MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, BANDUNG – Haedar Nashir, President of Muhammadiyah, emphasized that advancing national welfare is a constitutional obligation for all state administrators.
In his main address at Muhammadiyah’s 113th Milad at Muhammadiyah University of Bandung on Tuesday (18/11), Haedar stressed that welfare is not merely a normative phrase but a mandate of the 1945 Constitution that must be built in concrete terms.
He explained that the Milad theme, “Advancing National Welfare,” reflects the very command of the Constitution to promote the general welfare, a mandate that carries strong and authoritative weight.
“Building the nation’s welfare as an implementation of the constitutional mandate, promoting general welfare, is not a normative phrase. It is authoritative and powerful,” he said.
Haedar highlighted that the words found in the Preamble and articles of the constitution are expressions of the aspirations and struggles of the nation’s founding fathers and thus form the foundation of the state. These words must not be reduced to empty rhetoric without binding force.
A Constitutional Duty at Every Level
Haedar underscored that fulfilling the constitutional mandate of welfare applies to all levels of government, from the national level down to provinces, cities, and regencies.
The fulfillment of the mandate must take shape in real-world actions and daily life, not merely rhetoric. Real action, he said, is far more valid and solid than words.
He further explained that welfare encompasses two balanced dimensions: the material dimension, referring to economic sufficiency and prosperity; and the non-material dimension, which includes social and spiritual aspects such as meaningful living, character, social relations, and security.
While global studies often rank Indonesia high in happiness indexes, largely due to non-material indicators, Haedar emphasized that this is not enough. Economic strength is equally essential.
He therefore urged for accelerated efforts to advance the nation, especially in the economic sector, to address persistent social inequalities.
Haedar welcomed the strong political will of the new administration under President Prabowo Subianto, which carries a firm commitment to people-centered economic growth. Initiatives such as the Koperasi Desa Merah Putih must be seriously guarded, accompanied by strengthened MSME (Micro, Small, Medium Enterprises) and enhanced food sovereignty.
Haedar concluded with optimism that if the government and the people work at their fullest capacity, the nation’s welfare will soon be realized. (Bintang Adrian)
