Police officers and soldiers, along with community representatives, including members of customary kampungs and mass organizations, gather in a call-to-readiness ceremony at the West Java Police headquarters in Bandung on Tuesday (23/5). At the ceremony, they declared their commitment to upholding Pancasila values and protecting the diversity and unity of the Republic of Indonesia
JAKARTA, KOMPAS — Real efforts from the government are now urgently needed to maintain the spirit of nationhood amid growing challenges to social cohesion and unity. Several ideas the government has introduced need to be realized immediately.
At the end of last year, the government said it would form a Presidential Working Unit for the Development of Pancasila. The new institution, which will consist of people from different backgrounds, is tasked with defining the societal values of Pancasila (Kompas, 20/12/2016).
Yudi Latif from the Indonesian Academy of Sciences, who is a member of the expert team for the establishment of the institution, said he was still awaiting the government’s next step. “Surely, the new institution has become a commitment of the government,” he said in Jakarta on Tuesday (23/5).
Meanwhile, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung said the establishment of the institution was still in progress.
Separately, University of Indonesia professor Hamdi Muluk said now was the time for a state institution like the Agency for the Guidance and Education of the Implementation of Pancasila Understanding and Realization (BP7) in the New Order era. However, in reestablishing such an agency, the government should be mindful of certain things, such as adapting the methods to spread the values to current conditions.
BP7 was dissolved in the reform era, because it was used during the New Order era as a political tool for the government. “If the problem was the learning method, the agency should not have been dissolved. Who is to be held responsible for the current situation? Nationhood values are not well socialized,” Hamdi Muluk said.
Regarding the infusion of nationhood values, art could be an effective entry point. “A good artwork like a film or novel can address the real problem, touching hearts and opening our conscience. Art can drive us to ponder about complex [social issues],” said Bandung-based Parahyangan University philosophy professor Bambang Sugiharto.
The art approach is needed, because efforts to develop the character and morality of Indonesians only through normative teaching about attitude and behavior will not be sufficient.
Meanwhile, Islamic elementary science and technology school (SD IST) Al-Albani in Matesih district and junior high school SMP Al-Irsyad in Tawangmangu, Karanganyar regency, Central Java, hold flag-hoisting ceremonies every Monday. The two schools, which reportedly rejected ceremonies to hoist the national flag in the past, have now expressed their commitment to instilling a spirit of nationhood among their students.
“We follow the government’s instruction,” said SD IST Al-Albani principal Agus Purwanto. SMP Al-Irsyad principal Tardi said his school used state symbols.
Political culture
Aside from promoting nationhood, J Kristiadi of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies underlined the importance of improving the political culture at state and political institutions. Currently, several state agencies did not reflect Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity), and it was dangerous when institutions established based on Pancasila were in fact characterized by corruption and power-grabbing.
“If those institutions are unable to produce beneficial policies, public trust will decline. People will look for alternatives,” he said.
Given such conditions, former Muhammadiyah chairman Ahmad Syafii Maarif said the elite had to serve as an example in implementing the values of nationhood. “In the face of danger, it is time for leaders and politicians to become statesman,” he added.
Syafii Maarif said the government did not appear solid lately. “That is unhealthy. When dealing with problems or conflict, the government must show a unified, solid stance, respecting each other,” he said.
Gadjah Mada University sociologist Arie Sudjito said during the New Order era, political stability was guaranteed, but without democracy. In the future, when democracy is free and tends to be excessive, the only way for Indonesia to survive was through political stability. “Development and democracy must be balanced to prevent social and political vulnerability [as seen] today,” he said.
