Emphasizing Integrity, Minister Of Home Affairs Tito Reminds 48 Acting Regional Heads: Not Elected By The People, So No Political Costs

Minister of Home Affairs (Mendagri) Tito Karnavian. (doc of the Ministry of Home Affairs)

JAKARTA - Minister of Home Affairs (Mendagri) Tito Karnavian has asked acting regional heads to take advantage of the trust given to them by carrying out government programs in their regions well by becoming role models or role models for regional heads.

"Because they were not elected by the people, so there is no political cost. This must be used by them, the momentum is for them to excel as well, develop careers," said Tito, quoted in a press release from the Ministry of Home Affairs Information Center (Puspen Kemendagri).

He conveyed this on the sidelines of the Coordination Meeting (Rakor) of Acting Regional Heads with the theme "The Role of Acting Regional Heads in Ensuring the Continuity of Implementation of Regional Government and Transparent and Accountable Public Services in Supporting National Strategic Policy Programs and National Economic Recovery".

The coordination meeting which was held to provide briefing to the acting regional heads in carrying out their duties was attended by 48 acting regional heads consisting of five governors and 43 regents/mayors.

"Today, we provide supplies. Actually, by Mr. President. Last week, Mr President," said Tito.

The activity was opened directly by the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Mahfud MD.

In addition, based on the Antara report, a number of resource persons were also present, including the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani.

Furthermore, the Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas, the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture (PMK), the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment, and the Ministry for Empowerment of State Apparatus and Bureaucratic Reform (Kemen PAN RB).

Then, there were also a number of other sources, namely the Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Firli Bahuri, the Deputy Chief of the Indonesian National Police, the State Intelligence Agency (BIN), and the Attorney General's Office.

Could be better

In line with Home Affairs Minister Tito, Mahfud said that the coordination meeting was aimed at equipping the acting regional heads to appear as public servants.

In addition, he added, the coordination meeting was also aimed at encouraging the acting regional heads to be able to maintain the policies of the central government so that they were in line with the regions. The government also wants to prove the quality of these officials is better than the previous regional heads or vice versa.

"We have equipped them so that they become better, maintain political stability in the region, economic development, social cohesiveness, and so on," said Mahfud.

Furthermore, in his directive, Mahfud emphasized that the acting regional heads need to support national priority programs and national economic recovery.

Furthermore, they also need to be aware of a number of things, both in the social, political, economic, and so on. This vigilance, according to Mahfud, needs to be considered, especially ahead of the 2024 Simultaneous General Elections (Pilkada) and Regional Head Elections (Pilkada).

He expressly prohibits the acting regional heads from siding with certain candidates. "Now, try to prove that the appointed officials can actually be better," said Mahfud.

Furthermore, the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs added that the acting regional head has a role in strengthening political stability, law, security, and the transformation of public services.

This, he said, could be realized by building democratic consolidation, optimizing foreign policy, a solid national legal system, reforming bureaucratic institutions, and maintaining national security stability.