Mendes invites APKASI to seek concrete solutions to accelerate village development

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Villages, Disadvantaged Areas and Transmigration (Mendes PDT) Yandri Susanto has invited the Association of All Indonesian District Governments (APKASI) to continue prioritising solidarity and common interests in order to generate concrete solutions for the advancement of villages. According to Mendes Yandri, intensive communication and dialogue among stakeholders are the key to finding common ground in resolving various village development challenges. “I appreciate the big ideas, proposals, and the networking and dialogue that have been emphasised so far. Because with more silaturahmi (networking) and more discussions, then seeking solutions, in my view, we will find common ground. If there are problems we bring them into a space for dialogue,” Mendes said, quoted in Jakarta on Friday. Mendes Yandri also stressed the importance of accelerating development in lagging regions through programme synchronisation between the central government and regional authorities and strengthening village governance. He then outlined various challenges faced by lagging regions, including limited fiscal capacity of local governments, low Local Own-Source Revenue (PAD), and the quality of basic services that remains inadequate. “Two weeks ago we held the National Coordinating Meeting on Accelerating Lagging Regions (Rakornas Percepatan Daerah Tertinggal or PPDT). We also invited many participants, including from Bappenas, the Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri), the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (Kementerian PU), and others. We are aware of the vast potential in regencies, especially those in villages,” Mendes said. In addition to Mendes Yandri, the event was also attended by the Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian. Also present was the Special Staff of the Minister of Villages PDT M. Fahad Attamimi.