Leadership Training: Gus Ipul Stresses the Importance of Data-Driven Programmes

He made the statement while speaking as a resource person at the National Leadership Training (PKN) Level II, Batch XII, Year 2026, organised by the North Sumatra Province Human Resources Development Agency (BPSDM Sumut), on Friday 22 May 2026. “This data is the most crucial. So we must really give data special attention,” Gus Ipul said in his remarks on Friday 22 May 2026. Gus Ipul said that the participants taking part in the leadership training must be able to translate the regional head’s vision into coherent programmes and activities, based on single-source data. “How leaders at all levels can translate the ideas of the regional head, expressed in the form of a vision and mission, into an RPJMD (Rencana Pembangunan Jangka Menengah Daerah) and then down into programmes and units of activity. That can be kept consistent,” he said. “Moreover, Gus Ipul explained that after his inauguration President Prabowo Subianto instructed all ministries and agencies to begin work using accurate data. Therefore the government issued Presidential Instruction No. 4 of 2025 on the National Socio-Economic Single Data (DTSEN).” “The President instructed to start with data that is correct. Because the source is the correct data,” he said. According to Gus Ipul, until now ministries, agencies, and regional governments still have their own data, so there is a need for joint consolidation. “We know that since Indonesia’s independence we have not had a single data source that can be used as a common reference,” he said. He also explained that socio-economic data is dynamic, so updates must be carried out quickly and accurately. In the discussion session, one participant from Bengkulu Province said that regional governments use DTSEN as the basis for distributing social assistance to the poor. Answering this, Gus Ipul said data is the most crucial element in the distribution of social programmes. At the end of the remarks, Gus Ipul asked all participants to utilise the training to strengthen their capacity as community coordinators/assistants. “This is a honour, this is recognition from the state and at the same time an opportunity for you to gain knowledge, strengthen your resolve, and become public servants in your respective places,” he concluded. Regarding the event, the online platform-based training themed ‘Adaptive Leadership in Governance Transformation’ was attended by 49 participants from various government agencies. The event was also attended by the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Social Affairs Robben Rico, the Head of BPSDM Sumatera Utara Agustinus Panjaitan, the Secretary of BPSDM Tommy Harahap, and other echelon officials, administrators, functional officials, and instructors.