Home Affairs Ministry Promotes Regional Performance Competition Based on Areas
The Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri) is promoting improvements in local government performance through a scheme of competition based on awards and incentives. This effort is crucial for creating a healthy competitive climate amid the complexities of governing 552 local administrations in Indonesia.
Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian stated that this appreciation is not merely ceremonial but a strategic instrument to spur regional performance to be more optimal. “The provision of awards is one method to create a competitive climate, so that regions can drive their performance more optimally,” said Tito in a speech at the Appreciation for High-Performing Local Governments 2026 Sumatra Region event at the Wyndham Opi Hotel in Palembang on Saturday, 25 April 2026.
Indonesia currently has 38 provinces, 98 cities, and 416 regencies. The large number of regions is a source of pride on one hand, but on the other, it presents complex challenges in government management. Each local leader faces different issues in efforts to advance their area, even though they have been granted authority through the concurrent government system.
Tito emphasised that not all local leaders can be generalised, especially in the context of public assessments of some officials involved in legal matters. According to him, many local leaders work hard, engage directly with the community, and carry out various innovations to improve public welfare.
“We must not generalise all local leaders. Many are accomplished, creative, and strive for their people,” he said. Therefore, the role of the media is very important in building public opinion. Exposure to positive regional achievements needs to be done so that it is not overshadowed by negative reporting that can shape perceptions of local leaders’ performance.
As a concrete form, Kemendagri is allocating a budget of Rp1 trillion in the form of incentives for high-performing regions. This budget is part of Kemendagri’s total allocation this year of Rp6.6 trillion. “We dedicate Rp1 trillion for regions in the form of incentives. With the remaining budget, we remain optimistic about achieving performance targets,” he stated.
To ensure the competition runs fairly, Kemendagri applies a regional-based assessment scheme. There are six regional groups: Sumatra, Java and Bali, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Maluku and Nusa Tenggara, and Papua. Each region will compete within their respective scope to avoid disparities in capacity between regions.
There are four categories that form the basis of assessment: inflation control, poverty alleviation and stunting reduction, unemployment reduction, and entrepreneur government/creative financing. The inflation issue is a primary concern because it directly relates to the stability of prices of goods and services that affect the cost of living. Meanwhile, job creation is considered crucial to meet community needs, especially for the lower economic groups.
On the other hand, poverty eradication is linked to efforts to reduce stunting as part of improving human resource quality. “Regions that can reduce stunting certainly deserve awards for the breakthroughs they have made,” said Tito. The creative financing category is the ability of regions to explore revenue sources and carry out spending efficiency without violating financial rules.
In addition to trophies and certificates, winning regions also receive fiscal incentives as additional budget. First-place local governments receive Rp3 billion, second place Rp2 billion, and third place Rp1 billion. According to Tito, these incentives are expected to provide additional motivation for local governments. “If added with incentive funds, it will certainly be more enjoyable, while encouraging other regions to join the competition,” he said.
He also invited all local leaders to continue improving performance and utilising this momentum as an arena to showcase their best achievements to the public. “High-performing local leaders will certainly become better known to the public. This is not just about awards, but also about how we give our best for the people,” said Tito.
List of Winners of the Appreciation for High-Performing Local Governments 2026 Sumatra Region
Inflation Control Category
Bengkulu Province
Regencies:
Tebo
North Musi Rawas
North Labuhanbatu
Cities:
Langsa
Prabumulih
Bukittinggi
Entrepreneur Government/Creative Financing Category
North Sumatra Province
Regencies
Bintan
South Lampung
Batu Bara
Cities:
Bandar Lampung
Medan
Palembang
Poverty Alleviation and Stunting Reduction Category
Riau Islands Province
Regencies
Mesuji
South Tapanuli
Bengkalis
Cities:
Sungai Penuh
Pekanbaru
Batam
Unemployment Reduction Category
Bengkulu Province
Regencies
South Solok
Mentawai
Dairi Regency
Cities:
Pagar Alam
Tanjung Balai
Dumai