Ibas Calls on Youth Organisations to Unite: Idealism Must Be Accompanied by Concrete Action
Ponorogo – Vice Chairman of the MPR RI Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono, known as Ibas, believes that young people must become a unifying force for the nation and serve as active and creative agents of social change.
He made these remarks whilst attending an audience with nationalist and Islamic youth organisations during a series of Ramadan recess sessions titled “Strengthen the Nation, Reinforce Religion.”
“We may belong to different organisations, have different colours, and even hold different perspectives. But our objective remains singular: an Indonesia that is more advanced, secure, just, democratic, and prosperous,” Ibas stated in a statement on Monday, 2 March 2026.
He added that Indonesia’s demographic dividend represents an enormous opportunity that can only succeed if young people are equipped with strong character, good literacy, and a spirit of cross-organisational collaboration.
“Youth is both a blessing and a responsibility. We must not allow the demographic dividend to become a problem if the younger generation is unprepared and loses direction,” he explained.
He also emphasised the importance of using technology wisely in an era of rapid digital development. Technology, he argued, should serve as a means of enhancing personal capacity, not as a space for spreading negative information or social conflict.
“Use technology to learn, find accurate information, and build positive ideas. Technological proficiency must be balanced with moral and ethical principles. A nation collapses not because of great enemies, but because its youth loses direction. Character is the fortress of a nation,” he said.
He called for four strategic steps for young people: strengthening digital, political, and national literacy; building cross-organisational collaboration; prioritising concrete action rather than mere discussion; and maintaining dialogue whilst rejecting provocation.
During the event, he also proposed several joint oversight programmes, including the Youth Guard the Constitution movement through socialisation of the Four Pillars of the MPR RI and campus discussions; Ramadan sharing initiatives and cross-organisational youth social action; regular youth forums to oversee public policies and provide written recommendations to the House of Representatives and MPR; and an incubation programme for creative economy cadres to promote youth economic independence.
“Pancasila is not a slogan, but action. The Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia is not a cry, but a commitment,” he concluded.