Bima Arya: Those Who Can Lead Change Will Be the Winners
Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Bima Arya Sugiarto has emphasised that the ability to read change and lead transformation is key to producing leaders capable of answering the challenges of the times. Rapid global changes demand that every leader not only adapts but also anticipates and directs change.
“Many leaders reach the peak of their careers not merely by following change, but by being able to lead change. The key is being able to read the signs of the times and see the direction of the future. Those who can lead change will be the winners,” he said while speaking at the Advanced Leadership Programme (ALDP) 2026, themed ‘Strategic Leadership for Innovative Growth’, in Bandung, West Java, on Tuesday (21/7/2026).
Bima explained that accelerating global change is marked by shifting geopolitical constellations, the emergence of new powers, and rapid technological development, particularly artificial intelligence. These conditions, he noted, require the birth of adaptive leaders with a far-sighted vision who can act precisely amid ever-changing dynamics.
He added that Indonesia also faces these challenges, especially in capitalising on its demographic bonus, which is expected to end around 2040. Consequently, central and regional governments are maximising this momentum by improving the quality of education, health, and human resources so that Indonesia can escape the middle-income trap and realise its vision of becoming a developed nation.
Bima conveyed that rapid changes are continuously being addressed through a culture of innovation within the bureaucracy. He stressed that innovation should not merely be an administrative routine or a pursuit of awards, but must answer the needs of the people.
“Innovation should be based on the needs of the people. Innovation must not be born solely from the government’s ideas, but must stem from the needs of the community. Therefore, leaders must frequently go into the field and listen to citizens’ aspirations, so that the resulting solutions genuinely address public issues,” he asserted.
He explained that innovation driven by the needs of the people will improve the quality of public services while strengthening public trust in the government. For this reason, the State Civil Apparatus (ASN) is required to build a culture of learning, enhance collaborative skills, and be able to translate ideas into policies and programmes whose benefits can be directly felt by the community.
Furthermore, Bima stressed the importance of maintaining policy sustainability and preparing for leadership regeneration. He asserted that a good leader not only produces change but also ensures that programmes proven to be beneficial are continued and refined by their successors.