Puan: Transformative Leadership Must Take Root Across All State Institutions

Jakarta (ANTARA) - DPR Speaker Puan Maharani stressed the importance of transformative leadership taking root across all state institutions to promote governance focused on the national interest and the welfare of the people.

She made the remarks in her national address at the 2026 Habibie Democracy Forum in Jakarta on Tuesday. The forum’s theme was “Transformative Leadership for an Inclusive, Resilient and Sustainable Democracy”.

“Transformative leadership must take root across all state institutions as a key agenda for strengthening and sharpening ways of thinking and working, so that state governance increasingly prioritises the interests of the nation and state,” she said.

Puan said Indonesia’s current leadership challenges could be seen at three levels: the nation’s structural challenges, challenges in the governance of power, and the challenge of building the nation’s and state’s future.

Meeting these challenges requires meaningful collective transformation. Puan said transformation could not be achieved merely through policy changes or a change of leaders; it also required changes in ways of thinking and working.

She also cautioned that understanding the importance of good governance did not automatically ensure that change would be implemented effectively. A shared vision and commitment among all elements of the nation were therefore needed to improve state governance.

“It cannot be just one person, two people or three people declaring what needs to be done. We need a shared vision and a shared commitment to improving this nation and state,” Puan said.

“If we do not work together in the spirit of gotong royong [mutual cooperation], things will remain as they are. Building a nation cannot be done individually; it has to be done together,” she added.

Puan further said that each party should take steps towards change in line with its respective responsibilities and authority, without waiting for ideal conditions or for others to make the first move.

Transformative leadership could indeed open the way for collective progress, she said. However, national progress required the collective strength to act together.

“The people, civil society, business, intellectuals, all elements of the nation, and state institutions must take responsibility in accordance with their respective roles,” Puan said.