Second Batch of Regional Leaders’ Retreat: A Momentum to Align Central–Local Development Programs
By: Indah Rosterina)
The Second Batch of the Regional Leaders’ Retreat, held at the Institute of Public Administration (IPDN) in Jatinangor, Sumedang, West Java, marked a significant moment in aligning development programs between central and local governments. More than just a ceremonial gathering, this retreat is a concrete expression of the nation’s collective effort to synchronize the direction of national development so that it reaches even the most remote villages through collaborative and synergistic approaches.
Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Bima Arya Sugiarto, emphasized the importance of building communication networks among regional leaders as a key foundation for inter-regional cooperation. He highlighted the retreat as a strategic platform for regents, mayors, governors, and their deputies to become more familiar with one another, enabling more effective collaboration across regions. An evaluation of the first retreat showed positive results, where interpersonal interactions acted as a catalyst for more tangible synergy in the field. In today’s increasingly complex national development context, inter-leader communication is not merely a necessity—it is a strategic imperative.
The role of regional leaders as the front line of development was a major focus during this retreat. Minister of National Development Planning/Head of Bappenas, Rachmat Pambudy, reiterated that real development takes place at the local level. The central government, therefore, fully acknowledges the critical role of local leaders in achieving medium- and long-term development goals. Through the alignment of central and local development plans, it is hoped that policies will be coherent and not overlapping, ensuring optimal and well-targeted implementation of each program.
Rachmat stressed that development must begin with basic human needs—namely, food, water, and energy. This aligns with the government’s grand vision to realize equitable and sustainable development. This emphasis on basic needs is also reflected in Asta Cita, which outlines 17 national priority programs and 8 quick-win programs as the main framework for President Prabowo Subianto’s administration. The retreat serves as a vital space to ensure these national priorities are concretely translated at the local level.
Village development was another critical dimension raised during the retreat. Minister of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration, Yandri Susanto, reminded leaders not to neglect villages as the foundation of national strength. He cited examples from Japan and South Korea, which are currently facing demographic and economic challenges due to underdeveloped rural areas. His message served both as a warning and a call to action for Indonesian leaders to manage and empower villages sustainably.
Yandri encouraged regional leaders to make villages centers of economic resilience, through initiatives such as tourism villages, food-secure villages, and zero-waste villages. During the forum, he also received various inputs regarding the use of village funds, particularly the mandatory allocation of 20% for food security, as stipulated in the Ministerial Regulation on Villages. He stressed that this requires serious attention from regional leaders through monitoring, evaluation, and support for village-level officials to ensure these funds are used effectively and meet real community needs.
The synergy between central and regional governments should not be limited to plan alignment or administrative policy harmonization. More importantly, this synergy must result in joint mechanisms that respond to the unique social, economic, and cultural dynamics of each region. This retreat provided a space for reflection and projection, encouraging local leaders to view development not merely as an administrative duty, but as a moral responsibility to deliver inclusive welfare.
The retreat also held strategic national significance in the context of policy consolidation. Amid various development challenges—ranging from regional disparities and climate change to global economic uncertainty—policy coordination is essential to ensure Indonesia continues progressing in a unified direction. The central government, through the Ministry of Home Affairs, Bappenas, and the Ministry of Villages, actively fosters dialogue with regional leaders to guarantee development is not only rapid but also equitable and just.
This momentum must be sustained. The retreat should not end as a discussion forum, but must evolve into a platform of shared understanding and tangible action. By strengthening communication and collaboration, regional leaders have a unique opportunity to develop innovative and locally tailored solutions that also align with national goals. This marks a crucial turning point in shaping an inclusive and globally competitive development path for Indonesia.
Through this retreat, Indonesia is sending a clear message: nation-building cannot happen in silos. It requires unity of effort between central and local governments, between macro visions and micro actions, between national strategies and local needs. If all these elements can be harmonized, development will not only be faster—it will also be fairer and more people-centered.
The author is a National Development Policy Analyst
