Welcoming Prabowo's Vision: Deputy Interior Minister Bima Arya Dissects the State Accelerator Strategy from the Land of Srivijaya
Challenges in becoming a regional head in the current era are described as entering an “unpleasant phase”. However, amid increasingly complex waves of challenges, the central government is offering a key solution through a collaborative platform titled the State Accelerator Forum.
Deputy Interior Minister (Wamendagri) Bima Arya Sugiarto dissected the importance of synchronisation between regional and central governments to guide President Prabowo Subianto’s grand vision, as part of the Appreciation for High-Achieving Regional Governments 2026 event held at the Wyndham Opi Hotel in Palembang on Saturday, 25 April 2026.
In front of regional heads from across Sumatra, Bima Arya presented reflections on the style of leadership in Indonesia since the direct regional elections in 2005.
Bima divided the evolution of regional leadership into several waves. The first wave was the iconic era of Joko Widodo in Solo, focusing on basic needs and SMEs. The second wave was the era of Tri Rismaharini, Ridwan Kamil, and Azwar Anas, synonymous with Smart City innovations and collaboration. The current wave is considered the most challenging phase. The pandemic has disrupted many visions and missions, leaving various complaints and obstacles to priority programmes.
“The current phase is the third or fourth wave with challenges that may be the same or different from before. Some say it’s an unpleasant time to be a regional head,” said Bima Arya during his speech in the State Accelerator Forum discussion.
Bima Arya noted that every era has its own challenges. This includes during the pandemic, when many issues were encountered in the regions. Even many regional heads’ visions, missions, and priority programmes did not proceed.
“At the Ministry of Home Affairs, we often hear complaints from regional heads. Some complain, but many remain enthusiastic,” said Bima Arya. “Our main focus today is acceleration. How the President’s vision at the national level connects and is accelerated at the regional level.”
The selection of Palembang as the opening for the national series of events in six regions is not without reason. The regional acceleration concept starts from Sumatra by mapping specific needs in each area.
Bima Arya highlighted two crucial points: accelerating infrastructure to align regional basic needs with national strategic projects for efficient connectivity. Next, ensuring a strong legal umbrella to provide greater room for manoeuvre for regions through robust regulations, so that regional governments can maximise local original revenue (PAD). “We need a legal umbrella so that regional friends can maximise their room for manoeuvre. Let’s explore that together,” he said.
One real test of central government acceleration with regional governments is the success of the national Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme. Bima Arya reminded regional heads not to just be spectators but to play an active role in facilitating local supply chains.
“There are complaints that regional heads do not appear to help the supply chain. This is our homework. Not just MBG, but other programmes too. Everything must be accelerated,” said the former Mayor of Bogor.
As a form of encouragement, the government provides fiscal incentives for regions that show a green report card. In the Appreciation for High-Achieving Regional Governments 2026 event, awards are given in four categories: Inflation Control, Reduction in Unemployment Rate, Poverty and Stunting Alleviation, and Entrepreneur Government/Creative Financing.
“This event is expected to spark regional governments not to merely carry out bureaucratic routines, but to transform into state accelerators capable of addressing the people’s needs in a real way,” he said.