Ministry of Home Affairs Optimises Priority Programmes through High-Performing Local Government Awards

The High-Performing Local Government Awards, organised by the Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri), is part of its mandate as the supervisor and overseer of regional governments, aimed at ensuring the maximum achievement of national priority programmes.

For the second batch of this year, covering the Kalimantan region, the Ministry of Home Affairs is collaborating with the Institute of Home Affairs Governance (IPDN) as the organiser. The event is scheduled to take place in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, on Thursday (3/9).

“The reward provided by the Ministry of Home Affairs, in its capacity as the supervisor of regional governments, has already seen its first batch implemented; this year, it covers six regions, and IPDN has been tasked with organising the Kalimantan regional segment,” stated the Rector of IPDN, Halilul Khairi, on Wednesday (26/8).

Halilul explained that the Minister of Home Affairs, Tito Karnavian, has requested a supervisory mechanism that focuses not only on sanctions but also on recognising high-performing local governments.

“The Minister of Home Affairs is not only focused on supervision through sanctions; he also wants the Ministry to provide recognition,” he said.

“The principle is reward and punishment; there should not only be penalties but also rewards,” Halilul added.

The second batch of the High-Performing Local Government Awards for the Kalimantan region features four categories: waste management, education, health, and the implementation of the 3-Million-House Programme.

According to Halilul, these four categories are relevant and directly correlated with the priority programmes of President Prabowo Subianto.

“Therefore, the primary focus of the Ministry of Home Affairs is how to encourage the President’s priority programmes to be implemented and achieved to their maximum potential by the regions,” he said.

He expressed hope that this awards programme would motivate local governments. The recognition is also intended to serve as an incentive for regions to fund public services.

“We hope that with these awards, local governments are not merely chasing prizes, but rather that this recognition serves to reawaken the sense of responsibility among local governments, regional heads, and the Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) to provide the best services to the community,” Halilul concluded.

For the record, the High-Performing Local Government Awards are being held across six regional areas. Previously, the event has been conducted for the Sumatra and Java-Bali regions.