Prabowo: Pancasila as the Foundation for Global Challenges

President Prabowo Subianto stated that Pancasila remains the primary foundation keeping Indonesia strong amidst increasingly complex global challenges. As many nations face conflict, geopolitical competition, and economic uncertainty, Indonesia is seen to have a strong footing thanks to the values embedded in Pancasila. The President made these remarks while leading the Pancasila Birth Anniversary ceremony in Jakarta on Monday, June 1. President Prabowo noted that this year’s theme, “Pancasila as the Unity of the Nation and Foundation of World Peace,” is highly relevant to the current global situation. The Head of State assessed that the world is entering a challenging period, with various conflicts, international rivalries, trade wars, and global economic uncertainty testing many nations. However, Indonesia possesses crucial assets to address these conditions. “Amidst a world increasingly divided by conflicts, geopolitical rivalries, trade wars, and economic uncertainty, Indonesia has a firm anchor: Pancasila,” said Prabowo. He stated that Pancasila is not merely a historical relic commemorated annually in state ceremonies. Rather, it is a guiding principle that must underpin societal, national, and state life. He emphasised that Pancasila’s values must also guide the development of the national economic system and the nation’s developmental direction. “Pancasila is not just a historical document. It must not be merely a slogan recited during ceremonies. Pancasila is the guideline for governing national life, societal life, state life, including how we build our national economic system,” Prabowo said. During the event, he also urged the public to recall the origins of Pancasila from the founders’ grand ideas. Prabowo noted that 81 years ago, Bung Karno presented the concept that became the philosophical foundation of the Republic of Indonesia during the BPUPKI (Preparatory Committee for Indonesian Independence) session. The Head of State stressed that Pancasila did not emerge suddenly but grew from Indonesia’s long historical journey. Its values stem from the nation’s history, experiences, culture, and the aspirations of its people. “Eighty-one years ago, Bung Karno stood before the BPUPKI session and presented the grand concept that became the philosophical basis of the Republic of Indonesia. Pancasila did not arise from a vacuum; it was born from Indonesia’s history, experiences, culture, and national aspirations,” he said. Prabowo added that Indonesia’s success in maintaining unity to this day is due to Pancasila as a national consensus. With its vast diversity—thousands of islands, hundreds of ethnic groups, languages, and cultures—Pancasila serves as the unifying point for all Indonesians. He stated that this national consensus is why Indonesia remains a united nation despite its diversity. “Pancasila is a grand consensus, a national agreement that allows our nation—comprising thousands of islands, hundreds of ethnic groups, languages, and cultures—to live as one united people,” Prabowo said. Therefore, the Head of State reminded the importance of upholding and implementing Pancasila’s values in daily life. For Prabowo, Pancasila is not only the foundation of national unity but also a crucial asset for Indonesia to navigate evolving global changes and challenges. (Z-2)