MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, JAKARTA – Indonesia cannot be treated as an inanimate object, subject to arbitrary control or ownership by any single entity. This nation belongs to all and is a living entity.
Quoting a national hero Soepomo at the Investigating Committee for Preparatory Work for Indonesian Independence (BPUPKI) meeting, Indonesia was envisioned to be physically built and a living nation. Soekarno also mentioned that the state is for all and doesn’t exclusively belong to any particular group.
Furthermore, Moh. Hatta explained Article 3 of the 1945 Constitution that the economy shall be structured as a joint enterprise by virtue of the principles of kinship and controlled by the state for the livelihood of the people at large.
President of Muhammadiyah Haedar Nashir mentioned that Indonesia is not supposed to confront crucial issues of welfare, social justice, and humanity. Indonesia was founded from critical notions examined over extended periods, from the national movement, the BPUPKI, to the Constituent Assembly.
According to Haedar, the current intricate problems in Indonesia, such as widespread corruption, foreign debt, structural poverty, uncontrollable business, and political oligarchies, are remnants of the elites’ failure to uphold and remain loyal to the foundations laid by the nation’s founders.
“Our present challenge as a nation lies in the lack of continuity in nurturing the fundamental ideas set by our founding figures. In fact, it is found tendencies of distortion, stagnation, and deviation,” said Haedar at the Gagas RI, a public forum initiated by Kompas Gramedia, raising a theme of ‘Economy, Justice, and Humanity.
As Indonesia’s 78th anniversary of independence approaches, the elites must reflect on the goal of founding Indonesia and evaluate fundamental problems threatening its existence of Indonesia.
“Let’s create a checklist to ensure accumulated practices over certain periods align with notions of Soekarno, Moh. Hatta, and other founding fathers. I’m sure the implementations against the ideas. Thus, we have to think about how to break free from this oligarchy,” said Haedar.
Furthermore, Indonesia has five existential principles that underpin Indonesia’s struggle for independence, as encapsulated in the constitution. These principles should be earnestly embraced by policymakers.
First, as an independent state, Indonesia firmly opposes all forms of colonization worldwide. Second, Indonesia’s independence was achieved through the grace of God the Almighty and the noble desire of its people. Third, post-independence, Indonesia aspires to establish a genuinely independent, united, sovereign, just, and prosperous nation. Fourth, Pancasila serves as the state ideology, guiding all actions and endeavors. Last, it is the constitutional duty of the Indonesian government perpetually to safeguard the nation’s heritage, advance the people’s welfare, foster national development, and uphold global peace.
In addition, Indonesia also possesses three intrinsic values that preserve the gift of independence: Pancasila, religious, and noble cultural values.
“These five principles are essentially the lifeblood of Indonesia. The question before us now is whether the elites, the state officials, and all components of the nation, including the people, truly internalize these principles and the essence of Indonesia, and implement them in national life. This requires us to ensure it and see that there are some deviations, stagnation, and distortions,” said Haedar.
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