GKR Hemas Cares for the Elderly and People with Disabilities

11 May 2026 oleh admin

Yogyakarta, dpd.go.id - Vice Speaker of the House of Regional Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia (DPD RI) Gusti Kanjeng Ratu Hemas in collaboration with the Catholic Women of the Republic of Indonesia Regional Executive Council of the Special Region of Yogyakarta held a Public Discussion themed "Quo Vadis Lansia Yogyakarta: Measuring the Quality of Life, Independence, Spirituality, and Protection of the Elderly" at the Wedhabakti Theology Faculty Hall of Sanata Dharma University Yogyakarta, Saturday (9/5). This activity was held in order to welcome the 102nd Anniversary of WKRI as well as commemorate the 30th National Elderly Day, and was attended by around 175 participants from women's organizations, academics, and elderly observers.

In her remarks, which opened the event, GKR Hemas emphasized that the elderly should not be viewed as a social burden. She called on all women's organizations of all faiths and backgrounds to unite to protect the rights of the elderly, just as they have worked together to champion various laws protecting women and children.

"We need to ensure that the elderly are not seen as a burden, but rather as citizens who have the right to live healthy, active, productive, and useful lives. They must still have space to work, socialize, and feel loved and valued," said GKR Hemas.

GKR Hemas, who identifies herself as elderly at 74, also expressed concern over the increasing number of abuse cases in eldercare facilities. She encouraged continued collaboration between social institutions and the Social Security Administration (BPJS) to provide dignified care for the elderly, while also reminding them not to halt the ongoing collaboration.

"I hope this forum will not only be a space for ideas, but also a space for formulating concrete strategies for caring for the elderly, from a social, health, psychological, spiritual, and public policy perspective," he stressed.

GKR Hemas also emphasized that input from this discussion will be directly brought to the discussion of the Bill (RUU) on Elderly Welfare at the national level, which is currently being discussed with various women's organizations, including the Indonesian Women's Council (MPI) and the Women's Network. She welcomed the SMART Elderly concept that was the output of this activity, namely elderly who are Healthy, Independent, Active, Religious/Resilient, Skilled/Productive, and Dignified, and encouraged the concept to develop into a joint collaborative movement.

Open dialogue and submission of the Braille Qur'an

In a different location, GKR Hemas handed over aid in the form of a package of prayer equipment and a Braille Al-Quran to the Chairperson of the Regional Leadership of the Indonesian Mosque Council (PW DMI) DIY as a form of commitment to equal access to worship for all levels of society, especially the visually impaired, at the DIY DPD RI Building, Yogyakarta.

The forum was attended by the Chairperson of the DMI DIY PW, Prof. Dr. H. Muhammad, along with the management team, the Head of the People's Welfare Bureau of the DIY Regional Secretariat, Faishol Muslim, and representatives of mosque administrators from all regencies and cities in the Special Region of Yogyakarta.

This activity is intended as a forum for fostering friendship and directly absorbing aspirations from mosque managers at the grassroots level, in order to strengthen the synergy between the DPD RI and religious stakeholders in the regions in supporting inclusive and sustainable social development.

In her remarks, GKR Hemas expressed her deep appreciation to all DMI administrators and mosque administrators in Yogyakarta, whom she considered to have consistently upheld the role of mosques beyond their mere ritual functions. "I express my highest appreciation to the DIY Indonesian Mosque Council and all mosque administrators and administrators who have consistently upheld the role of mosques not only as places of worship but also as spaces for social service for the community," she said.

GKR Hemas emphasized that today's development challenges are no longer simply about physical infrastructure, but also touch on the dimension of human character development amidst the rapid flow of technological and information changes that influence the younger generation. In this context, she views mosques as having a very strategic position. "Mosques should not be understood merely as spiritual spaces, but must also be vibrant social spaces. Spaces capable of fostering character values, strengthening morals, fostering social awareness, and instilling noble cultural values in keeping with the character of the Yogyakarta community," she emphasized.

GKR Hemas concluded the event with the hope that the synergy between the DPD RI and the Yogyakarta DMI would continue. "I believe that if mosques can serve as spiritual centers as well as centers for strengthening the character and social life of the community, they will become a crucial foundation for maintaining the nation's social and cultural resilience," she concluded.