REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BOGOR -- Consolidation between the central and regional governments is the key to successful implementation of national development programs, stated President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo.
"I want to say that for the management and order of our state, consolidation from top to bottom is needed, so we could share a common big vision, so we could have big ideas in our large organization," the president stated in his opening remarks during a meeting with district heads and mayors from Papua, West Papua, and Sulawesi, here, Thursday.
A meeting with regional heads could be held every three to six months to share common views on national development programs.
"We will hold routine meetings every three months, or every four months, or half yearly, we will see, (to be organized by) the home affairs minister, so there will be a common direction towards regional improvement," Jokowi emphasized.
Home Affairs Minister Tjahjo Kumolo said the meeting was the third of its kind after the previous ones held last week with district heads and mayors from Sumatra and Kalimantan Islands.
"In the Law No. 23/2014, district heads and their deputies are obliged to implement national strategic programs. The president's directive is clear that in the Chapter XIII, Article 344 on the principles of organization of local governments, the local government must guarantee implementation of public services," he noted.
In the meeting with the president, regional heads could report to the president about the conditions and problems being faced in the regions, he remarked.
The head of state has also planned to hold a meeting with the regional heads of outermost regions. Indonesia has 173 sub-districts that share their borders with other countries.
The ongoing third meeting was attended by 110 district heads from eight provinces in Papua, West Papua, and Sulawesi, along with two mayors respectively from Sorong and Jayapura, Papua province.
Among those present during the meeting were Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman, National Development Planning Head/Minister of National Development Planning Andrinov Chaniago, Forestry and Environmental Affairs Minister Siti Nurbaya, Public Works Minister Basuki Hadimujono, Cabinet Secretary Andi Widjojanto, and Chairman of the All Indonesian District Administration Association (Apkasi) Isran Noor.
By and large, President Jokowi plans to meet 416 district heads and 98 mayors from across the country.
The first meeting on January 21 was attended by 101 district heads and mayors from Sumatra, and the second meeting held on January 23 had the participation of 103 district heads and mayors from Kalimantan, Nusa Tenggara, and Sumatra.
The next meeting will be attended by district heads and mayors from Java and Maluku.
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