Ardiantoro conveyed the statement while serving as a keynote speaker at the 2021 National Working Meeting of the Political Science Students Association (Himapol), held virtually on Monday.
“Apart from being the agents of change and a critical group, students must also start thinking about Indonesia’s political system that could serve as the basis for achieving a democratic, prosperous, just, and peaceful Indonesia,” he affirmed.
On the occasion, Ardiantoro highlighted the importance of political science students in increasing the public’s trust in politics since he believes one of the grave problems currently faced by the state and nation is the low level of public trust in politics.
"Some people view politics as minor and even say that politics is ‘dirty’ because they only see politics from the point of view of conflicts and scandals committed by officials selected through a political process, specifically elections," he noted.
Ardiantoro remarked that realizing a healthy political system would facilitate the formation of a credible government with integrity. Moreover, nowadays, almost all public and social affairs are determined by people elected through the political process: elections and regional elections.
“Politics should not be avoided. The community must realize the importance of partaking in politics because it gives us the opportunity to choose the best leaders,” he remarked.
The national working meeting is part of a series of events to celebrate the 6th Anniversary of Himapol that upholds the theme of "the role of organizations in repairing the Constitution."
Himapol was formed in 2015 in Solok District, West Sumatra, and is the organization that houses student associations for political science majors and departments throughout Indonesia.
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Translator: Rangga Pandu, Raka Adji
Editor: Sri Haryati
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