Safrizal reminds that a mature strategy is the key to Aceh's development
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Director General of Regional Administration Development at the Ministry of Home Affairs, Safrizal Zakaria Ali, emphasised the importance of preparing a mature strategy for the success of development in Aceh.
He stated this before delivering seven special instructions from the Minister of Home Affairs at the Musrenbang RKPD Aceh for 2027 in Anjong Mon Mata, Banda Aceh.
Safrizal began his guidance by quoting the military philosophy of Sun Tzu: “Know yourself, know your enemy. A thousand battles, a thousand victories.” This quote was used to remind of the importance of a mature strategy in winning development in Aceh.
In a written statement on Friday, he explained that Aceh’s main “enemy” at present is inflation reaching 5.31% as of March 2026. This condition is triggered by global geopolitical turmoil that directly impacts rising energy prices and people’s purchasing power in the region.
In addition to inflation, other real challenges are the open unemployment rate at 5.64%, and the need for hard work in reducing stunting rates at the regency/city level.
To address these issues, Safrizal offered a successful recipe with the “ADA” strategy (availability, distribution, affordability). This strategy was previously proven effective in taking Bangka Belitung from the province with the highest inflation to the lowest nationally when he served as Acting Governor of Bangka Belitung Islands (2023-2024).
On the other hand, he invited the Aceh Government to recognise its own potential through the demographic bonus. With a productive age reaching 64.16% and an HDI of 76.23, Aceh is considered to have great capital to carry out economic transformation and industrial downstreaming.
In the seven directions from the Minister of Home Affairs that he conveyed, Safrizal emphasised that reducing stunting should become the Main Performance Indicator (IKU) for Regional Heads. He also encouraged strengthening fiscal independence through tax digitalisation so that Aceh does not continue to rely on central transfer funds.
Other instructions include accelerating regional spending from the beginning of the year, building disaster-resilient infrastructure, and aligning regional programmes with the national vision of Asta Cita.
Safrizal also warned Aceh to start preparing alternative financing schemes in facing the transition to declining Special Autonomy Funds.
This event, held by the Aceh Government through Bappeda Aceh, was attended by officials from various sectors. In addition to the central government such as the Ministry of Home Affairs, Bappenas, and the House of Representatives, local figures such as Aceh’s Secretary M. Nasir, Forkopimda elements, Aceh DPR, heads of regional apparatus, and regents and mayors throughout Aceh were present.
The event, opened by Aceh Governor Muzakir Manaf, was also attended by representatives of NGOs and the press, making it a cross-sectoral collaboration forum to formulate the final draft of Aceh’s 2027 development that is more resilient and on target.