Marking Youth Pledge Day, House of Representatives Urges Unity Through Practical Action

Deputy House Speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad called on all elements of the nation to preserve unity through practical action, rather than treating it merely as a slogan. He delivered the message in a speech marking the 98th anniversary of the Youth Pledge at the Parliament Complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Wednesday (28 October).

Dasco was accompanied by Deputy House Speakers Saan Mustopa and Cucun Ahmad Syamsurizal. He said the spirit of the Youth Pledge must underpin the House of Representatives’ legislative and oversight work, particularly amid global uncertainty.

Dasco recalled that the young people who made the Youth Pledge in 1928 came from diverse backgrounds, yet were able to set aside group interests to pursue the nation’s aspirations.

He said that spirit remained relevant today, as global tensions could affect Indonesians’ lives, including household finances.

“Unity must not remain a slogan. It must become the state’s ability to make decisions that are appropriate, swift and fair,” Dasco said.

On cross-border haze, Dasco said Malaysia and Singapore’s concern should be appreciated, while protecting affected residents remained the priority. He urged ASEAN parliaments to work more closely together, not only during crises.

“Criticism should not be met with offence; it should be answered with work that can be scrutinised,” he said.

Domestically, Dasco called on political parties and parliamentary factions to stand together when the nation needed them, so that Parliament could help improve state governance.

During its first sitting period, the House and the government approved three laws, covering agrarian reform, employment protection and the One Data Indonesia initiative.

In the second sitting period, four bills are due to be discussed: cyber security and resilience, Indigenous communities, population administration, and asset seizure.

Regarding the Asset Seizure Bill, Dasco stressed the need for due process of law “so that firmness does not turn into arbitrariness”. He said the four agenda items would be integrated into the One Data Indonesia framework, summing this up with the call: “One Homeland, One Nation, One Language, One Indonesia Data.”

Dasco urged young people to preserve the nation’s character: “be brave without being reckless, open without submitting, and united without losing critical judgement”.

“Young people are Indonesia’s lifeblood, and preserving unity is our shared eternal pledge,” he concluded.

Through the commemoration, the House reaffirmed its commitment to making unity a feature of all its work in the public interest.