THE EDITOR – After attending a retreat with other regional heads from all over Indonesia in Magelang, Central Java, Regent of Karo Antonius Ginting and Vice Regent Komando Tarigan met a number of businessmen and officials in J.W. Marriott Hotel, Kuningan, Jakarta.
Held at the early of Ramadan holy month this year, the meeting was hosted by Karo Foundation which is led by Musa Bangun, a military veteran and Chairman of DPP Purnawirawan Pejuang Indonesia Raya (PPIR).
The Editor was given a chance to talk and discuss some issues with Antonius and Komando Tarigan after the iftar, Saturday (1/3/2025).
There are many insights that can be learnt and are quite anticipated in this new regent’s leadership era.
One of them is about school toilets that will be improved to meet high sanitation standards as well as schools that collect extortion from aid funds for poor students.
Here are excerpts from our exclusive interview with Karo Regent Antonius Ginting:
The Editor: I would like to thank you for taking the time for this interview.
Antonius Ginting: It’s not a big deal
The Editor: What is the purpose of this meeting with the Karo Foundation?
Antonius Ginting: The Karo Foundation, chaired by Mr Musa Bangun, wishes to accelerate Karo Regency in catching up with the city and districts in North Sumatra and Indonesia. Because, undeniably, we are lagging behind in terms of education services, health, infrastructure and now, what President Prabowo Subianto is promoting, food security. Specifically, Karo can also be said to be very behind other cities/districts in the field of tourism. This can be seen from the amount of PAD (Regional Original Revenue) of Karo Regency which is very minimal compared to other districts, which are at the same level as Karo Regency. Seeing this, the Karo Diaspora, especially the Karo Foundation, is trying to make Karo Regency progress and people who love Taneh Karo make 1 frame of how to build the acceleration of Taneh Karo.
The Editor: Musa Bangun was very enthusiastic about bringing you, Mr. Antonius, to be elected as regent. How do you see the political struggle he faced to fight for your name?
Antonius Ginting: Perhaps Mr. Musa longs for change in Taneh Karo. For that reason, he wants significant change and he chooses someone who is committed, has loyalty and integrity to build Taneh Karo. Mr. Musa chose a leader who must be done with himself.
The Editor: Regarding the case of the school principal in Sukadame Village who took money from children who received BSM (Poor Students Assistance) funds, what was your view when the Head of the Karo District Education Office forgave this behaviour?
Antonius Ginting: I definitely disagree. In the future, if possible, we will strictly control all services to the community in accordance with applicable regulations. Moreover, misusing BOS funds (read: Now BSM) for school children, it must be used as regulated. If there are people like that, then on Monday (3/3/2025) we will coordinate with all OPDs starting from the Regional Secretary, assistants, we will gather everything to give direction. The goal is to catch up. There will be no such things in the future.
The Editor: Taneh Karo is one of the most famous tourist destinations in the world. But most of the toilets are in bad condition. What will you do to deal with it?
Antonius: I will definitely do my best. According to President Prabowo Subianto, he requested that when anyone visits schools in Taneh Karo, they should monitor the condition of the school toilets. He asked that school toilets be clean and healthy because education is the only tool that can change the future of the nation’s children.
