EAST FLORES – The Minister of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions (Mendes PDT), Yandri Susanto, explained that rural community associations (paguyuban) are highly crucial, as these platforms serve to solidify local wisdom with modern innovation, ensuring that development programs are realized in a truly inclusive manner.

According to him, this aligns closely with the Ministry's ongoing deployment of the Octahelix approach. This framework embraces the existence of local associations to gather community aspirations, which are then synchronized with government policies and academic research to ensure precise, targeted outcomes.

"We at the Ministry of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions are implementing the Octahelix approach to build villages across Indonesia. One of the pillars comes from associations like this, and from the diaspora like this, ladies and gentlemen," Minister Yandri outlined during his address at the 7th Reunion and 2nd National Congress held in Lamakera Village, East Solor District, East Flores Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), on Friday (July 3, 2026).

Broadly speaking, Minister Yandri emphasized that rural development can no longer be executed in a sectoral or fragmented manner. Instead, it demands integrated and sustainable collaboration spanning multiple actors.

The Octahelix approach, he explained, extensively generates synergy across at least eight key elements: the government, academia, the business sector, society, communities/associations, the media, financial institutions, as well as technology and innovation partners.

Furthermore, he elaborated that the Octahelix approach drives a paradigm shift from viewing villages as entities in need of continuous aid, to recognizing them as communities that possess self-reliance and power. This transformation is achieved through comprehensive mapping of rural potential and risks, determining data-driven thematic development focuses, and implementing collaborative actions that involve all relevant stakeholders.

"We are highly confident and optimistic; the path ahead is wide open, history has been made, and proof has been shown. Therefore, maintain this success, ladies and gentlemen. This solidarity holds an incredibly noble value. Once again, continue to cultivate togetherness and preserve your unity," Minister Yandri urged.

The event was attended by the Vice Chairman of Commission IV of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) Ahmad Yohan, Vice Governor of NTT Johni Asadoma, and the Regent of East Flores Antonius Doni Dihen. Accompanying Minister Yandri was the Director General of Village Economic Development and Investment (PEID) at the Ministry, Tabrani.

Photo: Mugi/Kemendes PDT 
Text: Dayat/Kemendes PDT