By: Puteri Utami
The Second Batch of the Regional Leaders’ Retreat, held from June 22 to 26, 2025 at the IPDN Campus in Jatinangor, West Java, marked a pivotal moment in strengthening alignment between central and regional governments. The retreat aimed to build stronger communication, foster interregional collaboration, and harmonize the implementation of national priority programs at the local level.
Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Bima Arya Sugiarto, noted a significant improvement in the quality of relationships among regional leaders after participating in the retreat. He observed that the sense of togetherness fostered during the event translated into smoother collaboration in the field, especially in disaster response and strategic program implementation. Bima also highlighted that regional leaders were now more familiar with each other, more open to dialogue, and more active in cross-regional cooperation. Discipline and commitment were also on the rise, with many participants arriving before the scheduled start of sessions.
The retreat provided a unique platform for direct interaction between regional leaders and ministers or deputy ministers. On the third day, all scheduled speakers were present, underscoring the importance of this event in the context of national development. Minister of National Development Planning/Head of Bappenas, Rachmat Pambudy, stated that regional leaders voiced their hope for an accelerated implementation of national programs such as the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program. Their requests for enhanced infrastructure and program acceleration reflected a high level of public aspiration that requires a robust central–local synergy.
Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Dadan Hindayana, emphasized that the role of local governments in the MBG program is vital. He stressed the need for regions to prepare infrastructure, build food supply chains, and collaborate with BGN to deliver aid—especially for pregnant women, nursing mothers, and toddlers. Dadan confirmed that program funding is ready, while human resource training is ongoing and expected to be completed by mid-July 2025, with 30,000 personnel ready for deployment by the end of the month. He urged regional leaders to maintain harmony and synergy in execution, as the beneficiaries are all within their jurisdictions.
Deputy for State-Owned Enterprises Business Development at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, Ferry Irawan, urged regional leaders to seize opportunities from national strategic programs to enhance regional income. He pointed out the vast potential of agriculture, fisheries, and plantations, especially through initiatives like People’s Business Credit (KUR) and Agricultural Equipment and Machinery Credit (Alsintan). Ferry encouraged regions to embrace national programs such as MBG and Koperasi Merah Putih, to better prepare for local implementation. He emphasized that this synergy is crucial to supporting the national 8% economic growth target and stabilizing inflation through Regional Inflation Control Teams (TPID).
Minister of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration, Yandri Susanto, stressed the retreat’s role in accelerating President Prabowo Subianto’s “Asta Cita”, which prioritizes rural development as a foundation for economic equity and poverty alleviation. His ministry has prepared 12 action plans, including Village-Owned Enterprises (BUMDes) to support MBG, Export Villages, Village Digitalization, and Tourism Villages. Yandri believes that successful village development will directly contribute to national economic growth.
From a food security perspective, Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs, Zulkifli Hasan, called on regional leaders to support the establishment of Village/Kelurahan Cooperatives (Kopdeskel) Merah Putih. He explained that these cooperatives would serve as the government’s frontline in aid distribution and market operations, while also acting as providers of basic necessities and supporting facilities such as cold storage and drying machines for agriculture and fisheries.
The retreat also addressed political, legal, and security dimensions. Deputy Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs, Lodewijk Freidrich Paulus, emphasized that regional leaders must fully understand the national vision and mission to ensure policy coherence across all levels of government. He announced the formation of nine policy desks and one task force to ensure alignment and support for economic growth. He also encouraged local governments to boost regional investment to increase local revenue (PAD).
In the legal and human rights sector, Deputy Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections, Otto Hasibuan, reminded participants that every policy must be grounded in human rights principles. He emphasized that regional leaders are obliged to uphold human rights in every regulation and decision. Otto added that President Prabowo’s commitment to justice is evidenced by the creation of a separate Ministry of Human Rights, as a sign of respect for the fundamental rights of citizens.
Through its comprehensive agenda, the Second Batch of the Regional Leaders’ Retreat served not only as a forum for capacity-building and coordination, but also as a policy consolidation platform that ensures the continuity of national development. Regional leaders are no longer working in silos, but rather as a unified force aligned with Indonesia’s broader development vision. This reflects that synergy is no longer just a slogan—it has become a new spirit of governance committed to inclusive progress for all Indonesians.
The author is a Researcher on Local Governance
