MPR Deputy Speaker Highlights Four Pillars Quiz as Tool to Strengthen National Values

Deputy Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) Abcandra Muhammad Akbar Supratman has emphasised that the Four Pillars MPR Quiz is not merely an academic competition but a crucial instrument for strengthening national values. He made the statement while reviewing the implementation of the 2026 Four Pillars MPR Quiz at the provincial level in Central Sulawesi, held in Birobuli Utara, South Palu, on Monday. Abcandra expressed appreciation for the high enthusiasm shown by students from various districts across Central Sulawesi. “I see tremendous enthusiasm from all the students in Central Sulawesi. This activity has an extraordinary positive impact, ensuring children in the regions have equal opportunities and broaden their horizons,” he said in a written statement on Tuesday. He stressed that amid the onslaught of modern information, instilling the principles of Pancasila is highly relevant for the younger generation. “This is the right momentum for us to provide a deep understanding of Pancasila to Gen Z and Gen Alpha. My hope is that these students do not just memorise and answer questions on stage, but truly implement the values of the Four Pillars in their daily lives,” he asserted. Abcandra advised participants who did not advance not to be discouraged and to prepare mentally to try again next year. For the team that successfully won and will represent Central Sulawesi at the national level in Jakarta, he reminded them not to be complacent as the competition at the central level will be much tougher. To ensure a fair and accountable competition, the MPR RI involved constitutional law experts from Tadulako University as the jury. The panel included Professor Dr. Aminuddin Kasim, S.Hum., Dr. Suardi Daeng Mallawa S.H., M.H., C.L.D., and Dr. Sintiadewi Mateka, S.Sos., M.A.P. from the Central Sulawesi Provincial Education Office. “Scientifically, the capacity of these lecturers and legal experts from Tadulako University is beyond doubt. However, to maintain objectivity, I have instructed the committee to recheck all technical devices, such as earphones and the button system. If there are any protests or dynamics on stage, the recording can be replayed so the jury can make the right and transparent decision,” he explained. Beyond the competition context, the Deputy Speaker’s visit to his hometown was also used to engage in dialogue with students and accompanying teachers regarding community programmes, particularly the sustainability of the President’s priority programme, the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG). From the dialogue, Abcandra revealed that students from various districts acknowledged that the MBG programme has had a real economic impact on families in Central Sulawesi. “Interestingly, as I went around, the children conveyed that they have directly felt the benefits of the MBG programme. They entrusted me with a message to deliver to the President, asking that this priority programme be maintained and not discontinued. With MBG, parents’ shopping budgets can be efficiently redirected to buy books and other school necessities,” he disclosed. However, he also noted input regarding the need for more equitable distribution of the programme, especially for the frontier, outermost, and disadvantaged (3T) regions in Central Sulawesi where access still needs to be optimised. He assured that these aspirations would be brought to the central level as evaluation material for future government policy. The 2026 Four Pillars MPR Quiz at the Central Sulawesi provincial level resulted in SMAN Model Terpadu Madani Palu being selected to advance to the national level in Jakarta. In the final round, SMAN Model Terpadu Madani Palu scored 135 points, SMAN 6 Palu scored 80 points, and SMAN 1 Tolitoli scored 40 points. The three schools had previously emerged from three selection rounds involving nine schools, which were themselves winners of city and district-level preliminaries throughout Central Sulawesi. The competition consisted of three sessions: a rapid-fire ‘Four Pillars Insight’ round, a thematic session requiring teams to argue for and against case studies determined by a random spin, and a final ‘Rebuttal’ session testing individual agility without teammate assistance. The event also announced the best cheerleading winners, awarded to SMAN 1 Wita Ponda, SMAN 6 Palu, and SMAN 2 Luwuk for their extraordinary creative efforts. Also present at the event alongside Abcandra were Central Sulawesi Deputy Governor dr. Reny Arniwaty Lamadjido, Sp.PK., M.Kes., and MPR RI member from the Gerindra Party faction, Drs. H. Longki Djanggola, M.Si., along with the Secretary of the Central Sulawesi Provincial Education Office.