Stop 'vulgarization' of Pancasila: Roeslan
Stop 'vulgarization' of Pancasila: Roeslan
JAKARTA (JP): Respected senior statesman Roeslan Abdulgani
warned yesterday against the perversion of the Pancasila
ideology, and admonished what he called its "vulgarization" into
various aspects of life.
"Pancasila's sweep should be limited to the democratic,
economic and philosophical fields," the former cabinet minister
told journalists.
He noted the way Pancasila has been "vulgarized", by using it
in facets of life with which ideology really has nothing to do
with.
The former head of the presidential advisory team on the
implementation of The Guide to the Comprehension and Practical
Application of Pancasila (P4), took a farcical look at how
everything should be in accordance to a Pancasila way.
As light examples, he berated perceptions of Pancasila-ways of
eating, walking or even playing football.
Indonesian citizens, from university undergraduates all the
way to civil servants are required to take P4 upgrading courses.
Roeslan, who is also a former foreign minister, denied that
the acceptance of Pancasila by all political factions in 1983, as
the sole state ideology, meant Indonesia's nation and character
building was now saturated.
"If you think that the acceptance of one principle means that
it (nation and character building) is now finished, then you are
mistaken," Roeslan said.
When queried whether he thought that such a situation existed
in society, Roeslan replied that the main thing is not to let
such a situation prevail.
"Pancasila cannot be 'absoluticized,'" he said, arguing that
nation building includes the development of patriotism and social
solidarity.
Earlier, as a speaker during The Business Forum Luncheon at
the Mercantile Club, Roeslan said that the current economic
development undertaken by Indonesia cannot be separated from the
nation and character building of the past.
He said the spirit of patriotism and values of social justice,
which characterize the Indonesian people, must not be neglected
by the physical material goals the country is striving for.
"I just want to remind you that, despite the progress made,
there are many problems the current generation has to focus on,"
he said, adding that "state officials should not quiver because
of the economic development which is too materialistic".
Without neglecting the government's leadership, Roeslan said
farmers and industrial workers have been the true engine of
Indonesia's success and called for due respect and attention to
their efforts.
"Our laborers demand `humane wages', which are sometimes not
granted them," Roeslan lamented.
The question of labor rights has been a very thorny affair for
the government, with issues ranging from the implementation of
the minimum wage, to labor unions being suspected of involvement,
by security personnel, in the murder of laborer activist
Marsinah.
"Before, we used to ask 'who killed Mallaby?', now, in East
Java, they are asking 'who killed Marsinah?'" Roeslan said,
referring to British Brig. Gen. Mallaby, who was killed in
Surabaya by unknown gunmen, thought to be Indonesian independence
fighters in 1945.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, this a tragedy," Roeslan said of
Marsinah, who was found murdered in an East Java town last year.
Roeslan further touched on the fact that the state was, at
times, used as a stick to strike against those who are averse.
"Yes, now, sometimes, there are occurrences like that, but I
think they say it is for the sake of stability," Roeslan said.
(mds)