Yogyakarta (9/10) – The Research and Innovation Institute of Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta held a seminar entitled, ‘Leadership in Times of Crisis in the Government of the Special Region of Yogyakarta’ on Wednesday, 9 October 2024, which took place on the 7th Floor AKP Occupational Competency Test Room, Research and Innovation Institute, Dasron Hamid Research and Innovation Center (RIC) Building, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY). The seminar was held from 10.00 am and ended at 12.00 pm.

The seminar was attended by various stakeholders including Mr Drs. Tri Saktiyana, M.Si as the Assistant for Economic and Development Affairs of the Yogyakarta Regional Secretariat, Prof. Dr. Dyah Mutiarin, M.Si. as the Head of the UMY Research and Innovation Institute, Mrs. Erni Zuhriyati, S.S., S.IP., M.A. as the presenter of the material. The event opened with discussion material on crisis leadership strategies and challenges in the Yogyakarta Special Region Government. The seminar was also attended by Heads of Departments or representatives of related agencies involved in interactive discussions.

Through the crisis leadership seminar, stakeholders provided insights that could broaden their views on crisis management governance due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The stakeholders discussed the best practices and leadership experiences amid the community’s crisis challenges.

In addition, in handling the crisis, the Special Region of Yogyakarta is one of the regions that has an oxygen house. The seminar was conveyed directly by Drs. Tri Saktiyana, M.Si, as Assistant for Economic and Development Affairs of the Yogyakarta Regional Secretariat, “We place this oxygen house at BPPTG, size is between 100 and 120 tubes for 24 hours, but the machine certainly cannot be operated for 24 hours, so there must be a break, so the capacity is below 100 tubes”.

The DIY government adopts a collaborative and proactive approach to providing information related to the development of COVID-19, starting from the official government website and utilizing social media to coordinate group channels created through the WhatsApp platform. An interesting thing in public communication in the Special Region of Yogyakarta is how Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X communicates as the Governor of DIY. The Governor’s leadership, especially in communicating with the public, can be seen in the ‘Sapa Aruh’ recited in the Kepatihan complex.

With the various policy measures implemented, the Yogyakarta Special Region Government has shown that crisis communication is crucial in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the challenges faced, collaboration between stakeholders in handling the covid-19 pandemic can accelerate recovery and reduce the negative impact felt by the community.