IO – The understanding of “Pancasila” as the national ideology needs rejuvenation in order to remain relevant and adaptive to the contemporary life of Indonesians. However, Pancasila is still meaningful as an ideology in maintaining social cohesion and integration in Indonesia.
This view was expressed by Islamic History professor and Universitas Islam Negeri (UIN) Jakarta Rector Azyumardi Azra in a discussion titled “Revisiting Indonesia’s Ideology” in the UIN Jakarta Diorama Room on Friday (26/10/2018). According to the professor, contemporary life, which has become increasingly dynamic, demands a rejuvenated understanding of Pancasila in order for its actualization to continue to maintain public life that is both tolerant and in harmony.
“Pancasila accommodates the cultural diversity present in this nation. Pancasila is still relevant in pertaining to the interests of social cohesion and integration. And at 73 years of age, Pancasila, as the national ideology, has demonstrated its continuing relevance,” stated the professor.
The rejuvenation of the understanding of the Pancasila adaptive to contemporary life, he continued, is increasingly relevant with the appearance of a transnational ideology. In its various origins, this ideology has broken the joints of public life.
On the same occasion, Political Science professor from the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) Mochtar Pabottinggi stated that Pancasila was a sublimation in the experience and views of life of the nation. “It even is the actualization of Islamic values in the national political sphere,” he said.
The discussion, which was held by Mufakat Budaya Indonesia and UIN Jakarta, also featured cultural expert Radhar Panca Dahana and literature research professor in the Ministry of Religious Affairs Musdah Mulai. Rada and Musdah agreed that Pancasila must become an ideology which can be implemented as Indonesian’s view of civil life.
The discussion was attended by dozens of university students from various faculties in the UIN Jakarta region. As representatives of the millennial generation, a number of students were given a chance to talk with and express their views surrounding Pancasila. (UIN)