A senior politician emphasized the importance of improving public service quality, particularly the construction of road infrastructure which directly impacts community safety and mobility.
According to him, regional development should not rely solely on the Regional Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBD), but can also utilize corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds.
This was stated during a meeting at his residence. He assessed that road repairs in Nagaraja I Village, Dolok Merawan District, and surrounding areas could be carried out through collaboration between the government and companies operating in the region.
“This road repair can actually be done. The government can ask PTPN or PT Bridgestone to also help improve road quality through CSR funds. If the government budget is sufficient, that is also good. The main point is service to the community,” said the politician, who previously served as a member of the local legislative council for 15 years.
He also stressed the importance of empathy from people’s representatives towards community issues, regardless of whether the area is their electoral district or not.
“Don’t be indifferent just because it’s not your own electoral district. The principle is that development is for the broader public interest,” he asserted.
He added that the problem of damaged roads is not only related to economic and productivity aspects but also concerns human safety.
“Human safety is the priority. Imagine if a resident is seriously ill and needs to be taken to the hospital immediately, but the road is severely damaged. It is very possible a life could be lost before reaching the destination. So it is not correct to consider roads unimportant just because agricultural output is deemed small,” he said.
In the near future, he stated he would directly discuss with the Regent to convey the community’s aspirations regarding the road construction.
“I will discuss with the Regent. He also comes from a village, so he surely understands well how difficult it is to traverse damaged roads. I will convey the complaints from my hometown community,” he said.
He reaffirmed his commitment to pushing for development in Nagaraja I Village, which is his hometown.
“I do not want my hometown to be left behind. Nagaraja I is my birthplace. Roads are the lifeblood of the community,” he emphasized.
On that occasion, he also reminisced about his childhood and teenage years spent in Nagaraja I Village. He shared experiences of going to school and using that road as the main route to Tebing Tinggi and Pematang Siantar.
“I was born and attended elementary school in Nagaraja I, then junior high school in Dolok Merawan. For three years, I rode my bicycle along that road. Public transportation to Tebing Tinggi and Siantar also passed through there. I still remember it all,” he recounted.
