Commemorating The Youth Pledge, Puan Invites Young Voters To Actively Participate In The 2024 Election For The Progress Of The Nation

Photo archive - Chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives Puan Maharani (center) at the Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Tuesday (21/3/2023). (ANTARA/Through Susthira K.)

JAKARTA - Commemorating the 95th Youth Pledge Day, which falls today, Saturday, October 28, the Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, invites all Indonesian youths to continue to move forward Indonesia. He also called on all Indonesian youths / women to become pioneers of national unity and integrity.

"By putting aside various differences, youth blood is the same blood, namely Indonesian blood. By upholding unity and integrity, Indonesian youth / drivers will make Indonesia stronger, stronger and move forward," said Puan, Saturday, October 28.

The first woman to serve as Chair of the Indonesian House of Representatives again reminded the younger generation to continue to actualize Pancasila in their daily lives. According to Puan, young people often bring fresh ideas and new views in actualizing Pancasila according to the challenges of the times.

"The younger generation now has the challenge of developing innovative approaches in implementing Pancasila values in the era of times like today," he said.

Puan explained that mutual cooperation is the essence of Pancasila with the concept 'of all for all'. For this reason, the younger generation should remember that all Indonesian people have their respective roles and contributions.

With the principle of mutual cooperation, according to Puan, it will be easier for young people to alleviate anti-difference and anti-diversity attitudes which are currently threats to the next generation of the nation.

"If young people continue to innovate and develop by upholding the basis of Pancasila, it will present a golden generation that will lead Indonesia to achieve a golden age," he said.

Puan also invited all young Indonesians to remember the enthusiasm of the young people who held the Youth Congress on October 28, 1928. This moment made Youth Pledge Day commemorated every October 28.

At that time, Indonesian youths had many great ideas to build Mother Earth. Under her oath, the youth promised to be loyal to unite in differences for the sake of Indonesia's progress, "said Puan.

"That spirit must also be encouraged by today's youth. Moreover, young Indonesians now have extraordinary ideas, ideas, and potentials. Use all of that to build your nation with a high fighting spirit under the blessing of the Red and White," he continued.

Puan added that the 1928 Youth Congress discussed the history, language, traditional law, education, and willingness as elements of the unity and integrity of the Indonesian people. At the previous Youth Congress in 1926, Indonesian youths also discussed many things such as the role of women in winning independence, religion, and the language of unity for Indonesia.

"Young people are the driving force of the nation's progress. So youth must be able to continue to negate Bhinneka Tunggal Ika, which is the motto of Indonesia. Unite in harmony of differences, respect equality for all," explained Puan.

There are many things in terms of equality. Puan detailed that equality includes gender equality, equality of education, economic equality, and others.

"Indonesian youth must realize that women and men have the same rights and obligations. That regardless of education and their economic background, no young people should not be heard," said the former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture.

Puan said that all young people must have the opportunity to be honed and their potential developed so that they can become a future generation that will bring the Indonesian nation forward. This is in line with the theme of Youth Pledge Day which was carried out this year, namely 'Together Promote Indonesia'.

No young people should be left behind. Because Indonesian youths / drivers will lead this nation in the future through their movement orchestration in the spirit of mutual cooperation, "said Puan.

To achieve all of that, Puan said that encouragement and assistance were needed for the younger generation of all elements of the nation. Starting from the Government, DPR, the world of education, the work environment, community organizations, and other stakeholders. According to Puan, there is no talent that is useless if it is honed and taught well.

"We all have to work together in empowering the youth generation by supporting all their potesi and talents. Both the potential of academics, sports, business or entrepreneurs, MSMEs, the creative economy, technology, and many more," he explained.

Puan also encourages young people to be involved in the conservative sector, for example in the agrarian world which requires innovation for the sustainability of the Indonesian agricultural sector. This is considering the need for breakthroughs in supporting sustainable agriculture.

"And that can be done by the younger generation who have a myriad of ideas and knowledge. So the millennial farmer program must be maximized so that young people are increasingly interested in the agricultural industry as a way to maintain food sovereignty," said Puan.

"By collaborating on agriculture and technology, these millennial farmers will answer the challenges of how our country has food sovereignty for food security in the future and for the independence of the nation," he added.

Puan also invited the younger generation to be involved in various national and international campaigns for the survival of the future. One of them is in the movement to save the environment for a better earth.

Young people must contribute to all environmental rescue movements. The younger generation who are sensitive to technology can develop or adopt sustainable green technology. In fact, including the use of renewable energy, efficient waste management where all of these are global environmental challenges," explained Puan.

Bung Karno's grandson also invited young Indonesians to actualize the spirit of the Youth Pledge in the political field. Puan said the younger generation had a very strong influence on the country's democratic system.

Puan said the younger generation could also contribute to the Indonesian democratic system by channeling their voting rights for those who already have the right to vote for Indonesian leaders.

"Welcoming this political year, the younger generation must be able to play an active role in the creation of a democratic system in Indonesia. By giving their voting rights, young people will contribute to building the nation and state," explained Puan.

Referring to data from the Indonesian General Elections Commission (KPU), there are 204,807,222 citizens as voters or on the Permanent Voter List (DPT) for the 2024 General Election. More than half of this number is included in the youth category, namely generation Z and millennials.

The number of voters from generation Z and millennials for the 2024 General Election was 113,622,550 people. In other words, the number of young voters dominated the 2024 General Election because it reached 56.45 percent of the total voters.