TEMPO.CO, Magelang - Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Bima Arya Sugiarto stated that the retreat for regional leaders at the Magelang Military Academy from February 21 to 28, 2025, will cost Rp13 billion.

"The budget is fully funded by the Ministry of Home Affairs' State Budget to enhance the leadership capacity of regional leaders," said Bima Arya at the Magelang Academy, Central Java, on Friday, February 21, 2025.

He claimed that regional governments were initially expected to cover the costs, but this plan was later abandoned.

He also asserted that the budget for this retreat is more efficient than previous iterations, largely due to its reduced duration of seven days. "It previously lasted longer, about a month in Lemhanas and two weeks at the Ministry of Home Affairs," he explained.

He further pointed out that past retreats often involved hotel accommodations for participants, which significantly increased expenses. This retreat, lasting only seven days, will utilize tent accommodations.

According to him, this retreat for regional leaders will also have long-term impacts on the budget effectiveness of the regional governments. Participants will receive training on budget management during the retreat.

The Ministry of Home Affairs is conducting this retreat to strengthen synergy between the central and regional governments and to provide a deeper understanding of the duties and responsibilities of regional leaders.

Bima Arya further reported that 450 out of 503 regional heads attended the retreat. 47 regional heads were absent without explanation, and 6 took sick leave or leave for family needs.

Distinguished Speakers, Including Former Presidents

Bima Arya revealed that the retreat will feature speakers from diverse backgrounds, including all ministers in the Indonesia Onward Cabinet and educators from the National Resilience Institute (Lemhannas). There is also a possibility that several former presidents will provide materials.

President Prabowo Subianto had previously asked the sixth President of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), to deliver materials at the retreat during their meeting in Hambalang, Bogor, on February 14, 2025. However, there has been no official confirmation regarding SBY's participation.

President Prabowo himself is scheduled to attend the event. However, according to Bima, Prabowo's attendance schedule will be adjusted to his other national agendas. "It could be once, twice, or more," said Bima, emphasizing the flexibility of the President's schedule.

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