72nd Anniversary, GMNI Reinforces the Spirit of Mutual Cooperation and National Struggle
The Gerakan Mahasiswa Nasional Indonesia (GMNI) commemorated its 72nd anniversary, held at the H. Usmar Ismail Central Film Building in Jakarta on Saturday, 11 April 2026. This milestone served as a reflection on the organisation’s long journey while strengthening its ideological commitment to addressing future national challenges.
The 72nd anniversary commemoration was attended by the leadership of the Central Executive Board (DPP) of GMNI, cadres from various regions, and several national figures. The event also provided a space for national consolidation to bolster the organisation’s direction amid evolving social, political, and economic dynamics.
GMNI DPP General Chairman M. Risyad Fahlefi, in his address, emphasised that GMNI’s 72 years is not merely a passage of time, but a journey of ideology and service that must be continually upheld.
“Seventy-two years is not just a journey of time, but a journey of ideology, a journey of service, and a journey to keep the flame of struggle burning amid the upheavals of the era,” he explained.
He also called on all cadres to remain optimistic and avoid falling into pessimism amid the various challenges facing the nation.
“It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness. This message is not merely a moral invitation, but an ideological call for all of us as GMNI cadres,” he stated.
Furthermore, Risyad stressed the importance of returning to the teachings of Bung Karno, particularly the concepts of self-reliance and the spirit of mutual cooperation as the main foundation for building national independence.
“Bung Karno has reminded us that political independence without economic self-reliance is merely an illusion. Thus, Article 33 of the 1945 Constitution is not just a constitutional norm, but a manifestation of the spirit of mutual cooperation,” he continued.
In the current context, he assessed that the currents of globalisation and capitalist dominance demand the courage of the nation to determine its development direction independently.
“The state must be present. That economic self-reliance does not arise from boundless liberalisation, but from the courage to manage our own resources,” he said.
He also affirmed that GMNI has a historical responsibility to remain a pioneer in fighting for the people’s social and economic justice.
“As an ideological cadre organisation, GMNI has a historical responsibility. We must be pioneers, movers, and guardians of the nation’s ideology,” stated Risyad.
Concluding his address, Risyad called on all cadres to make the anniversary a starting point for concrete actions in realising the nation’s ideals.
“This 72nd GMNI anniversary is both a reflection and consolidation. We must ask: have we been faithful enough to Bung Karno’s ideals?” he exclaimed.
The 72nd GMNI anniversary commemoration is expected to strengthen organisational consolidation while underscoring GMNI’s role as a moral and intellectual force in guiding equitable national development.