Tito Provides Incentives for High-Performing Local Governments to Enhance Disaster Management
The Minister of Home Affairs, Muhammad Tito Karnavian, stated that the 2026 Batch II Regional Maluku-Nusa Tenggara High-Performing Local Government Awards serve as a reminder for local governments to continuously provide the best services to the public. Through this initiative, the Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri) is providing incentives in the form of government assistance that local authorities can utilise to strengthen disaster management within their respective regions.
He disclosed this during the 2026 Batch II Regional Maluku-Nusa Tenggara High-Performing Local Government Awards ceremony in Jakarta on Thursday (17/09/2026).
“As an addition, this is not for personal use; we will transfer it to each respective regional account to be used. I saw earlier that many areas in Flores received this, which can also be used for disaster management,” Tito said in a written statement on Friday (1ras/09/2026).
Tito added that these incentives complement the additional Unforeseen Expenditure (BTT) previously granted by President Prabowo Subianto, specifically for disaster handling. He noted that the additional BTT has doubled from the Ministry of Home Affairs’ initial proposal, totalling Rp 200 billion, which has been distributed to the province of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) and eight regencies on Flores Island.
“So, Mr Melki (Governor of NTT) seems to have a thick wallet now to assist with disaster relief,” he remarked.
In addition to earthquake response, Tito confirmed that his office has also proposed BTT for regions affected by forest and land fires (karhutla). This proposal was approved by the President, with Rp 760 billion already transferred and divided among four provinces in Kalimantan and three provinces in Sumatra.
“This is for handling forest fires. We have also reported this to Mr Jumhur (Minister of Environment). We are strengthening the costs and budgets for our regions, Sir,” the Minister of Home Affairs explained.
Tito expressed hope that local governments that were not successful this time would be further motivated to achieve recognition in future opportunities. This current round includes four categories: access to and quality of healthcare services, access to education services, the three-million-house programme, and waste management and ‘Indonesia ASRI’ (clean and beautiful Indonesia).
The High-Performing Local Government Awards are divided into six regions, covering Sumatra, Kalimantan, Java-Bali, Sulawesi, Maluku-Nusa Tenggara, and Papua.
“For those colleagues who were not successful, I hope this award serves as an incentive. Because this award does not just provide trophies, but also provides fiscal incentives,” he concluded.