Jakarta, 3 November 2025 – The inspiring nine-month journey of spiritual reflection and leadership undertaken by Merry Riana under the direct mentorship of the 6th President of the Republic of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), is now documented in the book “The Mentor.” The book launch, attended by the 6th President SBY, also received full support from the Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Agus Harimurti Yudhono (AHY), and the Minister of Creative Economy/Head of the Creative Economy Agency, Teuku Riefky Harsya.
Menteri Ekonomi Kreatif, Teuku Riefky Harsya, memberi sambutan pada acara peluncuran buku “The Mentor” karya Merry Riana yang berlangsung di di Ayana Midplaza, Jakarta, Senin (3/11/2025).
In his remarks, Coordinating Minister AHY stated that writing a book is not merely an act of documenting, but a deeper process involving inner dialogue, emotion, and an effort to understand the thoughts of The Mentor.
“Writing or creating a book is not the same as building irrigation. It requires dialogue with our conscience, our emotions, and our empathy, while trying to understand what is in the mind of the mentor,” said Coordinating Minister AHY at the launch of “The Mentor: Sembilan Purnama di Sisi SBY” at Ayana Midplaza, Jakarta, on Monday, 3 November 2025.
The Minister of Creative Economy emphasized that this book launch is not merely a celebration of a written work, but a manifestation of the nation’s noble values expressed through creativity. He stressed the importance of narratives born from experience and life principles.
The Minister noted that Merry Riana and Alva Tjenderasa have successfully elevated the spirit of Indonesian storytelling to a higher level.
“The Mentor is not just a book—it is a bridge between leadership and creativity, between reflection and action. Strong creativity is not only about ideas but also about depth of meaning. They have proven that a written work can be a high-value creative product that not only entertains but inspires and sparks ideas,” said the Minister of Creative Economy.
Communication Bureau of the Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency.
He added that the presence of this book demonstrates the strong connection between literacy, leadership, and the development of the creative economy. Works such as The Mentor serve as concrete examples of how the publishing and literacy sectors contribute to shaping national character amid rapid digital transformation.
“At the Ministry of Creative Economy, we are committed to strengthening the national publishing ecosystem by supporting writers, publishers, and literacy communities as pillars of the nation’s civilization. The power of narrative remains relevant in shaping a generation grounded in integrity,” affirmed the Minister of Creative Economy.
Author Merry Riana stated that the book began as both a calling and an expression of inner concern.
“When I stepped into the world of government—a world entirely new to me, one I did not yet fully understand—I wanted to learn, to understand more deeply. And that was when I had the opportunity to learn from a mentor,” she said in her remarks.
The book recounts Merry Riana’s nine-month journey with the 6th President SBY, offering insights on values, leadership, and humanity. Through the narrative “from Pacitan to Stanford, from silence to the roar of victory,” the book invites readers to reflect on the meaning of true leadership—steadfastness, moral values, service, and transformation.
Communication Bureau of the Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency.
In addition to the 6th President SBY, the event was attended by the 11th Vice President Boediono, several Ministers and Deputy Ministers of the Merah Putih Cabinet, national figures, creative industry stakeholders, and members of the literacy community.
The Minister of Creative Economy was accompanied by Deputy for Media Creativity Agustini Rahayu, Director of Publishing and Photography Iman Sentosa, Special Advisor to the Minister for Communication, Media, and Public Services Renanda Bachtar, and Special Advisor to the Minister for Strategic Issues and Interagency Affairs Rian Firmansyah.
Kiagoos Irvan Faisal
Acting Head of the Bureau for Communication
Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency
