2026 Regional Government Achievement Award to Be Divided into Three Batches

Tempo, a respected Indonesian news magazine, reports on the upcoming 2026 Regional Government Achievement Award, highlighting the government's proactive approach to incentivizing and improving local governance. The Ministry of Home Affairs' decision to divide the awards into three batches and focus on critical national development goals—such as reducing unemployment, poverty, and stunting, alongside inflation control and fostering entrepreneurship—demonstrates a clear strategy to drive progress at the grassroots level.

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Untuk batch berikutnya akan ada indikator-indikator lainnya yang disesuaikan dengan program pemerintah yang diimplementasikan di daerah,” kata Kepala Badan Strategi Kebijakan Dalam Negeri, Kementerian Dalam Negeri (Kemendagri), Yusharto Huntoyungo, Rabu, 29 April 2026.

The allocation of Rp 320 billion for 144 winning local governments, with a total of Rp 1 trillion earmarked across the three batches, signifies a substantial commitment to fiscal incentives. As stated by Minister Muhammad Tito Karnavian, this 'carrot' approach, rather than solely relying on 'stick' directives, is intended to yield more tangible benefits for the community. This focus on tangible results and direct impact on citizens is a key aspect of Indonesia's development philosophy, aiming to empower regions and foster a sense of healthy competition.

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Pak Mendagri selalu berpesan, jangan hanya dikasih daerah yang baik-baik saja. Tetapi daerah-daerah yang kurang baik pun tolong diinformasikan ke beliau, agar bisa ditemukan treatment yang tepat untuk mengintervensi mereka,” kata Yusharto.

Tempo also emphasizes the nuanced evaluation methodology. Recognizing that comparing diverse regions is inherently unfair, the Ministry will adopt a regional approach, categorizing assessments across Sumatra, Kalimantan, Java-Bali, Sulawesi, Maluku-Nusa Tenggara, and Papua. This ensures that local contexts and unique challenges are considered, promoting a more equitable and effective recognition system. The ultimate goal, as articulated by Head of the National Domestic Policy Strategy Agency, Yusharto Huntoyungo, is not just to reward the best but also to identify areas needing intervention, ensuring that all regions are supported in their journey towards better governance and improved public services.

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Selama ini Kemendagri hanya memberikan arahan-arahan saja. Cenderung menggunakan stick dibandingkan carrot. Nah, sekarang kita akan menggunakan carrot ini untuk meningkatkan kinerja,” ujar dia.