Regional Literary, Literacy and Culture Leaders Chart a New Path: Ir. Yozarwardi Takes the Helm of SatuPena West Sumatra Province as Sastri Bakry Ascends to Regional (Sumatra Island) Coordinator
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PADANG — Suaraanaknegeri.com. A solemn yet warm atmosphere enveloped the West Sumatra Governor’s Office Auditorium on Sunday, November 2, 2026. Within this historic venue, the Regional Deliberation (Musyawarah Daerah or Musda) of the West Sumatra Provincial Chapter of the SatuPena Writers Association officially appointed Ir. Yozarwardi Usama Putra, S.Hut., M.Si. as its new leader to steer the organization for the 2026–2031 term.
The pivotal event was officially inaugurated by the Governor of West Sumatra, who was represented by Jumaidi, S.Pd., M.Pd., Head of the West Sumatra Provincial Archives and Library Office.
Yozarwardi’s election was reached through a mature consensus process conducted by a Formulator Team. This team comprised regional literacy drivers: Yozarwardi Usama Putra, Armaidi Tanjung, Rita Novita, Yurnaldi, and outgoing Chairperson Sastri Bakry.
Musda Committee Chair Armaidi Tanjung revealed that candidate screening began well in advance, from September 20 to October 20, 2026, via open participation in the members’ WhatsApp group and digital forms.
- Initial Nomination Pool: Over 200 registered SatuPena West Sumatra members proposed candidates. From this pool, nine preliminary names emerged.
- Online Voting: These nine nominees were selected through a phased online vote held a month prior. The top three vote-getters were then submitted to the Musda for final decision-making by the Formulator Team.
- Formulator Composition: The final vote tally for the formulator team recorded Yozarwardi (19 votes), Armaidi Tanjung (19 votes), Rita Novita (18 votes), and Yurnaldi (11 votes), alongside the outgoing Chairperson. Because Leni Marlina (who secured 12 votes) was unable to attend the event, her position on the formulator team was succeeded by Yurnaldi, as detailed transparently by Armaidi.
The nine shortlisted nominees (besides Sastri Bakry), listed in alphabetical order, were:
- Armaidi Tanjung
- Dilla
- Hasanuddin
- Leni Marlina
- Pinto Janir
- Ranti Arastri
- Rita Novita
- Yozarwardi Usama Putra
- Yurnaldi
Reflecting on the extensive nomination process, outgoing DPD SatuPena West Sumatra Chairperson Sastri Bakry expressed deep gratitude at the regional secretariat located at Jalan Cindua Mato Number 13, Padang. “I was once anxious that there would be no successor, because I deeply desired generational renewal within SatuPena West Sumatra,” said Sastri, who has now been entrusted with a broader mandate as Coordinator of SatuPena for the Sumatra Region. She praised the nominees as strong writers and literacy figures in their respective domains.
By blending digital systems with direct on-site deliberation, members who could not attend in person were still given a platform to propose candidates, fulfilling a framework previously highlighted by Sastri Bakry and Secretary Armaidi Tanjung.
In his inaugural address following his official appointment, Yozarwardi, who serves daily as Assistant II of the West Sumatra Regional Secretariat for Economic and Development Affairs, expressed profound gratitude.
“Let us together build empowered, beneficial, dignified, and sustainable writers,” urged Yozarwardi, a public figure who has penned three books of his own.
Fully aware that modern writing challenges are increasingly complex, Yozarwardi emphasized that his leadership will focus on both the quantity and the quality of literary works:
The Battle Against Gadgets: “Our war today is against the negative impacts of gadgets and unsettling external influences. By intensifying the writing tradition among the younger generation, ranging from the nagari (village), school, and campus levels, we strive to make literacy a bulwark defending national character,” stressed Yozarwardi, whose passion for poetry has flourished since his junior high school days. To the delight of the audience, he even opened his speech with a brilliant live poetry reading from the podium.
Representing the Governor of West Sumatra, Jumaidi offered high praise to the 2022–2026 management board under Sastri Bakry’s tenure:
Firstly, during its five-year tenure, SatuPena West Sumatra made extraordinary contributions to driving literacy and protecting society from gadget dependency through writing competitions, book launches and reviews, seminars, and literary performance stages.
Notably, the chapter elevated the profile of West Sumatra onto the global stage through the International Minangkabau Literacy Festival (IMLF), which has been successfully held four times, drawing delegates from dozens of friendly nations.
Sastri Bakry also extended heartfelt thanks to all management teams, loyal members, and strategic partners, spanning provincial and regency/city governments, vertical institutions, state-owned/regional-owned enterprises (BUMN/BUMD), the private sector, and individuals, who continuously supported SatuPena West Sumatra’s journey.
To conclude the event, the complete structural lineup of the DPD SatuPena West Sumatra for the 2026–2031 period was announced:
- Chairperson: Ir. Yozarwardi Usama Putra, S.Hut., M.Si.
- Vice Chairpersons: Yurnaldi and Ranti Arastri
- Secretary: Armaidi Tanjung
- Deputy Secretary: Jias Mengki
- Treasurer: Rita Novita
- Supporting Organs: Backed by a dedicated Board of Experts (Dewan Pakar) and Board of Supervisors (Dewan Pengawas) ready to guide SatuPena West Sumatra toward greater heights in service to the nation.
The committee and management expressed utmost appreciation to all members and participants who dedicated their time, energy, and intellect, noting that their active participation and shared spirit form the primary pulse and greatest strength of the association. *(Leni M. – SAN)
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Please read the Indonesian version of the news above, which ia available in the link below:
Musda SatuPena Sumbar Sukses Digelar: Yozarwardi Resmi Pimpin Periode 2026–2031
