Indonesia\u2019s independence must be understood as more than mere\nliberation from colonialism. Independence must be present in the lives\nof the people through social justice, prosperity, and a tangible state\npresence, especially for those still living in poverty and neglect.<\/p>\n
\u201cIndependence is not enough to simply celebrate. Independence must be\nmeasured by the extent to which the people feel the presence of the\nstate, especially those most in need of protection and support,\u201d said\nDeputy Chairman of the MPR RI Socialisation Body Abidin Fikri, as quoted\non Thursday (20\/8\/2026).<\/p>\n
He made the remarks while speaking at a National Workshop held by the\nPDI Perjuangan Faction of the MPR RI in cooperation with the National\nExpert Council of the Indonesian National Student Movement Alumni\nAssociation (PA GMNI) in Tangerang on Wednesday (19\/8).<\/p>\n
The workshop carried the theme \u201cIndependence, Sovereignty, and the\nFuture of Indonesia: Drawing from the Fire of Bung Karno\u2019s Thought to\nAnswer the Challenges of the Age.\u201d The event was opened by Deputy\nSpeaker of the MPR RI Ir. Bambang Wuryanto, M.B.A., and featured MPR RI\nmembers Dr.\u00a0Andreas Hugo Pareira and I.G.N. Kesuma Kelakan, S.T., M.Si.\nExpert speakers included Dr.\u00a0(H.C.) Ir. Siswono Yudohusodo,\nProf.\u00a0Dr.\u00a0Arief Hidayat, S.H., M.Si., and Dr.\u00a0Dharmansjah Djumala.<\/p>\n
According to Abidin, the workshop\u2019s theme is significant amid the\nmomentum of 81 years of Indonesian independence. Reflection on\nindependence, he said, cannot stop at remembering history but must\nprompt fundamental questions about how far the people have actually\nbenefited from independence.<\/p>\n
In this context, Abidin recalled the mandate of Article 34 paragraph\n(1) of the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia, which states\nthat the poor and abandoned children are cared for by the state. He\nargued that this provision is not merely a constitutional norm but a\nmoral mandate affirming the state\u2019s responsibility towards its\npeople.<\/p>\n
\u201cAn independent and sovereign Indonesia must not allow its people to\nlive in poverty and neglect. The state must be present through concrete,\nmeasurable, and sustainable policies,\u201d he stressed.<\/p>\n
Abidin argued that the state\u2019s presence must not stop at temporary\nassistance. Policies must be able to enhance community self-reliance\nwhile breaking the chain of poverty.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we need are solutions that are truly felt. The presence of the\nstate must be visible and felt by the people, particularly the poor and\nneglected groups,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He then linked the issue to Bung Karno\u2019s thinking on independence,\nsovereignty, self-reliance, and social justice. According to Abidin,\nBung Karno\u2019s ideas remain relevant as a source of inspiration for\naddressing Indonesia\u2019s current problems.<\/p>\n
\u201cDrawing from the fire of Bung Karno\u2019s thought does not mean\nreturning to the past. We take his spirit and ideas to answer the\nproblems of the present and the future,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Abidin also stressed that national sovereignty ultimately cannot be\nseparated from the welfare of the people. A sovereign state must have\nthe capacity to ensure that every citizen obtains a decent life.<\/p>\n
He therefore called on all elements of the nation to continue\nsafeguarding the spirit of nationalism and translating the founders\u2019\nideals into policies that favour the people.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe fire of Bung Karno\u2019s thought must continue to be kept alive as\nenergy to build an Indonesia that is increasingly sovereign,\nself-reliant, just, and prosperous. Independence must truly be present\nin the lives of the people,\u201d Abidin concluded.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/mpr-socialisation-deputy-independence-must-not-leave-poor-people-behind-1787197997", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }