Hasto: Indonesia’s Natural Wealth for the People’s Prosperity

The land, waters, and natural wealth contained within are controlled by the state and used for the greatest prosperity of the people. Jakarta (ANTARA) – Secretary-General of the PDI Perjuangan Central Board, Hasto Kristiyanto, reminded that Article 33 of the 1945 Constitution mandates the management of natural resources for the greatest prosperity of the people. He made the statement while serving as the inspector of the Pancasila Day commemoration ceremony at the At-Taufiq Mosque courtyard in Lenteng Agung, South Jakarta, on Monday. “The land, waters, and natural wealth contained within are controlled by the state and used for the greatest prosperity of the people. The most important mandate is that the people are the focus of policy and the primary beneficiaries of the utilization of all national wealth,” Hasto said. According to him, the Pancasila Day commemoration should serve as a moment for reflection for policymakers to ensure that grassroots communities are not sidelined from the benefits of development and Indonesia’s natural wealth. He stressed that the state must not merely exploit regional natural resources for certain groups’ interests while local communities still face economic difficulties. Moreover, Hasto considered that the Pancasila Day commemoration should not merely be an annual ceremonial event but must be accompanied by an evaluation of social justice implementation in society. “The Pancasila Day commemoration must be accompanied by contemplation and critical questions to examine the realities in our society, nation, and country,” he said. Hasto reminded that Pancasila was born from the spirit of liberating the people from all forms of colonization and oppression. “Pancasila embodies the resolve to free the Indonesian people from all shackles of colonization and oppression,” he said. Therefore, he added, farmers, fishermen, workers, small traders, and micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) actors must be the focus of every economic policy. “That is why Megawati’s message is to be true bulls defending every oppressed person across all levels of Indonesian society,” Hasto said. The Pancasila Day commemoration ceremony was also attended by Ganjar Pranowo, Basuki Tjahja Purnama (Ahok), Tri Rismaharini, Sri Rahayu, Ribka Tjiptaning, Wiryanti Sukamdani, Charles Honoris, Darmadi Durianto, Deddy Sitorus, Mercy Chriesty Barends, Bintang Puspayoga, Yasonna Laoly, Yoseph Aryo Adhi Dharmo, and Yuke Yurike. Meanwhile, PDI Perjuangan Chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri attended the ceremony virtually.