MPR Leader: PATRIA Plays Key Role in Nurturing Pluralism and Unity
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy Speaker of the MPR RI Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono (Ibas) assessed that the Indonesian Margasari Alumni Association (PATRIA) holds an important role in building harmony as the foundation for maintaining national unity.
“We live in diversity. Differences are a strength, not a weakness. PATRIA has an important role in nurturing pluralism and unity,” said Ibas in his statement in Jakarta on Tuesday.
This was conveyed by Ibas when receiving an audience from the General Chairman and PATRIA board members at the DPR RI complex. The audience was themed Synergy of PATRIA – Parliament: Harmony, Democracy, Welfare.
The audience also became a space for national dialogue between parliament and civil society elements in strengthening the values of unity, democracy, and inclusive development.
Edhie emphasised that the audience theme reflects three main values that must continue to be maintained and strengthened together, namely harmony, democracy, and welfare.
On that occasion, Ibas expressed appreciation for the state’s official recognition of PATRIA as a forum for alumni of the Indonesian Catholic University Students Association (PMKRI).
“This is not just organisational legitimacy, but also strengthening the national role. PMKRI alumni are present as a moral, intellectual, and social force in building Indonesia,” he said.
He also emphasised that democracy should not only be understood as an electoral process, but also as an ongoing effort to listen to and advocate for the people’s aspirations.
“Democracy is a process of listening, accompanying, and advocating for the people’s aspirations. This is where the role of parliament and alumni organisations becomes very strategic,” said the DPR member from the East Java VII electoral district.
Furthermore, Ibas emphasised that the ultimate goal of all national processes is the people’s welfare. Policies must be pro-people, development must be fair, and the results must be felt by all of society.
On that occasion, this IPB University graduate also highlighted the strategic role of PATRIA alumni as an educated group with extensive networks in various sectors. He encouraged PATRIA to take on the role as guardians of values, critical partners, and drivers of solutions for the nation.
“PATRIA must become a guardian of values, critical partner, and agent of change in national and state life,” said Ibas.
Ibas emphasised that his side is opening wide spaces for collaboration with PATRIA, especially in absorbing public aspirations, formulating inclusive public policies, and overseeing development programmes to ensure they hit the target.
“We want to build a bridge from society to parliament, from ideas to policies,” he said.
In addition, Ibas also appreciated various PATRIA programmes in improving human resource quality, such as UMKM workshops, education and academic works, financial literacy, health, environment, and national cadre schools.
“This nation needs more good people who not only criticise, but also provide solutions. Not only think, but also act,” he stated.
Ibas also invited all PATRIA alumni to continue actively contributing to maintaining unity, strengthening democracy, and advocating for social justice.
Meanwhile, PATRIA board representative, Ibnu Kurniawan, proposed a community-based waste management solution.
“What if every neighbourhood unit has a smokeless waste management unit, so they can burn it themselves, process it themselves,” said Ibnu.
Ibnu also emphasised that the programme is relatively affordable and can be widely implemented in society.
In response to these various aspirations, DPR RI member Marwan Cik Asan expressed his appreciation for the spirit of contribution from the younger generation.
The same sentiment was expressed by DPR RI member Rizki Natakusumah, who assessed that PATRIA’s programmes have real impacts.
“The programmes are extraordinary, seeing the extraordinary training programmes, including tree planting,” he said.
Meanwhile, DPR RI member Hillary Brigitta Lasut expressed her optimism.
“I am confident and believe that when Catholics gather and strive for something, it will surely be realised soon,” said Hillary.
Concrete support was also conveyed by DPR RI member Sabam Sinaga, who encouraged strengthening the education sector.
“We are initiating 14 Indonesia Pintar Programmes (scholarships) for PATRIA. The scheme can be discussed later,” said Sabam, while adding his support for the education literacy programme advocated by PATRIA.
Closing the response session, DPR RI member Zulfikar Suhadi emphasised the importance of cross-party collaboration in national development.
“The more collaboration from various parties, the more advanced Indonesia will be,” he said, emphasising that synergy between civil society and parliament is key to delivering policies with broad impacts.
Through this meeting, it is hoped that sustainable synergy will be built between PATRIA and parliament in strengthening democracy and realising the welfare of the Indonesian people.