Regional Head Retreat Increases Work Effectiveness and Prevents Corruption
By: Abil Putera Situmorang
The retreat for regional heads initiated by President Prabowo Subianto is a strategic step in increasing work effectiveness and preventing corruption at the regional government level. This program not only aims to align the vision and mission of the central government with the regions, but also build better leadership capacity and strengthen the integrity of regional heads in carrying out their duties.
A member of Commission II of the DPR, Indrajaya, expressed his support for this plan. According to him, this kind of retreat has proven effective in increasing synergy between the central and regional governments. He gave an example of the retreat activity that was previously held for the ministers of the Red and White Cabinet as a program that is useful in aligning leadership visions. With the retreat, elected regional heads can better understand the direction of national development and adjust regional policies to be in line with central government policies.
In addition to being a means of aligning visions, this retreat is also an important moment for regional heads to increase their leadership capacity. Not all regional heads have sufficient experience in government, so the provision provided in the retreat can help them carry out their duties effectively. In this case, the material provided must be relevant to the challenges faced by regional heads, including an understanding of the constitution and laws that form the basis of public policy.
Deputy Chairman of Commission II of the DPR, Zulfikar Arse Sadikin, emphasized the importance of understanding regulations as the main part of the retreat. According to him, regional heads must have deep insight into the constitution and laws in order to run a good government and not conflict with central policies. In addition, he highlighted the importance of regional head loyalty to the state and society above political interests alone. This is important to ensure that the policies made are truly oriented towards the welfare of the people, not just short-term political interests.
This retreat is also expected to be an instrument in reducing corruption rates in the regions. Based on data disclosed by Indrajaya, since the first Pilkada in 2005 to 2018, 348 regional heads have been involved in corruption cases. Meanwhile, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) noted that in the 2010-2019 period, 429 regional heads had been convicted of corruption cases. This figure continues to increase until 2023, indicating that corruption at the regional level is still a serious problem that needs to be addressed immediately.
Former KPK Leader, Saut Situmorang, also emphasized that regional heads must ensure transparent and accountable governance. According to him, many regional heads are caught up in corrupt practices due to the lack of supervision of budget management, especially in goods and services procurement projects. He also reminded that one of the main factors driving corruption in the regions is the interests of parties that fund regional head campaigns. Therefore, it is important for regional heads to maintain their independence from certain interests so as not to get caught up in corrupt practices that harm the community.
With this retreat, it is hoped that regional heads can build a better mindset in carrying out their duties. Regional heads must understand that they are public servants who are responsible for regional development in a transparent manner and free from corrupt practices. In addition, this retreat can also foster a spirit of nationalism and patriotism, so that regional heads are more enthusiastic in working for the progress of their respective regions.
To achieve this goal, the community also has an important role in overseeing the performance of regional heads. Transparency and public participation in the governance process must continue to be strengthened so that the policies made are truly in accordance with the needs of the people. The public must be active in monitoring the performance of regional heads and demanding accountability in every policy taken.
In conclusion, the regional head retreat is an innovative step that can have a positive impact on regional government in Indonesia. This program not only aligns central and regional policies, but also increases leadership capacity and strengthens the integrity of regional heads in carrying out their duties. With the retreat, it is hoped that regional heads can be better prepared to face government challenges and be able to carry out their duties better, transparently, and oriented towards the interests of the people.
