MPR Speaker Calls for Unity as Main Strength to Face Challenges

Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) Ahmad Muzani has called for the importance of maintaining unity as the nation’s primary strength in facing various challenges. He stressed that the independence anniversary is not merely a constitutional ceremony, but an opportunity to reaffirm the national pledge to keep the Republic of Indonesia as a shared home.

He made the remarks in his address at the 2026 MPR Annual Session, the Joint Session of the House of Representatives (DPR) and the Regional Representatives Council (DPD), and the State Address by the President in commemoration of the 81st anniversary of Indonesian independence, held in the Plenary Meeting Room of the Nusantara Building, Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta.

“Political differences will not divide our national brotherhood,” said Ahmad Muzani on Friday (14/8/2026).

According to him, Indonesia was born from the willingness of various groups to set aside group interests for a greater ideal. The nation’s founders were even involved in debates over the state ideology, the form of government, the territory of the state, and the relationship between religion and the state.

However, those debates did not lead to division. It was precisely from the greatness of spirit and the willingness to seek common ground that the Republic of Indonesia was born. Indonesia, he continued, has been able to survive not merely because of its natural wealth or international support, but because of the strength of a united people.

“It is unity that brings about progress. If unity weakens, the nation’s energy will be exhausted by mutual suspicion and mutual negation. But if our unity is strong, we can turn differences into a source of energy and progress,” he explained.

Furthermore, Ahmad Muzani stressed that unity must be nurtured day by day through justice, exemplary leadership, dialogue, and mutual trust. Therefore, safeguarding unity means safeguarding justice. Criticism must not be used to tear unity apart. Conversely, unity must also not be used to suppress differences of opinion.

He also reaffirmed the position of Pancasila as the greatest common ground of the Indonesian nation. Pancasila, he said, was born from historical experience, culture, religion, and wisdom living within society, and was formulated through debate and reflection to find a path acceptable to all groups.

Pancasila, according to him, has been tested repeatedly by various national problems, from political upheaval, ideological conflict, economic crisis, communal violence, the threat of separatism, and terrorism to the pandemic.

Therefore, the values of Pancasila must be realised in real life, including through law enforcement, the eradication of corruption, the management of national wealth, and the nation’s ability to maintain unity amid differences.

“Democracy will not become stronger because we are increasingly harsh in our insults. Democracy will become strong if freedom of speech is accompanied by responsibility,” he said.

He reminded that the development of digital technology has expanded the space for democracy. The public now finds it easier to express opinions, obtain information, and engage in public debate.

However, the digital space also has another side, as it can become a means for the rapid spread of hatred, slander, manipulation, and false news. For this reason, the political culture that is built must be more civilised. Differences of opinion may be expressed forcefully in ideas, but must remain courteous in delivery.

Appreciation for Government Programmes for the People

In his speech, the MPR Speaker highlighted a number of national development agendas, including the Free Nutritious Meals programme, the Merah Putih Village Cooperatives and Merah Putih Sub-district Cooperatives, the People’s Schools, and the Garuda Excellent Schools.

The Free Nutritious Meals programme was assessed not merely as the distribution of food, but as part of the effort to educate the life of the nation and to build a healthy and high-quality Indonesian population towards the Golden Generation of 2045.

Meeting the nutritional needs of children, pregnant women, and community groups in need was described as a long-term investment. However, its implementation must be carried out with proper targeting, good governance, and accountability.

Closing his speech, MPR Speaker Ahmad Muzani invited all citizens to make the independence commemoration a momentum to strengthen national resolve to realise an Indonesia that is baldatun thayyibatun wa rabbun ghafur.

“Do not let the Red and White flag only fly at the top of the pole. Bring to life the spirit of courage in defending the truth,” he concluded.

The speech was then closed with the call, “Long live the 81st anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Indonesia. United, sovereign, just, and prosperous. Once independent, always independent.”

Before ending the session, Ahmad Muzani delivered three pantun affirming optimism about Indonesia’s future, support for policies that favour the people, and an invitation to all members of society to maintain unity and refrain from vilifying one another.