The inauguration of General TNI (Ret.) Prabowo Subianto on October 20, 2024, as the 8th President of the Republic of Indonesia marks an important milestone in Indonesia’s political history. As a former Minister of Defense with extensive experience and a clear vision, Prabowo has long been recognized for his strategic outlook, one of which is the Astha Cita vision.

This vision is not just an abstract concept but a main pillar in President General TNI (Ret.) Prabowo Subianto’s plan to strengthen the foundations of the state, particularly regarding the prevention and eradication of corruption. Astha Cita focuses on character building and mental revolution, aligned with the vision of developing superior and integrity-driven human resources.

The importance of Astha Cita in the context of eradicating corruption is evident from its holistic approach. Its primary focus is not just on action against corrupt individuals but also on prevention through strengthening moral values among public officials and state apparatus. Character building, which is one of the pillars of Astha Cita, becomes a crucial strategy in creating superior and character-driven human resources.

Thus, it is not limited to public officials; Astha Cita also targets all layers of society. The eradication of corruption must begin with the education of integrity values at various levels, from schools and universities to workplaces. Furthermore, developing character-driven and integrity-based human resources is key to competing globally in the 21st century. In this era of globalization, successful countries are those with human resources that excel not only in technical skills but also possess strong moral values.

Integrity, in this context, becomes a vital asset for Indonesia to actively engage in an increasingly complex and competitive global order. With a corruption-free state apparatus and a society aware of the importance of integrity, Indonesia can enhance its competitiveness and play a more significant role on the international stage.

These strategic steps bring new hope for Indonesia’s future. Astha Cita not only strengthens the government system but also serves as the foundation for a more prosperous and just nation. Under Prabowo’s leadership, integrity and honesty become the main pillars in the development process, creating more transparent and accountable governance.

With this foundation, Indonesia will have greater opportunities for faster and more equitable progress, establishing the country as a model for the world in good governance and national character development. Prabowo’s approach to eradicating corruption goes beyond strict law enforcement. He emphasizes that the fight against corruption must begin with the development of national character through a mental revolution.

This means that changing mindsets, work ethics, and societal morality must be encouraged. Corruption is not only a structural problem but also a moral issue related to habits and values ingrained in the culture of bureaucracy and society. Therefore, Astha Cita is designed to change the foundation of the collective thinking of the Indonesian nation, particularly regarding integrity and transparency.

In an effort to implement the mental revolution, President General TNI (Ret.) Prabowo Subianto prioritizes forming a cabinet filled with ministers of high integrity. Prabowo realizes that building a strong nation requires not only individuals skilled in technical fields but also those with a strong moral commitment to eradicating corruption. Consequently, the ministers appointed to his cabinet are selected based on a clean track record, with the hope that they can serve as role models in terms of honesty and work ethics.

This step aims to create a government that is not only efficient but also possesses integrity. Therefore, in executing government duties in a technocratic manner, the ministers in Prabowo’s cabinet are expected to become agents of change. They are not only responsible for implementing public policies but are also expected to spread the anti-corruption spirit throughout the bureaucracy.

President Prabowo wants leaders in ministries to foster a work culture that rejects all forms of corruption, bribery, and collusion. In this way, every layer of bureaucracy, from top to bottom, will be encouraged to work honestly and transparently, ultimately strengthening the government’s legitimacy in the eyes of the public. With strong and integrity-driven leadership in each ministry, broader bureaucratic reforms will be easier to achieve.

Thus, tangible change can only occur if the existing government system is fundamentally overhauled, creating mechanisms that are more transparent and accountable. Through a cabinet led by individuals committed to eradicating corruption, it is hoped that governance can be improved, forming a stronger foundation for sustainable national development.

Overall, this underscores the need for character-building mental revolution training within Astha Cita, aimed not only at state apparatus but also at all Indonesian society. President Prabowo believes that sustainable change can only be achieved if future generations understand the importance of honesty and responsibility, grounded in the values of Pancasila to realize good governance towards a Golden Indonesia in 2045.

Prof. Dr. Drs. Ermaya Suradinata, SH, MH, MS, is a former Director-General of Social-Political Affairs at the Ministry of Home Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia and the Governor of Lemhannas RI (2001-2005). He is currently the Chairman of the Expert Council Team of BPIP RI.