The Ministry of Health carries primary responsibility for Dementia. The recognition of dementia as part of the ministry’s portfolio was shown through the launch of the National Dementia Strategy. In addition, the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Cultural Affairs, the Ministry of Social Affairs, and the Ministry of Home Affairs (which coordinates plans in advocating local and regional policies) collaborate with the Ministry of Health in the development and implementation of the dementia action plan.

Furthermore, there are two independent commissions reporting to official bodies that are involved in shaping the dementia policy landscape:

• the National Commission of Older People (Komisi Nasional Lanjut Usia), which was established in 2004 as an independent, non-structural coordinating body between the government and the people, focusing on giving advice and consideration to the President in policy-making regarding older people’s social welfare improvement and assisting the President in coordinating the implementation. Despite being stated as independent, the presidential decree establishing it described that the head of the commission is a Minister who is responsible to government affairs in the social field (Presidential Decree No.52/2004 on National Commitee on Elderly (Keppres No. 52/2004 Tentang Komisi Nasional Lanjut Usia), 2004). The Komisi Nasional Lanjut Usia is no longer active since 2018. It was disbanded by the Ministry of Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform of the Republic of Indonesia due to “bureaucracy simplification and lack of performance” (Sitohang, 2019);
• the Regional Commissions of Older People (Komisi Daerah Lanjut Usia) whose responsibility includes monitoring and evaluation of regional programmes on older people’s welfare and report to their local governors (Permendagri No. 60/2018 Tentang Pedoman Pembentukan Komisi Daerah Lanjut Usia Dan Pemberdayaan Masyarakat Dalam Penangangan Lanjut Usia Di Daerah, 2008).

References:

Permendagri No. 60/2018 tentang Pedoman Pembentukan Komisi Daerah Lanjut Usia dan Pemberdayaan Masyarakat dalam Penangangan Lanjut Usia di Daerah (Ministry of Home Affairs Regulation No. 60/2008 on Guideline on the formation of regional commission on elde). (2008). (Testimony of Ministry of Home Affairs Republic of Indonesia).

Presidential Decree No.52/2004 on National Commitee on Elderly (Keppres No. 52/2004 tentang Komisi Nasional Lanjut Usia). (2004). (Testimony of President of Republic of Indonesia).

Sitohang, M. Y. (2019). Matinya Komnas Lansia dan Jalan Lain Meningkatkan Kesejahteraan Lansia Indonesia. Pusat Penelitian Kependudukan LIPI.