Kertanegara Institute Hosts Reflection Forum on Prof Soemitro's 109th Anniversary

The Kertanegara Institute held a private session titled ‘The Relevance of Thought in Indonesia’s Development Direction’ to commemorate the 109th anniversary of Prof Dr Soemitro Djojohadikusumo. The forum served as an intellectual reflection space to revisit the legacy of Prof Soemitro Djojohadikusumo, father of Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto, and its relevance to current development challenges.

Founder and Chairman of The Kertanegara Institute, Raga Awandayu Prakasa VG, explained that the event provided an opportunity to remember and reflect on Prof Soemitro’s intellectual legacy, particularly how his major ideas remain relevant for today’s youth.

Prof Soemitro set an example of the importance of having the courage to think far ahead, look deeper, and prepare benefits that may only be felt by future generations. His granddaughter, Rahayu Saraswati Djojohadikusumo, delivered a keynote speech emphasising that his greatest legacy was not just economic ideas as conceptual constructs.

‘But also in the mindset that positions development as a national effort that must deliver tangible benefits to society,’ Rahayu said in a press release in Jakarta on Friday, 29 May 2026.

She added that, from Prof Soemitro’s perspective, economics was not merely about numbers and macroeconomic growth, but about ensuring development directions truly benefit the wider public. In her presentation, Rahayu also highlighted that Indonesia is currently in a transformation phase requiring the best contributions from the younger generation.