Singapore - The Kadin Indonesia Institute (KII) organized a Policy Advocacy Training Program at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP), National University of Singapore, held from September 24–26, 2025.

This program is a follow-up to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between KII and the Purnomo Yusgiantoro Center (PYC) last July, with support from Dato’ Dr. Low Tuck Kwong.

Erwin Aksa, Vice Chairman for Organization, Communication, and Regional Empowerment at Kadin Indonesia, stated that Kadin’s participation in this program positions it as a strategic partner of the government, not merely a passive observer.

“This training strengthens our members to expand their influence, build global networks, drive sustainable growth, and improve the welfare of the Indonesian people,” said Erwin.

Meanwhile, Associate Professor Eduardo Araral from LKYSPP emphasized that policy must align with public needs, not just serve the interests of specific groups or industries.

“If not, it may trigger large scale protests, as we've seen in Indonesia, Nepal, and France,” he warned.

Indonesia’s Ambassador to Singapore, Suryo Pratomo, expressed hope that this capacity-building initiative would enhance Indonesia’s competitiveness while deepening regional cooperation within ASEAN.

“By equipping Kadin leaders with world class advocacy skills, we strengthen Indonesia’s competitiveness and deepen regional cooperation in ASEAN,” he said.

Filda Citra Yusgiantoro, Chairperson of PYC, emphasized that the program is designed to equip leaders with greater capacity to serve, voice aspirations, and drive impactful change.

“Every leader trained here will return better prepared to serve, advocate, and lead change by connecting vision with real impact,” she stated.

Ong Toon Hui, Vice Dean & Executive Director of the Institute of Governance and Leadership at LKYSPP, noted that amid global uncertainties and shifting trade regulations, close collaboration between government and the private sector is more crucial than ever.

“Effective policy advocacy is key to sustainable growth and prosperity,” she concluded.

The training was attended by 60 leaders and representatives from Kadin across various provinces and business sectors, both in person and virtually.

Participants were equipped with advanced skills in policy advocacy, strategic leadership, and regional collaboration within ASEAN.

Combining world-class academic insights with real-world practices from Indonesia, the program featured lectures by Prof. Eduardo Araral, a dialogue session with the Singapore Business Federation, and experience-sharing with regional experts from Malaysia and the Philippines.

Participants also explored seven policy advocacy frameworks and applied them in group projects focusing on priority issues such asDigital transformation, MSMEs, Sustainability, Energy and food security, Trade and Investment.

This program marks a milestone in the collaboration between KII and PYC in preparing a new generation of Indonesian leaders who are adaptive, globally connected, and ready to drive change through knowledge-based policy advocacy.

The event was attended by Dato’ Dr. Low Tuck Kwong, Elaine Low, Alexander Ery Wibowo from PT Bayan Resources Tbk, and Dr. Purnomo Yusgiantoro.