Dr. Legisan Samtafsir: Dare to Change Indonesia
Dr. Legisan Samtafsir: Dare to Change Indonesia
Indonesia, a country with a Muslim-majority population, often faces the question: why, despite its abundant resources and large population, does it still lag behind other nations? Dr. Legisan Samtafsir, a prominent academic and founder of Greatness, delves deeply into the root of this issue and offers profound insights into the changes needed to transform Indonesia into a developed and prosperous nation.
Academic Journey and Critical Thinking
Dr. Legisan began his academic journey by earning a bachelor’s degree in Communication and Islamic Preaching from UIN North Sumatra. He later pursued a master’s degree in Islamic Thought at the same university. In 2022, he completed his doctoral studies in Islamic Politics at UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta. His dissertation explored the politics of Islamic development, comparing the post-Cold War conditions in Indonesia and Turkey.
In the podcast Sahur Bersama Tokoh (“Sahur with the Figures”), Dr. Legisan revealed that one of his main motivations for pursuing doctoral studies was to answer a fundamental question: Why do Muslim-majority countries like Indonesia fall behind? To him, the powerful teachings of Islam should be implemented in organizations and governance to advance the nation.
External and Internal Factors Hindering Progress
Dr. Legisan highlights both external and internal factors that contribute to Indonesia’s lagging development. External factors include a colonial history and economic-political relations that benefit powerful nations. “Colonialism may no longer exist physically, but economic and political colonization still persists,” he explained. Internal factors include the lack of protection for domestic industries and the low level of justice in the distribution of welfare.
According to him, Indonesia is still treated as a raw material supplier for the industries of developed countries. “We are on an escalator, but stuck in place, while other countries move forward faster,” he added. The government’s inability to shield domestic industries from destructive foreign forces is one of the main causes of this delay.
Transforming Indonesia with Islamic Values
Dr. Legisan believes that Islamic concepts can serve as strong foundations for national development. Unfortunately, in Indonesia, religion is often a source of conflict. He argues that Islam must be maximally utilized in nation-building. The values of Taqwa—which include faith, establishing prayer, and belief in the afterlife—when applied to organizations and management, can significantly drive progress.
He emphasizes that transforming Indonesia requires leaders who can protect domestic interests and uphold justice. “Great leaders are those who can protect their people from destructive foreign forces and ensure justice in the distribution of prosperity,” he asserted.
Ramadan Message: Becoming a Great Individual
As the discussion concluded, Dr. Legisan shared his message for Ramadan. “Observe the fast with the goal of becoming a person of Taqwa, which means becoming a great person. Taqwa is greatness, and every act of worship in Islam is aimed at making us great individuals,” he said.
In his message, Dr. Legisan stressed that every Islamic act of worship encourages its followers to be productive, high-achieving, and successful. “We must apply the values of Taqwa in our daily lives, in organizations, business, and governance to advance our nation,” he concluded.
Dare to Change Indonesia
Through his insightful perspectives, Dr. Legisan Samtafsir calls on all Indonesians to dare to embrace change. By protecting domestic industries, ensuring justice, and implementing Islamic values in all aspects of life, Indonesia can become a developed and prosperous nation. It is time for all of us to dare to change Indonesia for a brighter future.