ESSAY 1: LEADERSHIP & INFLUENCE (500 kata)

ESSAY 1: LEADERSHIP & INFLUENCE (500 kata)

_As Head of Community Protection (Kabid Linmas) Satpol PP West Jakarta for over 20 years, I led 350+ civil defense personnel across Tebet and West Jakarta. My leadership was not about command, but coordination and motivation – the very topic of my Master Thesis in 2002 “Importance of Coordination and Motivation in Increasing Productivity of Civil Defense Members in Tebet District” (GPA 3.30). In 2010, this dedication was recognized with Satyalancana Karya Satya XX Tahun from President SBY (Keppres No.62/2010)._

_The hardest leadership test was not in the office, but at home. In 2015-2022, to finance my children’s higher education – Risnitawati and Risto Januarman – I pawned my own undergraduate diploma (S1 STIA LAN 1996) as collateral for their education loan. Many saw it as losing a document; I saw it as investing in next generation. This sacrifice taught me true leadership: leading by example, prioritizing family future over personal pride. Today both my children are educated because a father chose to lead his family first. I will bring this story to Chevening to show that leadership in Indonesia often means silent sacrifice._

_In 2026, I lead Da’Ram (Dai’ Rantau Minang) and SAS Foundation, organizing Urang Awak Jabodetabek – over 1 million Minang migrants in Jakarta. I initiated data collection of all Minang recitation communities from RT/RW to city level, and planned Pengajian Akbar Deklarasi 13 December 2026 at Masjid Agung Al-Azhar Kebayoran Baru, the historic mosque built by Buya Hamka, our Minang hero. This involves coordinating 50+ Majelis Ta’lim, negotiating with DKM Al-Azhar, and uniting people with philosophy “Siriah ka gagangnyo, pinang ka tampuaknyo, anak dipangku kemenakan dibimbing.” This is leadership that bridges adat basandi syara’, syara’ basandi Kitabullah._

_Chevening will sharpen my leadership from local community protection to national policy influence._