Recalling Bung Karno's Vision, Megawati: Lemhannas as a Forum for Forging Progressive Leaders

Chairwoman of the PDI Perjuangan Central Executive Board and Indonesia’s fifth president, Megawati Soekarnoputri, has reminded of the importance of geopolitical thinking in maintaining the direction and interests of the nation. Therefore, Indonesia’s defence strength must be built with the mission of safeguarding world peace, where its doctrine, posture, and strategy are formulated based on a geopolitical perspective. Geopolitical awareness, Megawati stated, was the primary reason Indonesia’s first president, Soekarno, established the National Resilience Institute (Lemhannas). “To build the importance of geopolitical thinking, Bung Karno founded Lemhannas,” she said at the commemoration of the 71st anniversary of the Asia-Africa Conference (KAA) at the PDI Perjuangan Party School in Lenteng Agung, Jakarta, on Saturday, 18 April 2026. Megawati then offered sharp criticism of the institution’s current development. “Lemhannas should not have its meaning narrowed to just an institution that issues leadership certificates,” she said at the event, which was also attended by PDI Perjuangan Central Executive Board members such as Hasto Kristiyanto, Ahmad Basarah, Bonnie Triyana, Andi Widjajanto, as well as House of Representatives members Utut Adianto and TB Hasanuddin. Lemhannas, Megawati stated, should serve as a forum for forging prospective leaders from various backgrounds, ranging from civilians, military personnel, professionals, experts, cultural figures, to representations of traditional leadership. She emphasised the importance of this cross-sectoral collaboration for the nation’s progress. “Everyone must unite in thought and ideals for Greater Indonesia. Everyone must be bonded, becoming one progressive force for the advancement of the nation’s civilisation,” she said. The process at Lemhannas, she continued, must be capable of uniting a sense of shared fate as one nation that shapes the ideals of a just and prosperous society. “United with the homeland: namely the earth, air, land, and water as the living space for Indonesian citizens,” she said.