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Pioneering Party

J. Kristiadi

· 4 minutes read

Delivering a clear and straightforward message that strives for noble ideas is unnecessary to be a lion at the podium. In opening the 5th Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) Congress on 8 Aug. in Bali, party chairwoman Megawati Sukarnoputri appeared flexible and easygoing and made many jokes in a very fluid and friendly manner. She did not attempt to conceal her joy.

Maybe it is the style she calls “hitting the wind” – it is not felt, but it hits the mark, like the saying lamun sira sekti aja mateni (do not stomp on those who are down). Leaders and rulers should not be arbitrary (Kompas, 12/8/2019). The presence of Gerindra Party chairman Prabowo Subianto even made the event amicable.

Although it was delivered in a crisp and joyful manner, Megawati\'s speech was loaded with ideological values. In addition to emphasizing that Pancasila was the sole ideology of the nation and state, she also "roared" in reminding party cadres, as well as supporters, sympathizers and the public, to be wary of the threat that was tearing the nation apart, damaging people\'s minds and raising a toxic ideology to counter our state ideology. This toxic ideology had spread quickly to paralyze the national structure, because it resorted to primal sentiments and identity politics.

The PDI-P’s political stance confirmed its commitment to uphold Pancasila: "The PDI-P moves with the people to counter the threat of conflict and national disintegration triggered by radicalism, terrorism, universal interpretation and claims to a single truth and willful coercion by a handful of community groups that contradict the ideology of Pancasila, including the khilafah [universal caliphate] movement that wants to supplant Pancasila".

The appeal of the party that won the 1999, 2014 and 2019 elections is expected to drive the spirit of the silent majority. It seems that the majority of people remained silent while those who want to abolish Pancasila in Indonesia have been very aggressive and loud. They are a small minority, but well organized, militant and fanatical so they have dominated the public space. The majority of citizens seem to be collectively experiencing an anxiety disorder that has caused fear and panic.

The struggle to realize this noble idea must not stop at rhetoric. An agenda needs to be drawn up. First, the PDI-P as the pioneering party needs to consolidate its coalition so that the victory of the 2019 presidential election belongs to all people of Indonesia.

Second, quash the "devil" that hides in every effort to realize big ideas. The "devil" is commonly referred to in the idiom, “the devil is in the detail”.

Third, the PDI-P must develop a long-term strategy, a detailed and implementable character education

program for the younger generation, especially its cadres. Fourth, it must strengthen political institutions (parties), state institutions and the government. Without improvements, it is almost certain that judicial institutions will decay. As a result, people will not trust the institutions that have been built upon the ideology of Pancasila.

Fifth, fortify the battle against the twisted lies of alternative truths. This struggle must persist, because data is no longer enough to counter the belief in alternative truths. Facts have been manipulated by collective societal instincts and the interests of the political elite. Under these conditions, digital literacy efforts absolutely must be intensified.

Sixth, improve public welfare to narrow the gap between the rich and poor. Uncontrolled inequality can be an entry point for the politicization of primal sentiment. Economic disappointment is very easily manipulated and exploited by capital owners and power hunters towards identity politics. Therefore, the role of capital in Indonesian politics must be ended so that the citizens are not mere consumers, but also contribute to prosperity. Financial transparency among parties is also a must.

Finally, the constitutional amendment agenda must be developed with insightful thoughts and must involve various groups to gain public and political legitimacy. Thoughts on the state power structure and the principle of constitutionalism must be part of the amendments in order to produce a government that is strong, clean and honorable that defends the people. Without a clear paradigm, amending the Constitution would only open a Pandora\'s box that spreads the toxic ideology of conservatism and fuels the desire for authoritarianism.

The determination of the PDI-P to lead deserves respect. This determination must be accompanied by a detailed agenda and carried out sincerely to realize prosperity for all people in the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia.

J. KRISTIADI, Senior Researcher, Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)

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