BPIP Reaffirms No Discrimination in National Paskibraka Selection Amid Allegations

The Badan Pembinaan Ideologi Pancasila (BPIP) has responded to allegations of discrimination in the selection process for the 2026 National Paskibraka (Flag Raising Unit) in South Sulawesi, insisting no discrimination occurred. The discrimination claims went viral on social media, with a post alleging a Makassar high school student was disqualified from the national Paskibraka selection due to discrimination. “Based on previous questions regarding discrimination, we confirm that the entire process is monitored by BPIP. There is no discriminatory action,” said BPIP Deputy Head Rima Agristina during a press conference at the BPIP office on Friday (29 May 2026) addressing the allegations in South Sulawesi. Rima added that the South Sulawesi provincial government has also issued a statement on the discrimination allegations, noting BPIP deployed a team to monitor the selection process in accordance with regulations. “We all support harmonisation and unity during the Pancasila Birthday commemoration. When BPIP receives reports, we immediately send teams to verify if the issues align with reports and ensure handling complies with regulations,” she said. Ensuring Objective Selection BPIP Central Paskibraka Program Director Fuad Lutfi previously confirmed all selection stages in South Sulawesi adhered to standard procedures, conducted rigorously with involvement from local governments, provincial selection committees, and central monitoring teams. “The Paskibraka selection in South Sulawesi follows the national mechanism, involving regional governments and central selection teams,” Fuad stated on Thursday (28 May). He explained that the selection does not solely assess academic scores or national outlook tests. The evaluation process is comprehensive to gauge candidates’ readiness for national duties. “Paskibraka is not about selecting candidates with the highest scores in a single test, but choosing the most prepared individuals for national duties,” he added. Fuad noted multiple assessment components, including health, fitness, military drill (PBB), personality, national outlook, mental readiness, and discipline. The selection is conducted in stages from district/city to provincial and national verification. From each province, three pairs of candidates proceed to central selection stages. Fuad clarified that decisions on candidates advancing from regions to national level are not made by a single individual or institution, but through collective assessment by various stakeholders per BPIP national guidelines. Provincial governments facilitate provincial-level selections via local committees, but central bodies including BPIP, DPPI Central, TNI, Polri, and the Presidential Military Secretariat (Setmilpres) directly determine national candidates. Amid the controversy, BPIP also dismissed narratives linking the selection to ethnicity, religion, race, or specific backgrounds, confirming no racism or discrimination. “All candidates have equal opportunities and are assessed based on nationally standardised selection indicators,” he stressed. South Sulawesi Provincial Government Statement Previously, the South Sulawesi provincial government addressed the discrimination allegations in the 2026 national Paskibraka selection, stating it never annulled results, which fall under central government authority. “The selection is the provincial government’s authority, where candidates are the best representatives from districts and cities. The decision for national-level candidates is made directly by the central selection committee present during provincial selections,” said South Sulawesi’s Kesbangpol official Bustanul, cited by detikSulsel on Tuesday (26 May). Bustanul explained that selection results are under the central government committee’s authority, comprising BPIP, DPPI Central, TNI, Polri, and the Presidential Military Secretariat (Setmilpres). “If there were annulments or replacements, there would be an initial announcement followed by a revised one. In reality, no such announcement exists,” he clarified. He also urged that any allegations be backed by clear data and evidence, not unverified narratives or assumptions. Bustanul stated Paskibraka candidates are selected based on a series of selection results.