Home Affairs Minister Reveals Two Keys to Optimising Public Services
Minister of Home Affairs Muhammad Tito Karnavian has emphasised the importance of strengthening the capacity and support for regional heads. This is intended to enable them to carry out governmental duties optimally amidst the increasingly complex challenges of regional development.
He conveyed this during a working meeting and hearing with Commission II of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) at the Parliament Complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Thursday.
Tito explained that regional heads have a strategic role as the highest executive leaders in their regions, with growing responsibilities. In addition to administering government affairs and public services, regional heads are also required to achieve various development indicators, such as poverty reduction, stunting alleviation, improving the Human Development Index (IPM), economic growth, and inflation control.
According to him, the extensive scope of decentralisation in Indonesia makes the workload of regional heads increasingly complex. Therefore, they need to be supported with various instruments to carry out their duties optimally.
“We believe that our colleagues, the regional heads, must be given instruments to strengthen them so they are able to carry out all these workloads,” he said in a written statement on Thursday.
One such instrument is financial support. The Home Affairs Minister stated that the regulation concerning the financial position of regional heads, which still refers to Government Regulation (PP) Number 109 of 2000, could be reviewed to align with current conditions. However, he stressed that any adjustments should ideally be based on performance achievements.
“If adjustments are to be made to suit the current situation, that could certainly be done,” he said.
He also encouraged regional heads to continuously innovate in increasing locally generated revenue (PAD) without burdening the public. According to him, increasing PAD through service innovation will strengthen the fiscal capacity of regions while supporting the acceleration of development.
Furthermore, Tito confirmed that his ministry continues to coordinate with the Ministry of Finance to assist regions experiencing difficulties in meeting various needs due to limited fiscal capacity. This includes the need for personnel expenditure, including for Government Employees with Work Agreements (PPPK).
“What is clear is that there is no option to lay off, let alone dismiss, PPPK,” he asserted.
For context, the meeting, chaired by the Chairman of Commission II of the DPR RI, Muhammad Rifqinizamy Karsayuda, was attended by the Regent of Lahat in his capacity as Chairman of the Association of Indonesian Regency Governments (APKASI), Bursah Zarnubi, along with other APKASI officials. During the forum, Bursah and other regents conveyed their aspirations regarding various issues faced by their respective regions. These aspirations were then responded to by the Home Affairs Minister and members of Commission II of the DPR RI.