LombokZone.com

Category: Insights

In-depth analysis, opinions, and exclusive interviews with industry leaders and local figures offering fresh perspectives on Lombok.

  • NTB Provincial Government Focuses on Expanding Digital Connectivity

    NTB Provincial Government Focuses on Expanding Digital Connectivity

    The Provincial Government of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) is accelerating efforts to ensure equitable internet access across the region, with significant support sought from the central government. This aspiration was expressed by NTB’s Deputy Governor, Indah Dhamayanti Putri, during a coordination meeting on enhancing internet connectivity to achieve equal digital access in the province. The meeting was organized by the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs and held at Hotel Lombok Astoria on Wednesday, October 9.

    “During your visit with the ministry’s officials, we hope this will be a step towards resolving this issue. We wish to see progress not only on Lombok Island but also equal attention and development in all ten districts and cities,” stated the Deputy Governor.

    To strengthen digital connectivity, the NTB Provincial Government continues to promote the construction of Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) and fiber optic networks in collaboration with telecommunications operators. Additionally, local authorities are developing a digital ecosystem through initiatives such as the Smart Village program, e-Government, UMKM Go Digital, and providing digital literacy training for the community. These steps are supported by regional regulations and policies that expedite digital transformation.

    Deputy Governor Putri emphasized the importance of cross-sectoral coordination for expanding internet connectivity. “This involves national programs and expanding strategic partnerships with the private sector, along with support from academics and research institutions in planning based on real data and needs on the ground. In the future, NTB will become more digitally connected, inclusive, and capable of optimizing regional potential through information and communication technology,” she concluded.

  • Paritrana Award 2025 Highlights Shared Responsibility in Worker Protection

    Paritrana Award 2025 Highlights Shared Responsibility in Worker Protection

    The Vice Governor of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), Indah Dhamayanti Putri, attended the Paritrana Award Ceremony for the NTB Province in 2025, held at the Lombok Raya Hotel in Mataram City on Wednesday, September 10.

    The Paritrana Award is an annual accolade initiated by the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Cultural Affairs (Kemenko PMK) in collaboration with BPJS Ketenagakerjaan. It is awarded to regional governments, villages or sub-districts, businesses, and MSMEs that excel in implementing and strengthening social security for workers.

    In her address, the Vice Governor expressed her appreciation to local governments, businesses, and villages for their contributions to worker protection. “The primary goal of this event is our shared commitment to focus on workers. Governments at all levels, from provinces to villages, along with business actors, have a responsibility to protect and support workers,” she stated.

    The Vice Governor also encouraged the NTB Department of Manpower and Transmigration to continuously update the social security participation data despite budgetary constraints. “As we know, the provincial and district/city governments were inaugurated just six months ago and are faced with numerous challenges, including accelerating development. Nonetheless, support for BPJS Ketenagakerjaan must be maintained and even enhanced,” she added.

    During the event, contributions for social security protection premiums from Bank NTB Syariah were provided for 8,000 vulnerable workers in NTB. Additionally, death and work accident insurance benefits were distributed to the beneficiaries.

  • Mataram Enhances Waste Management with New Incinerator Initiative

    Mataram Enhances Waste Management with New Incinerator Initiative

    In an effort to improve waste management and reduce reliance on the Kebon Kongok landfill, the Mayor of Mataram, H. Mohan Roliskana, accompanied by the Head of the Environment Agency, H. Nizar Deni Cahyadi, and the Head of Waste Management at Mataram’s Environment Agency, Vidi Partisan Yuris Gamanjaya, inspected the use of an incinerator at the Sandubaya Temporary Waste Disposal Site on Wednesday, September 3, 2025. This initiative underscores the Mataram City Government’s commitment to finding sustainable solutions for waste management.

    The incinerator, donated by the West Nusa Tenggara Provincial Government and originating from South Korea, has the capacity to burn 5 tons of waste every 8 hours, or one shift. Plans are underway to operate the machine in two shifts daily, allowing it to process up to 10 tons of waste per day.

    “This tool is very helpful and has been tested. It will continue to be trialed until it reaches its maximum capacity of 10 tons per day,” the mayor remarked during the trial process.

    The introduction of this incinerator is seen as a solution to decrease dependency on the limited Kebon Kongoq landfill and to cut operational costs of dump trucks by approximately 76 million rupiah annually. At the Sandubaya site, three incinerator units are expected to operate. These include one unit from the H Moh Ruslan Hospital, and Mataram plans to purchase an additional unit with the same capacity.

    “In total, there will be three machines at this site, managing 30 tons daily. Combined with the Sandubaya TPST, which processes 50 tons daily, we can handle 80 tons of the 200 tons generated daily by Mataram,” he explained.

    The use of these incinerators has been approved by the Indonesian Ministry of Environment, confirming they meet air quality standards. In the future, the Mataram City Government plans to purchase a larger incinerator with a 100-ton capacity and aims to involve citizens in waste management through the ‘Tempah Dedoro Organik’ program, encouraging them to participate in organic waste management from the source to the end.

  • Mataram Celebrates 32nd Anniversary with Notable Achievements and Future Aspirations

    Mataram Celebrates 32nd Anniversary with Notable Achievements and Future Aspirations

    As the city of Mataram marks its 32nd anniversary, it stands not only as the capital of the West Nusa Tenggara Province (NTB) but also as a representation of the province on both national and international stages. This sentiment was expressed by NTB Governor L. Muhammad Iqbal in a speech delivered by Mataram Mayor H. Mohan Roliskana during the city’s anniversary ceremony held on Sunday, August 31, 2025, at Sangkareang Field.

    Governor Iqbal highlighted that Mataram, established as an autonomous city 32 years ago, has transformed into a significant barometer for NTB. This anniversary serves as an opportunity to reflect on the city’s journey, appreciate its achievements, and solidify future directions. In the past year, Mataram has garnered remarkable accomplishments worth celebrating.

    Achievements and Recognition

    Among its accolades, Mataram was awarded the title of Most Innovative City at the 2024 Innovative Government Award. This recognition underscores the city’s ability to not only keep pace with modern developments but also to leap forward with innovative governance and public service initiatives tailored to community needs.

    The city also achieved an unbroken streak of 11 consecutive unqualified opinions (WTP) from the Audit Board of Indonesia, reflecting rigorous financial management marked by accountability, transparency, and consistency. Furthermore, Mataram was ranked as the second most advanced city outside Java in the 2025 report by the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), highlighting its role as a driver of progress in eastern Indonesia and opening doors for broader investment and development partnerships.

    Community and Cultural Milestones

    These achievements are attributed to visionary leadership, bureaucratic diligence, community creativity, business contributions, and the support of religious leaders. Governor Iqbal praised these efforts, emphasizing that unity between the government and citizens can achieve the seemingly impossible.

    Local achievements also include Karang Pule Village in the Sekarbela District winning a national competition for villages, demonstrating that the strength of Mataram lies not only in government offices but also at the grassroots level. Additionally, Mataram emerged as the overall champion in the 2024 NTB Regional Recreation Festival, securing 130 medals, which reinforces its status as a hub for recreational sports excellence in NTB.

    Looking to the Future

    During the ceremony, Mayor Roliskana stressed that accolades should be viewed as stepping stones towards improving the quality of life for residents. As the city faces challenges such as rapid urbanization, infrastructure demands, climate change, and complex public service needs, the mayor remains optimistic that these can be tackled through collective effort and unity.

    In line with the anniversary theme “Our City, Our Future,” the mayor called on all stakeholders to recognize that Mataram’s future is a shared responsibility. He urged the community to empower the youth, providing them with opportunities to innovate and contribute, as they are the future stewards of the city.

    The anniversary celebration also featured several significant events, including the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between internal government auditors and law enforcement, the handover of copyrights, launching of organic waste processing initiatives, and distribution of various aids and facilities to support the community.

    Concluding his remarks, the mayor encouraged residents to foster unity and community spirit, asserting that a truly great city is defined by its strong solidarity rather than towering buildings.