PELAIHARI – The Chairman of the South Kalimantan Regional Leadership Council of the Indonesian National Youth Committee (KNPI), Andi Rustianto, encouraged the younger generation to develop an entrepreneurial spirit from an early age as an effort to create economic independence and create jobs for the community.
Andi made this call while speaking at the Tala Youth Entrepreneur 2026 event organized by the Tanah Laut Young Student Entrepreneurs Association (HPPMTL) at the Sinar Hotel Pelaihari on Saturday (July 18, 2026).
Addressing the audience, which included schoolchildren, university students, and youth activists, Andi emphasized that academic qualifications alone are not enough to face the challenges of the ever-evolving world of work and business.
According to him, the courage to seize opportunities, the ability to innovate, and a willingness to continuously learn are the key assets for an entrepreneur to survive and thrive amidst competition.
In addition to encouraging entrepreneurial spirit, Andi also emphasized the importance of the younger generation recognizing and emulating the nation’s historical figures. He believes the struggles of the nation’s founders provide many lessons about leadership, integrity, hard work, and courage in facing challenges.
“Never forget history and the figures who fought to build this nation. From them, we learn about leadership, integrity, an unyielding spirit, and courage in facing challenges. These are the values that entrepreneurs must also possess,” he said.
Andi stated that the entrepreneurial spirit must continue to be fostered among young people so that they are not merely job seekers but also job creators who benefit society.
He believes that the development of digital technology has changed the business landscape, requiring the younger generation to continuously improve their capacity, expand their networks, and adapt to change to remain competitive at the local and national levels.
He also appreciated the HPPMTL initiative, which provides a coaching program for aspiring young entrepreneurs in Tanah Laut Regency. According to Andi, the Tala Youth Entrepreneur 2026 program is a strategic step in preparing superior and competitive human resources towards Golden Indonesia 2045.
“Activities like this must continue. We need more young people who are brave enough to become entrepreneurs, possess strong character, uphold national values, and are capable of bringing progress to their regions,” he said.
The Tala Youth Entrepreneur 2026 program was attended by 20 participants selected from more than 100 applicants who went through the selection process. During the program, participants received training on entrepreneurship, motivation, mentoring, and opportunities to build networks to develop their businesses.
Through this program, HPPMTL hopes to foster more creative and innovative young entrepreneurs who are able to contribute to economic growth and job creation in Tanah Laut Regency.
Daffa Ibrahim
