The Urgency to Implement Pancasila in the Digital Age
President Jokowi has set 1 June as the birthday of Pancasila to remind us about this ideology of the Indonesian. The Indonesian independence was realized by tears and blood of our fighters. Pancasila was born not for certain groups nor circles, nor certain religion, nor certain ethnic. Yet, it arose for all Indonesians without differing the ethnic, religion, race, or circles (SARA). Our independence is for all Indonesian people and NKRI exists for all the people too.
The lack of respect towards Pancasila has created disharmony among the people from different religions. During Soekarno era, there were two churches being destroyed. Meanwhile in Soeharto era, the number increased to 456 churches. 156 churches were destroyed in Habibie era, 232 in Gus Dur era, 92 in Megawati era, and in SBY era until 2010, there had been 2.442 churches being destroyed
(Victor Silaen, 11/4/2013).
On the other hand, the data from 1977 to 2004 suggested that the total number of praying house of various religions increased. Islamic praying house increased from 392.004 to 643.834 (64%). Christian praying house increased from 18.997 to 43.909 (131%). Catholic praying house increased from 4.934
to 12.474 (153%). Lastly Buddhist praying house increased from 1.523 to 7.129 (368%). Nevertheless, there were still some rejections regarding the establishment of mushola (small mosque) and mosques in some regions lately. This indication is worrying, thus restoring Pancasila is urgently required, especially because the values of Pancasila is in line with the values of all religions.
The existence of Pancasila does not differentiate people based on SARA. Pancasila is an ideology, view, guidance that must be referred by all Indonesians in our life in society, as a nation, and as a state to realize the aspiration of the proclamation of independence. The wisdom contained in Pancasila is noble values of our society that are extracted from our culture in which the basic values are acknowledged universally and will last forever. Yet, as the time goes by, what our founding fathers and our ancestor fought for is now facing some challenges towards its existence.
Therefore, the understanding of Pancasila must be strengthened among the youth. By doing so, terrorism will hopefully be able to be overcome. “Strengthen nation’s ideology, Pancasila, especially among the youth”. Internalizing Pancasila to the young generations is indeed not an easy job.
The globalization era with all its implications has changed the perception of threat towards a country’s existence. The threat towards nation and state is not only in the form of physical threat, but they have transformed into more complex and multidimensional threats.
Globalization and the euphoria of reform that are full of spirit of change have influenced the mindset and behavior of the future generation in responding nation’s problems. Meanwhile, a country will be great if the youth realizes that education is important for them.
The development of a nation will heavily depend on the future generations, the youth. A great nation must be able to compete with other nations in everything. In social life, the changes of emotions, attitude, behavior, opinion, and motivation of the society reflect the understanding, comprehension, and implementation of the values of Pancasila.
The impact of uncontrollable democratization that is not based on the understanding of the values of Pancasila has created individualistic attitudes that is contrast to the values of Pancasila that promote balance, cooperation, mutual respect, equity, and similarity in the relations among human.
The euphoria of reform that we are now facing must be seen by all components of the nation from the right, whole and comprehensive perspective in the context of state’s unity and integrity. Such spirit is the key word to actualize and implement noble values of Pancasila that must be preserved by future generation. Everybody must respond any problems, differences, and pluralism by referring to the four pillars of national awareness founded by our founding fathers. All must be proactive to create, maintain, develop and strengthen the unity and the integrity of our nation that always face potential threat of disunity.
Some potential threats that might be faced by Indonesia in the future are such as: first, the threats towards state’s existence coming from military, economic, or cultural invasion from foreign countries. Second, threats of infiltration or military and non-military provocation towards our national interests that indirectly threaten our sovereignty. Third, the disruption in public space that indirectly might trigger horizontal conflict, terror, and separatism. Fourth, political system instability. (Adji Suradji, 2013)
The pure and consistent implementation of Pancasila will hopefully prevent the disrespect among people and the appearance of organized crime because such implementation will prevent disunity in society.
According to Serge Brammerts (2012), the failure to respect each other will have serious impact in the future. Armed conflict is the best mediator for the organized crime. Weak central government and divided civil society will also facilitate the development of organized crimes. The situation will get worse if such organized crimes have some links to state institutions.
National development is a sustainable effort to create a better life of our nation. The main capital is a smart and creative generation that possess sensitivity in thinking, high imagination, curiosity, as well as ability to invent and create new things.
The aspiration of this aging nation is on the hand of the youth. The dignity of our nation will automatically come true if it is supported by superior young generation. Otherwise, NKRI will collapse if the young generation is damaged and do not care about their own future.
*) Toas H, a terrorism observer in Galesong Institute, Jakarta. Residing at Depok, West Java.
