Editor’s Note
- President Prabowo’s Order: Regional administrators asked to improve urban planning
- Relocation of networks underground without using regional budget
President Prabowo’s Order: Regional administrators asked to improve urban planning
North Sumatra Governor Bobby Nasution has asked all regional administrators in North Sumatra to improve urban planning in accordance with President Prabowo Subianto’s orders and instructions during a recent national coordination meeting (Rakornas).
“The chaotic cable installation and the presence of billboards are major problems in North Sumatra,” said Governor Bobby Nasution during the launch of the Smart Internet Fast Best Results (PHTC) program in the courtyard of the Al Abror Mosque in Padangsidimpuan, Sunday, March 1, 2026.
“Following the President’s instructions during the Rakornas, we have discussed this with the city council and can pass this on to our network providers. If possible, we can start removing existing cables,” Bobby added.
Moving the network underground without using the regional budget
According to him, cable repairs can be carried out gradually, region by region. Moving the network underground is also possible through collaboration with third parties, without using the regional budget.
Besides the cables, Bobby Nasution also emphasized the presence of billboards, which he said lack aesthetic value. He proposed replacing the old billboards with videotrons, which have a more futuristic look and improve the cityscape.
“Please, those billboards, stop using metal hill signs and use videotrons. They should at least be beautiful, well-made, and futuristic, enhancing the city’s beauty instead of just adding to the chaos,” Bobby said.
Also present at the event were Padangsidimpuan Lieutenant Mayor Dalimunthe; Assistant for Government Affairs and Public Welfare Basarin Yunus Tanjung; Head of the North Sumatra Communications and Information Agency Erwin Hotmansah Harahap; and Head of the North Sumatra Education Agency Alexander Sinulingga. ***obs
