Leading The Ceremony, Jokowi Calls Pancasila A Challenge In The Era Of Ideological Rivalry

Screenshot of President Jokowi's speech on Pancasila's Birthday (Presidential Secretariat YouTube)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo presided over the 2021 Pancasila Birthday Commemoration ceremony. Jokowi acted as inspector of ceremonies at the 2021 Pancasila Birthday Commemoration Ceremony virtually from the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java.

Jokowi was seen wearing traditional clothes typical of Tanah Bumbu, South Kalimantan when delivering his state speech on the anniversary of the Birth of Pancasila. In the ceremonial mandate, Jokowi said that the June 1 commemoration was a momentum to strengthen the values of Pancasila.

Including, he said, the challenges faced by Pancasila are not getting any lighter. One of the challenges faced is the increasing rivalry between ideologies.

“Globalization and interactions between parts of the world do not necessarily increase the common view and togetherness. What we have to watch out for is the increasing rivalry and competition, including the rivalry between views, the rivalry between values, and the rivalry between ideologies," Jokowi said in a ceremony broadcast on the Presidential Secretariat Youtube, Tuesday, June 1.

Jokowi said that transnational ideology is currently increasing and entering people's lives in various ways and strategies. One of them, through the development of science and technology that affects the landscape of ideological contestation.

Moreover, the emergence of the Industrial revolution 4.0 makes it easier to dialogue and interact and organize on a large scale across countries. At a time when 5G connectivity is sweeping the world, interactions between the worlds will also be easier and faster.

“This facility can be used by radical transnational ideologues to reach all corners of Indonesia, to all walks of life, and to all ages, regardless of location and time. The speed of expansion of radical transnational ideologies can exceed normal standards when taking advantage of this technological disruption," Jokowi said.

Facing this challenge, Jokowi wants all people to explore the values of Pancasila in an unusual way.

“We need extraordinary new ways, utilizing the development of science and technology, especially the Industrial Revolution 4.0. And, at the same time, Pancasila must be the foundation in developing Indonesian-based science and technology," he said.

Today's ceremony to commemorate the Birth of Pancasila was centered in the Pancasila Building Courtyard, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jakarta, with a number of the Indonesian National Armed Forces, the Indonesian National Police, health workers, and students.

MPR Chair Bambang Soesatyo reads the text of Pancasila while DPR Speaker Puan Maharani reads the opening text of the 1945 Constitution. Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy leads the reading of prayers after the mandate delivered by the ceremony inspector. The three also perform tasks virtually from their respective locations.