Regional Leaders Across Java, Bali, and Nusa Tenggara Sign Commitment to Prevent Stunting
Semarang (ANTARA) - Regional leaders across the Java, Bali, and Nusa Tenggara (Jabanusa) regions have signed a commitment to reduce and prevent stunting within their respective jurisdictions.
The signing took place during the Technical Coordination Meeting (Rakortek) and Advocacy for the Prevention and Acceleration of Stunting Reduction for the Java, Bali, and Nusa Tenggara regions held in Semarang on Tuesday.
The meeting was organised by the Ministry of State Secretariat through the Secretariat of the Vice President, in collaboration with the Ministry of Population and Family Development/BKK_KBN.
Eddy Cahyono Sugiarto, Deputy for Policy Support, Welfare Improvement, and Human Resource Development at the Vice President’s Secretariat, stated that the meeting was conducted via a hybrid format.
He noted that the coordination meeting is vital for evaluating progress and determining future directions in efforts to prevent and accelerate stunting reduction.
“Therefore, to implement stunting prevention and acceleration, we require political commitment from all regional leaders,” he said.
The Governor of Central Java, Ahmad Luthfi, explained that the theories regarding stunting management have remained consistent and aligned with prepared strategies. However, he noted that theory alone would not be sufficient to optimise prevention and acceleration efforts without strong support, particularly from regional heads.
“What we are asking for now is commitment. How a public official possesses a ‘sense of crisis’ regarding stunting,” he added.
Budi Setiyono, Secretary of the Ministry of Population and Family Development/Principal Secretary of BKKBN, stated that the meeting serves as a strategic momentum to unify commitment and create real synergy between the central government and all regional heads in Indonesia.
As the frontline of development, he noted that the role of local governments is crucial in mobilising regional potential, overseeing budgets, and ensuring that nutritional interventions reach the village level accurately.
He further emphasised that the struggle to reduce stunting is not merely about meeting numerical targets, but is a shared moral responsibility to save the nation’s future.
“We are confident that with strong leadership, solid cross-sector collaboration, and rapid and precise programme execution, we can overcome the challenges of stunting for the welfare of the people in our respective regions,” he said.
During the meeting, regional leaders from Central Java attended in person, while others participated online, including the digital signing of the commitment.