Bamsoet Urges Brotherhood Spirit as Social Capital to Safeguard National Unity
A member of the Indonesian House of Representatives and Chairman of the Indonesian Firearms Licensing Owners Association for Self-Defence (PERIKSHA), Bambang Soesatyo (Bamsoet), has stated that the tradition of breaking fast together with shooting sports and automotive communities during Ramadan has developed into a mechanism for strengthening solidarity, safeguarding national unity and integrity, promoting social responsibility, and fostering national character development.
He noted that amid growing numbers of self-defence firearms ownership, shooting sports participation, and motorcycle and motor vehicle communities in Indonesia, the Ramadan period can serve as an important opportunity for reflection on the ethics of firearms ownership and driving whilst simultaneously strengthening brotherhood across brands, clubs, and generations.
“The spirit of brotherhood within the shooting sports and automotive communities that comprise PERIKSHA RIDERS (large motorcycles), PERIKSHA 4x4 (off-road vehicles), and lovers of Indonesian cigars—PERIKSHA CIGAR—represents powerful social capital in safeguarding national unity and integrity. Ramadan serves as an opportunity to nurture values of togetherness, strengthen empathy, and reaffirm the commitment that our communities contribute benefits to society,” Bamsoet stated in a release on Sunday (1 March 2026).
These remarks were made during a joint breaking of fast with members and officials of the Indonesian Firearms Licensing Owners Association for Self-Defence (PERIKSHA) at Parle Resto in Jakarta on Saturday (28 February 2026). Attending the iftar gathering were PERIKSHA RIDERS President Aldwin Rahadian, PERIKSHA CIGAR President Charles Wicaksana, PERIKSHA 4x4 President Malik Bawazier, and PERIKSHA 4x4 Vice-President Sunan Kalijaga.
Bamsoet assessed that the growth of Indonesian firearms licensing, shooting sports, and automotive communities in recent years has been highly significant. Data from PERBAKIN (the national shooting federation) and IMI (the motorcycling federation) demonstrate that the number of registered clubs and communities continues to increase, with thousands of shooting championships and automotive events held annually across various regions.
The national automotive industry itself recorded stable motor vehicle sales in 2025 exceeding one million units annually for four-wheelers and more than five million units for two-wheelers, indicating an exceptionally large base of vehicle enthusiasts and users.
“The shooting sports and automotive communities possess substantial social capital. Their members are dispersed from cities to regional areas, cohesive, well-organised, and possess extensive networks. If this energy is directed towards positive activities, the impact on society would be remarkable,” Bamsoet said.
Bamsoet added that shooting sports and automotive communities should continue strengthening their social orientation going forward so their presence increasingly benefits wider society. The tradition of breaking fast together should be understood as a mechanism for reflection, internal consolidation, and a space for expanding collaboration across communities and sectors.
“Brotherhood within firearms licensing ownership, automotive, and Indonesian cigar enthusiast communities is an expression of national energy. If consistently nurtured, it becomes a social force that helps strengthen national unity and reinforce the nation’s spirit of collective endeavour,” Bamsoet concluded.