NU: Pancasila is final ideology of Indonesian state

Jakarta, NU Online
The Pancasila is the final ideology of the state of Indonesia and is non-negotiable, according to the former chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Prof. Dr. Kacung Marijan.
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"Pancasila is a state ideology that cannot be separated from the people and the nation of Indonesia," he was quoted by Antara news agency as saying here on Thursday.

According to the Director General for Culture of the Education and Culture Ministry, the national ideology cannot be compromised by anyone as it unites Indonesians.

"Pancasila has the same value, and it unites the Indonesian people," he affirmed.

If each group imposes its respective ideology, Indonesia will be divided into smaller states.

"So, Pancasila still holds relevance even today," he pointed out.

He expressed optimism that the people would apply the values contained in Pancasila, such as hard work and mutual cooperation.

"We also expect that the younger generation can apply the values of Pancasila in daily life," he stated.

Earlier, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) acted as the inspector general of a ceremony to commemorate the state ideology Pancasila Sanctity Day, which falls on October 1.

The ceremony was held at the Lubang Buaya Pancasila Sanctity complex located in East Jakarta, on Thursday morning.

Some 1,029 people comprising several ministers, heads of state institutions, high-ranking officers from the military and police, and students attended the function.

Chairman of the Peoples Consultative Assembly (MPR) Zulkifli Hasan read out the Pancasila text. Chairman of the Regional Representative Council (DPD) Irman Gusman read out the Preamble of the 1945 Constitution, and House Speaker Setya Novanto read and signed a declaration.

President Jokowi was accompanied by First Lady Iriana during the function.

The Pancasila Sanctity Day commemoration is held annually to commemorate the revolt of the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) on September 30, 1965, marked among other events, by the kidnapping of the seven army generals including General Ahmad Yani, Major General Sutoyo, Lieutenant General M.T. Haryono, Major General D.E. Pandjaitan, and Lieutenant General S. Parman.

The aforementioned high commissioned officers were killed and their bodies dumped into the well-known Lubang Buaya pit on which the Pancasila Sakti Monument now stands.

On the following day, October 1, 1965, the National Armed Forces (TNI) succeeded in crushing the PKI revolt and recovered the bodies of the generals. (masdar)