Jakarta — Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka recently addressed regional leaders during a retreat at the Magelang Military Academy (Akmil), emphasizing the importance of unity and collaboration under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto. The retreat aimed to foster a shared vision among regional heads, despite differences in religion, ethnicity, and political affiliation.

In his address, Gibran stressed the need for strong collaboration and close synergy under President Prabowo’s command. He highlighted that managing a vast and diverse country like Indonesia requires a unified approach.

“Even though our religion, ethnicity, party is different, we are born into a large family of the archipelago. To manage a country as big as Indonesia, we need strong collaboration, we need close synergy under one commander of the President Prabowo,” Gibran said.

Gibran underscored the importance of supporting and monitoring the president’s priority programs, including initiatives like free nutritious meals and food self-sufficiency. He emphasized the need for collective effort in implementing these programs effectively.

Gibran specifically mentioned the importance of ensuring the availability of food and infrastructure for free nutritious food procurement. He noted that in some areas, food availability remains challenging and expensive, requiring more attention from regional leaders.

“The availability of food, this is still difficult and expensive in some places. For that, once again the regional heads, I ask for the supply chain and MBG distribution infrastructure, please monitor and be assisted,” said Gibran.

Addressing the issue of stunting, Gibran highlighted the need to reduce stunting rates by providing additional food for pregnant women and toddlers. He also reminded regional heads to be vigilant about potential price increases, especially for basic necessities before the month of Ramadan. He stressed the importance of taking anticipatory steps to maintain price stability and ensure the availability of goods in the market.

“There must be no fuel scarcity, do not let there be a buildup in the toll exit for example, very careful,” he said.

Gibran also emphasized the importance of regional budget management. He urged regional governments to utilize e-catalogs involving MSMEs to accelerate the halal certification process, citing the necessity for service goods to have a halal certificate by October 2026, as per PP No. 42 of 2024.

“I need to underline this, ladies and gentlemen. Based on PP No. 42 of 2024, October 2026, the service goods with certain conditions must have a halal certificate,” said Gibran.

Gibran’s speech also touched on the importance of maintaining and promoting tolerance in their respective regions. He cited cities like Singkawang, Bekasi, and Salatiga as examples of harmonious communities, emphasizing the role of the FKUB (Forum Komunikasi Umat Beragama) in fostering religious harmony.

“Toleran City Index Number One, Singkawang City, Bekasi, Salatiga, Manado, Semarang, Magelang, Kadiri, Sukabumi, Kopang, Surakarta. This is if the tolerance is high, it means that FKUB is road, it is very important FKUB,” he said.

Gibran’s call for unity and collaboration among regional leaders is a timely reminder of the importance of collective effort in addressing national challenges. In the U.S., similar initiatives have been seen in various states, where governors and local leaders have come together to tackle issues like healthcare, education, and economic development. For example, the Regional Economic Development Councils in New York have played a crucial role in fostering collaboration and innovation across different regions.

However, some critics argue that such initiatives can be challenging to implement due to political differences and varying priorities among regional leaders. In the U.S., the success of regional collaboration often depends on the level of political will and the willingness of leaders to work together. For instance, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) in the Northeast has faced challenges due to differing views on climate policy among participating states.

Despite these challenges, the benefits of regional collaboration are undeniable. By working together, regional leaders can leverage shared resources, expertise, and infrastructure to address common challenges more effectively. In Indonesia, Gibran’s call for unity and collaboration is a step in the right direction, and similar efforts in the U.S. have shown promising results.

As Indonesia continues to develop, the importance of unity and collaboration among regional leaders cannot be overstated. Gibran’s address serves as a reminder that collective effort and synergy are essential for addressing the country’s challenges and achieving sustainable development.