SBY: Leaders Must Maintain Public Trust Amidst Uncertainty; Panic Weakens Institutions

Jakarta — Public trust has been identified as the primary key to maintaining stability in the face of current global uncertainties. The 6th President of the Republic of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), emphasised the importance of this principle.

SBY stated that the world is currently entering an era of uncertainty characterised by various global challenges, ranging from increasing geopolitical rivalry and wars and conflicts in various regions to changes in global supply chains. “Strong leadership is about maintaining public trust and creating opportunities amidst various disruptions,” SBY said at The 2026 Asia Grassroots Forum by Amartha in Jakarta on Thursday, 4 June 2026.

Drawing from his experience leading Indonesia through periods of crisis and transition—including the impacts of the 1997-1998 Asian financial crisis, the 2004 Aceh tsunami, and the 2008 global financial crisis—SBY outlined several leadership principles required in times of uncertainty. According to him, leaders must remain calm when facing difficult situations because panic can weaken institutions.

“Fear spreads quickly during difficult times. Panic weakens institutions. A leader must remain calm, honest, and have a clear direction,” he remarked.

Furthermore, he noted that leaders must be able to combine pragmatism with principle. In an increasingly complex world, he argued that a nation must be adaptive and realistic while still adhering to fundamental values. He also stressed the importance of long-term vision in leadership, noting that human resource development, institutional reform, climate resilience, and innovation cannot be achieved in a short period.

Additionally, SBY assessed that leadership must be inclusive so that the benefits of development can be widely felt by the community. “Growth that is only enjoyed by a small group of people will ultimately lead to instability,” he said.

Despite the increasing complexity of global challenges, SBY expressed optimism regarding the future of ASEAN and Indonesia. He stated that this optimism stems not from the small scale of the challenges, but because the ASEAN region possesses strong capital in the form of a young population, dynamic entrepreneurs, a continuously evolving digital ecosystem, a resilient society, and significant human resources. SBY added that this strength is found not only in major cities or large corporations but also in villages, local communities, small business actors, and the millions of people who continue to work, strive, and build hope amidst uncertainty.