Pancasila is seen not only as the foundation of the Indonesian state but also as a way of life, a guide, and a reflection of the cultural constructs of society. However, in practice, the values of Pancasila often seem distant from the reality of national life.
The spirit of nationalism is waning, replaced by communalism, while the state grapples with rampant corruption, collusion, nepotism, and increasingly entrenched political dynasties. On the other hand, the education system plays a crucial role in shaping human intellect and character.
Unfortunately, moral education is often limited to mere politeness, whereas it encompasses profound meanings such as culture, feelings, and will, serving as the basis of human ethics.
These issues were discussed at the national seminar held in preparation for the Pancasila Congress titled “National Awakening, Pancasila Values, and Contemporary Social Realities” on Monday (May 20), held virtually.
Organized by the UGM Board of Professors, the seminar featured several speakers, including Indonesian Academy of Sciences member Dr. Yudi Latif, politician Professor Topane Gayus Lumbuun, and Professor Ali Agus from the UGM Faculty of Animal Science.
Dr. Yudi Latif emphasized that reinterpreting Pancasila today is inseparable from Indonesia’s long history of independence. Indonesia was the first country to declare independence after World War II, marking a significant milestone in the global abolition of colonialism.
Even after gaining independence, Indonesia continued to be a pioneer in international solidarity, cooperation, and decolonization.
“If we look at how the national awakening began, it surely started with an educational movement. No country has undergone significant change without improving human quality,” Dr. Latif explained.
He argued that education is important because it can shape human intellect and character. Nowadays, moral education is often limited to politeness, while “moral character” encompasses deeper meanings such as culture, feelings, and will, forming the foundation of human ethics.
According to Dr. Latif, the core of unity and cohesion lies in ethics. Indonesian society’s diversity cannot be unified without connectivity and inclusivity based on the desire to connect. Empathy, tolerance, ethics, and acknowledgment of differences form the foundation of social integrity.
“Without ethics, social order is impossible. Without morals, there is no willingness to create connections and inclusions. Ethics is the social glue that provides certainty, comfort, and willingness,” Dr. Latif concluded.
Professor Topane Gayus Lumbuun, a politician who served as a member of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) Commission III, also expressed concern about practices in national life that deviate from Pancasila values.
“Today, we face many challenges, such as corruption, collusion, nepotism, and dynasties. The spirit of nationalism is being replaced by communalism,” Professor Lumbuun remarked.
He also highlighted concerns about the integrity of the 2024 elections, which seem to disregard ethical and Pancasila values. He explained how laws are used as political tools, particularly referring to the Constitutional Court’s Decision No. 9 of 2023 on the presidential and vice-presidential candidacy requirements.
“Election regulations are modified for specific group interests. This phenomenon indicates attempts to weaken Pancasila and democratic values,” Professor Lumbuun explained.
Professor Ali Agus emphasized that the aspirations of Indonesia’s independence, as outlined in Pancasila and the Preamble of the Indonesian Constitution, must not be forgotten. The goal is to ensure people’s welfare by fulfilling food, health, and education needs.
In the field of food, farmers play a crucial role in strengthening national food security. However, their numbers are dwindling, and their economic conditions remain far from prosperous.
“In 2021, we had only 38.8 million farmers for 285 million Indonesians, and their average age is increasing. Those who are the backbone of societal welfare are marginalized and live below the poverty line,” he said.
Currently, farmers face low rice selling prices and shrinking land. What they produce from farming does not match the capital and labor they invest. They also face other challenges, such as high fertilizer prices, climate change, crop failure losses, and other issues that trap them in poverty.
“I believe these issues are among the state’s responsibilities, including to create justice and equality, which reflects the meaning of Pancasila in our current social reality,” Professor Ali Agus added.
In his remarks, UGM Board of Professors Chair Professor Mochammad Maksum stated that Universitas Gadjah Mada, as an educational institution, contributes to strengthening the implementation of Pancasila values.
“UGM is a Pancasila university, a people’s university, a cultural center university, and a struggle university. We, as the UGM Board of Professors, have the mandate to oversee the implementation of Pancasila,” he concluded.
Author: Tasya
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Image: Freepik