MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, JAKARTA – President of Muhammadiyah Haedar Nashir reaffirmed that Indonesia is distinctively positioned as a nation with faith, neither a theocratic state nor a secular one. The first principle of Pancasila, “Belief in the One and Only God,” is fundamental, applying to both the people and the state.
Haedar emphasized that the moderate stance of Indonesia is rooted in the BPUPKI (Investigating Committee for Preparatory Work for Independence) decision, which amended the original phrase of the first principle to “Belief in the One and Only God.”
“This means that all legislation and policies must align with the values of Belief in the One and Only God,” said Haedar Nashir on Thursday (July 25) in the event conducted by the National Institute of Public Administration, Jakarta. This principle ensures that Indonesian governance remains anchored in spiritual values.
Referencing a speech by President Soekarno, Haedar pointed out that the goal of the Indonesian development was to build not only the physical infrastructure of Indonesia but also its spirit. He stressed that national development should balance physical growth with the well-being of its people.
President Soekarno also emphasized that Indonesia was founded for all its people, embodying the principle of Gotong Royong (mutual cooperation). This foundational concept reflects a connection to global thought and ethical leadership.
Haedar further elaborated, “This demonstrates the ethical self and noble ethics of our forefathers in building a nation through consensus, which is what we call deliberation.”
He urged that the values of sacrifice, history, and consensus embedded in Pancasila should be deeply understood by government leaders, officials, and leaders of national organizations. He stressed that these noble ethics, based on high values, should be preserved to build a great Indonesia.
The founders of Indonesia devoted their thoughts, wealth, energy, and lives to building unity and a progressive and sovereign nation, free from colonialism.
“Therefore, the future generations should uphold the noble values of ethics, integrity, commitment, and all the thoughts that live within us,” said Haedar.
In the contemporary era, with the influx of various ideologies and new thoughts, Haedar reminded that it is crucial to ensure that Indonesia must neither become a secular state nor a theocratic one.
