Thursday, 29 October 2026
MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM - North Sumatra Police Chief Inspector General Sonny Irawan has urged the younger generation to preserve social cohesion, strengthen national pride and avoid behaviour that could undermine their own future and that of the country. He delivered the message during a guest lecture at the second graduation ceremony of the Muhammadiyah University of North Sumatra (UMSU) for 2026 on Wednesday, 28 October 2026.
A total of 905 graduates from the Faculty of Economics and Business, the Faculty of Islamic Studies and the Faculty of Law took part in the second day of the graduation ceremony at Selecta Medan. The event coincided with Indonesia's Youth Pledge Day, which commemorates the historic commitment to national unity and provides an important opportunity to strengthen young people's sense of national identity.The presence of North Sumatra's police chief as a guest of honour sent a significant message to graduates, their parents and the academic community. He stressed that obtaining a university degree must go hand in hand with a responsibility to protect social harmony and make a tangible contribution to the community.
During his guest lecture, Sonny warned graduates against being influenced by provocations that could divide society. He said the diversity of ethnic groups, races and religions in North Sumatra reflected Indonesia's pluralistic society and was something everyone had a shared responsibility to preserve.
"We must not allow ourselves to be divided or provoked. Our country must not descend into division, because North Sumatra is a miniature representation of Indonesia, where numerous ethnic groups, races and religions live together," Sonny emphasised.In his view, unity is one of the essential foundations for maintaining stability and driving development. Differences in identity should not lead to conflict but should instead become a source of strength on which a safe and harmonious society can be built.
Sonny also highlighted the importance of universities and young people helping to create a healthy and safe social environment free from various social problems. Students and graduates have many opportunities to take responsibility through education, community engagement, their professional work and their everyday conduct.He stressed that the police could not fulfil their public safety responsibilities effectively without the support of the community. Communication, mutual trust and cooperation between the police and all sections of society therefore needed to be strengthened continuously.
"The police must work together with the community. The centre of our strength, or the main focus of police work, lies within society," he said.
Sonny explained that since taking office as North Sumatra's police chief, he had deliberately sought direct engagement with a range of social groups. He had established contacts with religious leaders, community organisations, schools and universities to strengthen cooperation in maintaining security and public order.
"The first university I visited was UMSU," he said.Direct engagement with the public was an important part of his work, allowing him to gain a better understanding of problems on the ground while strengthening public trust in the police. Universities, he said, were strategically important places for instilling national values, shaping young people's character and raising awareness of social challenges.
Sonny issued a particularly strong appeal to graduates to stay away from drugs, reject street crime and obey traffic regulations. Preventing drug abuse, he said, could not rely solely on law enforcement measures. It also required personal responsibility and support from families and educational institutions.University graduates could make an important contribution to prevention by fostering a healthy social environment, firmly rejecting drug abuse and raising awareness among those around them of the risks associated with unlawful behaviour.
Sonny expressed hope that graduates would promote positive values wherever they worked and served. In his view, educational achievement became even more meaningful when graduates used their knowledge and skills for the benefit of society."Congratulations on completing your studies today. May this achievement bring goodness and blessings to the graduates and the Indonesian nation. Set a positive example and spread good values wherever you serve and work," the police chief said.
"Love for the homeland, a willingness to make sacrifices, the ability never to give up and concern for our fellow human beings are important prerequisites for Golden Indonesia 2045. Today, together with the graduates, we commit ourselves to building a better Indonesia," he said.
Akrim reminded graduates that an academic title alone did not determine a person's success. They should also recognise and appreciate the efforts and sacrifices of their parents, who had supported them throughout their education and helped them complete their studies.He urged graduates to use their knowledge as a means of bringing about positive change, both in their personal development and in the communities around them. In his address, Akrim quoted South African statesman Nelson Mandela, who described education as a powerful force for changing the world.
"Education is the most powerful force we can use to change the world."The message reinforced the expectation that graduates should not limit themselves to academic achievement. Instead, they should continue developing their abilities, maintain their integrity and apply their knowledge responsibly to meet society's needs.
The Deputy Coordinator of the Coordinating Office for Private Islamic Higher Education (Kopertais) Region IX North Sumatra, Prof. Dr H. Abdullah, M.Si., also attended the graduation ceremony. He commended UMSU's development and reminded graduates to use the knowledge they had acquired for meaningful and beneficial purposes.Abdullah expressed hope that graduates' knowledge would bring blessings and benefit society, the nation and the state. His message also underlined that higher education should not be directed solely towards personal achievement but should carry a responsibility towards society.
Several public figures also graduated on the second day of the ceremony. Serdang Bedagai Regent H. Darma Wijaya, S.E., completed his studies in Sharia Business Management at the Faculty of Islamic Studies. Achyar Hidayat Hasibuan, S.H., chair of Commission A at the Padang Lawas Regional Legislative Council and a member of the Democratic Party, was among the graduates of the Faculty of Law.Their participation demonstrated that higher education remains an important part of personal and professional development, including for those entrusted with public responsibilities.
The coincidence of the graduation ceremony with Indonesia's Youth Pledge Day served as a reminder that the younger generation has a responsibility to carry forward the spirit of national unity through concrete action. Graduates are expected to combine academic competence with strong character and a sense of social responsibility to help build a safer, more inclusive and more progressive Indonesia.The messages delivered by the police chief and the UMSU rector ultimately shared a common goal: to nurture an educated generation that pursues personal achievement while preserving national unity and making a lasting contribution to society and the nation. (IDNC)
REPORTER: H. Muhammad Said Harahap | EDITOR: Fik Sagala
