PSBI's 20th National Meeting and 19th Anniversary: A Commitment to Government Collaboration in Developing North Sumatra
The commemoration of the 19th anniversary of Punguan Simbolon dohot Boruna Indonesia (PSBI), combined with its 20th National Work Meeting (Rakernas), served as a moment to strengthen the organisation’s role in supporting regional development and cultural preservation. The event, held at the Aryaduta Hotel in Jakarta on Tuesday (7 July 2026), was attended by community figures, PSBI administrators, and a number of regional heads.
The work meeting provided a forum to convey strategic ideas in support of development in North Sumatra, particularly the Lake Toba area. Synergy between the government and community organisations was considered essential so that various development programmes can run more effectively.
North Sumatra Governor Muhammad Bobby Afif Nasution said the government continues to prepare human resources capable of supporting the growth of the tourism sector. One step being taken is building an excellence-based tourism school in Samosir Regency.
“We are currently building an excellent school in Samosir. It will become a tourism vocational school,” Bobby said.
According to Bobby, the school will adopt a boarding school concept so that students are equipped not only with academic skills but also with character and mental development. All educational needs will be funded by the North Sumatra Provincial Government.
“The scheme is boarding-based and all costs will be borne by the government — not just learning materials, but also the students’ mental readiness,” he said.
Bobby added that construction of the school is now entering the building phase, as all preparations have been completed. The Samosir Regency Government has also lent its support by preparing the land for the development.
“The land has been prepared, so all that remains is for us to build. The detailed engineering design has already been drawn up,” he said.
Beyond education, Bobby invited all elements of society to turn culture into an economic strength through the development of the creative industries. According to him, cultural preservation must deliver tangible benefits for people’s welfare.
“The era of preserving culture in a static way is over — the question now is how to preserve it through industry,” Bobby said.
Meanwhile, PSBI Chairman Effendi Simbolon conveyed three main aspirations of the organisation to the North Sumatra Provincial Government. These include the provision of clean water and irrigation in Samosir, environmental management by Aquafarm, and the strengthening of Batak cultural preservation.
“It is the only regency surrounded by water, yet it lacks water — both clean water and irrigation water,” Effendi said.
He stressed that PSBI does not reject Aquafarm’s presence, but asked the company to carry out its environmental responsibilities optimally. According to him, the sustainability of investment must go hand in hand with efforts to protect the Lake Toba ecosystem.
“We do not want to shut down Aquafarm, but we ask Aquafarm to implement water and wastewater treatment,” he said.
Effendi also reminded that Batak culture is an identity that must be safeguarded by all generations. Through its 19th anniversary and 20th National Work Meeting, PSBI pledged to be a strategic partner of the government in driving development, protecting the environment, and preserving culture for the progress of North Sumatra and Indonesia.