Megawati highlights school bullying: 'Where is your sense of humanity?'

Indonesia’s 5th President and Chairwoman of PDIP Perjuangan, Megawati Soekarnoputri, expressed deep concern over the rise of bullying in schools and the issue of food self-sufficiency. She made the remarks during an unscripted speech after inaugurating Istana Gebang in Blitar, East Java. Speaking loudly before thousands of cadres and sympathisers, Megawati highlighted the humanitarian problems of the current generation.

“At present, I see so much bullying. People are mistreated and humiliated. My question is: where is your sense of humanity? Is Pancasila merely on paper, or does it truly reside in your hearts?” Megawati said in a written statement received by Antara in Jakarta on Monday.

Megawati admitted she was saddened to see schoolchildren become victims of bullying simply because of differences in economic status. “Why does this happen? Because there are discriminatory attitudes, such as ‘don’t befriend him, he is a poor child’. Even mothers are now beginning to adopt such attitudes,” she said.

After highlighting moral issues, Megawati turned to the matter of food security. She reminded the audience that an instruction she had issued since 2021 – to plant 10 types of food crops as rice companions in all regions – had not been seriously implemented by party cadres. “Since 2021 as Chairperson, I have given instructions to all regions to plant 10 food crops as rice companions. Who has carried this out? Raise your hands,” Megawati asserted.

Megawati then explained the philosophy of Marhaenism, which she learned directly from Bung Karno. Marhaen, she said, was the name of a farmer in Bandung who owned his own rice field, paddy, and means of production, but was unable to share because he lived a hand-to-mouth existence. “My father said, if the people cannot eat, shortages can occur, then unrest. That means the number one priority for the people is food. That is why I asked earlier whether prices have risen or not,” Megawati said.

The inauguration of the renovated Istana Gebang was attended by Bung Karno’s extended family, including M. Prananda Prabowo, Puti Guntur Soekarno, and Romy Soekarno, as well as the PDIP Central Executive Board under Secretary-General Hasto Kristiyanto. Thousands of PDIP East Java cadres also filled the Istana Gebang site located at Jalan Sultan Agung No.59, Sananwetan, Blitar. The house is Bung Karno’s childhood home, built in 1884 and occupied by the Soekarno family since 1917. The site was re-inaugurated as a house of history, nationalism, and inspiration.