Nada Zeitalini Arani, Jakarta – People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Bambang Soesatyo, who is also the Deputy Chairperson of the Pancasila Youth, is urging social organisations such as the Pancasila Youth to play a part in ensuring the success of the construction of the new capital city (IKN) Nusantara in East Kalimantan.
One of the ways they can do this is by moving their central offices from Jakarta to the new capital city.
In this way, the Pancasila Youth will continue to be close to the centre of government and state activities. At the same time it will be able to ensure that the values of the state ideology Pancasila in the new capital Nusantara will be conserved, as well as ensuring that democracy does not disappear from the new city.
"In addition to this, as has been asserted by President Joko Widodo, who is also a honorary member of the Pancasila Youth, [ensuring] that the construction of the Nusantara capital city will not just be moving the government's physical structure from Jakarta to East Kalimantan, but also to build a new city which is smart, globally competitive, so that it can become a locomotive for the transformation of Indonesia".
"The Pancasila Youth community is ready to take part in realising this vision", said Soesatyo.
This was conveyed by Soesatyo when he attending a Pancasila Youth national leadership committee plenary meeting in Jakarta on Wednesday February 2.
Soesatyo explained that in relation to the planned implementation of the outcomes of Pancasila Youth regional meetings in 34 provinces, consolidation is also needed at the local level. This will be done at the same time as improving awareness about membership card regulations.
This is so that the demographics of Pancasila Youth cadres can be clearly seen at every level, from the local, branch and regional offices through to the central office.
"Having a cadre of more than 3 million members, the Pancasila Youth can also contribute to ensuring the success of the 2024 elections by placing its cadre with the KPU [General Elections Commission], KPU regional offices, the Bawaslu [Elections Supervisory Board] and as witnesses at the various polling stations (TPS)", he said.
"Ensuring that the election process from at the level of the TPS up will proceed fairly and justly. So that the elections, which genuinely represent a festival of democracy, will not change into anarchy as a consequence of fraud committed at the level of the TPS", explained Soesatyo.
Soesatyo then explained that in relation to preparations for the 2024 legislative and presidential elections, the Pancasila Youth will always support and ensure that national conduciveness is well maintained.
It will also take part in supporting its best cadre to occupy strategic posts both in the election of regional heads as well as the legislative and presidential elections.
"Including preparing the best cadres to occupy acting regional head positions. This is bearing in mind that according to a Home Affairs Ministry report as many as 272 regional heads will end their terms in office between 2022 and the lead up to the 2024 simultaneous elections", he said in conclusion. (ncm/ega)
Notes
The Pancasila Youth (Pemuda Pancasila) was established by the army in October 1959 and took an active part in the 1965 anti-communist purges. Under Suharto's New Order it evolved into an association of thugs and petty criminals who did the regime's dirty work. Post 1998 it maintained close ties with the military and police and has been linked to criminal activities such as racketeering and extortion and has been involved in attacks on leftist groups and events that it deems to be "pro-communist" or "anti-Pancasila". In 2019 it endorsed President Joko Widodo's reelection campaign with Widodo attending an anniversary event and applauding the group for its contribution to the nation.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Bamsoet Minta Kantor Pusat Pemuda Pancasila Dipindah ke Area IKN Baru".]
