‘Tokoh Perubahan’ or agent of change is an annual award introduced by Republika since 2005 during Indonesian crisis. The word of perubahan -or change in English- is expected to be a mantra and narrative that moving Indonesian people. 

The chosen figures are those who inspiring and encouraging people to change towards better life.  On this seventh annual Tokoh Perubahan, Republika chooses M Hatta Rajasa, KH Abdullah Syukri Zarkasyi, Ahmad Heryawan, Amran Nur, and Heppy Trenggono.

M Hatta Rajasa

Connectivity is the keyword of the Coordinating Minister of Economy M Hatta Rajasa’s big idea. Despite his position in economy sector, he is not an economist. He is a scholar of petroleum engineering in ITB. His way of thinking is pragmatic and mathematic. His persistence, sincerity, and intelligence makes him a quick learner. Macro-economy terms are now clinging in his mind.

“Indonesia should be the inspiration of change,” Rajasa said on his speech when he achieved the award. He said Indonesia should change to a better direction, not only as a follower. For him, change is a vector in physic or math. “Change in society should be controlled. It should not be undirected,” he said.

KH Abdullah Syukri Zarkasyi

Gontor Modern Pesantren in Ponorogo has been already famous. But, in the hand of KH Abdullah Syukri Zarkasyi, Gontor Pesantren develops rapidly. Now, it has 19 branches in various areas and more if we count boarding schools built by the alumni.

Its developing cooperative makes the pesantren managed independently. He also builds other pesantrens with integrated system and management. Gontor becomes the source of superior national cadres. The pesantren also successfully changes the life of Ponorogo and its vicinity. 

Ahmad Heryawan

The candidate for vice governor of West Java, but the candidate of governor left him at the last minute. Then, he advanced as the candidate of governor. After spending most of his time as people’s representative in Local House of Representative in Jakarta, he was elected as the governor of West Java. As a governor, he achieves much. Among them is his success to reduce mother and baby mortality through his program, one midwife for every village.  

Amran Nur

Sawah Lunto, West Sumatra, was a center of economic growth in Dutch colonialism. It was because the coal mining that became the magnet. But, along with surcease of coal, Sawahlunto became dead city. Amran Nur, as an entrepreneur who has long wandered from the area, was initiated to build the area. He turned the city as a tourism area, plantation, and agriculture. 

The area which was the mining site becomes tourism object. The coal train is also transformed into tourism train. He also capitalizes people to do farming and agriculture. His students are generated to be smart by giving them scholarship abroad. Sawahlunto is now a tourism destination and also visited by many tourists.

Heppy Trenggono

Experience as a successful entrepreneur after his downturn encourages Heppy Trenggono to share his secrets to others. Now he becomes a ‘doctor’ and a motivator for the entrepreneurs. He also campaigns love Indonesia by buying Indonesian products through his act named Gerakan Beli Indonesia. He has a big community with a spirit to develop Indonesia.