Harkitnas 2026: A Reminder to Safeguard the Nation's Youth in the Digital Era

That message was conveyed through a speech by Meutya Viada Hafid, Indonesia’s Minister of Communications and Digital Affairs (Menkomdigi), which was read aloud by Anwar Harun Damanik, Senior Expert for Apparatus and Public Service at the Ministry of Home Affairs, who served as the ceremony inspector. The ceremony, held at the Ministry of Home Affairs’ Central Office, was attended by Kemendagri staff in a solemn atmosphere. In his remarks, the staff were reminded that Harkitnas is an important moment to recall the birth of national unity, marked by the founding of the Budi Utomo organisation in 1908. ‘Physical resistance began to transform into intellectual and diplomatic struggle for a sovereign nation with dignity,’ Anwar Harun said in a written statement on Wednesday, 20 May 2026. He continued that the nation’s challenges today are no longer limited to issues of territorial sovereignty, but also concern information sovereignty and digital transformation. Under the theme ‘Safeguarding the Nation’s Youth for National Sovereignty’, Harkitnas 2026 serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting the younger generation amid the rapid development of digital technology. In his address, it was also stated that the government continues to implement various national strategic programmes to strengthen the quality of human resources. The programmes include Free Nutritious Meals, equal access to education, free health services, and the strengthening of Village and Merah Putih (KDKMP) cooperatives, to bolster local economies. In addition to developing human capital, the government is also strengthening protection for children in the digital space through the implementation of Government Regulation No. 17 of 2025 on the Governance of the Administration of Electronic Systems in Child Protection (PP TUNAS). ‘Through this policy we ensure that children, who are the nation’s youth, access healthy, ethical digital spaces that are appropriate to their growth and development,’ he added. Through the Harkitnas 2026 commemorations, the government also calls on all segments of society to strengthen social solidarity and enhance digital literacy as part of efforts to safeguard the nation’s sovereignty in the digital era.