Profile of Syahganda Nainggolan: From Activist to Head of Bakom
President Prabowo Subianto has inaugurated Syahganda Nainggolan as the Head of the Government Communications Agency (Bakom). Nainggolan has long been recognised as an activist and academic focusing on political issues.
As reported by detikcom, Syahganda Nainggolan is known as an activist, academic/policy observer, and a figure active in political and labour issues. He was born in Medan on 27 November 1965.
He began his activism as a student at the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) during the 1980s. Due to his political activities, he was sentenced to 10 months in prison during the New Order era.
Following the New Order era, Syahganda remained active in organisations and politics. He was previously a member of the Persatuan Daulat Rakyat (PDR) and later participated in the formation of the Partai Merdeka.
He previously served as a Commissioner of Pelindo II during the administration of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY). In 2010, Syahganda founded the Sabang Merauke Circle (SMC), a research and consultancy institution operating in the fields of politics and public policy.
Naingganda’s name gained significant attention in 2020 when he became a prominent figure in the Koalisi Aksi Menyelamatkan Indonesia (KAMI).
Subsequently, during the Prabowo administration, he co-founded the think tank GREAT Institute, a research institution specialising in economics, politics, and technology.
President Prabowo has appointed Syahganda as the Head of the Government Communications Agency (Bakom), replacing Muhammad Qodari. The inauguration took place at the State Palace and was based on Presidential Decree Number 106/P of 2026.
Profile of the Deputy Head of Bakom
Prabowo also inaugurated Fadli Tri Hartono as the Deputy Head of Bakom. According to records from PT Dayamitra Telekomunikasi Tbk, Fadli has served as the President Commissioner of PT Dayamitra Telekomunikasi Tbk since 2025.
Fadli Tri Hartono holds a Bachelor’s degree in Physics from the Bandung Institute of Technology (2012) and a Master of Public Administration from Tsinghua University in 2021.
Fadli Tri Hartono’s career includes serving as the Secretary of the Daily Management Board of the Yayasan Pendidikan Kebangsaan Republik Indonesia (2019-2023) and Vice Rector IV for Cooperation at the Universitas Kebangsaan Republik Indonesia (2022-2023). Additionally, Fadli Tri Hartono has served as a Special Staff member to the Minister of State Secretariat.