Three Sulawesi Cities Win 2026 Best Local Government Awards for Unemployment Reduction

KENDARI — The Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) and Statistics Indonesia (BPS) have recognised three Sulawesi cities as top performers in reducing unemployment. The cities are Baubau, Kendari, and Parepare.

The three cities received their awards at the 2026 Regional Sulawesi Best Local Government Awards ceremony held at Hotel Claro in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, on Friday, 29 May 2026.

Baubau City claimed first place with a fiscal incentive of Rp 3 billion, Kendari City took second with Rp 2 billion, and Parepare City secured third with Rp 1 billion.

The awards were presented directly by BPS Chief Amalia Adininggar Widyasanti to the respective mayors.

This success in maintaining workforce productivity is a crucial indicator for regional progress amid the demographic dividend challenge.

Under the theme ‘Boosting Regional Economy and Reducing Stunting’, the event honoured local governments that successfully reduced unemployment through planned and sustainable initiatives.

Evaluation criteria included planning quality, budgetary support, and local government innovations in employment that delivered effective, adaptive, and tangible solutions for communities.

Similar ceremonies have previously been held for the Sumatra region in Palembang, South Sumatra; Kalimantan in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan; and Maluku-Nusa Tenggara in Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB).

Minister of Home Affairs Muhammad Tito Karnavian stated that the 2026 Best Local Government Awards are held regionally to provide opportunities for local governments with relatively modest regional budgets (APBD).

Through these fiscal incentives, the central government hopes local authorities will strengthen employment programmes more aggressively while fostering healthy competition to support national economic development.