Solok Regent Anger 'Cornered' When Not Attending West Sumatra Regional Heads Meeting: Provincial Government Is Not The King Who Must Be Obeyed

Solok Regent Epyardi Asda when interviewed (ANTARA)

SOLOK - Solok Regent Epyardi Asda assessed that the coordination meeting (Rakor) of regional heads throughout West Sumatra in Tua Pejat, Mentawai Islands Regency, last Monday, March 7, was a waste of local government budgets.

“I prefer meeting with my people than going all the way to the Mentawai. How much rupiah must each region spend to get there," said Epyardi Asda in Solok, Antara, Thursday, March 10.

The statement made by the regent of Solok was the reason for the absence of the Solok Regency Government at the coordination meeting of regional heads throughout West Sumatra. Only the Solok Regency government was absent. Didn't even send a representative.

According to Epyardi, the West Sumatra Provincial Tourism Coordination Meeting in Tua Pejat is only a ceremonial activity. He prefers to prioritize the needs of the community and the development of the local area.

"Governmentally, the provincial government is not a king who must be obeyed and all regions must submit. The absence of the Solok Regency Government in the Mentawai is not a very absolute thing," he said.

According to him, every district and city government also has more important regional programs and activities to be implemented in each region.

Epyardi also said that during his tenure as regent, no program from the province had benefited the people of Solok Regency. In fact, he said, there are still many Solok Regency government programs that are actually being blocked by the provincial side, such as the tourism, agriculture and other sectors.

“Even the development in Solok Regency was destroyed by the governor and was not supported at all. I want to ask, where is the help, support they provide for tourism in Solok Regency," he said.

According to him, the relationship between the provincial and local governments must be mutually supportive. "The West Sumatra Provincial Government as the representative of the central government at the provincial level must encourage and protect the districts/cities it covers," he said.

In addition, the Regent of Solok questioned the statement by the Head of the Communication and Information Office, West Sumatra Province, Jasman Rizal, who expressed disappointment over the absence of the Solok Regency Government during the coordination meeting of regional heads in the Mentawai Islands.

"I ask that Jasman understand his position. Is Jasman's statement in many media an order from the governor or is Jasman's desire to seek the governor's attention," he said.

According to Epyardi, the statements issued by Jasman in many media are not within his authority to corner one government area.

In response to this, the Head of the Communication and Information Technology Office, West Sumatra Province, Jasman Rizal, said that he did not want to comment at length on the statement made by the Solok regent.

Jasman explained the chronology of the coordination activities of regional heads throughout West Sumatra which were held in Tua Pejat, Mentawai Islands Regency. In this activity there was a session of handing over intangible cultural heritage to each regional head.

"At that time, the Solok Regency Government was called by the presenters, but no one came forward. Even there were no representatives," he said.

After the handover of the intangible cultural heritage, Jasman left the room and at that time several journalists asked his response to the absence of the Solok regent during the coordination meeting in Mentawai.

"My answer is of course disappointed with the Solok Regency Government who did not attend the coordination meeting. We hope that all regional heads can attend, at least one representative. I think this is very disappointing and it seems that the Solok Regency Government does not respect the Provincial Government," he said.

Meanwhile, Jasman said the record was very important for the progress of the region in the future as well as discussing various programs in the district/city. However, this is the most important part of the government system.

"I do not want to comment at length on the statement made by the regent of Solok. I do not want to prolong the problem. Regarding the statement of the regent of Solok, it is his right to speak. But I do not want to comment anywhere," he said.

Regarding the statement of Jasman's disappointment over the absence of the Solok Regency Government in several media at that time, it was purely his own statement and did not come from anyone. "My statement at that time was spontaneous and not related to anyone," he said.