the East Java Provincial Government, the Surabaya High Religious Court, and the Ministry of Population and Family Development/BKKBN East Java Representative Office as a form of strengthening synergy in the implementation of Pelita ASN. The collaboration is expected to further strengthen family assistance services for ASN through a comprehensive approach, ranging from education and consultation to the integrated resolution of various family issues.

At the same event, Khofifah presented the 2026 East Java Province Child Marriage Prevention Performance Assessment (PPA Award) to regencies and cities deemed successful in presenting innovation and collaboration in efforts to prevent child marriage. ‘This award is a form of appreciation for the regions’ commitment to protecting children’s rights. We hope these good practices can be replicated in all regencies and cities in East Java,’ she said.

Meanwhile, Arifatul Choiri Fauzi appreciated the various innovations made by the East Java Provincial Government, including the organisation of the PPA Award, which she considered an important breakthrough in child protection efforts. ‘There is a PPPA Award, and this is currently only available in East Java. The reason East Java often receives attention and awards is because its innovation and creativity are truly extraordinary,’ Arifah concluded.

In the 2026 PPA Award, the Malang City Government won first place, followed by the Trenggalek Regency Government as second place, and the Probolinggo City Government as third place. The Best Innovation Award was given to the Surabaya City Government, the Best Institutional Award was won by the Lamongan Regency Government, and the Best Cross-Sector Coordination Award was presented to the Ngawi Regency Government.