AHY at Ikastara's National Congress: If You Want Change, You Must Take the Political Route

AHY’s remarks were made during the National Conference (Munas) XI of Ikastara at Wisma Senayan, Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) in Central Jakarta on Saturday, 23 May 2026. AHY noted that for a long time many Taruna Nusantara alumni have been active in the military, bureaucracy, and even business. ‘I hope in the future more Ikastara take on roles in government. Before reaching the highest levels of government, at the central or national level, there are of course governments at the district/city and provincial levels,’ AHY said. The eldest son of the sixth President of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), argued that there is nothing wrong if some alumni choose the political path as a form of service to the people. He stated that public policy is born through political processes. ‘So there is nothing wrong if some opt for the political route, the path of politicians, and become representatives of the people. Some may dislike Parliament (DPR) or representatives of the people, but the reality is that every political policy begins and ends with political processes,’ he said. AHY emphasised that change and transformation in a country cannot be separated from the roles of politics, government, and bureaucracy. ‘Because the worlds of politics, government, and bureaucracy, ultimately if you want to effect change and transformation, whether you like it or not, you have to go through such channels,’ he added. In the same event, AHY also stressed the importance of Ikastara taking a strategic role amid increasingly complex global challenges. He hoped Taruna Nusantara alumni could become collaborators and drivers of change across various sectors. ‘Let us open up wider opportunities. All noble professions and Ikastara are everywhere,’ he said. (bel/amw)