Minister of Home Affairs Tito Emphasises Forkopimda Solidarity to Support Development
The Minister of Home Affairs, Muhammad Tito Karnavian, has reaffirmed that the solidarity of the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda) is key to maintaining the political and security stability required to support successful development. Consequently, Tito has requested all elements of Forkopimda to continuously strengthen communication and coordination to prevent potential disruptions to governance and development.
Tito conveyed these instructions during a briefing session for regional heads and Forkopimda members from the provinces of Java and Bali, held at the Gedhong Pracimosono, Yogyakarta, on Thursday (4/6). In his address, Tito emphasised that Java and Bali hold a highly strategic position for Indonesia, serving as the hub for various national activities and housing nearly 60 per cent of the Indonesian population. “Therefore, it is extremely important for the unity of the nation and state sovereignty,” he stated.
He stressed that political and security stability must be continuously maintained by all regional stakeholders. According to Tito, development can only proceed optimally if regional conditions remain safe and conducive. Conversely, past instances of unrest in several regions have disrupted the administration of government and development. He also warned that conflicts or acts of violence, even on a small scale, can affect the effectiveness of regional governance and development. “If government decision-making is disrupted, everything will be disrupted,” he remarked.
As a result, Tito urged all elements of Forkopimda to strengthen communication and coordination, both formally and informally. Based on various experiences, regions where leaders maintain cohesion tend to resolve issues more quickly and prevent conflicts from escalating. Furthermore, Tito requested local governments to revitalise the Religious Harmony Forum (FKUB) as a vital instrument for maintaining harmony and preventing social conflicts rooted in religion. He also encouraged regional heads, particularly those with adequate fiscal space, to allocate budgets through the Regional Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBD) to support FKUB activities. “Please also revitalise the FKUB, the Religious Harmony Forum. Usually, in regions vulnerable to religious issues, if the FKUB is active, they can prevent potential religious conflicts more quickly. Conversely, if the FKUB is not functioning and is only mobilised when a problem arises, it is too late,” he concluded.