By : Rahmi Sariati Ramadani )*
Strengthening National Insight is the main basis for efforts to prevent the spread of increasingly disturbing radical ideas. In the era of fast-paced and connected globalization, strengthening awareness of national identity and values is crucial for maintaining peace and stability in society.
As one nation, we can face the challenge of extremism which threatens our collective peace and safety, by strengthening our understanding of diversity, history and the basic principles of the state.
The Chairman of the MPR RI, Bambang Soesatyo (Bamsoet), views the present as a challenging time for the integrity of the nation. National challenges, which are increasingly complex and dynamic, require resilience and strong sovereignty in various aspects. Moreover, it is punctuated by global turmoil, especially the impact that is still being felt from the COVID-19 pandemic. The IMF itself projects that global economic growth in 2024-2025 will still move slowly, reaching only around 3.2 percent.
From a global geopolitical perspective, various conflicts such as those between Russia and Ukraine, Israel’s aggression towards Palestine, as well as the escalation of tensions in several regions, have increasingly worsened global economic conditions. Bamsoet emphasized this when attending the 70th Anniversary Commemoration of the Indonesian Independence Supporters Association (IP-KI) in Jakarta. In facing the dynamics and complexity of this national challenge, Bamsoet emphasized that Indonesia must strengthen resilience and sovereignty in three main dimensions: politics, economics and ideology.
In the political dimension, Indonesia has a strong foundation in determining foreign policy orientation, in accordance with the principles stated in the Preamble to the 1945 Constitution. However, it is also important to build a conducive domestic political foundation, which does not divide society.
Turning to the economic dimension, Bamsoet highlighted the importance of reducing dependence on global economic influences, especially from developed countries. The ability to build competitiveness is in line with the ability to create independence, such as in food security. Moreover, Indonesia has abundant agricultural resources.
More interesting is the ideological dimension, where Bamsoet emphasizes that global geopolitical threats are not only physical-material, but also ideological. This threat cannot be faced by simply building physical fortifications along the archipelago archipelago. In facing the flow of globalization and increasingly open access to information, Indonesia needs to strengthen its ideological fortress, by instilling national insight into the younger generation. This will be a strong moral fortress in filtering the flow of global information that is destructive and radical ideas that deviate from the values of Pancasila.
In this context, cultivating national insight and understanding the values of Pancasila is not just rhetoric. This is a long-term investment in building strong moral leadership and instilling a sense of national identity. As a foundation for ideology and moral philosophy, Pancasila is not only a guideline in social, national and state life, but also a strong fortress in facing ideological currents that threaten the integrity of the nation.
To ensure the continuity of efforts to strengthen this national insight, it is not enough just to carry out organizational activities or local initiatives alone. The role of government, especially in terms of creating policies and supporting programs that strengthen national identity, is also very important. In the context of implementation, Kodim 0908/Bontang, East Kalimantan Province, through the 120th TNI Manunggal Entering Villages (TMMD) activity in 2024, is also trying to prevent and ward off the entry of acts and ideas of radicalism. Apart from physical activities, such as infrastructure development, TMMD also holds non-physical activities, including counseling on preventing radicalism.
The Prevention of Radicalism counseling aims to provide understanding to the younger generation about the dangers of radicalism and ways to prevent it from an early age. Kodim 0908/Bontang emphasized the importance of strengthening the mentality and understanding of the Pancasila ideology, especially for the younger generation as agents of change and future leaders of the nation. In an effort to reduce intolerance which can develop into radicalism, young people are asked to implement the values of Pancasila in their daily lives. This is in line with the values of nationalism, patriotism and defending the country which are important foundations for development at both the state and community levels.
Through TMMD, Kodim 0908/Bontang shows its commitment to being part of cross-sectoral efforts to strengthen national insight and prevent the spread of radicalism. Thus, concrete steps are being taken to strengthen Indonesia’s sovereignty and resilience in facing complex and dynamic challenges in this era of globalization.
This assertion is important considering that ideological threats are not only physical-material, but also ideological. Strengthening ideological strongholds through cultivating national insight and Pancasila values is a preventive effort to filter the flow of global information that has the potential to damage and promote radical ideas that conflict with local values and national identity.
Strengthening national insight is a solid foundation in maintaining the sovereignty and resilience of the Indonesian nation. In facing global dynamics that continue to develop, awareness of the importance of national insight and the ideology of Pancasila is becoming increasingly crucial.
Through the active participation of all elements of society, especially the younger generation, Indonesia can build a strong ideological fortress to prevent the spread of radical ideas and maintain the integrity of the Republic of Indonesia. Therefore, let’s raise awareness of the importance of national insight as the key to preventing the spread of radical ideas and maintaining national unity.
)* The author is a Contributor to the Just Society Development Institute