Oyuk Ivani Siagian, Jakarta – Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Bima Arya Sugiarto, has announced that the second stage of the regional head retreat will be held shortly after the 2025 Eid al-Fitr holiday. However, the government has yet to determine the precise date for this event.
"As soon as possible after Eid," Bima said when met at a housewarming event hosted by the Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), Ahmad Muzani, at the Widya Chandra Complex in Jakarta on Wednesday, April 2, 2025.
Bima indicated that the second stage of the retreat could take place at the Military Academy in Magelang or another suitable location. He explained that the venue will be chosen based on the number of participants, which is expected to be smaller than the first stage.
The former Mayor of Bogor also raised the possibility of holding a third stage of the regional head retreat, as rerun elections in several regions are still pending. "After the rerun elections, there will be more [retreats]. But the time is not certain. We will first finish what is already certain," he said.
Bima explained that the primary objective of the retreat is to provide regional leaders with comprehensive knowledge of central government programs. This aims to synchronize and foster synergy between the central and regional governments in implementing these programs.
He also affirmed that the Ministry of Home Affairs has allocated sufficient budget for the implementation of the second and third stages of the regional head retreat. "Yes, the budget is available. Well, the Ministry of Home Affairs still has the budget for it," he stated.