Ahead of Inauguration as Governor, Bobby Brings Medan City Government Carriage to North Sumatra Provincial Government

MEDAN, KOMPAS – A few days before being inaugurated as the Governor of North Sumatra, Bobby Nasution plans to bring along several top officials from the Medan City Government. Bobby's close circle will be inaugurated in the North Sumatra Provincial Government to occupy strategic positions. Bobby stated that this is to smooth the transition of the government.

"Yes, if it's good, why not. Our leaders at the central level have taught us that the transition in government must go well," said Bobby after attending the Plenary Meeting of the Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) of Medan City, Tuesday (18/2/2025).

One of the individuals who will be brought by Bobby to the North Sumatra Provincial Government is the Acting Regional Secretary of Medan City, Topan Obaja Putra Ginting. He accompanied Bobby during the Medan City Council Plenary Meeting.

Bobby stated that the placement of several officials from the Medan City Government to the North Sumatra Provincial Government is part of the government transition. He mentioned that there are directives from the Ministry of Home Affairs for the transfer of regional officials to be carried out by the outgoing regional head in coordination with the elected regional head.

As part of the transition, Bobby has already coordinated with the Acting Governor of North Sumatra, Agus Fatoni. Therefore, the replacement of officials within the North Sumatra Provincial Government has also been coordinated with him. "As far as I know, the Acting Governor is already aware that there is an elected governor in North Sumatra. If he wants to rotate or replace the structure, he must have the permission of the elected regional head," said Bobby.

Bobby mentioned that he already has the names of officials he will bring to the North Sumatra Provincial Government. However, he was reluctant to disclose who the officials are and how many people he will bring. "The names are already there. Don't be nosy," said Bobby when asked who would join his team to the North Sumatra Provincial Government.

Several names rumored to be brought to the North Sumatra Provincial Government include Acting Secretary of Medan City Topan, Head of the Housing, Settlement Area, Public Works and Spatial Planning Department Alexander Sinulingga, Head of the Regional Revenue Agency of Medan City Sutan Tolang Lubis, and Head of the General Affairs Section of the Medan City Secretary Chusnul Fanany Sitorus.

If you want to rotate or change the structure, you must have permission from the elected regional head.

In addition to the placement of officials, Bobby said that he had also coordinated with the Acting Governor of North Sumatra regarding the work programs that have been running in the North Sumatra Provincial Government and the plans that Bobby will implement in the future.

In the Medan DPRD Plenary Meeting, Bobby also said goodbye to the Medan DPRD members because it was the last plenary meeting he attended as Mayor of Medan.

Bobby is planned to be inaugurated as Governor of North Sumatra on Thursday (20/2/2025) in Jakarta along with other regional heads from the simultaneous regional head elections. Before being inaugurated, Bobby is planned to inaugurate Medan's Merdeka Square on Wednesday (19/2/2025).

Regarding the plan to move to the North Sumatra Provincial Government, Topan said he was willing to help Bobby. The inauguration of officials in the North Sumatra Provincial Government is reported to be carried out before the elected governor is inaugurated. This is because the newly inaugurated Governor still has to wait six months to replace officials.

"Yes, of course, as stated by Mayor Bobby, if he is willing to ask us to help with the duties of the North Sumatra Provincial Government, we are certainly very happy to be able to help there," said Topan.

Regarding other names that will be moving to the North Sumatra Provincial Government, Topan asked journalists to confirm directly with the relevant officials.

Topan said that he and other city government officials are still focusing on programs in Medan in the next few days. He is preparing the inauguration of Medan's Merdeka Square. After the inauguration on Wednesday, Topan said that the public can already use the upper part of the field. However, the two basement floors are still under construction and cannot be used yet.