Soekarwo, a member of the Presidential Advisory Council (Wantimpres), is the alumni of the Doctoral Program in Law, Faculty of Law, Diponegoro University (UNDIP), class of 2004. He worked in the East Java Provincial Government for decades, including serving as Governor of East Java from 2009 to 2019.
Appointed as a member of Wantimpres, Dr. H. Soekarwo, S.H., M.Hum., was previously the Governor of East Java and had an extensive career in public administration, starting from entry-level positions and eventually rising to the role of Regional Secretary (Sekda). Born in Madiun in 1950, Soekarwo demonstrated a lifelong commitment to public service and education, culminating in his decision to pursue doctoral studies at UNDIP, inspired by the progressive legal philosophies of Prof. Satjipto Rahardjo.
During his doctoral studies, Soekarwo commuted between Surabaya and Semarang, sometimes driving with his wife to ensure his commitments to both family and education were balanced. His academic pursuits focused on addressing the failures of public policy and understanding sociological approaches to law. This foundation informed his leadership approach as Governor, where he emphasized participatory decision-making and cultural engagement. His innovative governance strategies, such as the “Jalin Kesra” welfare program, underscored his belief in empowering citizens to articulate their needs directly. Today, in his role with Wantimpres, he continues to champion policies rooted in social justice and inclusivity.
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summarized from various sources
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