WEST LOMBOK – The Minister of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions (Mendes PDT), Yandri Susanto, attended the ceremony commemorating the 68th Anniversary of West Lombok, held on Friday (April 17, 2026), at the Bencingah Agung, West Lombok Regent’s Office. For the occasion, Minister Yandri wore complete Sasak traditional attire, featuring a dark blue pegon (long-sleeved jacket), a wastra (songket cloth) wrapped from the waist to the ankles, a sapuk (headband), wiron, and a keris as a symbol of courage.

Minister Yandri attended alongside the Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs, Zulkifli Hasan, fulfilling the invitation of the Regent of West Lombok, Lalu Ahmad Zaini. Carrying the theme Patju Begawean, the anniversary is expected to reflect its meaning: a spirit of hard work, collaboration, and togetherness in building the region. It also serves as an impetus for all elements of society to enhance their work ethic toward a prosperous, independent, and equitable West Lombok.

In addition to the ceremony, the peak of the 68th Anniversary was marked by several activities. These included an exhibition of village potential, the launch of the "Prosperous from the Village" (Sejahtera dari Desa) Program, and the presentation of awards to high-achieving villages.

The Budget Execution Document (DIPA) for the Sejahtera dari Desa Program was symbolically handed over to Sesela Village (Gunungsari District), Sedau Village (Narmada District), Karang Bongkot Village (Labuapi District), Gapuk Village (Gerung District), and Buwun Mas Village (Sekotong District). Meanwhile, awards for "Drop-out Free Villages" were presented to Lembah Sari Village (Batulayar District), the "Stunting-Free Village" award to Labuapi Village (Labuapi District), and the "Tuberculosis-Free Village" award to Gegelang Village (Lingsar District).

This recognition represents the commitment of both central and regional governments to village communities. The hope is that more villages will achieve such milestones, not only for the awards but to fundamentally improve the quality of human resources.

Minister Yandri emphasized that realizing these goals requires robust collaboration between the Coordinating Ministry for Food Affairs, the Ministry of Villages, the Ministry of Social Affairs, and the Ministry of Health, all of whose leaders were present. He noted that such synergy saves time, costs, and energy while ensuring maximum results.

"We are a superteam, not Superman; therefore, we need cooperation and collaboration from all parties. The Minister of Villages cannot do it all alone," he remarked.

Also in attendance were Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf and Deputy Health Minister Benjamin Paulus Octavianus, who directly inspected the village potential exhibition. The entire West Lombok community responded enthusiastically to the event, which stimulated the local economy and increased the visibility of village products.

Photo: Andri/Kemendes PDT 
Text: Ria/Kemendes PDT