The Government Science Study Program has once again successfully held a grand event, namely the National Seminar entitled "Guarding Democracy for Regional Development (Thursday, 27/04). This National Seminar presented experts in Democracy and Regional Development. Before the National Seminar was opened, the Head of the Government Science Study Program, Salahudin, S.IP, M.Si, MPA gave a speech that with the holding of this National Seminar, the Government Science Study Program is increasingly advanced and ready to expand its network by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with cooperation partners (Malang Regency Government, Perludem and KPU Malang City). This event was opened directly by Dr. Rinikso Kartono, M.Si, as the Dean of FISIP-UMM while also providing an explanation about "Criminal Democracy" which is the reality of democracy in Indonesia.
Starting the first session, three competent speakers were presented, namely, first, Titi Anggraeni, SH, MH, Director of Perludem (Election and Democracy Association). Taking the theme of "Civil Society Monitoring Regional Elections for Regional Development", Titi Anggraeni explained about the challenges of Contemporary Era Democracy where the journey of Indonesian democracy is determined by the Youth Group. The Youth Group is expected to be politically literate, have a bargaining position against the candidates who are running. Not only have knowledge about politics, but also have awareness and capacity as intelligent citizens. "Young people today must dare to make political transactions, not transactional politics," he said. Meanwhile, Dr. Rachmad Hardijono, S.Sos, M.Si, Assistant to the Regent of Malang, emphasized that Malang Regency is preparing to create a Special Economic Zone for better Regional Development. Furthermore, from an Academic perspective, Dr. Tri Sulistyaningsih, M.Si, as a senior lecturer of the IP Study Program also agreed that Regional Leaders produced from a good Pilkada Process will produce Regional Leaders who are oriented towards Regional Development for the prosperity and welfare of their people. The first session ended with the signing of the MoU between the IP Study Program and the Perludem Institute and the Malang Regency Government. This MoU is a form of network expansion for the development of the IP Study Program which is increasingly advanced and global.
Entering the second session, Dr. Asep Nurjaman, M.Si, a senior lecturer in the IP Study Program, began the discussion with the theme "Democratic Accountability in the Era of Regional Autonomy". Political decentralization in the regions brings logical consequences, namely, more responsive regions, regeneration is created, regional stability is the key to national stabilization. However, in practice, there are anomalies that harm political decentralization, namely money politics, the phenomenon of 'grasshoppers', vote buying, and so on. This is the true face of our democracy today. Furthermore, Dr. Saiman, M.Si, a senior lecturer in the IP Study Program, also emphasized that the Election is not only a matter of the Ballot Box. But far from that, there are future implications that must be taken into account for Regional Development. "So, choose a Regional Leader who is pro-people and oriented towards regional development," he said. This is in accordance with the theme he presented about the Development of Underdeveloped and Border Regions. Finally, Zaenudin, ST, MAP, Chairman of the Malang City KPU, explained that democracy is a path or door to achieve regional development, not the goal itself. To get a good and competent Regional Leader, as well as pro-people, what must be done is to make the election agenda a success so that regional development can be realized. At the end of the second session, the IP Study Program also signed an MoU with the Malang City KPU as a form of network expansion, collaboration, or work partners of the IP Study Program. So that in the future good cooperation with the three partners can be realized.
