Tito Reminds Regional Heads: Answer Residents' Criticism With Sympathy

JAKARTA - Minister of Home Affairs (Mendagri) Tito Karnavian asked local governments (Pemda) to face public criticism with a calming dialogue and communication approach.

Tito emphasized the importance of role in maintaining stability and social harmony in the midst of the dynamics of the growing security and public order (Kamtibmas) situation.

"This approach is expected not only to reduce the potential for conflict, but also to become the foundation for building trust between the government and the community," Tito said in his statement quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, September 9.

The statement was conveyed by the Minister of Home Affairs at an online National Coordination Meeting with all regional heads, which was attended by governors, regents, and mayors throughout Indonesia.

In his direction, Tito Karnavian encouraged regional heads to prioritize collaborative and humanist approaches.

Several important points that are in the spotlight include, first, regional heads being asked to visit community leaders to build direct and open communication.

Second, holding cross-religious prayers as a means of strengthening social harmony. Third, using polite language and easing tensions when speaking to the public.

The Minister of Home Affairs' directive received positive responses from a number of regional heads who immediately moved quickly with various initiatives based on dialogue and social closeness.

For example, the Mayor of Sawahlunto Riyanda Putra, together with Forkopimda, religious leaders, traditional leaders, and regional apparatus, held an open meeting at City Hall to hear directly the aspirations of the people.

Meanwhile, the Mayor of Medan, Rico Waas, held a prayer together with the Medan City Religious Harmony Forum (FKUB) which was attended by interfaith community leaders, in order to maintain security and strengthen harmony.

DKI Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung emphasized the importance of the involvement of RT and RW in the post-corruption recovery process.

He said the active participation of residents in maintaining environmental security was the key to social resilience.

Several regional heads also immediately launched a concrete prorakyat program. Among them, Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi who instructed BUMD to hold a Cheap Food Movement as a strategy to maintain price stability and help small communities.

Then the Governor of Central Sulawesi Anwar Hafid who collaborated with Bulog through the signing of the MoU with the village government so that the village office became a rice distribution point for supply stability and food prices (SPHP), and proposed the reactivation of the Raskin program to ease the burden on low-income people.

By prioritizing a humanist approach and dialogue room, according to Tito, local governments not only avoid social escalation, but also strengthen long-term foundations for social resilience and public trust in the government.

Director of the Indonesia Political Review (IPR) Iwan Setiawan assessed that the rapid regional response shows that the government is actually able to direct social changes, as long as it understands public psychology and the dynamics of the community.

The Instruction of the Minister of Home Affairs touched a leader directly. Therefore, the response is fast and concrete in various regions. Our country currently needs strong collaboration between leaders and its people in facing global uncertainty," said Iwan.

However, Iwan reminded that the openness of regional heads to public aspirations does not stop at a symbolic or ceremonial level. He emphasized the need for sustainability in the form of real policies that touch the needs of the people.

"Open responses must lead to policies that have a direct impact on people's welfare," he said.