MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM - North Sumatra Governor Bobby Nasution has emphasized the importance of cross-sector collaboration in implementing various strategic programs across North Sumatra. In his view, cooperation between the central government, provincial government, district and city governments, and village administrations is a crucial factor in ensuring that every program is implemented effectively and delivers tangible benefits to the public.
Bobby made the statement when he received a delegation of participants in the Domestic Work Practice (Praktik Kerja Dalam Negeri/PKDN) of the 36th 2026 training program of the Indonesian Police Staff and Leadership School (Sespimti Polri) at the North Sumatra Governor's Office on Jalan Diponegoro No. 30, Medan, on Tuesday, October 6, 2026.
At the meeting, Bobby explained that the government could not implement development programs in isolation. Every strategic agenda requires the involvement of various stakeholders so that planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation can be carried out in an integrated manner.
"Regardless of the program, whether it comes from the central government, the province, the district, the city, or even the village level, we always work together. No program can be fully successful if we do not implement it collectively," Bobby said.
The statement underscores the regional government's view that cross-sector coordination is an important component in ensuring the success of government programs. Bobby believes that each level of government has a complementary role, particularly when programs involve broad public interests.
Collaboration Strengthens Disaster Management
Bobby then cited the handling of natural disasters, such as flash floods and landslides, that occurred in several areas of North Sumatra some time ago as an example. In his view, the government's response to these situations was effective because various government agencies and security forces worked together.
He pointed out that the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forum Koordinasi Pimpinan Daerah/Forkopimda), the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the Indonesian National Police (Polri), and the public prosecutor's office played important roles in disaster management. According to Bobby, institutional solidarity is essential when the government faces emergencies that require rapid decisions and close coordination.
Disaster management is not limited to evacuation and meeting the basic needs of affected communities. The government must also ensure that recovery takes place gradually, from restoring infrastructure and public services to resuming economic activities and restoring social stability among residents.
In this context, coordination between regional governments, security forces, and relevant institutions is becoming increasingly important. Each institution can exercise its respective authority while ensuring that the measures taken are not implemented in isolation.
Bobby stressed that the same cooperation model must also be applied to other development programs. The success of a government program is determined not only by the quality of its planning but also by the ability of all stakeholders to establish effective communication and work toward a common objective.
COLLABORATION ON STRATEGIC PROGRAMS: North Sumatra Governor Bobby Nasution emphasizes the importance of cooperation between the central government, regional governments, and various institutions in implementing strategic programs. (PHOTO: Alexander AP Siahaan)
North Sumatra's Strategic Role in Food Sector
In addition to disaster management, Bobby highlighted North Sumatra's strategic position as one of Indonesia's largest food-producing regions. This potential plays an important role in supporting the national agenda, including the food sovereignty program and the development of Food Estates.
According to Bobby, North Sumatra has resources and areas that can be further developed to strengthen national food security. However, developing the food sector requires support from various stakeholders to ensure that production, distribution, processing, and marketing can be carried out sustainably.
Therefore, the regional government must strengthen coordination with the central government, security forces, the business sector, communities, and other stakeholders. This cooperation is necessary to ensure that North Sumatra's agricultural and food-sector potential does not stop at increasing production but also creates greater economic value for the region.
Bobby also linked the development of the food sector to the downstream processing of raw materials. In his view, more integrated management of agricultural products could create new economic opportunities while increasing the region's competitiveness.
The discussion on food security and the downstream processing of agricultural products was among the topics that attracted the interest of the PKDN participants from Sespimti Polri during their visit to North Sumatra. The participants sought firsthand knowledge of how the regional government manages strategic programs related to the national agenda.
STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP IN FOCUS: First-Level Police Lecturer at the Sespim Lemdiklat Polri Institute for Police and Leadership Education, Inspector General of Police Rakhmad Setyadi, explains the PKDN participants' objective of studying strategic leadership in North Sumatra. (PHOTO: Alexander AP Siahaan)
Security Supports Investment in Sei Mangkei
During the meeting, Bobby also emphasized the importance of the TNI and Polri in maintaining security and stability in the Sei Mangkei Special Economic Zone (Kawasan Ekonomi Khusus/KEK). In his view, security is one of the key factors influencing investors' confidence to invest capital and expand their business activities in a region.
Bobby explained that the government could not attract investors solely by highlighting a region's investment potential. It must also provide legal certainty and ensure that the economic environment remains safe and stable.
"It is not only about making promises to investors, but also ensuring that when they enter this region, they find legal certainty and well-maintained security," he stressed.
According to Bobby, strategic economic zones require cross-sector support. The regional government is responsible for creating a favorable investment climate, while security forces maintain stability and provide both communities and businesses with a sense of security.
He expressed hope that coordination would continue to be strengthened so that the Sei Mangkei Special Economic Zone can develop optimally and contribute to North Sumatra's economic growth. Incoming investment is also expected to create jobs, increase economic activity among communities, and strengthen the region's industrial value chain.
Meanwhile, First-Level Police Lecturer at the Sespim Lemdiklat Polri Institute for Police and Leadership Education, Inspector General of Police Rakhmad Setyadi, explained that the visit of Sespimti Polri participants to North Sumatra as part of the PKDN program was aimed at studying strategic regional leadership, or Strategic Leadership, in managing various strategic national programs.
"Our main objective in North Sumatra is to learn from the Governor about regional leadership in implementing national programs, particularly those related to food security through Food Estate, downstream processing, and investment management in the Sei Mangkei Special Economic Zone," Inspector General Rakhmad said.
He explained that the PKDN participants consisted of mid- and senior-ranking officers from the Polri, TNI, and public prosecutor's office. They were taking part in the program as part of a learning process to understand various strategic challenges while broadening their leadership perspectives.
Rakhmad said the participants were being prepared for future leadership positions and therefore needed the ability to understand governance as well as the relationship between central government policies and regional government policies. Direct experience through the PKDN program is consequently an important component in broadening the participants' horizons.
In his view, North Sumatra has a number of strategic programs that are particularly suitable for such study, especially in the areas of food security, downstream processing, and investment. The regional government's experience in managing these sectors is expected to serve as learning material for the participants.
The PKDN activities in North Sumatra are scheduled to continue until this coming Friday. During the program, the participants will deepen their understanding of various regional strategies and strategic programs while directly observing how regional leadership is implemented in support of the national development agenda.
The visit also serves as an opportunity for an exchange of experiences between the regional government and the Sespimti Polri participants. The collaboration emphasized by Bobby Nasution is intended not only to support the management of development programs but also to strengthen institutional cooperation in addressing various development challenges in North Sumatra. (IDNC)
REPORTER: Ahmad Zulfikar | EDITOR: Fik Sagala