North Sumatra Musrenbang: Tito Emphasises the Importance of Thorough Planning
Minister of Home Affairs (Mendagri) Muhammad Tito Karnavian emphasised the importance of thorough planning in compiling the Regional Government Work Plan (RKPD). High-quality planning is seen as the key to driving significant change.
This was conveyed by the Minister during his address and the opening of the Musyawarah Perencanaan Pembangunan (Musrenbang) for the 2027 RKPD of North Sumatra Province in Medan, North Sumatra, on Wednesday (22/4).
According to him, Musrenbang should not be viewed as a routine agenda but as the initial foundation in setting the direction for regional development.
“Thorough planning, mature quality, meaning detailed, determines 60 percent of a programme’s success,” he said.
According to Tito, good planning must be prepared by listening to aspirations from the bottom up. The provincial government needs to absorb proposals, desires, and hopes at the district/city level.
In addition, the province does not stand alone but is part of the national government system. Therefore, besides receiving bottom-up input from the district/city level, the province must also align it with central government programmes.
Furthermore, Minister Tito stated that the vision and mission of regional heads are hallmarks of strong leadership. Regional heads are required to have a clear direction regarding regional development outlined in a roadmap. In this context, he emphasised that leadership is not only determined by authority but also by the strength of the concept possessed.
“Having power, authority, jurisdiction, but that is not enough; must have followers, subordinates. But more than that is having a concept,” said Tito.
According to him, the aim of Musrenbang is to compile concrete and measurable activity plans through deliberation to reach agreement on priority programmes.
He affirmed that the more detailed the planning compiled, the better, because a deeper understanding of problems will help in formulating the right strategies.
“I always learn everywhere, in several countries, that knowledge always comes out. The knowledge of Sun Tzu. Sun Tzu was a Chinese strategist from ancient times. Know your enemy, know yourself, and you will win in a thousand battles,” said Tito.
Aid from 8 regions
Eight regions in North Sumatra Province committed to helping disaster-affected areas in Aceh Province through an inter-regional grant mechanism.
This commitment is a follow-up to the Minister of Home Affairs’ Circular Letter Number 900.1.3/1084/SJ, which encourages non-disaster-affected regions to participate in the recovery of affected areas.
The circular was issued by Minister Tito Karnavian following the existence of disaster-affected areas in Aceh that did not receive refunds for Regional Transfer Funds (TKD), while several regions in North Sumatra actually received large TKD refunds.
Tito, who also serves as Head of the Task Force for Accelerating Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Post-Disaster Sumatra, said the step arose from real needs in the field.
“Then I made a circular urging, but a bit forceful, for North Sumatra to help the neighbouring province of Aceh, so in the end, 8 regions are okay, committed,” said Tito at the North Sumatra 2027 Musrenbang in Medan, North Sumatra, on Wednesday (22/4).
The eight regions are: Medan City proposing aid of Rp50 billion to Aceh Tamiang Regency; Deli Serdang Regency also proposing Rp50 billion for East Aceh Regency; Simalungun Regency proposing Rp30 billion for North Aceh Regency; and Asahan Regency proposing Rp30 billion for Bireuen Regency.
Furthermore, Serdang Bedagai Regency proposing Rp25 billion aid to Pidie Jaya Regency; South Labuhanbatu Regency proposing Rp25 billion for Central Aceh Regency; Pematangsiantar City Rp25 billion for Bener Meriah Regency; and Labuhanbatu Regency Rp25 billion for Gayo Lues Regency.
Tito emphasised that the value of the aid has a significant impact on accelerating recovery in affected areas, especially in supporting the construction of permanent housing (huntap) and restoring government functions.
“There, Rp25 billion is not a small amount. It can be used to buy land, for huntap (permanent housing), even to revive government that is not yet running optimally,” said Tito.
Furthermore, Tito assured that the inter-regional grant mechanism will be closely monitored by the central government through the Directorate General of Regional Financial Development, so that the distribution process runs according to regulations and on target.