May 26, 2026 | 02:57 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Imamul Wathoni was asked by Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya to step onto the stage after the self-introduction session at a Mata Garuda gathering held in the Hoegeng Hall of the Cabinet Secretariat Building in Jakarta on Saturday, February 7, 2026. Speaking to Teddy, Imamul, Chairperson of Mata Garuda West Nusa Tenggara, urged the government to improve the quality of education as one way to reduce poverty. Mata Garuda is a networking organization for alumni of scholarships funded by the Education Fund Management Institution (LPDP).Hearing Imamul's remarks, Teddy responded that the government had already launched several education programs. One example was the people's school initiative aimed at children from poor families. Even so, Teddy promised to convey Imamul's proposal to President Prabowo Subianto.Before returning to his seat, Imamul joked with Teddy. Imamul said Teddy would become a future national leader. "He just laughed," Imamul recalled when contacted on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.According to Imamul, Teddy said LPDP alumni are national assets who must create positive impacts for society. For that reason, Teddy urged LPDP alumni across the country to accelerate government programs on the ground.The meeting between LPDP alumni and Teddy had not originally been planned. Imamul said Mata Garuda initially wanted to invite President Prabowo Subianto as a speaker at its annual event. But Prabowo was busy and had to be replaced by Teddy.Read the Complete Story in Tempo English Magazine
