Puan Maharani's Reflection On The Birthday Of Pancasila: Glorifying Humans In The Midst Of Epidemic And Geopolitical Conflicts

Chairperson of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani (DPR RI)

JAKARTA - The Chair of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, reflects on the Birthday of Pancasila which is commemorated every June 1 as a struggle to honor humans and create world peace in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, said Puan, the epidemic has not completely disappeared and is coupled with the ongoing geopolitical conflict.

“Pandemics and wars both take human victims. Therefore, the reflection on just and civilized humanity on the Birthday of Pancasila is very relevant," said Puan in her statement, Wednesday, June 1.

Puan then recalled how the philosophical principles of internationalism or humanity which became the spirit in the second precept of Pancasila, were clearly formulated by the first President of the Republic of Indonesia, Soekarno, in the BPUPK Session on June 1, 1945.

"That a just and civilized humanity is an idealization of the struggle to glorify human rights, as well as to participate in the struggle for world peace and justice," she said.

In addition, continued Puan, Bung Karno also initiated this principle so that Indonesia does not adhere to chauvinist nationalism, but becomes a nation that embodies world brotherhood. On the other hand, she said, Bung Karno's internationalism was not cosmopolitanism (anti-nationalism).

“Internationalism cannot thrive if it is not rooted in the earth of nationalism. Nationalism cannot thrive, if it does not live in the garden of internationalism," explained Puan quoting the Proclaimer's words 77 years ago.

Puan also invited all elements of the nation to be able to realize the struggle to honor humans. According to her, the DPR RI's struggle to pass the Sexual Violence Law (UU TPKS), is part of a just and civilized grounding of humanity.

"That with its constitutional duty to draft laws, the DPR wants to honor, protect human dignity, including women, so that sexual violence can be prevented and dealt with progressively so as to provide justice for victims," explained the former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture.

Puan stated, the struggle of the DPR will not stop doing this to honor human beings through the legislative products that will be produced. For example, through the Bill on Maternal and Child Welfare which is currently under discussion at the Legislative Body of the DPR.

“We want the state to be present to prosper mothers and children, from the womb, birth, and after birth. All of this is for the sake of advancing and glorifying humans," she concluded.