[LIVE STREAMING] SIDE EVENT: BINCANG KEPALA DAERAH PKS

Summary

The video features a series of PKS TV interviews about Palestinian solidarity and the priorities, resources, and development plans of several PKS-led regions.

Youth Support for Palestine

Host Haikal and Ahmad Zaki Rifai discuss how events beginning on 7 October 2023 raised awareness of Palestine, particularly among young people. Zaki says solidarity can include everyday choices, such as avoiding products associated with support for Israel, as well as social-media campaigns and community events. He argues that digital platforms remain important despite what he describes as restrictions on pro-Palestinian accounts.

The speakers frame support for Palestine as both a humanitarian concern and, for Muslims and Indonesians, a matter of religious solidarity and opposition to colonialism. They also reject the idea that concern for Palestine should wait until Indonesia’s own problems are solved.

Agam Regency

Regent Benny Warlis presents Agam’s potential in tourism and agriculture, citing its mountains, Lake Maninjau, coastal areas, and Sianok–Maninjau geopark. He says the region produces a rice surplus, with rice and vegetables sent to other provinces.

His administration is promoting lower-cost rice-farming techniques, including no-till cultivation, straw mulch, and SRI planting. Warlis says trials have increased yields while reducing input costs. He also describes a plan to establish mosque-based youth hubs in 32 mosques, combining social activities, facilities, and local enterprise.

Warlis encourages investment in tourism and healthcare and appeals for support to rebuild after severe flooding and landslides.

West Sumatra

Governor Mahyeldi identifies agriculture, tourism, and education as the province’s main priorities. He says 57% of the population works in agriculture and that the provincial government allocates 10% of its budget to the sector. He highlights agricultural surpluses, improving farmer-income indicators, and remittances from West Sumatra residents living elsewhere.

Tourism plans include promoting halal tourism, improving hospitality, attracting investment, and staging events such as IORA-related activities and a proposed return of Tour de Singkarak in 2027. Mahyeldi also points to export development and says the province aims to contribute to Indonesia’s 8% economic-growth target by 2029.

South Halmahera

Regent Hasan Ali Bassam Kasuba describes South Halmahera as a dispersed island region where, he says, most residents live on the coast. His “agromaritime” approach focuses on zone-specific livelihoods, including coconut and copra, tuna fishing, seaweed, and aquaculture.

He also promotes marine tourism, including the Widi Islands, and seeks investment in resorts and the downstream processing of coconut, nutmeg, and cloves. Kasuba says mining currently provides a large share of local revenue, while tourism remains underdeveloped.

He also cites an annual local-budget allocation for health coverage intended to extend BPJS coverage to residents not covered by national or provincial schemes.

Berau Regency

Regent Sri Juniarsih says Berau needs to diversify because it can no longer rely as heavily on coal-related revenue. She promotes destinations including Derawan and Maratua, and describes efforts to develop cocoa products, honey, batik, and other village-based businesses.

The administration is encouraging cocoa farmers to maintain or expand production rather than shift entirely to oil palm, and is helping local products improve their packaging and reach wider markets. Juniarsih also highlights a youth mentoring program for village resources and says tourism, creative industries, and MSMEs should work together to create jobs. She mentions a proposed geopark initiative and reports rising tourist visits.

East Kutai

Regent Ardiansyah Sulaiman says coal and oil remain important but stresses the need to develop renewable economic activity. His administration is promoting oil palm alongside bananas, cocoa, and pineapple, and supporting MSMEs with small-scale capital.

Other initiatives include mobile medical teams for remote communities, education support and scholarships, and village-level funding for local infrastructure and economic projects. Sulaiman also discusses a planned coal-gasification investment to produce methanol, while emphasizing the need for investment to create broader local benefits.

He notes that crocodile attacks are a serious safety concern and says the region is exploring whether crocodile management could also support tourism.

Presenters and Contributors

• Haikal — Host of the Palestine discussion
• Ahmad Zaki Rifai — Palestine discussion contributor
• Imam Budi Hartono — PKS TV presenter and interviewer
• Benny Warlis — Regent of Agam
• Mahyeldi — Governor of West Sumatra
• Hasan Ali Bassam Kasuba — Regent of South Halmahera
• Sri Juniarsih — Regent of Berau
• Ardiansyah Sulaiman — Regent of East Kutai