MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM - North Sumatra Governor Bobby Nasution has sworn in three senior officials within the North Sumatra Provincial Government. During the inauguration, Bobby urged the newly appointed officials to align their work with measurable development targets, use reliable data, and strengthen cooperation among provincial government agencies.
The inauguration and oath-taking ceremony was held on Friday, September 18, 2026, at the TRN Hall at the Governor's Office on Jalan Sudirman Number 41 in Medan. The ceremony was attended by North Sumatra Deputy Governor Surya, Acting Provincial Secretary Timur Tumanggor, and heads of all agencies within the
North Sumatra Provincial Government.
The three newly appointed officials are Terang Dewi Susantri Ujung as Head of the Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy Office, Rudi Hadian Siregar as Head of the General Affairs Office of the North Sumatra Provincial Government Secretariat, and Evan Botung Daulay as Head of the Economic Affairs Office of the North Sumatra Provincial Government Secretariat.
Bobby reminded the three officials that holding office is a responsibility that must be carried out with the utmost care. He urged the officials not to limit themselves to performing routine administrative duties. Instead, they must ensure that every program produces concrete and measurable results.
"We hope that you can carry out the responsibilities and duties entrusted to you as well as possible. Because holding office is a responsibility for which you will ultimately be held accountable, especially before Almighty God," the governor said in the presence of Deputy Governor Surya, Acting Provincial Secretary Timur Tumanggor, and heads of agencies within the North Sumatra Provincial Government.
Development Targets Must Be Measurable
Bobby Nasution emphasized that every area of development requires clear targets. The North Sumatra Provincial Government must identify the indicators it aims to achieve and determine appropriate measures based on existing conditions and available data.
One area receiving particular attention from Bobby is tourism. He instructed the newly appointed Head of the Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy Office of North Sumatra to immediately develop strategies to increase visitor numbers at various tourist destinations across the province.
According to Bobby, it is not enough to hold numerous tourism events merely as ceremonial activities. Every event must have a clear objective and make a tangible contribution to increasing tourist arrivals.
"I hope that after this inauguration, the number of tourists can be increased through various events. This is not about ceremonies, but primarily about having an accurate data base and determining what measures the provincial government actually needs to take," Governor
Bobby Nasution said.
He also urged regional agencies to plan carefully and establish targets for specific periods. This would allow the government to regularly evaluate program implementation and identify areas requiring improvement.
Bobby stressed that tourism development cannot depend solely on the Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy Office. Infrastructure, transportation access, promotion, public services, and support from other sectors are also crucial to developing the tourism industry.
"Our number of tourists is very low, at around 200,000 visits per year. In other places, even in provinces in neighboring countries, the figure is more than two million. We only reach 10 percent of that. But the target is not only the number of visits, but also the length of tourists' stays. All agencies must support the Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy Office," Bobby said.
CALL FOR COOPERATION WITH INDUSTRY AND REGIONALLY OWNED ENTERPRISES: North Sumatra Governor
Bobby Nasution calls on the Head of the Economic Affairs Office to strengthen cooperation with industry, agriculture and fisheries sectors, as well as regionally owned enterprises. (PHOTO: YT Hariono)
Strengthening Cooperation with the Business Sector
In addition to tourism, Bobby also focused on regional economic management. Evan Botung Daulay, the newly appointed Head of the Economic Affairs Office of the
North Sumatra Provincial Government Secretariat, was instructed to further intensify coordination with various economic sectors.
The cooperation is expected to cover industry, agriculture, fisheries, and regionally owned enterprises. Bobby said cross-sector coordination is necessary to sustain economic activity while responding to issues that directly affect the public.
One of the issues requiring particular attention is the stability of basic food prices. The
North Sumatra Provincial Government must take macroeconomic indicators and conditions on the ground into account so that policies and measures respond effectively to the needs of the community.
"Pay attention to macroeconomic indicators and be like a parent to regionally owned enterprises. At the same time, do not make their business plans more difficult," Bobby said.
The message highlights the importance of the Economic Affairs Office in establishing close communication between the government, business community, production sectors, and regionally owned enterprises. The regional government must also ensure that economic policies do not obstruct productive business activities.
The newly appointed officials are also expected to avoid working in isolation. Bobby called on all provincial government agencies to strengthen communication and cooperation so that development targets can be implemented in an integrated manner.
Cooperation is also essential for tourism development. Infrastructure projects under the authority of other agencies, for example, must support the needs of tourist destinations so that an increase in visitor numbers can generate broader economic benefits.
READY TO IMPLEMENT DEVELOPMENT TARGETS: Terang Dewi Susantri Ujung, Head of the Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy Office of North Sumatra, expresses her readiness to implement the directives of the Governor of North Sumatra and prepare measurable development targets for programs in the 2027 fiscal year. (PHOTO: YT Hariono)
Budget Discipline and Integrity
Bobby also placed particular emphasis on the management of public spending when addressing Rudi Hadian Siregar, the newly appointed Head of the General Affairs Office of the North Sumatra Provincial Government Secretariat.
He called for budget allocations to be used efficiently for every activity while considering both effectiveness and benefits. Every government expenditure must have a clear justification and be directly related to actual work requirements.
Efficiency, however, does not mean reducing the quality of public services. Instead, the government must ensure that every budget allocation generates tangible benefits and supports the implementation of government duties.
Bobby also reiterated his call for all
North Sumatra Provincial Government employees to maintain integrity in carrying out their responsibilities. He urged officials to avoid corruption, illegal fees, and other actions that could harm the public or state finances.
"For all of us, please stay away from corruption, illegal fees, or anything else that could harm the public or state finances. Especially since we recently heard a presentation from the Corruption Eradication Commission, or KPK," the governor said.
The message is an important part of the responsibilities of the three newly sworn-in officials. Alongside achieving development targets, the government must ensure that all programs are implemented in accordance with regulations and remain accountable.
Meanwhile, Terang Dewi Susantri Ujung, the newly appointed Head of the Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy Office of North Sumatra, said she was ready to carry out her duties in accordance with the directions of North Sumatra Governor Bobby Nasution.
Terang said her office would prepare a development plan while establishing measurable targets. The planning would form part of the preparation for various programs for the 2027 fiscal year.
"We will carry out our duties in accordance with the directions of the Governor of North Sumatra and prepare a development plan and measurable targets, particularly for the implementation of programs in the 2027 fiscal year," Terang said.
She emphasized that measurable targets are important so that program implementation can be evaluated regularly. With clear planning, government agencies can establish priorities and ensure that every measure delivers the intended results.
The inauguration of the three senior officials is part of the North Sumatra Provincial Government's efforts to strengthen the implementation of development programs across various sectors. The regional government faces the task of improving performance, expanding cross-sector coordination, and ensuring that public funds are used effectively and accountably.
The governor's instructions also place development outcomes at the center of the responsibilities of the newly appointed officials. The three officials are therefore expected not only to carry out administrative duties, but also to translate the directives into concrete work programs with clear and measurable targets.
(IDNC)REPORTER: Ahmad Zulfikar | EDITOR: Fik Sagala