How Mukhlis Became a Genre Ambassador and More

Muhammad Mukhlis Cahyadi's happiness was unmistakable that afternoon, as he was crowned the Surakarta City Genre Ambassador for 2021 at Pendhapi Gede, Surakarta City Hall, on April 3, 2021. A black velvet sash with gold lettering crossed his chest. It was Mukhlis' first time participating in an ambassador election, which made the win even sweeter.

The title "Genre Ambassador" stands for Generasi Berencana meaning Generation Planning, an initiative under the National Population and Family Planning Board (BKKBN). Its goal is to educate teenagers on how to plan for the future, both in terms of career and family life.

It was during the second semester that he received the news about the 2021 Surakarta Genre Ambassador Selection. Mukhlis, who is active in the Intellectual and Islamic Development Division of the Physiotherapy Student Association, felt inspired to participate in the event.

After eventually registering for the election, he participated in a series of activities, including a one-week quarantine and debriefing session. The training covered topics related to generation planning, including the eight core aspects of Genre: family functions, marriage age maturity, advocacy and KIE (information, education, and communication), gender, HIV/AIDS, sexuality, drug abuse, and life skills development.

Muhammad Mukhlis Cahyadi with the Mayor of Surakarta, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, during the Awarding Night of Surakarta Genre Ambassadors, Saturday (3/4/2021). Genre Surakarta

After completing the quarantine and debriefing, the man from Samarinda also took a written test and an aptitude test. The written test focused on the eight core aspects of Genre. He shared that he didn't face any significant challenges, thanks to the mentoring he received a year earlier from his senior, Dwi Triska Novemia. “Fortunately, we were mentored by UMS students who had participated in the Genre Ambassador program. They guided us on potential questions and the material we needed to understand,” Mukhlis explained.

During the talent test, Mukhlis demonstrated his expertise in musabaqah tilawatil qur'an (MTQ) through his mastery of breathing techniques, articulation, and vocal vibrations in reciting the holy verses of the Qur'an. “I was an active participant in MTQ competitions during high school,” he shared.

Mukhlis faced greater challenges during the grand final night, where he had to deliver a speech on the importance of life skills in preparing for the Golden Indonesia 2045. “It is time for teenagers to act as agents of change, bringing positive transformations to their environment,” he declared with confidence.

The challenges didn’t end there. The 22-year-old man was also asked to answer questions from the judges about stunting, a topic not originally included in the eight genre themes. He had to think quickly to provide an answer on the spot.

Thanks to his self-confidence, Mukhlis was able to handle the judges' questions calmly and decisively. There was no hesitation on his face as he responded. “My mentor told me that the most important thing is just to speak up. IBecause what’s being evaluated is not only right or wrong but also the presentation we deliver,” said Mukhlis, who served as Head of the Cadre and Human Resource Division of the Gerakan Muda Beramal in 2021. Unexpectedly, his one and a half minute answer was what ultimately led him to victory.

As the Surakarta Genre Ambassador, Mukhlis, who was born in Lampung on September 2, 2002, is actively engaged in various counseling and social activities. He regularly conducts counseling sessions at the Youth Information and Counseling Center (PIK-R) in villages in Surakarta, as well as in schools and for the general public.

“I have conducted counseling sessions for prospective brides and pregnant women, focusing primarily on stunting prevention,” explained Mukhlis, who enjoys studying Anatomy physiology. He also counsels the elderly on family roles and engage with children to deliver the importance of nutritious food intake.

Mukhlis shares all of his counseling activities on social media. As a Genre Ambassador, he is required to be active on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, which is where his journey as a content creator began.

Mukhlis tailors his content to suit different audiences on his social media platforms. He uses Instagram primarily for educational content, while TikTok is more often geared toward entertainment.

The UMS Physiotherapy graduate initially felt insecure about being in front of the camera when creating content. However, he overcame his doubts and began producing content with confidence.

“At first, the content wasn’t very good. Some people criticized it as alay or pretentious,” he recalled. Neither negative comments nor criticism would weigh Mukhlis down. Instead, Mukhlis retains more motivation to improve the quality of his content. His creativity was gradually recognized, as shown by his 13.2 thousand followers on Instagram (@mukhlis_chyd) and 506.9 thousand followers on TikTok (@mukhlis_chyd).

LEFT: Muhammad Mukhlis Cahyadi in an activity with children. RIGHT: Muhammad Mukhlis Cahyadi presenting the prevention of promiscuous sex in one of the high schools in Surakarta City.

Time management was initially a challenge for Mukhlis, as balancing his responsibilities as a Genre Ambassador and a student required significant focus. However, over time, he became adept at managing his schedule by prioritizing between his academic commitments and ambassadorial duties.

“Not all Genre Ambassador activities are urgent. We can delegate tasks to other Ambassadors,” she explained. “In Surakarta alone, there are ten categories of Genre Ambassadors, including first place, second place, talented champion, and more.”

The student, who once served as a brand ambassador for the Indonesian Physiotherapy Association, believes that an ambassador's main role is to be a positive role model for their peers. As a Genre Ambassador, Mukhlis is expected to set a good example for both his college friends and his social media followers.

Thanks to his hard work over the past year, Mukhlis earned the trust to represent Surakarta in the 2022 Central Java Province Genre Ambassador Selection, where he secured the 4th runner-up position.

After completing his duty as a Genre Ambassador at both the city and provincial levels, the man who secured first place in the 2023 National Physiotherapy Olympiad at Universitas Widya Husada Semarang successfully graduated in mid-March 2024. He then pursued further studies in the Physiotherapy Professional program at UMS.

From a young age, Mukhlis had a strong connection to the field of health. His father, the late Wiyadi, was a lecturer at Politeknik Kesehatan Kemenkes Kalimantan Timur. “I was exposed to the medical world early on. My father would often invite me to join him during his lectures,” he recalled.

Amid his busy schedule as a Physiotherapy student, Mukhlis began exploring the world of writing. “I really want to be a writer,” he shared. One of the authors who inspired him is Paul Sloane, particularly with his book How to Be a Brilliant Thinker. The book expanded Mukhlis’ thinking and helped him develop visionary ideas. “It breaks down how to think like a brilliant person,” he explained.

No wonder that in April 2024, Mukhlis finally launched his first book, Personal Branding: From No One to Be Someone. The 246-page book is a collaboration with his twin brother, Muhammad Mukhlas Cahyadi.

“This book explores how to present ourselves, showcase our abilities, and introduce ourselves, both in person and through social media,” explained Mukhlis, who also volunteered as a Chaperone Doping Control at the 2022 ASEAN Para Games.

Muhammad Mukhlis Cahyadi with his book. 

He based his book on a combination of research and personal experiences. The book aims to explore methods for helping readers better understand both the speaker and the material being communicated. In the realm of social media, Mukhlis focuses more on efforts to build personal branding, highlighting the importance of presenting oneself effectively in the digital space.

“I shared my experience on how to broaden insights through social media and how to become a content creator,” he added. “This included tips on creating content and building an effective online presence.”

The book production process took about nine months, with three months dedicated to writing. The first print run, published by C-Klik Media in Yogyakarta, consisted of two thousand copies and was distributed to various national bookstores across Indonesia.

This achievement did not make Mukhlis complacent. He now plans to venture into the culinary business, a desire that emerged after the passing of his father during Eid al-Fitr 2024.

The loss of his father, who was the family's primary provider, led Mukhlis to deeply reflect on his future career path. Through this reflection, he became determined to develop a culinary business which generates more income later on.

“Because in physiotherapy, if you don't have a registration letter, you can't practice as a physiotherapist in clinics or hospitals. So, you automatically have to wait longer before starting work,” he explained.

His ambition aligns with the motivation his father instilled in him, which he continues to hold dear. “If you want to be an extraordinary person, then don't settle for being ordinary,” he said, echoing his father's advice.

Writer: Gede Arga Adrian

Editor: Al Habiib Josy Asheva

Translator: Farizal Luqman Majid

Designer: Salsabila Kamila Wardah