Sultan Baktiar Najamudin Shocks KRTI 2026 at IKN: Young People Must Dare to Lead a Golden Indonesia

22 September 2026 oleh admin

IKN, dpd.go.id — The Speaker of the House of Regional Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia (DPD RI), Sultan Baktiar Najamudin, surprised around 500 engineering students from 43 universities across Indonesia. On Monday evening, September 21, 2026, the Sultan suddenly appeared at the 2026 Indonesian Flying Robot Contest (KRTI) arena at the Coordinating Ministry III Hall in the Indonesian Capital City (IKN), North Penajam Paser, East Kalimantan.

Sultan's presence, along with the Head of the National Capital Authority, Basuki Hadimuljono, at the event even surprised the Chancellor of the Kalimantan Institute of Technology (ITK), Prof. Dr. Agus Rubiyanto. The Chancellor enthusiastically welcomed the DPD RI Chairman.

KRTI 2026 was attended by 94 teams from various universities throughout Indonesia.

"Young people must have the courage to lead. Don't wait for the future to come. Prepare yourselves now to embrace it," said Sultan while motivating the students.

According to Sultan, young people must prepare themselves now to lead Indonesia towards a Golden Indonesia. He reminded the younger generation not to feel inferior and to always consider other nations superior.

"Don't feel inferior, don't think that other nations are always greater," said Sultan firmly.

According to Sultan, the long history of colonialism has left a sense of inferiority among some Indonesians. Therefore, the younger generation needs to build self-confidence and the belief that Indonesia has the ability to compete and become a developed nation.

For the first time, KRTI 2026 was held at the capital city. Sultan stated that the younger generation has a significant opportunity to determine the direction of Indonesia's future. "The demographic bonus, technological developments, and the development of the new capital city (IKN) are opportunities that must be utilized to produce new leaders and innovators," said Sultan.

Sultan also recounted his leadership journey, starting from a young entrepreneur organization, then becoming Deputy Governor of Bengkulu, senator, Vice Speaker of the DPD RI, and finally being trusted to lead the DPD RI.

According to him, this experience shows that leadership can be built through courage, hard work, organizational experience, and a willingness to continue learning.

Flying robot technology, or Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), said Sultan, has great potential to be utilized in various fields, ranging from regional mapping, disaster mitigation, environmental monitoring, logistics, agriculture, to infrastructure management.

"The robots you are developing today are not just for competition. This technology must benefit society and help Indonesia face future challenges," he said.

Sultan also expressed his appreciation for the KRTI (Indonesian Student Association) event at the new capital. He stated that the presence of students from various universities in the new capital demonstrates that the development of the new capital city is not only about physical development but also about human resources and technology.

The new capital, Sultan said, must be a space for young people to innovate, collaborate, and test new ideas. The new capital is expected to symbolize a modern, advanced, green, and technology-driven Indonesia.

"Golden Indonesia is not enough to just talk about. It must be prepared and realized by a young generation who dares to take responsibility," he said.

Basuki Hadimuljono, Head of the National Capital Authority, added that the archipelago is designed as a smart, green, inclusive, and technology-driven city of the future. Therefore, the national capital is open to becoming a collaborative space and living laboratory for the development of national innovation.

Basuki assessed that KRTI has strategic value because it brings together student creativity with the needs of modern city development.

"We hope that KRTI will not only produce champions, but also produce innovations that can be implemented and provide real benefits for Indonesia," said Basuki.

KRTI 2026 will take place on September 21–25, 2026. Participants will compete in five categories: Racing Plane, Fixed-Wing, Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL), Technology Development, and Long Endurance Low Altitude (LELA).

The KRTI event in the capital also brings together universities, government, industry, and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). This collaboration is expected to strengthen the national ecosystem for research, innovation, and technological talent development.

Present at the event were Member of Commission VIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives Hetifah Sjaifudian, Member of DPD RI Dr. Yulius Henock Sumual, S.H., M.Si., Yulita Priyoningsih representing the Director of Belmawa at the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Dr. Ir. H. Fitriansyah representing the Governor of East Kalimantan, and the panel of judges. (*)