Pariaman, Indonesia - After being inaugurated by President Prabowo Subianto at the State Palace, Pariaman Mayor Yota Balad immediately departed for the Military Academy (Akmil) in Magelang.
There, he joined 450 other regional leaders in a leadership retreat designed to align the visions and missions of local and central governments. However, 47 regional heads were absent without explanation, while six others had officially excused themselves due to health or family reasons.
Magelang, a city with a serene landscape, stood as a silent witness to the rigorous discipline and intense training at Akmil. For Yota Balad, this place was not unfamiliar; memories of his youth as a cadet at STPDN resurfaced. Here, history and sweat intertwined, creating an atmosphere thick with struggle and perseverance.
From the break of dawn, Yota Balad and the other participants were immersed in a series of intense training sessions. Their steps were swift, their ears keen to absorb every instruction. President Prabowo, along with several ministers, was scheduled to personally deliver key insights throughout the week-long retreat, which ran from February 21 to February 28, 2025.
But this journey was not without challenges. Three regional leaders had to be rushed to Tidar General Hospital due to declining health. Two required hospitalization, while one received intravenous fluids and short-term rest. Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Bima Arya Sugiarto, emphasized that the tight schedule demanded peak physical and mental preparedness from each participant.
Meanwhile, Pariaman Deputy Mayor Mulyadi was set to join the retreat on February 26. His presence reinforced the commitment of Pariaman’s local government to transformation and leadership enhancement. This retreat was not merely a gathering—it was a leadership boot camp designed by President Prabowo to mold strong, visionary regional leaders.
Political dynamics also played a role in shaping attendance. Fifty-five regional leaders from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) had yet to join the retreat by the third day, awaiting further instructions from party leader Megawati Soekarnoputri. Despite this, the spirit of collaboration and contribution remained strong among those present.
On March 1, coinciding with the beginning of Ramadan, Yota Balad and Mulyadi were set to return to Pariaman. Armed with knowledge and experience from this retreat, they were expected to bring positive change and innovation to regional governance. The Akmil Magelang retreat marked a crucial step in harmonizing local and central government efforts to build a more advanced and prosperous Indonesia.
In an atmosphere filled with dedication and determination, these regional leaders were being shaped into the frontline forces of national development. Through military discipline and deep leadership insights, they were expected to face challenges head-on and drive sustainable progress in their respective regions.
This retreat was more than just a series of lectures; it was a platform for networking, sharing experiences, and strengthening a collective commitment to a better Indonesia. (OLP)
