Intergenerational Figures Discuss National Leadership with Jusuf Kalla
Jakarta – A cross-generational group of figures met with the 10th and 12th Vice Presidents of the Republic of Indonesia, Jusuf Kalla, in South Jakarta on Saturday to discuss various issues related to national leadership and the future of the nation.
Jusuf Kalla explained that the discussion was intended solely to generate ideas to help the country run better and had no political agenda to topple any party. “The essence is how the country can be better. There was no discussion of toppling the government,” Kalla said.
He said the discussions covered a range of aspects, from economic policy, management of state finances, education, to the business sector.
Kalla warned that Indonesia could face economic problems in the near future if corrective steps are not taken. “Collective action is needed, both from the government and society, so that the economic situation does not deteriorate,” he said.
Several figures attended, including Titi Anggraini (founder of Perludem), Mandira Bienna (chair of Forum Indonesia Muda), Diah Saminarsih (founder of CISDI), Yanuar Nugroho (STF Driyarkara), and Andhyta Utami (founder of Think Policy).
The discussion brought together academics, activists, entrepreneurs, and students to exchange views on Indonesia’s future.
Constitutional law expert Feri Amsari said the meeting aimed to learn from Jusuf Kalla’s experience having served as vice president, minister, party leader, and mediator in various conflicts. According to him, such experience is important in the context of the global leadership crisis currently affecting many countries. “Statecraft should not rely on instinct or quick fixes. That is what we have learned from the concepts and experiences of Pak JK,” he said.
In addition to leadership, the participants discussed various economic issues related to state administration. During the event, Tiyo Ardianto, chairman of the UGM Student Executive Board (BEM UGM), highlighted several issues, including alleged criminalisation of activists. Ardianto noted that hundreds of activists are currently still under indictment. He likened Indonesia to a “big bus” carrying about 280 million people as passengers. The bus is, he said, currently led by President Prabowo Subianto with Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka. “As passengers, the people have the right to direct the driver when the journey’s direction does not align with the nation’s grand objectives,” he added.
He also referred to the policy of free nutritious meals, which he said needed to be examined more precisely targeted so as not to disrupt budgets in other sectors, especially education.
Meanwhile, academic Sudirman Said, rector of Universitas Rakyat Negeri Sudirman Said, said Indonesia is currently facing a leadership crisis characterised by a growing scarcity of leadership grounded in intrinsic values. “True leadership is grounded in integrity, vision, wisdom, knowledge, and idealism. These values are increasingly scarce on the public stage,” Sudirman said. According to him, in a crisis the country actually needs a leadership type rooted in those intrinsic values.