Major Retreat for Regional Leaders to Kick Off in Magelang on February 21

TheIndonesia.co - A week-long retreat for 505 regional heads, elected in last year’s local elections, is set to begin on February 21, 2025. Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Bima Arya Sugiarto confirmed the event will run through February 28 and will take place at the Military Academy in Magelang, Central Java, following the regional leaders' simultaneous inauguration in Jakarta on February 20.

“The President has chosen Magelang as the venue for this important briefing, starting with members of the Red and White Cabinet,” Sugiarto stated according to Antara News Agency. He's referencing a previous retreat held in the same location in October 2024.

Sugiarto explained that holding the retreat at the Military Academy again would optimize both effectiveness and efficiency. “Using the same venue allows us to reuse the tents from the ministerial retreat, making the logistics smoother,” he added.

Regarding logistics, Sugiarto outlined two potential scenarios for the regional heads' travel to Magelang. One option involves gathering participants at the Yogyakarta Palace and then traveling together by bus to Magelang. He expressed hope that Yogyakarta Governor Sultan Hamengku Buwono X would be present to bid the leaders farewell if this route is selected. The alternative would be for participants to meet directly in Magelang.

The retreat will focus on three key topics: the roles and responsibilities of regional heads, President Prabowo Subianto’s Asta Cita missions, and leadership development. Additionally, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati is slated to address the leaders on budget efficiency.

Sugiarto confirmed that the Home Affairs Ministry, alongside the National Resilience Institute (Lemhannas), is curating the retreat’s agenda to ensure it aligns with national goals and provides valuable insights for local governance.