Home Affairs Minister Urges APEKSI to Optimise Role of Forkopimda in Addressing Regional Issues

Home Affairs Minister (Mendagri) Muhammad Tito Karnavian has urged regional leaders affiliated with the Association of Indonesian Municipal Governments (APEKSI) to bolster the role of the Forum for Regional Leadership Coordination (Forkopimda) in addressing various regional issues. “If Forkopimda is cohesive, almost all regional problems can be resolved. But if the leadership of Forkopimda is not united, each going their own way, it becomes difficult,” he stated in a written remark on Monday (20/4/2026). Tito suggested that regional heads hold regular meetings with Forkopimda to map out issues facing their areas, encompassing economic, social, and disaster-related matters. Regions can also collaborate with TNI and Polri personnel to handle more complex problems. Tito believes that intensive coordination will strengthen harmony among Forkopimda elements, allowing all parties to focus on advancing their regions. “This is what I earnestly request from my colleagues: understand your role and position as regional heads and leaders of Forkopimda,” he said. Furthermore, Tito highlighted that current global dynamics directly impact communities, particularly in food and energy sectors. Regional heads must be vigilant against such volatility by holding regular meetings and enhancing coordination. “Therefore, regional heads, please truly safeguard this. Directly hold and control the regional inflation control team,” he added. To maximise these efforts, regional heads can collaborate with the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), enabling early detection of potential rises in essential commodity prices and preventing social unrest. On the other hand, at the forum, Tito also encouraged regional heads to seize national priority work programmes, including food sovereignty, energy and water independence, education, health, downstreaming and industrialisation, infrastructure, housing, disaster resilience, as well as people’s economy and village development. “You must grasp these programmes, because if you don’t, it’s a loss. Substantial budgets are allocated for each of these,” he concluded.