Semarang, 12 May 2026 — The Department of Politics and Government and the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) at Universitas Diponegoro organized a Book Review event for “Babad Alas,” featuring the author, the Deputy Minister of Kementerian Dalam Negeri of the Republic of Indonesia, Dr. Bima Arya, as the keynote speaker. Held at the FISIP Undip Theater Room, the event served as a forum for in-depth discussion regarding regional leadership transformation, political winning strategies, and the strengthening of bureaucratic integrity through the lens of empirical experience.
The event was opened with a warm welcome from the Dean of FISIP Undip, Dr. Drs. Teguh Yuwono, M.Pol.Admin. In his opening remarks, he expressed profound appreciation and gratitude for Dr. Bima Arya’s presence despite his busy schedule as Deputy Minister. The Dean emphasized that having a figure who is both a practitioner and an academic provides extraordinary value for students in understanding the concrete realities of politics and governance, moving beyond the theories studied in the classroom.
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The presentation session, moderated by Bangkit Aditya Wirawan, S.Sos., M.A., Ph.D., thoroughly explored Dr. Bima Arya’s decade-long journey leading the City of Bogor. During his presentation, Dr. Bima Arya shared his transformation from a political observer into a resilient executive. He dissected his political strategy during the 2013 Regional Elections, where, as a newcomer, he successfully won the competition through a structured approach and meticulous preparation that had begun in 2010. He further emphasized that the key to his leadership success lay in building integrity among the heads of regional agencies and maintaining consistency in talent management to recruit competent figures into his team.
The discussion grew more insightful as Dr. Sos. Dra. Fitriyah, M.S., a senior lecturer at FISIP Undip, provided a critical review of the book’s content. Dr. Fitriyah analyzed the profound meaning behind the title “Babad Alas,” which draws on the Mahabharata epic as a symbol of the struggle to open a new space filled with challenges. She highlighted how the book records Dr. Bima Arya’s leadership track record over two terms, particularly regarding his courage in making difficult decisions and his consistency in maintaining a vision for sustainable urban development.
Overall, the book review reaffirmed that political leadership requires a blend of strategic intelligence, the strength of integrity, and the ability to build a solid team. Through reflections on “Babad Alas,” students are expected to gain valuable lessons regarding governance ethics and dedication to public service, while inspiring the birth of future leaders committed to substantive change.
