Wamendagri urges local leaders to build regional identity
Bima Arya says uniform development has blurred local distinctiveness and should give way to history-, culture- and economy-based differentiation.
Deputy Home Affairs Minister Bima Arya Sugiarto urged local leaders to strengthen regional identity to drive the economy through local potential and local wisdom. At Citalokafest in Jakarta on Wednesday, Bima said many regions have relied too long on uniform development patterns, leaving each area’s distinctive character less visible. He said a region’s image is not limited to promotion, but also includes its current conditions, its past story and its future goals. He said local leaders need to understand regional history, have a vision for the future and maximize their area’s strengths. Bima also stressed that developing local potential cannot rely on one-off events, but must be supported by an innovation ecosystem that includes research, regulation, institutions, human resources and funding.