"The nation has been under the spell of liberalism and capitalism, our minds are filled with the doctrine of consumerism," Ahmad said while addressing the Indonesian Teachers Association (PGRI) members during an expose of the MPR's four guiding pillars in Lampung on Monday, as quoted by Antara news agency. 

Ahmad, a politician with the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), said several aspects of community life in Indonesia had been compromised by liberalism, without people realizing it.

He cited examples of water, mobile phones and toothpaste, which are commonly used by society, as having been colonized by foreign nations. 

"Therefore I remind you that Pancasila is the basis and the state ideology. Pancasila values ​​in society will usher in the purpose of the state," Ahmad said. 

Liberal ideology has also entered the political arena; he went on, with a democratic system that is driven to be very expensive. Liberalism in politics is also evidenced in the high costs of those aspiring to be regional heads or House of Representative members, Ahmad added. 

"Indonesian democracy has become a political industry, with regional heads and House memberships requiring exorbitant costs," he said. (liz/evi)

Popular

Essay competition: ‘Rethinking work: Driving sustainable growth in the digital age’

Reform era draws to a close

A Fold in Time: Southeast Asia's women artists explore identity, history