Jakarta – Reformed politician Mahfudz Sidiq believes Indonesia will become a country that is not only strong from an economic standpoint, but is also respected politically as a developed country in the world.
“The ideology of Pancasila, the constitution, and the concept of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia have guarded the history of our nation’s journey of life. If you count from the national awakening of 20 May 1928, 100 years from now will be 2028 and calculated from the Proclamation of Independence, then 100 years from now will be 2045,” said Mahfudz Sidiq, in a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) held by the Moya Institute at the Gran Melia Hotel, Jakarta, Thursday (25/5/2023).
He considered that there were three main challenges faced by Pancasila ideology. First, the challenge is to eliminate the contradictions in attitudes, behavior and actions towards the teachings of Pancasila. For example, corrupt behavior, LGBT, and cultural liberalization. The second challenge is to strengthen the nation’s collective vision towards a new power in the world in 2045. The third challenge is to develop national resilience in the context of facing global dynamics.
“The main threat to Pancasila ideology is a proxy for global power in an asymmetric war. Then, the flow of liberalization in the trend of open society. Another threat is political industrialization. The number of political consultants, pollsters, that makes the political adrenaline of many parties rise, so that those who have never joined a political organization and do not have an ideology, get caught up in political games without vision and make our democracy Wani Piro,” explained the man who also served as Secretary General of the Gelora Party.
Meanwhile, Observer of National and Global Strategic Issues, Prof. Ambassador Imron Cotan revealed that Pancasila had been tested by various clashes of ideologies such as the extreme left and the extreme right, even liberal ideology.
According to him, Pancasila succeeded in graduating, graduating summa cum laude.
“Vice President KH Ma’ruf Amin once advised all parties to leave divisive politics,” said Prof. Imron.
Imron also underlined the call for presidential candidate Ganjar Pranowo so that presidential candidates do not insult one another.
“If this ‘wisdom’ is also followed by all presidential and vice presidential candidates and other election contestants, then the flexibility of Pancasila in dampening the five-year political dynamics will be maintained. This is a warning to certain groups not to try to test Pancasila’s ability to moderate differences that come from all over,” he concluded.
On the same occasion, Chairman of the State Civil Apparatus Commission (KASN), Agus Pramusinto said that the political system in Indonesia still opens loopholes involving the partiality of the State Civil Apparatus (ASN) in elections.
“Our politics often drag ASN. Go wrong, don’t go wrong. So, if they are ASN involved, it will make the work of the bureaucracy ineffective. Because what emerges is the politics of reciprocity, the politics of revenge,” said Agus.
According to Bawaslu data, continued Agus, in the 2020-2021 period when Pilkada was held in 270 regions, violations of ASN neutrality reached 2,034. Of the total violations, 1,373 ASN were sanctioned by the Civil Service Development Officer (PPK).
“We have entered the political year and next year’s peak, there will be 548 Pilkada and Pileg as well as the Presidential Election. The potential for chaos will multiply. Now if followed by social media, the term cebong, kadrun still exists. And if it continues, it is dangerous, “he added.
Because of this, Agus emphasized that ASNs should place themselves in a neutral position in the election.
“Because if not, it will affect public services in the future. This is one of the challenges faced by Pancasila, where we still often have the potential to be divided because of politics,” he said.
