Government Experts Meet Vice President Kalla to Discuss Centre-Region Relations
Jakarta — The 10th and 12th Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia, Jusuf Kalla (JK), received a visit from 12 experts at his residence in the Kebayoran Baru area, South Jakarta, on Sunday (15 March 2026).
Jusuf Kalla said the meeting with these intellectuals discussed efforts by regional governments in advancing their respective regions.
“Regional governments in our current governance structure and regional advancement are important because this country is composed of regions and for regions to advance society, regions must develop to advance society,” said JK.
“This also includes the village government level because various policies made at the national government level affect regional development and the tasks of regional heads. So we are trying to find ways to resolve this, so that regions remain advanced and the centre can carry out its duties. Thus there is a harmonious relationship,” said Djohermansyah.
“The issue is that since last year there has been an issue of cuts to transfers to regions, which has a significant impact on development spending and public service spending in regions,” said Armand.
“So this discussion is to become one avenue of construction that can receive everyone’s attention,” he added.
He explained that currently regional autonomy and decentralisation are approaching a quarter century in age since they first took effect in 2001.
Finally, JK highlighted the reduction in transfers to regions (TKD), which has dropped to only 17 per cent.
He reminded that regional governments have responsibilities in various sectors such as education and health.
“Today the budget is now only 17 per cent to regions. So later regional infrastructure will be in danger, there will be a decline in its quality, and also education. This is what the government must pay attention to, that regions are the constituent parts of the nation,” said JK.
The meeting was attended by 12 experts including Irfan Ridwan Maksum (UI), Aditya Perdana (FISIP UI), Professor Djohermansyah Djohan (i-Otda), Ahmad Fairuz, Lili Romli (BRIN), Hanif (UT), Trubus Rahardiansyah (Trisakti), Muhadam Labolo (IPDN), Riant Nugroho (UNJ), Armand Suparman (KPPOD), Satya Arinanto (FH UI), and Mulyadi (BRIN).