BPUPK Archives Reveal the Dynamics of the Formulation of the State Foundation

Chairperson of the BPIP Megawati Soekarnoputri Board of Directors attended the NSA Basic State II Exposition in a public discussion in Jakarta, Monday (10/8)./DOK IST

JAKARTA - The formulation of the basic state of Indonesia took place through a long process that was colored by differences of opinion, debates, and compromises among the founders of the nation.

The dynamics were again revealed by the Pancasila Ideology Development Agency (BPIP) together with the National Archives of the Republic of Indonesia (ANRI) through the Source Archive Manuscript (NSA) State Foundation II: Resuming Period and Second Session of BPUPK 10 s.d. 17 July 1945.

The book is the result of joint work by BPIP, ANRI, and historians Prof. Hariyono, M.Pd., Prof. Dr. Asvi Warman Adam, and Dr. Bondan Kanumuyoso, M.Hum. To introduce the results of its compilation to the public, BPIP held the NSA Basic State II Exposition in the form of a public discussion in Jakarta, Monday (10/8).

The activity was attended by the Chairperson of the BPIP Board of Directors Megawati Soekarnoputri and BPIP officials and around 200 participants from state institutions, ministries/institutions, academics, students, teachers, history literacy communities, and the media.

The NSA State Policy II was compiled based on authentic archives managed by ANRI, including the M. Yamin Special Collection Archive and the A.G. Pringgodigdo Archive.

This manuscript continues Volume I which discusses the First Session of the BPUPK and specifically records the recess period and the Second Session of the BPUPK on July 10-17, 1945. During this period, the founders of the nation discussed a number of fundamental things, ranging from the territory of the country, the form and system of government, the draft Basic Law, to national education.

Chairperson of the BPIP Megawati Soekarnoputri Board of Directors attended the NSA Basic State II Exposition in a public discussion in Jakarta, Monday (10/8)./DOK IST

Chairman of the BPIP Board of Directors Megawati Soekarnoputri assessed that authentic archives have an important role in maintaining the collective memory of the nation as well as ensuring that history is not built based on changing political perceptions. According to him, the dynamics of the BPUPK Session show how the founders of the nation with diverse backgrounds are able to argue sharply, but still prioritize the interests of an independent and united Indonesia.

Megawati also encouraged that the National State Basic Law should not stop as a historical documentation, but be used as a teaching material, research reference, and a foothold in the formulation of public policies. Pancasila, according to him, needs to be understood as a living ideology that was born from the struggle of thought and the dialectics of the history of the founders of the nation.

In line with this, the Head of BPIP emphasized that the NSA Basic State II is an important part of understanding the process of the birth of Pancasila and the foundation of the Indonesian state in its entirety. This authentic archive-based documentation is expected to strengthen the tradition of evidence-based history, as well as serve as an academic reference and a source of learning for Pancasila Education.

A number of important discussions in the NSA State Foundation II include debates regarding state territory, the dynamics of the formulation of the opening of the Constitution, the form of the state and the system of government, as well as the concept of national education. Various debates show the efforts of the founding fathers to find a common ground in the midst of differences of opinion.

Deputy of BPIP for Research and Materials, Dr. Surahno, S.H., M.Hum. said that the exposition was important to strengthen public knowledge about the history of the formulation of Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution. "By understanding the substance of this manuscript in depth, participants are expected to participate in efforts to maintain the authenticity of history and strengthen national values," he said.

NSA Dasar Negara II is part of a three-volume series compiled by BPIP together with ANRI. Volume III which will discuss the PPKI session on August 18-22, 1945 is also prepared as a continuation of the series. The presence of this series of manuscripts is expected to enrich historical references while providing a more complete understanding of the process of forming the state and constitution of Indonesia. (Public Relations BPIP)