Home Ministry Awards Top Performing Regional Governments in Java-Bali

The awards were presented at the 2026 Regional Government Achievement Appreciation event for the Java-Bali Region at the Marriott Hotel Yogyakarta, Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY). The awards are part of the Ministry of Home Affairs’ (Kemendagri) efforts to encourage improved local government performance through an appreciation system based on healthy competition. Assessments are conducted by region so that areas with different fiscal capacities can compete more fairly. “So we are no longer creating a competitive climate at the national level, because then smaller regions would lose to larger regions which, due to their fiscal capacity and other factors, are automatically more creative,” said Home Affairs Minister Muhammad Tito Karnavian in a written statement on Friday (5/6/2026). Tito explained the appreciation programme is implemented across six regions: Sumatra, Kalimantan, Maluku-Nusa Tenggara, Java-Bali, Sulawesi, and Papua. Only the Papua region remains to be held soon. Awards are given based on regional performance achievements across four categories: Unemployment Rate Reduction, Creative Financing, Inflation Control, and Poverty Alleviation and Stunting Reduction. Each category consists of first, second, and third rankings for regency, city, and provincial levels. As a form of appreciation, the ministry provides government assistance to the winners, with first place receiving Rp 3 billion, second place Rp 2 billion, and third place Rp 1 billion. Tito added the awards also serve as a means to showcase various positive achievements of local governments to the public. He noted many regional heads have demonstrated good achievements and performance in running their administrations and deserve a platform for appreciation. “This will continue, a second wave will follow in all six regions again, but perhaps with different topics, such as clean cities or public service management,” Tito explained.