Gerakan Nurani Bangsa holds dialogue with Sri Sultan on national issues

A group of interfaith figures, cultural observers, academics, and national elders from the Gerakan Nurani Bangsa (GNB) held a dialogue with the Governor of the Special Region of Yogyakarta, Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X, regarding the current state of the nation in Indonesia. GNB figure Alissa Wahid stated after the national gathering in Yogyakarta on Thursday that the meeting was part of the movement’s journey, noting that the Yogyakarta Palace has played a significant role in the nation’s history, including when the city served as the temporary capital and during the 1998 Ciganjur Declaration.

During the dialogue, GNB figure Amin highlighted the Sultan’s view that the completion of the asset forfeiture bill is crucial, describing it as the root of many problems. He expressed hope that once the bill is passed, other issues will follow suit. Amin also assessed that the government needs to strengthen public accountability, ensuring that state officials are answerable not only to the House of Representatives but also to the wider community.

Fellow GNB figure Lukman Hakim Saifuddin noted that various public anxieties stem from declining trust in institutions. He emphasised that the accountability of state administrators should not be merely administrative; rather, to maintain and nurture public trust, accountability to the community must be communicated as clearly as possible. Lukman added that Sri Sultan also stressed the importance of strengthening law enforcement and public accountability to restore public confidence in state institutions.