Surakarta – APEKSI consolidated the stance and shared agenda of 98 city governments during a meeting of the Governing Board and Chairs of Regional Commissariats I–VI in Surakarta on Thursday (September 3, 2026). The meeting underscored the importance of policy synchronization between central and regional governments, particularly regarding strengthening city governments’ capacity to exercise regional autonomy and deliver quality public services.
A key priority for APEKSI is to bolster the fiscal space of city governments by refining policies on Transfers to Regions (TKD), including Revenue-Sharing Funds (DBH), General Allocation Funds (DAU), and Special Allocation Funds (DAK). APEKSI also advocates for greater flexibility in city budgets (APBD), specifically concerning the management of personnel expenditures and the financing of Government Employees with Work Agreements (PPPK), as well as faster financing mechanisms for disaster management, such as addressing forest and land fires and the resulting haze. On the social front, APEKSI supports the National Single Social and Economic Data (DTSEN) initiative, emphasizing the need of verify and update data based on actual conditions on the ground.
APEKSI Governing Board Deputy Chair and Mayor of Surakarta, Respati Ardi, highlighted the importance of synergy between central and regional governments to enhance human resource quality. Meanwhile, APEKSI Governing Board Chair Eri Cahyadi asserted that city governments must be involved in formulating national policies, as cities serve as the frontline for policy implementation that directly impacts the community. The meeting also addressed the implications of the General Election and Regional Head Election (Pilkada) bills, digital transformation, the utilization of AI, and regulatory simplification—all aimed at strengthening city governments’ capacity for data-driven decision-making.