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)