Jakarta, NU Online
Deputy General Chairman of the Central Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) KH As'ad Said Ali said that local wisdom and common values could be used as a means of cultivating relationships as well as capital in developing political, economic, cultural and security aspects in the ASEAN region.<>

"The essence of the common values is spirituality, collectivity / solidarity, and respect for tradition in the midst of global competition in such fields as ideology, politics, and economy," said Kiai As'ad at the ASEAN +9 Youth Assembly for ASEAN Community (AYAFAC), held by the Indonesian Muslim Student Movement (PMII) at the Jakarta's Mercure Hotel on Wednesday (28/8).

He said that the three main values had become important social capitals.

"The material development must be balanced with the spiritual one, fulfilling personal rights should be balanced with collective rights and modernization should not eliminate long-standing traditions," he said.

He further explained that Indonesia with its large area and population, "is a country consisting of varius ethnics, cultures, religions, islands, and is the most diverse area in the world."

"Therefore, maintaining unity becomes a serious problem. But through the local wisdom emanated from "cultural flexibility" various problems can always be solved, and foreign influences can wisely be addressed," he said.

According to kiai As'ad, challenges from the outside are very strong because "we are on strategic track and global economic cycle and abundant natural resources."

"Different interests among ASEAN countries are a vulnerable potential benefiting outsiders. The principle of Unity in Diversity (Bhinneka Tunggal Ika) is the value that could be a strength of ASEAN," he said.

Kiai As'ad called on the younger generation to understand and appreciate the diversity of ASEAN as an important factor in developing the regional organization especially in the field of politics and security.

Reporting by Mukafi Niam; Editing by Sudarto Murtaufiq