Ribka: 81st Anniversary of Home Affairs Ministry a Momentum to Strengthen Disaster Resilience

Indonesia's Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri) marked its 81st anniversary with a call to reinforce unity, bolster national spirit, and enhance the commitment of its staff to serve the public. Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Ribka Haluk, representing Minister Muhammad Tito Karnavian, led the ceremony in Jakarta, stressing that the anniversary should serve as a reminder to strengthen synergy between central and regional governments and ensure the government's presence is felt by the community.

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The momentum of the 81st anniversary of the Ministry of Home Affairs should be utilized to strengthen unity, solidify the national spirit, and enhance the commitment of all ranks of Kemendagri in providing the best service to the community.

Haluk outlined four key messages for Kemendagri's personnel. Firstly, she urged them to use the anniversary as a learning opportunity to face various challenges, particularly natural disasters. Secondly, she emphasized strengthening unity and national resilience to ensure regional governments remain solid and cohesive. Thirdly, Kemendagri should act as a primary driver for national priority programs. Finally, she called for improved, active, and effective governance to enable bureaucracy to foster tangible development in society.

The ministry's focus on disaster resilience comes in the wake of significant seismic activity in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). A magnitude 7.7 earthquake on August 15, 2026, followed by thousands of aftershocks, resulted in casualties and infrastructure damage. Haluk stated this event must serve as a lesson for strengthening regional government resilience and disaster preparedness across Indonesia.

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This event must be a learning experience to strengthen the resilience of regional governments and disaster resilience in all regions of Indonesia.

Beyond disaster preparedness, Haluk underscored Kemendagri's continuous role as a central hub for governance and domestic politics. She noted that the ministry's history is intertwined with the birth of the Indonesian Republic, having existed since the nation's inception. Over decades, Kemendagri has undergone numerous leadership changes and institutional transformations, reflecting its evolving responsibilities. The ministry's 81-year journey represents a wealth of experience and learning, providing a foundation for facing future challenges, maintaining governmental continuity, strengthening national unity, and ensuring the state effectively serves its citizens.

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81 years is not just a number, but a reflection of the long experience, learning, and dedication that must be a foundation for facing the future.