Ahead of Youth Pledge Day, Megawati Urges Youth to Courageously Voice the Truth

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The 5th President of the Republic of Indonesia and Chairperson of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), Megawati Soekarnoputri, urged Indonesian youth to have the courage to speak the truth.

This message was delivered during her speech at the culmination of the 2026 Merah Muda Fest held ahead of the Youth Pledge Day commemoration, at Lapangan Banteng, Central Jakarta, on Sunday (25/10/2026).

"You must have the courage to voice the truth, steadfastness to fight against injustice, and sensitivity to always, always, always side with the people, especially those who are weak and in need of defense," Megawati said, as quoted from a PDI-P Youtube broadcast on Monday (26/10/2026).

In the lead-up to Youth Pledge Day, Megawati encouraged young generations to be aware that they are part of the long journey of the nation.

"Independence is not the finish line of the struggle. Independence is an opportunity for the nation to determine its own fate," Megawati stated.

She added that the youth must be brave in taking roles, generating ideas, being creative, and contributing to the progress of the nation.

According to Megawati, Indonesian youth should prepare themselves to face future challenges by mastering knowledge and technology to address the people’s problems.

However, Megawati reminded that the mastery of science and technology must go hand in hand with character development and strengthening national identity.

"The Founding Fathers said it is nation and character building, which we must fulfill. This nation needs young generations who are not only intelligent and skilled but also have integrity, adhere to the values of Pancasila, and are brave in fighting for truth and justice," Megawati emphasized.

She urged Indonesian youth to be a generation that combines intelligence with wisdom, technological advancement with high humanitarian values, and courage to act with moral and ethical responsibility.

Young Indonesians are encouraged to uphold ethics, morality, honesty, discipline, responsibility, and mutual cooperation in their daily lives.

"Because Indonesia's future isn't just determined by how much knowledge you possess, but also by how strong your character is," Megawati pointed out.

"Many are indeed smart, but their hearts are shaky, their hearts are not firm, they are not brave. Therefore, your character, how firmly you hold your identity, and how great your dedication to the homeland, nation, state, and people is essential," she concluded.