NU hails govt for setting up institution to ensure Pancasila

Lamongan, NU Online
Deputy Secretary General of Nahdlatul Ulama Abdul Mun'im DZ that the Indonesia's largest Muslim organization did appreciate the government for having plans to set up an institution or a unit to ensure that state ideology Pancasila, including patriotism, is observed more strongly in the country.

"NU is committed to defending Pancasila as the state ideology and therefore appreciates the government plans to have an institution to protect Pancaila from any possible threat posed by radical groups," he told NU Online here on Tuesday.

Pancasila, Indonesia's state ideology, covers five principles: Belief in the one and only God, just and civilized humanity, the unity of Indonesia, democracy guided by the inner wisdom in the unanimity arising out of deliberations amongst representatives, and social justice for all of the people of Indonesia.

President Jokowi said that, at present, many countries in the world, including advanced countries, were worried over growing tolerance, break-up of social solidarity, disruption of social order, and instability in management of cultural diversity and differences.

"The world is now also being haunted by terrorism, extremism, and radicalism. Various countries in the world are seeking values to meet the challenges," he said.

President Jokowi said that in the midst of the current world environment Indonesia had reason to be grateful to Pancasila.

"I wish to remind that it is not enough to only read, know and memorize Pancasila as a state foundation, a national philosophy or a symbol of national unity," he said.

He said Pancasila also must not end up being a mere slogan but must be implemented and turned into reality in daily life.

"It must really be materialized in our way of thinking, mentality, in our lifestyle, and our behavior in daily life," he said.

President Jokowi said that Pancasila must become a working ideology and be institutionalized in economic, political, social and cultural system and policies.

"I am convinced only by doing that will we have a strong foundation to face any challenge and be confident in meeting the future," he said. (Masdar)