Pancasila as a uniting tool

Pancasila as a uniting tool

With the continuous rise in value of the U.S. dollar against
rupiah, people seem to be screaming as the prices of basic
necessities skyrocket. When will this situation end? There is no
sign that the country's economic condition will improve. On the
contrary, our economy seems to be on the brim of bankruptcy.

Let us think with a clear mind and ponder the history of the
birth of our republic when Bung Karno proclaimed Indonesia's
independence on Aug. 17, 1945. Thus a republic was born and with
God's revelation Pancasila (and Bung Karno was the first to
receive it) became the nation's philosophical basis.

Although this country was created in the form of a republic,
the holder of God's revelation was symbolically a king, or in
other words, a man of especially high dignity. R.M. Sosrokartono,
the brother of R.A. Kartini (the heroine), once said to Bung
Karno in Javanese: "Kowe arep dadi ratu, yo!" (You are to become
king!).

Pancasila really has divine power so that it can unite the
whole Indonesian people, which are pluralistic in nature in terms
of ethnicity, tradition and culture, religion. Pancasila has a
powerful binding characteristic which has evidently succeeded in
maintaining the unity and integrity of the nation. It is a big
mistake to question the strength of Pancasila as the sole basis
of the nation's integrity.

Did the second president, H.M. Soeharto, also receive God's
revelation? Of course he did. How else could he have possibly
brought the chaotic country to normalcy within a short time after
the abortive communist coup (G-30S/PKI) in 1965 without the power
of God's revelation, while also winning the world's confidence.
Again by virtue of Pancasila philosophy as the sole basis of the
country, Soeharto succeeded in maintaining the unity and
integrity of the nation.

Then also by God's will, Soeharto had to quit presidency,
which is known in Javanese as Lengser kaprabon. God does not
permit anyone to wield power forever, which is haram (contrary to
God's will according to Islam).

Now to get out of the present crisis that has gripped the
country for so long, all components of the country should make a
concerted effort to find another leader (holder of Pancasila),
otherwise political and economic disorder will persist for heaven
knows how long.

DR. AGUS UTORO

Serang, West Java