71st Anniversary of the KAA: Megawati Champions "To Build the World A New"

PDIP Chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri spoke on issues ranging from the situation in Venezuela to the US-Israel attacks on Iran. Megawati stated that the world requires alternative perspectives on how to achieve global peace.

“When the world today faces the issue in Venezuela through the kidnapping of President Maduro, and the United States-Israel attacks on Iran, the international system is shaken. It is here that the Dasa Sila Bandung once again becomes a relevant discourse for protecting the sovereignty of independent nations from foreign intervention. The world now needs alternative thinking on how world peace can be realised,” said Megawati at the national seminar commemorating the 71st anniversary of the Asia-Africa Conference (KAA) at the PDIP Party School in Lenteng Agung, South Jakarta, on Saturday (18/4/2026).

Megawati championed “to build the world a new”. On various occasions, Megawati claimed she always emphasises the relevance of the first President of Indonesia Sukarno’s geopolitical thinking in addressing the current hegemonic struggles.

“In this perspective, the spirit of the KAA, GNB, and the”To Build the World A New” speech becomes the answer to the importance of equality among nations, and how to build unity among nations to eradicate the influence of neo-colonialism and imperialism,” said Megawati.

“On various occasions as a keynote speaker in Slovenia, China, South Korea, Russia, and when receiving courtesy visits from ambassadors of friendly countries, I always emphasise the relevance of Bung Karno’s geopolitical thinking in addressing the current hegemonic struggles,” she added.

Megawati stated that the spirit of “to build the world a new” is also a genuine answer from Bung Karno. She alluded to Bung Karno’s thesis that the world should not be divided by ideology, system of government, or adopted democratic system.

“Even the pearls of thought in the KAA, GNB, and the”To Build the World A New” speech are genuine answers from Bung Karno who always affirmed his main thesis: that the world will be peaceful if it is free from imperialism and colonialism,” said Megawati.

“Bung Karno’s view was proven with his new thesis in the 1960s when he created a new category, that the world should not be differentiated by ideology, system of government, or adopted democratic system. According to Bung Karno, every country has its own political system,” she added.

Megawati also spoke about the strength of national defence. She said that the strategy for national defence strength is built with a geopolitical perspective.

“That Indonesia’s national defence strength is built with the mission of world peace. The doctrine, posture, and strategy of national defence strength are built with a geopolitical perspective,” she said.

Megawati also urged that Lemhannas should not be narrowed in meaning to an institution that issues leadership certificates. She said Lemhannas is a forum for forging national leaders.

“To build the importance of geopolitical thinking, Bung Karno established Lemhannas. Lemhannas should not be narrowed in meaning to merely an institution that issues leadership certificates. Lemhannas is a forum for forging national leaders as a blend between prospective national and regional leaders, civilians and military, as well as professionals, experts from various disciplines, cultural figures, and various representations of customary leadership,” she stated.

Megawati said all must be bonded into one progressive force for the advancement of the nation. She highlighted the geopolitical view reflected in the third stanza of Indonesia Raya.

“All must unite in thought and aspirations for Indonesia Raya. All must be bonded into one progressive force for the advancement of national civilisation. In the Lemhannas process, the sense of shared fate as one nation that forms the aspiration of a just and prosperous society, united with its homeland: namely earth, air, land, and water as living spaces for Indonesian citizens. This geopolitical view is reflected in the third stanza of Indonesia Raya,” she concluded.

Furthermore, Megawati said the implementation of KAA Volume II is highly relevant. She again alluded to Bung Karno’s geopolitical thinking as a compass for the nation’s future.

“The current world order is still coloured by the workings of Nekolim forces, only different in nature and form. In such a situation, the implementation of the Asia-Africa Conference Volume II is very relevant. Here, Bung Karno’s geopolitical thinking becomes a compass for the future of the nation and the world,” she said.