Several Youngsters No Longer Uphold Values Of Pancasila: Academician

Ternate (Antara Maluku) - The younger generation in North Maluku no longer cherishes and practices the values of Pancasila in their day-to-day lives, stated Prof Gufran Ali Ibrahim of the Khairun University.

"Even many of the young people have failed to memorize the five principles of Pancasila: Belief in one supreme God, Humanitarianism, Nationalism expressed in the unity of Indonesia, Consultative democracy, and Social justice," he affirmed here on Friday.

He noted that the younger generation and most Indonesians no longer apply the values of Pancasila, and therefore, character education was necessary to handle the situation.

In the meantime, social and political scientist from the Catholic University of Widya Mandira Kupang Frans Bapa Tokan stated that Pancasila, as the state ideology, was in a serious crisis as many Indonesians were no longer following it.

"Cases of corruption have increased, involving state leaders, and the elite group is neglecting the spirit and the true values of the state ideology," Frans remarked in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, on Wednesday.

The Corruption Eradication Commission has grabbed headlines by dragging corrupt officials, almost every week, to its detention cells.

During the commemoration of Pancasila Sanctity day, Frans emphasized that several Indonesians, including the country`s leaders, no longer followed Pancasila`s teachings of tolerance, willingness to sacrifice, and mutual help.

Sheer ignorance in inculcating the values is manifesting itself through indifference in attitude, growing individualism, corruption, and communal, tribal, and religious conflicts, he pointed out.

Deviating from the five principles of Pancasila such as oneness of God, nationalism, democracy, social justice, and internationalism have threatened the nation`s integrity, he stressed.

Long-harbored political revenge had bred hatred among political opponents with the people at the grass-root level bearing the worst brunt, he added.

He stated that national character building is the only panacea for the social evils, and the call for mental revolution in today`s times has become more relevant than ever.

President-elect Joko Widodo has, on several occasions, reiterated the importance of mental revolution in his pre-election campaigns.

Frans proposed that a refresher course on Pancasila, which was once held under the New Order regime, should be re-started but in a different way.