Surabaya DPRD values Eri's commitment as aligned with President's programme

Surabaya (ANTARA) - Deputy Speaker of the Surabaya Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) Arif Fathoni has assessed that the commitment of Surabaya Mayor Eri Cahyadi to push the Association of Indonesian City Governments (Apeksi) into becoming a solutions forum for city administrations across Indonesia aligns with the policy direction of President Prabowo Subianto. According to Fathoni, amidst fiscal challenges and global economic dynamics, local governments can no longer merely present problems but are also required to deliver innovation and solutions to ensure development continues. “Regional heads cannot just complain, grumble, or blame the central government’s transfer policies to the regions. What is needed now is innovation and collaboration,” Fathoni said in Surabaya on Friday. He appreciated the initiative of Eri Cahyadi, who also serves as Chairman of the Apeksi Board, in inviting the 98 Apeksi members to leverage regional potential and innovations, including alternative financing schemes such as Public-Private Partnerships (KPBU) and municipal bonds, as an effort to maintain development sustainability amid fiscal constraints. According to him, this step is not merely an idea but stems from the Surabaya City Government’s experience in implementing various innovations in development and public services. “Mas Eri not only invites but also provides a role model. What he conveyed at the Apeksi forum has been proven through various innovations implemented by the Surabaya City Government. That experience is then shared with other cities through the transfer of knowledge and transfer of experience,” he said. Fathoni assessed that Eri Cahyadi’s commitment to making Apeksi a strategic partner of the central government is also in line with various priority programmes of the President, ranging from strengthening food security, energy security, improving the quality of education, the Free Nutritious Meals programme, to strengthening cooperatives as a pillar of the people’s economy. According to him, synergy between the central government and local governments is a crucial factor in ensuring all national programmes can be optimally implemented in the regions. “I see Mas Eri’s commitment at Apeksi not only strengthens collaboration among city governments but also demonstrates real support for the national development agenda that is the President’s priority. This is a form of leadership that prioritises solutions, not just presenting problems,” he said. Fathoni hopes the spirit of collaboration and innovation built through Apeksi can become an inspiration for all city governments in Indonesia. By sharing experiences and innovations, he continued, each region will have a stronger capacity to improve public services while supporting the acceleration of national development. “Regions must continue to develop with a mindset of innovation and collaboration. When city governments are able to deliver solutions and support the President’s priority programmes, the benefits will be directly felt by the community. I see Mas Eri’s leadership at Apeksi has shown that direction,” he said.