Irman Gusman Reveals Ginandjar Kartasasmita's Contributions
Senator from West Sumatra, Irman Gusman, regards Ginandjar Kartasasmita as one of the nation’s figures with a long track record and exemplary leadership in various important phases of Indonesia’s development, from institutional reforms to strengthening regional roles through the Regional Representative Council (DPD RI).
Irman Gusman expressed this during a testimony at the launch of the biography book Ginandjar Kartasasmita: Pengabdian dari Masa ke Masa, Perjalanan, Pergulatan Hidup, dan Pemikiran (Service from Era to Era, Life’s Journey, Struggles, and Thoughts), in Jakarta on Thursday (9/4/2026), which also coincided with the 85th birthday commemoration of the first DPD RI Chairman.
This occasion also serves as a moment for reflection on the long journey of Ginandjar Kartasasmita’s service, known as a national figure in government, economic development, and strengthening state institutions.
At the event, this two-term DPD RI Chairman was honoured to receive the first copy of the launched book. The handover was followed by presentations to several figures, including former Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Djoko Suyanto, Minister of National Development Planning/Head of Bappenas Rachmat Pambudy, former Minister of National Development Planning/Head of Bappenas Sofyan A. Djalil, and former Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Fadel Muhammad.
The Senator from West Sumatra also expressed appreciation for the book’s launch and viewed the biography as an important documentation of a national figure’s service journey and a positive legacy for Indonesia’s younger generation.
“Mr Ginandjar is one of the nation’s figures with extensive experience in government, development, and strengthening state institutions. He not only leaves a historical footprint but also a legacy of thoughts that remain relevant for today’s generation,” said Irman, in a press release.
Relationship Since Pre-Reformasi
The closeness between Irman and Ginandjar has been established for more than three decades, when Irman was still active as a young entrepreneur before entering the national political stage. Their relationship intensified in 1996 when they were on the same discussion panel with several national figures, including Jusuf Kalla and Hamzah Haz.
The relationship continued post-reformasi. In 1999, they met again in the process of forming regional representation in the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR). At that time, Ginandjar was an MPR member from the regional delegation representing West Java, while Irman represented West Sumatra.
In subsequent developments, Ginandjar was entrusted as one of the MPR leaders from the Golkar Faction, while Irman served as Deputy Chairman of the Regional Delegation Faction. This phase coincided with the amendment process of the 1945 Constitution, which changed the state structure, including the birth of the Regional Representative Council.
“This was an important phase in our constitutional transformation. Mr Ginandjar was one of the key figures who guided the direction of institutional changes, especially in strengthening regional representation in the national political system,” said Irman.
Laying the Foundation for DPD RI
Their collaboration continued in 2004 when the Regional Representative Council (DPD) was formed through direct elections. Ginandjar was elected as the first DPD RI Chairman, while Irman became the Deputy Chairman.
That leadership, according to Irman, became a significant milestone in the early phase of forming the DPD as a new state institution, which not only built the organisational structure but also formulated the institutional direction, working procedures, and its position in Indonesia’s post-reformasi constitutional system.
During this period, the foundation of the DPD’s role as a channel for regional aspirations began to be consolidated institutionally. “Under Mr Ginandjar’s leadership, the DPD RI began building institutional foundations, working procedures, and strengthening the regional role in advocating for regional interests at the central level. We together pioneered the DPD to become a grand house for regional aspirations,” explained Irman.
That foundation continued in 2009 when Irman was entrusted to become the DPD RI Chairman, replacing Ginandjar. The continuity of their leadership became an important phase in strengthening the DPD’s role, making it more advanced, so that its role became more recognised by the public, while also becoming stronger and more consistent in advocating for regional interests.