Dudung: Pancasila increasingly relevant as guide in digital era

Presidential Chief of Staff Dudung Abdurachman has stated that Pancasila is becoming increasingly relevant as a guide for society in facing various national challenges in the digital era, ahead of the 81st Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia. “Pancasila was born from values that live within the Indonesian nation, namely the values of divinity, humanity, unity, deliberation, and social justice. These values are our strength in facing various trials from the beginning of independence to the present day,” Dudung said in an official statement in Jakarta on Thursday.

Dudung explained that Indonesia has navigated various challenges, upheavals, communal conflicts, and changing times over 80 years of independence. However, history has proven that Pancasila remains steadfast as the foundation of the state that safeguards the nation’s unity and integrity. According to him, the advancement of the digital era has caused information to move so rapidly that threats such as hoaxes, disinformation, hate speech, provocation, intolerance, and polarisation can enter people’s private spaces through their mobile phones.

Amid these conditions, Dudung assessed that Pancasila is increasingly relevant as a guide for society in responding to technological and information developments. “We may have different opinions, but we must not hate each other. We may criticise, but we must not break fraternity. We may progress with the times, but we must never lose our identity as the Indonesian nation, with Pancasila living in our behaviour,” he said. He explained that the practice of Pancasila can be realised through daily actions, such as respecting differences, helping others, and resolving problems through deliberation.

Dudung also emphasised that fair, humane, and non-arbitrary service by state apparatus and officials to the people is a form of practising Pancasila values. He invited the public, especially the younger generation, to reinterpret Pancasila as a philosophy of life that is not only understood but also practised in daily life. Dudung expressed his belief that Indonesia will remain standing strong, united, and increasingly advanced as long as the people hold firmly to Pancasila, maintain Bhinneka Tunggal Ika, uphold the 1945 Constitution, and defend the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia. “Long live the 81st Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia,” Dudung said.