Regional Heads Ready to Fight for People’s Welfare after Magelang Retreat

President Prabowo Subianto delivers directives at the closing of the 2025 Regional Heads and Vice Heads Retreat, held at Magelang Military Academy, Friday (02/28). (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat)

President Prabowo Subianto, Friday (02/28), officially closed the 2025 Regional Heads and Vice Heads Retreat, which had been held over the course of eight days at Magelang Military Academy, Central Java province.

During the event, the President emphasized the importance of unity, industrialization, downstreaming, and strong spirit of patriotism and nationalism. He stated that these factors are crucial for accelerating regional development and achieving people’s prosperity.

Regional leaders who participated in the retreat said that the event provided them with valuable insights and inspiration to be applied in their respective regions.

Regent of Keerom Piter Gusbager praised the retreat as a crucial resource for regional heads, stressing that strengthened coordination and communications between central and regional governments are essential to ensure effective policy implementation.

“This country is vast. Coordination, communication and synergy between the central and regional governments are imperative. Without synergy, many national policies would fail to align. Moreover, regional leaders must continue to enhance their capacity, constantly updating and upgrading their skills,” Piter said.

He also pointed out that increasing regional competitiveness through downstreaming and industrialization is essential. Each region has its unique potential that must be unlocked maximally to strengthen local economy.

“For example, in our area, we have 20 to 30 years old plantations, but rejuvenation of palm or industrial development has not taken place. Without these, farmers will lose jobs and income. That’s why the eight key ideals discussed here, particularly downstreaming and industrialization, are vital for boosting regional economies,” he added.

Echoing the same sentiment, Vice Governor of East Java Emil Dardak emphasized the significance of fostering emotional connections between regional leaders and the central government. He noted that in-person discussions, such as those held at the retreat, are far more effective than online interactions, fostering a sense of unity and a deeper understanding.

“There are many things we can achieve, but overcoming obstacles requires persistence, determination, and teamwork. This retreat has provided a clear rationale for why Indonesia can progress, what’s been done, and what we need to do together. It’s a comprehensive approach,” Emil explained.

He also highlighted how President Prabowo’s directives clarified the concept of downstreaming. According to Emil, the strategy is not only understood in technical terms but is also rooted in strong philosophical principles.

“The constitutional basis for why the state must play a more active role was fully explained—both technically and philosophically. It resonates with all of us,” he noted.

Emil also underlined President Prabowo’s emphasis on the spirit of patriotism and nationalism as the foundation for building a more advanced Indonesia.

“We left the retreat with renewed passion, and I believe this is why it was held at Lembah Tidar. As regional leaders, our devotion is grounded in nationalism, which should always be nurtured in a place where patriots are born,” he said.

In the meantime, Vice Mayor of Tegal Tazkiyyatul Muthmainnah shared that the Tegal City Government is ready to implement President Prabowo’s directives, particularly in optimizing regional potential and improving budget efficiency. She also commended the retreat for reinforcing synchronization between the central, provincial, and regional governments.

“This is the first time such retreat has been held, and I believe it’s incredibly important. Our slogan is to be compact, solid, and united for the people—fighters who will tackle poverty and fight for the welfare of the people,” Tazkiyyatul said.

Similarly, Regent of Karimun Iskandarsyah described the retreat as an extraordinary experience. He found the material presented highly relevant to regional needs and actionable.

“We gained valuable insights and knowledge that we believe will be crucial for implementation in our respective regions. Particularly, in order to align with President Prabowo’s Asta Cita program, the regions must be able to realize the initiatives set forth by the President,” Iskandarsyah said.

At the end of the retreat, the regional heads had renewed enthusiasm to implement President Prabowo’s directives in their respective regions. United by a shared vision, they are ready to lead the way in achieving people’s welfare and building a more prosperous Indonesia. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (RIF/MMB)