Senator from West Sumatra, Irman Gusman, regards Ginandjar\nKartasasmita as one of the nation\u2019s figures with a long track record and\nexemplary leadership in various important phases of Indonesia\u2019s\ndevelopment, from institutional reforms to strengthening regional roles\nthrough the Regional Representative Council (DPD RI).<\/p>\n
Irman Gusman expressed this during a testimony at the launch of the\nbiography book Ginandjar Kartasasmita: Pengabdian dari Masa ke Masa,\nPerjalanan, Pergulatan Hidup, dan Pemikiran (Service from Era to Era,\nLife\u2019s Journey, Struggles, and Thoughts), in Jakarta on Thursday\n(9\/4\/2026), which also coincided with the 85th birthday commemoration of\nthe first DPD RI Chairman.<\/p>\n
This occasion also serves as a moment for reflection on the long\njourney of Ginandjar Kartasasmita\u2019s service, known as a national figure\nin government, economic development, and strengthening state\ninstitutions.<\/p>\n
At the event, this two-term DPD RI Chairman was honoured to receive\nthe first copy of the launched book. The handover was followed by\npresentations to several figures, including former Coordinating Minister\nfor Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Djoko Suyanto, Minister of\nNational Development Planning\/Head of Bappenas Rachmat Pambudy, former\nMinister of National Development Planning\/Head of Bappenas Sofyan A.\nDjalil, and former Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Fadel\nMuhammad.<\/p>\n
The Senator from West Sumatra also expressed appreciation for the\nbook\u2019s launch and viewed the biography as an important documentation of\na national figure\u2019s service journey and a positive legacy for\nIndonesia\u2019s younger generation.<\/p>\n
\u201cMr Ginandjar is one of the nation\u2019s figures with extensive\nexperience in government, development, and strengthening state\ninstitutions. He not only leaves a historical footprint but also a\nlegacy of thoughts that remain relevant for today\u2019s generation,\u201d said\nIrman, in a press release.<\/p>\n
Relationship Since Pre-Reformasi<\/p>\n
The closeness between Irman and Ginandjar has been established for\nmore than three decades, when Irman was still active as a young\nentrepreneur before entering the national political stage. Their\nrelationship intensified in 1996 when they were on the same discussion\npanel with several national figures, including Jusuf Kalla and Hamzah\nHaz.<\/p>\n
The relationship continued post-reformasi. In 1999, they met again in\nthe process of forming regional representation in the People\u2019s\nConsultative Assembly (MPR). At that time, Ginandjar was an MPR member\nfrom the regional delegation representing West Java, while Irman\nrepresented West Sumatra.<\/p>\n
In subsequent developments, Ginandjar was entrusted as one of the MPR\nleaders from the Golkar Faction, while Irman served as Deputy Chairman\nof the Regional Delegation Faction. This phase coincided with the\namendment process of the 1945 Constitution, which changed the state\nstructure, including the birth of the Regional Representative\nCouncil.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis was an important phase in our constitutional transformation. Mr\nGinandjar was one of the key figures who guided the direction of\ninstitutional changes, especially in strengthening regional\nrepresentation in the national political system,\u201d said Irman.<\/p>\n
Laying the Foundation for DPD RI<\/p>\n
Their collaboration continued in 2004 when the Regional\nRepresentative Council (DPD) was formed through direct elections.\nGinandjar was elected as the first DPD RI Chairman, while Irman became\nthe Deputy Chairman.<\/p>\n
That leadership, according to Irman, became a significant milestone\nin the early phase of forming the DPD as a new state institution, which\nnot only built the organisational structure but also formulated the\ninstitutional direction, working procedures, and its position in\nIndonesia\u2019s post-reformasi constitutional system.<\/p>\n
During this period, the foundation of the DPD\u2019s role as a channel for\nregional aspirations began to be consolidated institutionally. \u201cUnder Mr\nGinandjar\u2019s leadership, the DPD RI began building institutional\nfoundations, working procedures, and strengthening the regional role in\nadvocating for regional interests at the central level. We together\npioneered the DPD to become a grand house for regional aspirations,\u201d\nexplained Irman.<\/p>\n
That foundation continued in 2009 when Irman was entrusted to become\nthe DPD RI Chairman, replacing Ginandjar. The continuity of their\nleadership became an important phase in strengthening the DPD\u2019s role,\nmaking it more advanced, so that its role became more recognised by the\npublic, while also becoming stronger and more consistent in advocating\nfor regional interests.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/irman-gusman-reveals-ginandjar-kartasasmitas-contributions-1775836247", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }