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Jakarta Post

MPR as a goalkeeper to guard the nation

Not only functioning its role based on the Constitution and Law, People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) should become the "goalkeeper" to tackle negative impacts of globalization by disseminating MPR's four pillars (Pancasila, the 1945 Constitution, NKRI, and Bhinneka Tunggal Ika - Unity in Diversity), an MPR official says

The Jakarta Post
Tue, December 22, 2015 Published on Dec. 22, 2015 Published on 2015-12-22T16:58:54+07:00

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ot only functioning its role based on the Constitution and Law, People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) should become the "goalkeeper" to tackle negative impacts of globalization by disseminating MPR's four pillars (Pancasila, the 1945 Constitution, NKRI, and Bhinneka Tunggal Ika - Unity in Diversity), an MPR official says.

MPR deputy chairman Mahyudin said that globalization brought negative impacts toward Pancasila, particularly seen from the degradation of Pancasila's values in Indonesian communities.

"All social, political, and religious turmoils happen in the meantime are due to degradation of Pancasila's values in the communities," said Mahyudin.

The statement was given during his keynote speech in national seminar themed "Pancasila Treating Indonesia" in Balai Kartini, Jakarta, on Aug 16 2015. The seminar was organized in collaboration between MPR and Council of Pro-Jokowi movement (Projo).

Mahyudin took an example of the recent "papa minta saham" (papa asks for shares) scandal that involved House leader Setya Novanto, saying that in the past, no minister has ever reported a House leader while now, a minister reported House leader.

According to Mahyudin, globalization was often perceived as liberalization and free competition or neo-liberalism. At one side, free competition was important to push for efficiency, while at other side, Indonesian people were actually not ready yet to face free competition.

"Education of Indonesian people are still low and the economy is not strong yet. In result, those who are rich will be richer and those who are poor will be poorer," said Mahyudin.

Mahyudin said that Indonesia was now more liberal than other liberal countries, however, he said that Indonesia was not compatible with liberalism as Indonesia was more compatible with welfare state system due to culture of gotong royong (mutual cooperation).

Meanwhile, Projo Chairman Budi Ari Setiadi said that Pancasila had become the philosophy of life for Indonesia, however as of now, regional governments such as governors, regents, and mayors had rarely mentioned about Pancasila.

"Pancasila should become the example so that [ruling] elites will not only prioritize their own, family, and group's interests," Budi said, adding that Pancasila would cure Indonesia's illness.

Furthermore, Budi added that now Indonesia needed total correction in its life as a nation.

"We now need total evaluation, whether democracy is already productive or not, or whether economic management is already directed for people's welfare or not," said Budi.(+)

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