By: Rivka Mayangsari)*
The Government, through the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA), has once again demonstrated its commitment to strengthening regional leadership by organizing the Second Wave of the Regional Head Retreat held at the Institute of Public Administration (IPDN), Jatinangor, West Java, from June 22 to 26, 2025. This strategic initiative aims to reinforce the values of discipline, collaborative spirit, and strong work ethic among regional heads to promote a more professional, responsive, and integrated governance system.
The retreat was attended by 86 regional leaders, comprising 2 governors, 3 deputy governors, 38 regents, 37 deputy regents, 3 mayors, and 3 deputy mayors. Over the course of four intensive days, participants engaged in a series of activities focusing not only on physical and health-related aspects but also on strengthening their leadership capacities and national insight.
Secretary General of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Tomsi Tohir, emphasized that this retreat is far from being a mere routine or symbolic event. Instead, it forms an integral part of a broader effort to reshape the character and spirit of service among regional leaders. The retreat is designed to remind them of the importance of discipline and self-reliance as foundational principles in running their governments. Tomsi added that with morning routines that include exercise and all-day thematic sessions, participants are encouraged to build closer communication and thus strengthen inter-regional synergy.
Additionally, the retreat serves as a platform that brings together regional heads with key stakeholders from the central government. The choice of IPDN as the venue was deliberate. Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian explained that IPDN was chosen due to its accessibility for both participants and speakers coming from Jakarta, making it a more effective location compared to the previous venue at the Military Academy (Akmil) in Magelang.
Tito also highlighted that the retreat functions not only as a technical training forum but also as a moment of consolidation and reinforcement of national spirit. In a collective and familial atmosphere, regional leaders are guided to rekindle their sense of unity as part of one nation. He underlined the importance of reviving the noble values of nationalism in local governance to safeguard unity and harmony within the framework of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI).
The retreat presented six main areas of material: National Resilience and National Insight; Astacita (Eight National Goals); Ministerial and Institutional Programs; Duties and Functions of Regional Heads; Leadership and Political Communication; and Team Building. These materials were delivered by selected speakers from 31 ministries and national institutions, reflecting the government’s seriousness in equipping regional leaders with up-to-date knowledge and skills.
Beyond intellectual and leadership development, the retreat also prioritized the participants’ health. Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Bima Arya stated that all regional heads underwent thorough health screenings before participating. The process was conducted in two stages: initial medical checks in their respective regions and a second assessment by the Ministry of Home Affairs’ medical team prior to departure.
Bima explained that the examinations covered blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, uric acid, and physical condition interviews. As a result, ten regional heads were placed under special medical supervision, while the rest were declared healthy and given a blue wristband to signify their physical readiness for the retreat. This procedure serves as concrete evidence of the government’s commitment to ensuring that the retreat is carried out safely and effectively.
This Regional Head Retreat program is part of MoHA’s broader strategy for developing national leadership. The goal is not only to update governance knowledge and reinforce public service ethics but also to cultivate leadership with high integrity and adaptability in response to the times. The government believes that through a holistic approach, regional heads can serve as the front line in building clean, professional, and service-oriented local governance.
The event also reflects the state’s commitment to preparing local leaders capable of addressing contemporary challenges, strengthening interregional coordination, and building an equitable development ecosystem. Although nine regional leaders were unable to attend due to health issues or bereavement, the retreat proceeded with high enthusiasm and energy from the remaining participants.
With the implementation of this Second Retreat, it is hoped that a new generation of regional leaders will emerge—more united, disciplined, and driven by a strong fighting spirit to advance their regions. This program is a tangible expression of the central government’s seriousness in strengthening regional governance through character-building, national insight, and collaborative leadership development.
It is time for all elements of the nation to fully support this initiative. The regional head retreat is not merely a training program—it is a crucial foundation for strengthening Indonesia from the periphery, through strong, high-quality, and high-integrity local leadership.
*) Public Policy Observer
