Yogyakarta, October 30, 2025 — In a reflective atmosphere at the Convention Hall of UIN Sunan Kalijaga, Deputy Speaker of the Regional Representative Council (DPD RI) Gusti Kanjeng Ratu (GKR) Hemas launched her latest book, “GKR Hemas Strengthening DPD RI’s Authority: Realizing Regional Autonomy Toward Golden Indonesia 2045.”

The event, attended by DPD RI Chair Sultan Bakhtiar Najamudin, UIN Sunan Kalijaga Rector Prof. Noorhaidi Hasan, the Chief of Yogyakarta Police, Commander of Korem 072/Pamungkas, and representatives of the Yogyakarta Palace, carried a message far beyond a book launch. It became a national call for moral renewal — that empowering the regions is an act of wisdom, justice, and devotion to the nation.

Academic Reflection from the People’s Campus

In his remarks, Prof. Noorhaidi Hasan, Rector of UIN Sunan Kalijaga, known as the “People’s Campus” with deep historical ties to the Yogyakarta Palace, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to preserving harmony among religion, culture, and humanity.

He noted that the book’s theme on regional autonomy mirrors the reformist spirit that Indonesia must continue to uphold. “Balanced development will never be achieved without listening to regional voices,” Prof. Noorhaidi said.

Sultan Bakhtiar Najamudin: DPD Must Uphold Green Democracy

DPD RI Chair Sultan Bakhtiar Najamudin offered a philosophical reflection by quoting Indonesian literary icon Pramoedya Ananta Toer: “Writing is how service to the nation is remembered.” He described GKR Hemas’s book as an intellectual act of service that breathes new life into the DPD’s institutional struggle.

Sultan connected her vision to the concept of “Green Democracy” — a form of democracy rooted in environmental justice, social balance, and intergenerational sustainability. “Strengthening regional autonomy means strengthening ecological justice and the dignity of the nation,” he said.

Two Decades of Quiet Dedication

In her speech, GKR Hemas reflected on two decades of DPD RI’s journey since its establishment under the Third Amendment of the 1945 Constitution. She emphasized that strengthening DPD’s authority is not about power, but about moral endurance — a continuous test of consistency to ensure justice remains alive in Indonesia’s democratic system.

“The struggle to strengthen DPD RI’s role is not mere political formality. It is the soul of democracy — something that must be nurtured with patience and faith,” she said. “DPD is for Indonesia, and Yogyakarta is for Indonesia — that is the breath of our struggle.”

Yogyakarta: Symbol of Local Wisdom and Unity

Choosing Yogyakarta as the launch venue carried symbolic meaning. Known as a city of culture and resistance, Yogyakarta represents how local wisdom can serve as a foundation for justice and national unity. For GKR Hemas, regional autonomy is not simply a redistribution of authority but the embodiment of local wisdom translated into fair and inclusive policies.

A Call to the Young Generation

Closing her remarks, GKR Hemas delivered a stirring message to young people and academics to treat the book as a source of inspiration across generations. “Struggle is not about position but about dedication,” she said. “Struggle is a prayer written through action, and hope is the light born from a heart that loves its nation.”

A Milestone for Institutional Reflection

The launch of “GKR Hemas Strengthening DPD RI’s Authority: Realizing Regional Autonomy Toward Golden Indonesia 2045” marks a significant moment in DPD RI’s institutional journey — reaffirming its direction toward a just, wise, and sovereign Indonesia built on the strength of its regions.

With that spirit, GKR Hemas ended the event with a resonant message:
“Strengthening the regions is how we keep the nation’s light burning.”