Kaltara Governor Hopes MPR Four Pillars Quiz Fosters Future Leaders

North Kalimantan Governor Zainal A. Paliwang officially opened the 2026 MPR RI Four Pillars Quiz at the provincial level. Nine schools participated in the competition after a selection process involving 40 participants. The competing schools were SMAN 1 Nunukan, SMAN 3 Tarakan, SMAN 1 Tarakan, SMAN 1 Tanjung Selor, SMAN 1 Sebatik Tengah, SMAN 2 Tarakan, SMAN TU 1 Tana Tidung, SMAN 8 Malinau, and SMAN 1 Tanjung Palas Timur. In his speech, the governor asserted that the quiz is not merely a competition for students but a long-term investment to strengthen the spirit of nationalism and love for the homeland, particularly among students in North Kalimantan. He praised the students’ hard work and dedication, stating they have shown that North Kalimantan’s students possess the determination to develop, compete, and bring honour to their region. Zainal emphasised that the Four Pillars of the MPR RI—Pancasila, the 1945 Constitution, the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia, and Bhinneka Tunggal Ika—are not just materials to be memorised for winning a competition. He said these values must be fully understood, internalised, and manifested in daily behaviour, as the nation’s strength lies in making these noble values a guide for thinking, behaving, and acting. Amidst dynamic times, the governor noted that character education holds equal importance to academic achievement. He stated that a great nation requires not only intellectually intelligent generations but also those with integrity, patriotism, a spirit of mutual cooperation, and responsibility towards the nation. He highlighted that the current young generation will determine the success of the Golden Indonesia 2045 vision, when the country will enter a demographic bonus era. Zainal called this a golden opportunity if prepared through quality education, character building, and strengthening national ideology, but warned it could become a developmental burden if not managed well. He also stressed the importance of maintaining unity amidst Indonesia’s diversity, describing the nation’s variety of ethnicities, religions, cultures, and customs as social capital that must be nurtured through unity, tolerance, and mutual respect. The governor noted this is particularly important for North Kalimantan as a border province with a strategic position in safeguarding national sovereignty, requiring a generation that is not only competitive but also possesses strong national insight and upholds Bhinneka Tunggal Ika. He encouraged the students to use the competition as a space for learning and friendship, stating that winning or losing is not the ultimate goal. Zainal expressed hope that the quiz would produce a young generation from North Kalimantan that is intelligent, of strong character, and ready to become the nation’s future leaders.