Indonesia Highlights Leadership Lessons from Former President Soeharto

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia's Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon, has emphasized the importance of studying leadership values demonstrated by former President Soeharto, saying several aspects of his leadership remain relevant for younger generations facing contemporary challenges.

Speaking as keynote speaker at the National Seminar on the Leadership of General (Ret.) H.M. Soeharto at Trilogi University in Jakarta, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, Fadli said Soeharto’s leadership was built on an understanding of social realities, respect for knowledge and expert opinions, effective management systems, courage in taking responsibility, and adherence to values rooted in Indonesian culture.

“If we talk about President Soeharto’s leadership, several characteristics deserve to be studied by today's generation, including being grounded in facts and social realities, valuing knowledge, building effective systems, taking responsibility, and upholding leadership values,” he said.

The seminar was organized by the Damandiri Foundation in collaboration with Trilogi University and the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education as part of the commemoration of the 105th anniversary of Soeharto’s birth. The event brought together academics, government officials, and public figures to discuss various perspectives on his leadership legacy.

Fadli noted that Soeharto governed during a period marked by significant national challenges. According to him, many development policies implemented during that era reflected the importance of a leader’s ability to understand national issues, manage available resources, and make strategic decisions for the broader public interest.

He also underscored the relevance of leadership values rooted in Indonesian culture. “President Soeharto’s leadership amid the challenges of his time is part of the nation’s historical journey and can serve as a source of learning for future generations in building Indonesia,” he said.

Beyond the seminar, the commemoration featured a record-setting sketch competition titled “A Thousand Strokes of History,” in which 1,126 participants, including students and members of the public, created portraits of Soeharto within 105 minutes. The achievement was recognized by the Indonesian World Records Museum (MURI) as the largest sketch event dedicated to Soeharto.

The event was attended by senior government officials, scholars, community leaders, and university representatives. Closing his remarks, Fadli expressed hope that the values of leadership, public service, and nationalism inherited from Indonesia’s national figures would continue to be studied by young people, stressing that a comprehensive understanding of national history is essential for strengthening Indonesia’s character and identity.