Pancasila national culture?

Pancasila national culture?

From Kompas

The article by Hendardi, chairman of the Indonesian Legal Aid and Human Rights Association (PBHI), published in Kompas on Nov. 19, calls for a comment, particularly in regards his claim that the five principles of the Pancasila state philosophy came from foreign cultures.

While the source of this statement and the studies to support it should be questioned, any discussion on Pancasila should first refer to the June 1, 1945 speech of Bung Karno (first president of Indonesia) before the first session of the Indonesian Independence Preparatory Body.

In addition, the explanation of Brig. Gen. Ratyono MSc., head of the Army Information Office, that Pancasila has existed since the Sriwijaya and Majapahit (Kompas, Nov. 23) eras, although it was not yet formalized in those periods, is correct.

Bung Karno said in his speech that our country had twice experienced a national state, in the Sriwijaya and Majapahit eras, so he recommended nationalism as the first principle.

Cosmopolitan internationalism as the second principle is, said Bung Karno, rooted in Indonesia's nationalist culture. The third, consultation and representation, have been an inherent part of village culture in the country.

The fourth principle, democracy, is one that can bring social welfare for Indonesian people, instead of the Western model of economic democracy. The fifth is belief in Almighty God.

In his lifetime, Bung Karno frequently described the principles of Pancasila as stemming from the national culture, at home as well as in international forums, including the United Nations.

B. MOENADJAD
Jakarta