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Defense Ministry reaches out to wider audience to promote 'bela negara' program
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A sense of nationalism -- Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu fastens a pin on one of Bela Negara (state defense) program recruits during an inauguration ceremony in Skouw-Wutung, near the Indonesia-Papua New Guinea border, early this year. (JP/Nethy Dharma Somba)
I
n efforts to promote the state defense program to a wider audience, the Defense Ministry has teamed up with several government institutions and civil organizations.
The ministry signed a cooperation agreement with the Law and Human Right Ministry, the Education and Culture Ministry, the Social Affairs Ministry, the Communications and Information Ministry and dozens of community groups on Wednesday regarding the campaign that encourages all civilians, particularly children, to love the Republic of Indonesia and be willing to defend national unity.
“Children must be taught to be proud of and to love the country as early as possible,” Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu told a gathering at the Defense Ministry during the signing ceremony.
The ceremony also included a launching of two nationalist children songs, “Aku Bangga Jadi Anak Indonesia” (I Am Proud to Be Indonesian Children) and “Kau dan Aku Indonesia” (You and I are Indonesians).
“Bela negara (state defense) is not military conscription. It is not even militarism,” Ryamizard emphasized in a gesture to respond to criticism against the program.
The state defense program has raised opposition from civil society organizations as the ministry includes training in military skills for civilians participating in the program. (dmr)
