PEOPLE PERSON
With dedication to developing the country, Lestari Moerdijat—currently serving as Deputy Chair of the People’s Consultative Assembly of the Republic of Indonesia—provides invaluable inspiration for all of us
Indonesia has never been short of brave female leaders. During its colonial era, history has recorded for us a number of women who played a significant role in defending the nation’s sovereignty by resisting imperialists. Such leading figures include Admiral Malahayati—the first woman admiral in the navy of the Aceh Sultanate—cut Nyak Dien, Cut Meutia, Nyi Ageng Serang, and, of course, R.A. Kartini, who without doubt changed mindsets and fostered a spirit of confidence among Indonesian women when it comes to playing significant roles on the stage of history.
In the modern era, the role of women has diversified, as proven by the brace of modern women leaders in Indonesia who are intelligent and who have integrity and a dedication to developing the archipelago for the better. One of these is Lestari Moerdijat—a charismatic woman who holds the strategic position of Deputy Chair of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) of the Republic of Indonesia for the 2019– 2024 period. “I am always ready to carry out the duties as mandated by the people and the country with total devotion,” Lestari tells Indonesia Tatler regarding the appointment.
Lestari Moerdijat, more familiarly referred to as Rerie, further points out that her presence as the only female politician on the management board for the 2019–2024 period is part of the trust given to her by the Nasdem, headed by Chairperson Surya Paloh. “This is a form of appreciation and honour, which is not only for me but also for all women in Indonesia to encourage them to play active roles in formulating public policies that favour women’s interests,” Rerie explains.
Lestari’s track record and experience in the fields of organisation and politics are undoubtable. Born in Surabaya on November 30, 1967, Rerie spent her childhood through to her high school years in Purwokerto in Central Java. After graduating from SMAN 1 Purwokerto in 1988, Rerie continued her studies at the University of Indonesia, majoring in archaeology and graduating in 1992.
From high school until her university days, Rerie was actively involved in many organisations and was an administrator of student bodies, as well as the Scouts. Her activism continued until she became similarly involved a professional organisation. Later on, she was CEO of the Media Group and was president director of Media Indonesia.
On July 26, 2011, the Nasdem Party was officially established in Indonesia. Rerie was among the founders and she also served as a member of the party’s High Assembly.
She was also appointed as the Nasdem Party’s Regional Coordinator (Korwil) of the Central Java–yogyakarta Special
Region. And that was only the beginning of her political career.
In the 2019 election, Rerie advanced as a legislative candidate for the Nasdem Party in the Electoral District 2 of Central Java, which included the districts of Kudus, Jepara, and Demak. Showing hard work and consistency, she always met the people she represented to absorb both the needs and aspirations of constituents in order to prove her ability in producing brilliant results. Thus it was that Rerie successfully gained the highest number of votes, totalling 162,996.
“There is no success without perseverance, struggle, and an unyielding spirit,” she tells us. “We also have to continue to learn and have the courage to fight for bigger goals.”
As one of the leaders of the MPR whose job is being in charge of community aspirations, Rerie has seen that in the last few years, Indonesians have been faced with the threat of national “disintegration”. The biggest challenge facing the nation of Indonesia today, she says, is how to maintain the unity and integrity of the nation: “When this nation is united, it will certainly become a better developed, safer, more and prosperous country.”
How will she make all this happen? Rerie asserts that understanding the national values carried in the Four Fundamental National Consensus of Pancasila, the 1945
Constitution, the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI), and Bhinneka Tunggal Ika must be continuously socialised to the wider community, especially the younger generation. “However, in its delivery or socialisation, we must not just emphasise memorisation,” she elaborates. “It must be delivered in a frame of understanding that extends to behaviour and actions.”
Not only skilled in politics, Rerie is also active in social fields. She serves on the Board of Trustees of the
Sukma Bangsa Foundation, which manages schools for underprivileged children in Bireun, Pidie, and Lhokseumawe in Aceh Province. She is also actively involved in breast cancer prevention campaigns through the Sahabat Lestari Community—something that cannot be separated from her status as a survivor of breast cancer.
On a few occasions, Rerie has also had the opportunity to share her experiences about her struggle with breast cancer, mainly to encourage other sufferers. According to Rerie, suffering from cancer is not the end of everything. For her, as a sufferer and then a survivor, is a second chance given by God to rise and to become a better human being who can contribute benefits to others. “There is always a way to achieve success as long as we never give up and continue to fight,” concludes Rerie confidently.
“This is a form of appreciation and honour, which is not only for me but also for all women in Indonesia to encourage them to play active roles in formulating public policies that favour women’s interests”