He emphasized the importance of concrete and aligned efforts to eliminate extreme poverty.
"Hence, I would like to call on all regional heads to unite and work hand in hand to expedite the handling of this issue," he told regional leaders during the 2025 Retreat of Regional Heads at the Military Academy in Magelang, Central Java, on Tuesday.
Iskandar pointed out that the central government has taken several measures to combat extreme poverty, such as improving the distribution of social assistance, creating more jobs, offering energy subsidies to those in need, and enhancing the quality of social services.
He then reiterated that his ministry requires real support from regional authorities to execute its task of bringing about equitable welfare.
"Since this is a national goal, we all need to be on the same page to level up the living standards of the people and bring them out of poverty," he told the audience.
The coordinating minister also emphasized the importance of central and regional governments collaborating to build food self-sufficiency.
Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman seconded Iskandar's view, saying that such collaboration is essential for Indonesia to strengthen food security and avert a food crisis.
"A minister of agriculture will never be successful without collaborating with district heads, governors, and mayors," he said.
He further said that President Prabowo Subianto has asked him to ensure that Indonesia becomes self-sufficient in food.
To achieve that end, the Ministry of Agriculture is working strategically with the military and the police to boost crop output, including by pumping water to irrigate drought-hit agricultural areas across the country, he informed.
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Translator: Heru S, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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