The symbol of Garuda Pancasila as the symbol of the Republic of Indonesia is not yet made consistently across the society, government or private sector. The fact indicates the minimal understanding of the symbol among society.
“Until now differences are still found in the forms of the symbol. Some still have four legs, one ‘n’ instead of two in the inscription Bhinneka Tunggal Ika as depicted on each Indonesian passport,” said Nanang R. Hidayat, founder of Rumah Garuda in a seminar entitled Unravelling the Myth of Garuda Pancasila Symbol, Wednesday (8/2), at the Center for Pancasila Studies UGM.
In that event Nanang elaborated that up to now many people do not understand the elements contained in the symbol. The lack of understanding can eventually create misunderstanding in interpreting Garuda Pancasila.
Sumbo Tinarbuko, semiotics expert from Institut Seni Indonesia (ISI) said that in the semiotics perspective, Garuda Pancasila no longer has the meaning in terms of brand, because the symbol does not have the Garuda symbol brand that has the duty to socialise and communicate it to society on what the Garuda symbol is all about. “We have forgotten the extraordinary Garuda symbol, which also became the commercial Garuda symbol of peanuts. The meaning of Garuda should be described and explained as nation identity,” he affirmed.
In his opinion, the state symbol should be made a brand in the society’s way of life. If image is not built, the symbol will not have any values.
Meanwhile, Diasma Sandi Swandaru, researcher of UGM, said that state symbol is a symbol of cohesion for Indonesia’s plurality. Therefore, the state symbol in its application not only used by government but also the people. They should be given room to express their love for the state symbol. “People should be given room to express their love for the state symbol as long as they do not desecrate the state symbol negatively,” he explained.