Leadership Succession Transition, Central-Regional Synergy
Reported by: Liu Setiawan
Jember, October 22, 2024/Indonesia Media – The central leadership board (DPP) of the empowerment of UMKM (micro, small and medium enterprises) AkuMandiri, which has been concerned with various people’s economic problems, is very appreciative, responding positively to President Prabowo Subianto’s policies. The new cabinet will start working soon, serious handling of various problems in the regions has been immediately mapped out.
The president’s political stance is fragmented into the vision & mission of gubernatorial candidates (cagub), regents/mayors from various regions nationally. Specifically Khofifah Indar Parawansa (Indonesian politician who served as Governor of East Java; February 2019 – February 2024) and the Jember regent candidate, Gus Wahid are also believed to have a vision and mission that is parallel to the central government’s policies. “One of the missions that is very visible, obvious, (namely) attention to the world of education, scholarships for students, free education, Islamic boarding schools and activating MSMEs,” said the administrator of the DPP AkuMandiri Sandi Suwardi Hasan.
Specifically regarding the Notohadinegoro Jember airport infrastructure, during the era of regent MZA Djalal (2005-2015), it was actively operational. The airport even opened three flight routes; Jember-Surabaya-Jakarta, Jember-Surabaya-Yogyakarta, Jember-Surabaya-Bali. ATR 72 short-haul regional passenger aircraft with twin-turboprop engines with 72 seats are operational in Notohadinegoro. “In the future, based on considerations from various parties, this airport will be reactivated when Gus Fawahid is elected (result of the 2024 Pilkada). The existence of flights and good airport conditions, Fawahid sees this as economic leverage,” said Sandi.
As soon as the airport was operational again, business people transacted in Jember including the agro-industry sector such as coffee, cocoa, edamame, tobacco, sugar cane, and so on. In addition, the tourism sector, agro-tourism, Jember is very likely to develop. In the past, during the era of the Jember regent, the tourism development program was accompanied by the promotion of tourist visits to Jember, including the Jember Fashion Carnaval (JFC) as an annual agenda. For several years, JFC was parallel to the Ministry of Tourism program. “But the previous regent, JFC was less developed. because the initiator of JFC has also passed away. The regent’s attention was not optimal. Gus Fawahid is committed to providing full facilities for the younger generation to develop in the world of fashion , sports,” said the former Assistant Deputy (Asdep) for Industry and Sports Promotion, Ministry of Youth and Sports (2018 – 2020)
Even in Jember, there are around 200 professional baristas, which is no less than baristas from other cities in Indonesia. This is also inseparable from the existence of the coffee and cocoa research center (Puslitkoka) in Jember. “When I meet with several investors, Fawahid will invite them to invest in Jember. Including Mr. Sigit Samsu (CEO of Berkah Maju Sejahtera Aerostarjet Aviation/ exclusive Air Charter Provider ) as a prospective investor,” said the alumni of the doctoral program at the University of Jember (UNEJ) in 2009.
Looking at historical factors, Sigit Samsu built the Faculty of Medicine (FK) UNEJ in 2000. The establishment of FK UNEJ continues to encourage the growth of other industries including the plan to build a teaching hospital in Jember. Even the PPDS (specialist doctor education program) FK UNEJ specialist program; (namely) surgery, anesthesiology and orthopedics will soon be realized simultaneously on the 25th Dies Natalis. “Development in Jember is still possible, the establishment of a star-rated hotel. Because the location is strategic, to the east close to Bali. To the west, Jember is close to Mount Bromo and Surabaya,” said Sandi.
Notohadinegoro Airport has not been operational for the past nine years. This condition, where the community hopes for a flight route especially from Surabaya, Jakarta, Yogyakarta. If by land, for example tourists from Jakarta, can only take the flight route to Surabaya. after that, if you want to continue to Jember, you have to travel by land for about four hours. The road conditions are also very minimal, and prone to accidents. “We want Gus Fawahid to restore today’s conditions, Jember used to be in the top 4 in East Java. Now, Jember is in the 2nd last (backward) position out of all 38 regencies/cities in East Java. This is the condition that Gus Fawahid wants to restore, and a positive response has been seen. Some of the Jember community who live in Jakarta, including me, are happy if Jember can be parallel with the central government. The provincial government led by Khofifah has also clicked with Gus Fawahid’s vision and mission,” said Sandi. (LS/IM)