Bung Hatta’s Ideas Serve as a Reference for Strengthening National Values
JAKARTA — The ideas of Mohammad Hatta, or Bung Hatta, on the ethics of statesmanship, democracy and social justice have been reintroduced through a political education programme. The founding father’s ideas are being used as learning material to broaden understanding of national values and civic life.
Hatta Foundation chair Halida Hatta said Bung Hatta’s thinking was important to building the nation’s character. It encompasses views on governance and society, as well as the importance of building a dignified nation.
Halida made the remarks at a special class of the Bung Hatta School of Thought at NasDem Tower in Central Jakarta on Wednesday (28 October 2026). The event was organised by the NasDem Party in collaboration with the Institute for Social and Economic Research, Education and Information (LP3ES) and the Hatta Foundation.
“[It is about] how a leader has a vision and mission for the state and society. This is important for building the nation’s spirit and character, as well as personal character, so that Indonesia can be dignified and enjoy a good quality of life,” Halida said.
Halida explained that the forum was not merely a place to study Bung Hatta’s ideas. It was also intended to foster national spirit and encourage participants to develop critical-thinking skills.
“And this is to develop critical thinking through the ideas of the nation’s founders,” said Hatta’s daughter.
The special class covered four main themes: the ethics of statesmanship; prosperity and social justice; education and culture; and politics and democracy. The discussions gave participants an opportunity to learn about different aspects of Bung Hatta’s thought in the context of national and civic life.
The event was part of a series marking the NasDem Party’s 15th anniversary and Youth Pledge Day. Fifty NasDem cadres holding leadership positions or serving as legislators from Banten, Jakarta and West Java took part.
NasDem Party Secretary-General Hermawi Taslim said the event was the first standalone class in the Bung Hatta School of Thought programme. He said discussions and literacy activities were continually being developed to broaden cadres’ insight and knowledge.
“We continue to pursue this at NasDem Tower, through book discussions, book reviews and film discussions, as part of our efforts to become a truly modern party,” Hermawi said.
LP3ES Executive Director Fahmi Wibawa welcomed the class as an effort to strengthen intellectual traditions within political organisations. He said a culture of research and literacy played an important role in developing political education.
“A modern political party is one with a technocratic culture, a research culture and a literacy culture,” Fahmi said.
Fahmi also considered character-based political education an important part of developing cadres’ capabilities. By studying the ideas of the nation’s founders, participants are expected to gain a broader understanding of national values.
The Bung Hatta School of Thought is one forum for introducing the founding father’s intellectual legacy to a new generation. Discussions of ethics, democracy, education and social justice are expected to enrich participants’ understanding of Indonesia’s history and national ideas.