Ended October 2, 2024, Acting Governor Of East Kalimantan Extended By Minister Of Home Affairs

JAKARTA - Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian has again inaugurated Akmal Malik as Acting Governor of East Kalimantan (Kaltim) for a second term at the Office of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Jakarta, Monday, October 7.

"First, I would like to thank the President and the Minister of Home Affairs for trusting him to extend his term as Acting Governor of East Kalimantan," said Akmal through an interview recording received in Samarinda, Monday, October 7, which was confiscated by Antara.

Akmal Malik's first term as Acting Governor of East Kalimantan ended on October 2, 2024.

President Joko Widodo on the recommendation of the Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian again appointed Akmal Malik to lead East Kalimantan until the inauguration of the definitive governor resulting from the 2024 Pilkada.

After the inauguration, Akmal conveyed a message entrusted by President Joko Widodo and Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian.

He explained that this re-initiation was needed to avoid multiple interpretations and ensure the smooth running of government administration, considering that previously there had been a slight delay in the administrative process from the President regarding the extension of his term of office.

"Yesterday, the administrative process in the President was a bit late. He (President) has conveyed that there are many agendas outside the city. We understand his busy schedule so that after two days, he was finally inaugurated today," explained Akmal.

Akmal revealed that President Jokowi and Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian conveyed several important messages. First, focus on maintaining a conducive climate and supporting the development of the capital city of the archipelago (IKN).

"This is the future of Indonesia. The President advised to ensure that cooperation with all stakeholders goes well. There must be good orchestration with all regencies/cities around IKN to provide support for IKN development," he explained.

This support is not only in the physical development of IKN, but also in the social and cultural development of the surrounding community. This is important to prevent social inequality.

"Development is not only an infrastructure problem, but also human development," he said.

The second message, President Jokowi asked Akmal to ensure that the implementation of the 2024 Simultaneous Regional Elections in East Kalimantan runs smoothly.

"Now in the pilkada stage, there is a leadership transition. He (President) hopes that we can keep the pilkada running well, smoothly. Hopefully in the right time as regulated by the KPU," explained Akmal.

Akmal is optimistic that the 2024 Simultaneous Regional Elections in East Kalimantan will run smoothly and the elected governor can be sworn in in February 2025.

So far, according to him, the implementation of the 2024 Pilkada stages has been going well, including the list of voters that have been determined by the KPU. There has even been a determination of candidate pairs for provinces and districts/cities.

"Yesterday there was also a peace declaration. In my opinion, so far the pilkada stages in East Kalimantan have been going well," said Akmal.

Regarding the potential for election vulnerabilities, Akmal considers it a warning to increase vigilance and introspection, including the issue of logistics movement and also voter participation.

"But, so far, we have detected that vulnerability is because our area is very wide," he added.