Asta Cita, as the vision and mission promoted by President Prabowo Subianto in his administration, certainly requires concrete action to ensure the success of the Kabinet Merah Putih (Red and White Cabinet). This concept should not merely serve as a normative guideline but must be translated into concrete policies with a broad impact on national development.

Emphasizing eight core principles, Asta Cita demands synergy among ministries and state institutions to ensure its implementation does not become mere political rhetoric. Therefore, a well-formulated strategy, consistent implementation, and continuous evaluation are needed to ensure this vision becomes more than a slogan—it must truly bring about real change for the nation.

Without concrete steps in policy planning and execution, this grand vision will be difficult to realize. Hence, the Kabinet Merah Putih must adopt a result-oriented approach, ensuring each program includes clear indicators of success. Every ministry and institution must have specific and measurable targets, so progress toward achieving Asta Cita can be monitored regularly.

In the area of defense and security, Asta Cita calls for military modernization aligned with Indonesia’s strategic needs amidst dynamic global geopolitics. President Prabowo Subianto, with his experience as Minister of Defense, is expected to continue efforts to strengthen the national defense system through the modernization of primary weaponry systems (alutsista) and the enhancement of military professionalism.

The government must support the strengthening of the domestic defense industry through technology transfer, increased production capacity, and research and development support. In this way, Indonesia can achieve self-reliance in the defense sector, which is one of the main pillars of Asta Cita.

In addition, the aspect of people’s welfare in Asta Cita must be realized through pro-people economic policies grounded in national self-sufficiency. Reforms in the agrarian and industrial sectors, as well as the empowerment of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), must become top priorities to achieve economic resilience. The success of the Kabinet Merah Putih in this area will largely depend on the government’s ability to create an inclusive economic ecosystem.

To strengthen economic resilience, Indonesia can take cues from countries such as South Korea and China, which have succeeded in developing high-tech industries through consistent policies and strong support for research and innovation. Concrete steps such as providing incentives for strategic industries and building research centers aligned with national industrial needs must be part of Asta Cita’s implementation.

In the field of education and human resource development, Asta Cita mandates an improvement in education quality as one of its top priorities. The government must ensure that access to quality education is available to all Indonesians without exception. Scholarship programs, teacher competency development, and aligning the curriculum with industrial and technological needs are essential steps to be taken.

Beyond formal education, vocational training must also be strengthened to better match the workforce with industry demands. Developed countries have proven that strong vocational programs can reduce unemployment and increase labor productivity. Therefore, Indonesia must expand collaboration with the private sector in providing industry-based training aligned with global standards.

Furthermore, in the area of governance, transparency and accountability must become core principles in executing Asta Cita. Bureaucratic reforms that are more effective and efficient must be implemented so that public services can run optimally.

Digitizing government services, simplifying convoluted regulations, and enhancing the integrity of civil servants are concrete measures that can accelerate the achievement of Asta Cita’s goals. With good governance, the policies formulated can be executed more quickly and accurately.

To make Asta Cita a foundation for the success of the Kabinet Merah Putih, visionary leadership, effective management, and a sustainable evaluation mechanism are essential. Every program carried out must have measurable effectiveness through objective and transparent parameters.

Periodic evaluation and corrections to ineffective policies must be carried out to ensure every step taken aligns with the overarching goals. Without concrete action and the courage to make strategic decisions, Asta Cita will remain an empty slogan.

Therefore, political commitment and real action must be the primary principles in running a government based on these eight aspirations. The government must demonstrate that every policy taken is genuinely oriented toward the welfare of the people and the advancement of the nation—not just fulfilling political promises.

Ultimately, Asta Cita requires more than mere discourse; it needs a clear strategy, strong coordination, and consistent implementation. The Kabinet Merah Putih must be capable of delivering resilient and innovative leadership in realizing this grand vision.

With hard work, dedication, and the courage to make the right decisions, Asta Cita can become the driving force for a sovereign, self-reliant, and prosperous Indonesia.

 Prof. Dr. Drs. Ermaya Suradinata, SH, MH, MS, is a member of the Expert Council of BPIP RI in the field of Geopolitics and Government Strategy.