Emotional Moment for ASN and Bangkalan Residents as Acting Regent Bids Farewell
An emotional atmosphere filled the Pendapa Agung Bangkalan as Prof. Dr. Drs. Arief M. Edie, M.Si., officially concluded his tenure as Acting Regent of Bangkalan on Thursday (20/2). Hundreds of civil servants (ASN) and residents gathered for the heartfelt and emotional farewell ceremony.
In his farewell speech, Prof. Arief expressed his gratitude and apologies to all ASN and the people of Bangkalan. Using a signature Madurese phrase, “Seporanah, seporanah” (I sincerely apologize), he bid farewell and conveyed his hopes for Bangkalan to continue progressing under the new leadership.
“I sincerely apologize to the ASN and the people of Bangkalan if there were any mistakes during my leadership. I hope Bangkalan continues to advance and prosper under its new leadership,” said Prof. Arief.
Several prominent figures attended the farewell event, including Deputy Chairman of Bangkalan DPRD Effendi, former Commander of Batuporon Naval Base Lt. Col. (P) Imam Ibnu Hajar, Bangkalan Police Chief AKBP Hendro Sukmono, Commander of Kodim 0829 Lt. Col. Inf. Nanang Fahrur Rozi, and Deputy Police Chief of Bangkalan Kompol Andi Febrianto.
Farewell Message: Maintain Cleanliness and Keep Improving
In his speech, Prof. Arief emphasized the importance of maintaining a clean environment, particularly the “Clean Friday” initiative he had introduced. He urged residents to refrain from littering, especially disposing of used baby diapers irresponsibly, which often pollutes roads and waterways.
“Bangkalan is our shared home, and our rivers are a source of life. Do not dispose of waste in the river, especially baby diapers. The myth that throwing baby diapers into the river is beneficial is completely false. We use river water for drinking, so baby diapers should be stored, folded, burned, and properly disposed of,” he stressed.
Additionally, he encouraged both ASN and the community to continue working hard and contributing to regional development. “Bangkalan can work, Bangkalan continues to improve,” he added.
Support and Appreciation from Forkopimda
Prof. Arief’s farewell was marked by an outpouring of appreciation, as numerous flower arrangements adorned the Pendapa Agung area as a tribute to his 17 months of dedicated service. Meanwhile, congratulatory floral arrangements for the newly elected Regent and Deputy Regent of Bangkalan, Lukman Hakim and Moch Fauzan Ja’far, were also neatly lined up.
At present, Lukman Hakim and Moch Fauzan Ja’far are undergoing their inauguration at Grahadi State Building, officiated by Acting Governor of East Java, Adhy Karyono. Prof. Arief also extended his hopes that the new leadership would steer Bangkalan toward a brighter future.
A Tearful Goodbye
After delivering his farewell speech, Prof. Arief graciously posed for selfies with ASN members eager to capture their final moments with him. Some female civil servants also presented him with roses as a token of appreciation for his leadership, which was widely regarded as caring and attentive to both employees and the public.
Prof. Arief then departed Pendapa Agung Bangkalan, driving himself in a white Toyota Fortuner.
Two police escort vehicles from the Bangkalan Police Department accompanied him to the entrance of the Suramadu Bridge, marking the end of his service in Bangkalan before resuming his duties as Head of the Bureau of Legal Administration, Personnel, and Public Relations at the Institute of Public Administration (IPDN).
