The entrepreneurship path could pave the way for young people to become heads of districts, mayors, and ministers, he opined.
"Once again I say, if you want to be head of a district, you want to be a governor, you want to be a minister, you want to be president, not all of them go through political parties, you can do it through the entrepreneurship route. Now, it has happened," he added at the "Scientific Oration: Economic Transformation through Downstreaming with Local Wisdom,” which was hosted at the Ten November Institute of Technology (ITS) campus, Surabaya, on Tuesday.
Lahadalia said that many of his colleagues and juniors at the Indonesian Association of Young Businessmen are currently serving as regional leaders in East Java. Likewise, he is now a minister despite not being affiliated with any political party.
He then recalled how 20 years ago, he was no different than the students in front of him.
At the time, ITS was one of his three dream campuses, he said. However, due to financial issues, he completed his bachelor's degree at a private high school in Jayapura, Papua.
"I used to dream to have three goals after graduating from Fakfak. First studying at UI, second ITB, and third is ITS. But what could I do? I finished studying at Fakfak because my life is difficult, communication access was not as good as now, I study in Jayapura. And that's not even at Uncen (University of Cenderawasih), but a private high educational institution," the minister said.
He then urged students to become entrepreneurs and support the national economy so that they can extensively contribute as leaders or ministers in the future.
"If you want to be a minister, you don't need to be an employee, you don't need to be a politician, (just by being) entrepreneurs, (you too) can become ministers independently," he said.
The scientific oration at ITS marked the opening of a series of roadshows related to downstreaming conducted by the Investment Minister at seven campuses in Indonesia. After ITS, the roadshow will continue to Gadjah Mada University, Bandung University of Technology, University of Indonesia, Cenderawasih University, and Hasanuddin University.
The minister was accompanied by the chairman of the board and CEO of Freeport-McMoRan, Richard C. Adkerson, during the roadshow.
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Translator: Ade Irma J, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Sri Haryati
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