Maintaining the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia, Building the Nation: Pancasila as the Nation’s Compass
By: Wan GLH*)
Pancasila reaffirms its role as the nation’s compass. It is not only the foundation of the state, but also a guide in designing inclusive, sustainable, and equitable development. Moreover, the spirit of Pancasila is the main foundation in maintaining the integrity of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI), strengthening unity and integrity amidst the many diversities, and fortifying the nation from the threat of disintegration and radicalism.
Head of the Pancasila Ideology Development Agency (BPIP), Prof. Drs. K.H. Yudian Wahyudi, MA, Ph.D., said that in the era of technological development and the unstoppable flow of information, campuses have a strategic position as the main partner in grounding Pancasila to the younger generation, especially new students. Internalization of Pancasila values through the Tri Dharma of Higher Education is one effective way to form a strong national character, especially amidst ideological challenges that can threaten national resilience and integrity in the state
As part of this systematic effort, BPIP initiated the use of the Main Textbook of Pancasila Education for all levels of education as a concrete step in building national character from an early age. The paradigm of education has also undergone an important shift, where Civic Education is now part of Pancasila Education, not the other way around. Together with the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Religion, and education experts, BPIP continues to encourage the implementation of a curriculum that makes Pancasila the basis for forming an adaptive and globally competitive generation, but remains firmly rooted in national values.
The spirit of mutual cooperation and togetherness in strengthening the state ideology is also reflected in legislative efforts in the regions. The Chairperson of Special Committee 2 of the Bandung City DPRD, Aa Abdul Rozak, said that the Draft Regional Regulation (Raperda) on the Development of Pancasila Ideology and National Insight has reached the final stage of discussion and is ready to be brought to a plenary meeting. He emphasized the importance of the presence of this regulation in the social life of the community so that it is not just a formality, but its benefits are truly felt in strengthening the spirit of nationalism and unity of citizens in living side by side in the City of Bandung.
Furthermore, this regulation is expected to be an anchor of the archipelago, uniting citizens in diversity, and creating conduciveness in a dynamic urban environment such as the City of Bandung. Thus, the legislative approach is part of a holistic strategy in fostering national character, in line with the spirit of Pancasila as an open ideology that is able to respond to the dynamics of changing times without losing its identity.
Challenges to the integrity of the Republic of Indonesia at the national level do not only come from ideological aspects, but also include strategic issues such as regional defense, social cohesion, and increasingly complex non-traditional threats. Deputy for Coordination of State Defense and National Unity of the Coordinating Ministry for Political and Security Affairs, Major General TNI Purwito Hadi Wardhono, said that the development of national defense must be based on cross-sector synergy and collaboration of various parties. An adaptive and sustainable defense policy framework is a must to face global and regional dynamics that are constantly changing.
Furthermore, Purwito explained that the Coordinating Ministry for Political and Security Affairs also oversees the implementation of the President’s vision and mission in Asta Cita, especially the first and second points that emphasize strengthening the Pancasila ideology, democracy, human rights, and the state defense and security system. In this context, national resilience does not only concern the military aspect, but also includes food, energy, water independence, and a sustainable creative economy.
National development based on the spirit of Pancasila also requires a collective understanding of the community about the importance of national solidarity. Efforts to maintain national unity are not enough through normative policies, but also require perseverance in building shared awareness, strengthening cross-sectoral communication, and instilling a spirit of nationalism as a whole in every line of community life.
All of these efforts show that Pancasila pulsates in the real work of various parties—both at the central and regional levels. Education, legislation, and national defense are three key sectors that strategically show how Pancasila is a source of values as well as a navigation tool in organizing national and state life. By making Pancasila the foundation of the Indonesian nation, the direction of Indonesia’s development will continue to emphasize the values of social justice, humanity, and unity.
In this challenging globalization condition, the values of Pancasila become an ideological fence as well as an ethical foundation in interacting with the outside world. A strong national identity becomes the main fortress in facing transnational ideological threats, extremism, and disintegration. Therefore, it is important for all components of the nation to continue to ground Pancasila through various policies, education, and daily behavior.
The Indonesian people need to understand that maintaining the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia and building the country are two sides of the same coin. There can be no sustainable development without national stability and unity, and vice versa, it is impossible to maintain national unity without equitable development. Pancasila is present as a compass that ensures that the direction of Indonesia’s development is always on a path that upholds the dignity of all its citizens.
Making Pancasila the nation’s compass is not only the responsibility of state institutions, but also a collective task of all Indonesian people. Every individual has a role to instill the values of Pancasila in their immediate environment and only in this way can Indonesia continue to move forward as a sovereign, just, prosperous, and united nation amidst diversity and not dependent on anyone
*)The author is a Social and Community Observer
