Yusril: Written rules alone are not always enough to face life's challenges
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra has reminded that written rules alone are not always sufficient when confronting the various challenges of life.
At the welcome event for new President University students through PREUNI 2026, held at the President University Auditorium in Cikarang, West Java, on Thursday (3/9), he said that clear judgement, integrity and sincere intention are needed when making a decision.
“This is based on my experience in the fields of law and public service,” said Yusril, as confirmed in Jakarta on Monday.
He therefore invited the new students of President University to make use of the freedom of university life responsibly, while building critical thinking skills and respect for differences.
According to Yusril, entering higher education is an important phase because students begin to have greater control over their choices, from the field they wish to study, the books they read, to the environment in which they exchange ideas.
He noted that such freedom is enjoyable, but it always comes with responsibility.
“You are free to make decisions, but you must also be prepared to explain your reasons and accept all the consequences,” he said.
He emphasised that education should not be understood merely as a path to obtaining a job or income.
Beyond that, he continued, education is a foundation for building an independent life while shaping the way a person thinks and makes decisions.
In the university environment, the Coordinating Minister added, students are expected not merely to memorise, but to be able to question the basis of an argument, test ideas, and be willing to listen to differing views.
“An educated person is never ashamed to say ‘I do not know’. Recognising that we do not yet know is the first step towards knowledge, because problems often begin when someone feels they already know everything,” said Yusril.
He therefore asked students not to feel burdened if they do not yet have a clear picture of their future, as one’s plans, choices and interests can change along life’s journey and the experiences gained along the way.
The Coordinating Minister stressed that failure, too, can lead a person down a different path, and is therefore perfectly normal.
“Study seriously. Do not be afraid to change your views when you find a better argument, and be a person who uses their knowledge and freedom responsibly,” the Coordinating Minister added.
On the same occasion, President University Rector Handa Abidin conveyed three messages to the new students to prepare themselves for global competition.
The three messages were: make a habit of using English every day, expand international networks, and build a portfolio through internships, business or competitions from the very first semester.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Regional Representative Council (DPD RI) Sultan Bachtiar Najamudin reminded the students about current technological developments, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), saying that no matter how sophisticated AI becomes, the technology will never be able to replace human empathy, conscience and wisdom.
He therefore encouraged students not merely to pursue a degree, but to focus on bringing real solutions to the world’s problems they care about.
The PREUNI 2026 event was attended by the university’s new students as well as the deans of faculties, professors and lecturers.