Regional Heads Urged to Optimise Food Security and Energy Transition

Semarang, VIVA – Deputy Minister of Home Affairs (Wamendagri) Bima Arya Sugiarto has urged regional heads to abandon ceremonial meeting patterns and focus on direct execution of cross-sectoral programmes. According to him, such progressive steps are urgently needed to address concrete issues, such as food security and the energy transition, in a rapid and measurable manner.

“Regional heads’ communication forums have long been limited to administrative and ceremonial activities that lead nowhere, whereas we now need a progressive sectoral approach, directly tackling concrete issues, with clear financing,” he stated during the Governors’ Working Meeting (Rekergub) of the Primary Praja Partner Regional Cooperation Forum (MPU) 2026 in Semarang City, Central Java, on Tuesday (12/5/2026).

He stressed that the challenges facing regional heads are increasingly complex amid global uncertainties. Moreover, regions are tasked with overseeing various National Strategic Programmes, including the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme. This situation is seen as even more challenging, especially as Indonesia races to optimise its demographic bonus to escape the middle-income trap and achieve the Golden Indonesia 2045 vision.

To that end, Bima encouraged regional heads to set aside sectoral egos that have hindered inter-regional cooperation, particularly in food supply distribution. He emphasised the importance of mastering precise and real-time big data so that regions with surplus commodities can support those facing shortages.

“Now, this remains our challenge in building real-time data for all of you to make effective cooperation decisions. Which regions have excess supply, which need it, and what can be collaborated on,” he explained.

In addition to food issues, Bima also highlighted the importance of accelerating the energy transition, particularly in developing the electric vehicle ecosystem. He asked all regional heads to have a uniform understanding of the Minister of Home Affairs’ Circular (SE Mendagri) dated 22 April 2026, which regulates full exemptions from Motor Vehicle Tax (PKB) and Motor Vehicle Ownership Transfer Fee (BBNKB) for electric vehicles.

According to him, although this policy has the potential to reduce Local Own-Source Revenue (PAD) in the short term, its long-term benefits are far greater. These range from operational efficiencies and improved air quality to the creation of new jobs in the green energy sector.