Siak – The Siak Regency Government held a mass community service program (gotong royong) simultaneously in offices, schools, and public facilities throughout the Regency. This activity demonstrated that maintaining cleanliness is everyone's responsibility, not just the responsibility of cleaning staff.

This community service program also involved elements of the Regional Leadership Communication Forum (Forkopimda), the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the Indonesian National Police (Polri), students, civil servants (ASN), private sector staff, and the community. Similar activities were also held in 14 sub-districts throughout Siak Regency.

The Regent of Siak, Dr. Afni Zulkifli, emphasized that this mass community service program was a follow-up to the instructions of President Prabowo Subianto, delivered at the 2026 National Coordination Meeting of the Central and Regional Governments.

The President expressed concern about the emergency situation of waste in the country. The President requested that all regions regularly hold mass community service programs to ensure a clean and comfortable environment, enabling Siak to become part of the Indonesia Asri (Safe, Healthy, Clean, and Beautiful) movement.

The Regent of Siak emphasized the importance of community involvement in maintaining cleanliness. He urged that maintaining cleanliness is everyone's responsibility, not just the sanitation workers.

"I urge those of us here who are pioneers to convey to the public that cleaning is not solely the responsibility of sanitation workers. Sanitation workers alone are not enough for an area spanning thousands of square kilometers in Siak Regency. We only have around 800 sanitation workers," said Regent Afni at Tugu Siak Field, in front of the Siak Palace, Friday (February 6, 2026).

Afni expressed her appreciation for the sanitation workers who continue to work even though they are 50-60 years old. They not only clean the environment but also maintain their health and remain active.

"Therefore, we are working hard to ensure that no sanitation workers are laid off, even in the midst of difficult circumstances. We will retain our sanitation workers," Afni emphasized.

Long before the Presidential Instruction on waste, Regent Afni had been working to have the Waste Bylaw revised and include sanctions for people who litter.

This step was taken to protect sanitation workers and raise public awareness that cleanliness is a shared responsibility.

In line with the President of the Republic of Indonesia's instructions, Afni wants to revive the culture of mutual cooperation (gotong royong) in the community, encouraging the involvement of all parties, from government offices and schools to neighborhood units (RT/RW) in their respective neighborhoods.

This mutual cooperation activity involves officials, government employees, students, and the community, who enthusiastically clean up trash in schools, offices, and public facilities. This activity not only makes the environment cleaner but also creates a safe, comfortable, and healthy atmosphere for the community.

The Deputy Regent of Siak, Syamsurizal, added that the mass mutual cooperation activities will be reinforced through a Regent's circular every Friday, encouraging all offices, schools, RTs, RWs, and public facilities to routinely clean their respective environments.

"Thank God, this Friday we started mutual cooperation. God willing, in the future, the Regent's circular will be strengthened in the Friday mutual cooperation every Friday, to restore the culture of mutual cooperation in Indonesia. This is not just about trash, but about togetherness, caring, and maintaining a clean and beautiful environment," he concluded.

(Rahma/MC Siak Regency)