Certain mass organizations want to replace Pancasila, minister says

Jakarta, NU Online
Home Affairs Minister Tjahjo Kumolo here on Monday warned the citizens of certain mass organizations, such as Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI), that seek to replace Pancasila state ideology and the 1945 Constitution (UUD 1945) with something else.

"There are mass organizations registered as upholding Pancasila ideology, but they have another agenda to replace the Preamble of the 1945 Constitution and Pancasila. Therefore, the government has banned such mass organizations," Kumolo stated at a national seminar on "Strengthening nationalism values in Increasing Indonesia values."

During his presentation, the minister screened a video of an event organized by HTI and attended by thousands of its cadres.

Kumolo noted that Indonesia recognizes citizens` right to set up mass organizations and political parties, he was quoted by Antara news agency as saying.

Currently, there are a total of 394,837 mass organizations registered in the Home Affairs Ministry. This proves that the state guarantees citizens` freedom to get together and join organizations.

However, any attempt to change the state ideology or the Constitution will not be allowed.

"There are final things that have been agreed upon. There are many groups and individuals seeking to change Pancasila and NKRI (the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia) and harm the plurality," he remarked.

Currently, radicalism and terrorism have become problems which are seriously disturbing the national life, Kumolo revealed.

He urged every citizen to be committed to upholding the Pancasila, UUD 1945, NKRI, and Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity slogan).

"For instance, Gafatar group, which conducted a closed recruitment process and was in the hijrah stage, wanted to rebel against the legitimate government and change the Pancasila. This is a small example of how we could anticipate in an integrated and proper way," he explained.

He elaborated that another serious challenge is the return of Indonesian citizens from Syria. The government has been monitoring them by names and by addresses, so they are well documented, he remarked.

Earlier, Kumolo pointed out that the government has so far taken a stern stance concerning the presence of those mass organizations, by daring to decide on friends and enemies, Kumolo revealed. (Masdar)