LEADERSHIP IN RURAL AREAS: A CASE STUDY IN INDONESIA

This case study discusses some inspiring rural leaders consisting of the Regency of Purwakarta (West Java), Batang (Central Java), and Bantaeng (Southeast Sulawesi). Why rural leadership?

Rural leadership is interesting to discuss especially in transitional countries such as Indonesia, where the agricultural-based society is still very strong versus industrial-based societies. Nowadays the discussion about rural-based development depends very much on the leaders. It is said if the leader is bad then the region will not go anywhere and the leader ends up under government financial scrutiny or in jail.

In this case study three leaders change the mindset and mentality of their people, apply corporate governance especially in allocation and budget, and implement system-based government instead of preserving the cult of the individual. Each of the regents were owed credit due to their high achievements from very mediocre region that they ruled.