Puan: Heritage of Every Government Will Be Tested by the Next Generation

Speaker of the House of Representatives Puan Maharani delivers a speech at the Plenary Meeting of the Opening of the First Session of the 2026-2027 DPR Session/ANTARA FOTO/Rivan Awal Lingga/sgd

JAKARTA - House of Representatives (DPR) Chairwoman Puan Maharani welcomed the 81st Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia (HUT) which fell on Monday, August 17, 2026. In his speech at the Opening Plenary Meeting of the 2026-2027 Session I, Puan emphasized that the legacy in every government will be tested by the next generation.

"On August 17, 2026, Indonesia will celebrate its 81st anniversary. The theme of the 81st anniversary of the Indonesian Independence is 'Indonesian Sovereign, Just and Prosperous'. This theme reaffirms that 81 years ago, when Indonesia declared its Independence, we the Indonesian people have reached the front door of the Indonesian State's independence," said Puan in the opening speech of the 2026-2027 Session I at the Nusantara building, the parliament complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Friday, August 14 afternoon.

Puan then touched on the people who have passed through the gate of independence towards an independent, united, sovereign, just, and prosperous Indonesia at the age of 81 years. During the 81 years, there have been successive governments to realize the independence of the Indonesian nation.

"Every government will leave its own legacy. This legacy is not just a series of policies or physical development, but a trail of values, decisions, and dedication that history will remember. What is our legacy for the future of Indonesia?" said Puan.

As time goes by, Puan said, generations of the nation's successors will test the true value of each legacy.

"They will assess whether the steps taken really bring the Indonesian nation closer to the ideals of independence, bring justice, prosperity, unity, and dignity for all Indonesian people," he said.

Puan views, building Indonesia as a great nation does not only require the right resources and policies, but also the most basic foundation, namely unity and unity.

"In the midst of diversity in ethnicity, religion, culture, language, and political views, our willingness and ability to continue to walk together, hand in hand, is the greatest strength of the Indonesian nation," said Puan.

Puan emphasized that unity is not a state that is born because we are the same, but a choice to stay together even though we are different. Unity and unity are not just ideals, but a prerequisite for the success of national development.

"Without unity and unity, every development effort will face increasingly difficult challenges. Differences can easily turn into divisions, social trust weakens, and the energy of the nation is exhausted to resolve conflicts," said the former Coordinating Minister for Political, Social, and Cultural Affairs.

"On the contrary, when all the children of the nation trust each other, respect each other, uphold the spirit of mutual cooperation, and prioritize the interests of the nation above the interests of the group, development not only runs more effectively, but is also able to bring great and just benefits for all Indonesian people," added Puan.

Puan reminded that diversity is not a threat to unity, but a reality that must be united by the same ideals, the same goals, the same sense as Indonesian citizens.

"Becoming an Indonesian means living in one 'national house'. A house built by history, united by Pancasila, and passed down to each generation to be maintained together," he said.

In the house, said Puan, every citizen feels respected for his dignity, protected by his rights, and has equal opportunities to grow and contribute to the nation and state.

"Unity and unity do not mean homogenizing differences. Unity actually gives meaning to differences. We can be different in ethnicity, religion, culture, language, and political choices, but we still have the same goal, being in the same national house, sheltering in the same national house," said Puan.

"With such a sense of national responsibility, whatever differences we have, we will never be the ones to destroy our common 'home'. If we feel that we also have the 'Indonesian national home', then we will definitely take care of it as best we can," he added.

Puan said, history also teaches that no unity and unity of the nation will remain strong just because it is inherited. He reminded that unity must continue to be maintained, strengthened, and realized in daily life.

"The responsibility for taking care of unity lies on the shoulders of all the children of the nation, and even more so on the state organizers," said Puan.

"Every state policy, every decision, and every action must strengthen the people's belief that Indonesia is a common home, our home, a place for every citizen to live in peace and prosperity. As long as this belief is maintained, then the Unity and Unification of Indonesia will remain strong as the foundation for a progressive, sovereign, and dignified Indonesia," he continued.

Puan then recalled the struggle of the Indonesian nation 81 years ago. According to him, at that time the Indonesian nation opened the door to independence and entered that door.

Since then, said Puan, we have continued to make long journeys to realize the ideals of an independent, just, and prosperous Indonesia.

"Now, the responsibility is in the hands of all of us. The DPR RI, the Government, all state institutions, and all Indonesian people have the same mandate," said Puan.

"That is to ensure that every step, every policy, and every effort really brings the nation and the country closer to our common ideals, for the nation, for the country, for Indonesia. Dirgahayu Republik Indonesia," he concluded.