UGM has once again conducted Pancasila Congress from 22-23 July 2017. The first Congress was conducted at UGM in 2009 and the following sessions were done alternatingly in various Indonesian universities. The Congress is joined by various community elements, from academics, practitioners, teachers, lecturers, and people with interest in Pancasila.
Raising the theme The Soul of the Nation: Dynamics, Challenges, and Actualisation in Indonesia, this time the 9th Pancasila Congress is designed as a joint attempt to respond to challenges locally, nationally, and globally based on the values of Pancasila. This theme is enhanced by five sub-themes: Deradicalisation and Challenges to Pancasila Culturation in Social Media; Curriculum of Pancasila Education in Various Education Stages; Challenges of Pancasila in Economy, Politics, Socio-culture,Religion, Defence and Security; Pancasila and the Young Generation, and the State and Society Responsibility in Actualising Pancasila.
The first day of the congress saw two panel discussions on Pancasila and World Challenges and Deradicalisation and Culturation, presenting speakers Dr. Agus Maftuh Abegebriel (Ambassador Plenipotentiary to Saudi Arabia) and Prof. Imam Suprayogo (former Rector of UIN Maulana Malik Ibrahim, Malang).
Agus described the challenges facing Pancasila. Currently, the challenges facing Pancasila are purposely globalised, not globalising by itself. There are evidences of thaghutizing effort of Pancasila and the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI). The term thaghutising refers to the act of thaghutising (worshipping others except God), calling the Pancasila and NKRI moves as mere idolatry and deification, hence illegal.
“Currently, there is a vulgar ideology emerging that destroys Pancasila right before our eyes in the broad day light,” said Agus.
Agus suggested to counter the ideology of violence is by doing 4D (Deny, Diminish, Defeat, and Defence). Agus said, firstly there has to be a firm action to deny such violent ideology, the movement is later being diminished, and defeated.
“The fourth measure to do against violence is by defence, namely defending our state values that we already owned,” he said.