Megawati Affirms Pancasila Must Enter The Hearts Of Every Indonesian People

Megawati Soekarnoputri when delivering a keynote speech at the national seminar of the Rector's Forum for Strengthening National Character (FRPKB) (photo: doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The commemoration of Pancasila's Birthday is a momentum for all Indonesian people to return to their national identity. This was confirmed by, the 5th President of the Republic of Indonesia Megawati Soekarnoputri, on Wednesday, June 1 in Jakarta.

"The President's decision (regarding the stipulation of June 1, 1945, as the Birthday of Pancasila) is a very important moment for the Indonesian people to return to their identity," Megawati said when delivering a key speech at the National Seminar on the Rector's Forum for Strengthening the Nation's Character (FRPKB) entitled "Embracing Ideas and Soekarno-Hatta Ideas", through the Untirta Official YouTube channel.

According to her, all people in the country need to return to their identity as the Indonesian nation because that sense of nationality had experienced a reduction and degradation or decline due to historical events in 1965.

After the incident of the attempt to replace the Pancasila ideology with communism, Megawati continued, Pancasila was only interpreted and felt by the public as a symbol. Whereas the basic philosophy of the nation should be able to penetrate the hearts of every Indonesian people.

"If we look at the history of the nation after independence, actually in 1965, in my opinion, we experienced a historical journey that reduced our sense of nationality because at that time Pancasila was only perceived as a symbol. Pancasila was not made to be something that penetrates the heart of the nation. Until the day of its birth, there is none," said Megawati.

As Chair of the Steering Committee of the Pancasila Ideology Development Agency (BPIP), Megawati asked President Joko Widodo to re-teach the Indonesian people so that they can interpret and feel Pancasila.

According to her, this request was realized by President Jokowi through Presidential Decree No. 24 of 2016 which stipulates June 1, 1945, as the Birthday of Pancasila.

"Through Presidential Decree Number 24 of 2016, it has been determined that June 1, 1945, is the Birthday of Pancasila. The government together with all components of the Indonesian nation and society commemorate the Birthday of Pancasila which is declared a national holiday," Megawati said, as quoted by Antara.