2017-06-10 16:50:00

Indonesia moves to promote Pancasila against extremism


Indonesian President Joko Widodo has appointed members to a new working unit he created to promote and strengthen the Pancasila, the 5-principle state ideology that is the foundation of Indonesia’s pluralist society.

Ten major personalities, including leaders from various faiths, were sworn in as members of the working unit called the UKP-PIP on June 7 in the presidential palace, in the presence of the highest state offices.  Widodo has appointed renowned Pancasila scholar and moderate Muslim, Yudi Latif to lead the UKP-PIP to combat the growing extremist ideologies in the country. 

Analysts see the UKP-PIP as an expression of a strong "neo-nationalist" wave among the moderate components of Indonesian society.  It is in response to the growing phenomenon of Islamist radicalism which aims at replacing Pancasila with laws inspired by the Sharia and establishing Indonesia as an Islamic State.  The move is causing profound political, social and religious divisions in the country.   The government of Widodo recently launched a political campaign against extremists, to which the UKP-PIP is set to give new impetus.

In addition to Yudi Latif, Megawati Soekarnoputri, a former Indonesian president and leader of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), is also part of the Commission and will serve as Chief Adviser; Try Sutrisno, former vice president of the republic; Syafi'i Ma'arif, Muslim intellectual, pluralistic activist and former Muhammadiyah president; Mahfud M.D, Former President of the Constitutional Court; Ma'ruf Amin, President of the Indonesian Ulema Council (Mui); Andreas Anangguru Yewangoe, President of the Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI); Wisnu Bawa Tenaya, Head of Indonesia Hindu Religious Councils (Phdi), and Sudhamek, president of the Buddhayana Indonesia Assembly (Mbi).

The Catholic Church has no representation on the UKP-PIP, though it is very active in promoting dialogue and coexistence in a country renowned for its rich cultural, ethnic and religious diversity.  (Source: AsiaNews)








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