Bima Arya Emphasises Character Building to Participants at Kemendagri Internship Closing

The message was delivered during the closing of the Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri) Internship Programme at the Auditorium of the Bogor City Library and Gallery in West Java. Bima explained that success is more determined by character than by competence. While competence encompasses skills and knowledge, character relates to the values that are believed in and practised, such as honesty, discipline, hard work, and resilience. “Character is the values that you believe in. You are honest, you are disciplined, you become fighters, you become warriors, that is character,” said Bima in a written statement on Wednesday (6/5/2026). Bima believes that character determines 80 per cent of success, while competence only accounts for 20 per cent. He described how someone with average abilities can surpass those who are more intelligent if they possess discipline and a strong mentality. “You will be able to overtake your genius friends when you are more disciplined. That’s just one aspect of discipline, not to mention the others—that’s just discipline alone. The second is your habit of daring to face differences, tests, trials, and so on,” said Bima. Bima added that character is formed through consistent processes and practice, including the courage to step out of the comfort zone and readiness to face risks. According to him, great people are those who dare to take risky choices in life. “We have many choices, and great people dare to take risks for those choices. Risky choices. Your friends who didn’t come might have very important reasons, or perhaps not. They might also choose to stay in their comfort zone,” stated Bima. Furthermore, Bima emphasised the importance of momentum in life. The ability to read and utilise momentum is greatly determined by strong character in making decisions. “You are still in the phase of building character. So, hopefully, this internship at Kemendagri contributes to shaping your character and your presence becomes that of leaders and great people,” Bima concluded.