MONITORSULUT——- In a world that grows ever more connected and dynamic, one name from Indonesia is once again stepping into the international spotlight, Dr. Maya Rumantir.
Not merely for her fame, but for a multidimensional legacy that inspires across nations and disciplines. This year, she will be conferred the honorary title of Knight of the Royal Maharlika during the 7th We Care for Humanity (WCH) Royal Summit, taking place on May 27–28, 2025, in Las Vegas, United States.
However, the spotlight is not just about the award. What truly draws attention is how Maya , once known as a singer, model, and later politician has woven together her life’s diverse experiences into a path of social and spiritual service, now receiving global recognition.
The Knight of the Royal Maharlika title is far from ceremonial. It is awarded only to those seen as agents of real, positive change in their communities.
Dr Maya Rumantir has earned this distinction through decades of dedication across multiple fields: the arts, education, public service, and humanitarian initiatives.
According to Her Royal Highness Mariam Leonor Torres Mastura, Chairperson of the Summit and founder of We Care for Humanity, Maya embodies the “transformational leadership spirit of Asia.” The Queen emphasized that this honor recognizes Maya’s unwavering commitment to community empowerment , both within Indonesia and on the international stage.
Maya Rumantir is not a figure who traveled a single, straightforward path. Her career began in childhood as a gifted singer. She later rose as a cultural and business icon, eventually becoming a Senator (Member of the Regional Representative Council/DPD RI) representing North Sulawesi since 2014. Alongside her public duties, she remained deeply involved in church ministry and social work, and also earned honorary doctoral degrees in public administration and human resource management.
What makes Maya’s journey especially relevant today is her rare ability to bridge seemingly disparate worlds, politics and spirituality, art and policy, local roots and global influence, into a harmonious life mission.
The award from the Royal Maharlika may be seen as a symbolic peak in her journey. But beyond the honor itself, it marks a moment of reflection for Indonesia and Asia, that a woman can be a transformative force, not only on the domestic stage but also within the broader global dialogue.
As someone long known within Indonesian society, it may be time for the country and the world to see Maya Rumantir through a wider lens. Not just as a politician or entertainer, but as a symbol of Asian women’s success in building bridges between cultures, between faiths, and between nations.
(yulia pricilia)
