OPINION: Ideally, All Districts Must Be Involved

We did not come to ask. We came with a mature plan, potential and readiness. A hope that emerged from me, Mr. Salim S Mengga together with the regents of West Sulawesi during a working visit to a number of ministries in Jakarta.

For almost a week, we and all the regents in West Sulawesi spent time in the capital. Knocking on the doors of the central government, visiting a number of ministries and institutions.

We came not just to ask to urge the central government to disburse its programs and budget to West Sulawesi. We came complete with a series of mature plans, a myriad of potentials and everything about affirming the readiness of this 33rd province.

There were several ministries and institutions that we visited. All of them became a real effort to realize a number of strategic programs that Mr. Salim S Mengga and I carried in the vision of West Sulawesi Advanced and Prosperous.

Visiting the Ministry of Transmigration, Ministry of Public Works, BNPB, Ministry of Social Affairs, Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Ministry of Religion, a number of members of the Indonesian House of Representatives and entrepreneurs who contribute to PAD. Including completing some business with other central governments. Once again, we are not here to beg.

By involving all the regents, we want to emphasize that what is being attempted is based on a sincere nawaitu. Because what we believe is that in essence the district government owns the territory and the community.

In the midst of the fact that our fiscal condition does not have enough free space, one of the most rational options (besides maximizing PAD) is to offer concepts, plans and regional potential directly to policy makers at the national level. The central government with great authority, in my opinion, is important to be convinced. Once again, with fixed potential and plans.

With the active involvement of regional heads at the district level, Mr. Salim S Mengga and I want to present an ideal governance system in West Sulawesi Province. The involvement of the regents is also an early sign that we do not want the provincial government to appear as if it were the seventh district government in West Sulawesi.

To realize the vision of an Advanced and Prosperous West Sulawesi, the provincial government as an extension of the central government in the regions must be present in real terms in all districts. Of course, through various policies and programs according to the characteristics of the problems in each district.

By: Gubernur Sulbar, Suhardi Duka

Jakarta, May 9, 2025