Coordinating Minister AHY: Global Cities Must Be Rooted in Local Character
Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) emphasised that city modernisation must be rooted in local identity and character. He stated this after hearing directly the aspirations of the younger generation, especially Generation Z, during a casual chat “Ngobrol Santai Bareng Mas AHY” held in the Cipayung area, East Jakarta, on Thursday, 5 March 2026.
In the warm, convivial event with youths from various Jakarta communities, AHY highlighted the importance of more inclusive development across sectors. “The city can be global, but it must still have strong roots in its local characteristics and the uniqueness of the local area. So global, but still strong in the Indonesian identity and our region’s identity,” AHY said in a statement on Friday, 6 March 2026.
The chairman of the Democratic Party added that inclusive development requires serious support from all levels of government, from the central to regional. He also noted that today’s youths have high criticality and courage to voice their aspirations, which he regards as important for policymakers.
“Going forward our youths will be a generation that is critical and brave enough to voice their aspirations. That is important for decision-makers, including us who are entrusted with safeguarding infrastructure development,” he said.
AHY stressed that future infrastructure development must not focus solely on physical projects like roads and bridges. He argued that development must touch on education, health, and even creative spaces for the younger generation.
“I was pleased that Generation Z youths voiced that infrastructure development must touch all sectors. In addition to basic infrastructure such as roads and bridges, we must also improve the education sector to be better, including health facilities that must be increasingly accessible to all people,” AHY said.
He judged that a modern city is not only marked by physical development but also by spaces for young people to grow and create.
According to AHY, the government must also provide more creative hubs that give wide spaces for youths, especially in Jakarta, to express their ideas and works.
“We hope in the future there will be creative hubs that provide broad spaces for Indonesian youth, especially in Jakarta, to continue creating and showcasing their works. This is a hallmark of a modern and advanced city,” he added.
AHY said youth aspirations must truly be part of the policy-making process so that development does not merely treat them as objects.
“Thus the policies produced truly represent and accommodate aspirations, including those of the younger generation. They should not merely be objects but subjects of development,” he said.
At the same location, the Chairman of the Democratic Party’s DPD Jakarta, Mujiyono, assessed that the idea of development involving youths aligns with Jakarta’s needs as a global city.
For Mujiyono, creative spaces and social infrastructure become important factors in building a city ecosystem friendly to young people.
“Jakarta needs more creative spaces and public facilities that support the activities of the younger generation. The aspirations of youths must become an important part of city development planning,” he said.
He added that collaboration between the central and regional governments is the key for development that is truly impactful for the community, particularly the youths who will be the driving force of development in the future.
The Casual Chat with Mr AHY was initiated by Andika Wisnuadji Putra Soebroto, a member of the Jakarta DKI Jakarta Regional House of Representatives from the Democratic Party faction. According to Andika, the Gen Z dialogue space became an open platform for leaders and the younger generation, so that youth aspirations could be conveyed directly.
“Young people today need an open dialogue space with leaders. Through this activity, we want to bring closer, relaxed but substantive communication,” Andika said.
He also emphasised that young people have a strategic role in national development, so they should be encouraged to actively express ideas, criticisms, and creative concepts for Indonesia’s progress.
The dialogue was interactive with questions from participants ranging from infrastructure development issues, opportunities for the youth in national development, to hopes for Indonesia’s future.
The event was also attended in person by the Democratic Party Secretary-General, Herman Khaeron, the Chair of the Democratic Party Faction in the Jakarta DPRD, Ali Muhammad Johan C, and the Chair of the Democratic Party Jakarta Barat DPC, Wita Susilowati.