Prof. Utomo Sarjono Putro, Head of the Decision-Making Expertise Group at the School of Business and Management, Institut Teknologi Bandung (SBM ITB), said a leader must not only understand theory but also practice it. Understanding practice helps leaders uncover the underlying structures and mental models. Meanwhile, another SBM ITB lecturer, Prof. Yos Sunitiyoso, shared how to make the best decisions in high-stakes situations, referring to the book “Analisis Keputusan” (Decision Analysis). Both spoke in memory of Prof. Kuntoro Mangkusubroto.
SBM ITB held the Strategic Decision-Making Symposium 2026 with the theme “Leading Through Decisions: From Systems Thinking to National Transformation” in memory of Prof. Kuntoro, one of the founders of SBM ITB and a pioneer of decision-making science in Indonesia, at the ITB Jakarta Campus on Thursday (September 3).
Prof. Aurik Gustomo, Dean of SBM ITB, highlighted Prof. Kuntoro’s monumental achievements as a minister, crisis manager, professor, academic, and founder of SBM ITB.
“Mr. Kuntoro’s true legacy lies not in the buildings he rebuilt, but in the minds he shaped. Now our beloved professor is gone, but his teachings on living a life of honor remain. Let us continue and ensure that excellence and integrity are maintained for the sake of building Indonesia,” he said.
Adil Prananda, Prof. Kuntoro’s eldest son, representing the family, expressed his gratitude and deep appreciation, as the values Prof. Kuntoro inherited will live on through this symposium.
Dr. Agung Wicaksono, Director of Business Transformation and Sustainability at PT Pertamina (Persero), said that Prof. Kuntoro lived “not just a life,” but a “meaningful life.” Agung recalled Prof. Kuntoro’s message that professionalism is important, but family comes first.
Meanwhile, Erry Riyana Hardjapamekas, former Deputy Chair of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and Chair of the Indonesian Anti-Corruption Coalition, presented “Ethics as the Foundation of Decision Making: Reflections on Prof. Kuntoro’s Integrity and Leadership.” She discussed how Prof. Kuntoro’s decisions left lessons that are still carried forward today.
“Ri, you may compromise on strategy, but never on values,” Erry recalled Kuntoro’s message.
Prof. Kyoichi Kijima, professor emeritus of decision systems science at the Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan, said that Prof. Kuntoro’s strategy for bridging political and factional differences, promoting inclusivity, and navigating religious and cultural sensitivities was part of his leadership legacy.
Heru Prasetyo, MBA, founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Indonesian Institute of Deliverology (IDEA), said that when he looks at Prof. Kuntoro, he imagines “a multifaceted magnifying mirror, reflecting our ideal self in the bigger picture, and at the same time the image of others.” Kuntoro is complex, inspiring, and impressive.
