Surya Paloh Stresses NasDem's 'Movement for Change' Is About Professionalism and Morality

NasDem Party Chairman Surya Paloh has stressed that the primary essence of the change and restoration movement championed by his party is not merely a matter of physical development. According to him, the core of the movement is the transformation of the Indonesian nation’s way of thinking and the improvement of its mentality. Surya highlighted that current social and national practices are still often marred by dishonesty. He emphasised the importance of honesty as the main foundation for change. ‘Take a simple illustration. If we could just reduce the sense of pretence in our daily lives, which are accustomed to being full of pretence and hypocrisy, if the level could be lowered even if we cannot eliminate it entirely, the essence of the change movement would already be largely successful,’ Surya said after attending the Second Congress and 15th Anniversary of Garda Pemuda NasDem in North Jakarta, Wednesday (22/7/2026). Furthermore, Surya reminded that mastery of advanced technology and an abundance of Natural Resources (SDA) would not yield optimal results for the nation’s progress if not accompanied by an improvement in the quality of Human Resources (SDM) with character. He assessed that the strength of human character is an absolute companion to the physical wealth Indonesia possesses. ‘This is the most fundamental point. No matter how much technological advancement we master as a nation, no matter how strong the backbone of our natural resource wealth is in this country, that alone is not enough,’ he said. Surya added that Indonesia must be able to add one more strength that always accompanies all its assets, namely the quality of human resources that are morally and mentally capable. On that occasion, Surya entrusted this idealistic mission to the young cadres of Garda Pemuda NasDem. He asked them to continue to hold fast to their moral commitment amidst the ever-changing dynamics of the times. He hopes that the young generation of NasDem will be able to become the successors of the spirit of mental improvement as the main foundation in building a better future for Indonesia.