'Dalangs' must learn Pancasila<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Dalangs, the puppet masters in the highly-
\npopular art of Javanese wayang, must also be masters of
\nPancasila, according to President Soeharto.<\/p>\n
During a meeting with the leaders of the association of
\nIndonesian dalangs on Saturday, Soeharto said the puppet masters,
\nbecause of their powerful influence on society, could be
\ninstrumental in popularizing the state ideology Pancasila.<\/p>\n
"It may not be too late, but dalangs should have been included
\nin the current course for Pancasila propagation ," Soeharto said.<\/p>\n
Despite the onslaught of television, cinema, and laser discs,
\nthe all night long wayang puppet shows often held in villages
\nstill attract enormous crowds.<\/p>\n
The government also recognizes the power of the dalang to
\ncommunicate messages and values. The profession is considered a
\npolitically strategic and one that, along with teaching and
\njournalism, is off-limits to any former communists.<\/p>\n
Soeharto said the target audience of the Pancasila courses
\norganized by the government is simple -- every member of society.<\/p>\n
"Dalangs can instill the values of Pancasila and the 1945
\nConstitution in the people," he said.<\/p>\n
The government last week organized a special course on
\nPancasila for people who will later be assigned to teach the
\nvalues of the ideology and the constitution to others. Dalangs,
\nhowever, seem to have been excluded. (emb)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/dalangs-must-learn-pancasila-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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