DENPASAR – The spirit of fostering national identity was echoed by Chairman of Indonesian Regional Representative Council (DPD RI) AA LaNyalla Mahmud Mattalitti in Denpasar, Bali.
The senator from East Java asserted that cultural resilience is one of the important indicators, as culture is the character and identity of the nation which is also part of national resilience.
LaNyalla said, Indonesia must have strong national resilience. Starting from food security, energy, health, education, military, to cultural resilience.
These things, according to him, are assets for the Indonesian state and government in the midst of global challenges and dynamics to realize the national ideals enshrined in the 4th paragraph of the Preamble of the Indonesian Constitution.
“Why is cultural resilience important? Because the essence of culture is the character and identity of the nation. And we all know, great nations are nations that have strong national character and identity and are maintained and nurtured,” he said in the Focus Group Discussion on Culture as a National Identity with the theme ‘Global Challenges, Cultural Resilience, and Pancasila’ at the DPD RI Representative Office in Denpasar, Bali, Wednesday (29/5).
Furthermore, the kris collector said that Indonesia is a great country that was born from the great civilisations of the Nusantara Kingdoms and Sultanates.
The civilisation at that time, according to him, gave birth to a number of knowledge, science, and culture.
“Hence, as a nation and state born from the great civilisations of the Nusantara Kingdoms and Sultanates, we should have a strong culture,” said the Bugis native.
“We should have a strong identity and character of the people of Nusantara, so that the Indonesian nation will still have its Indonesian character,” he continued.
LaNyalla also revealed that the source of Indonesia’s identity is the values contained in Pancasila.
He said Bung Karno once mentioned that these values already existed in Nusantara long before the Dutch colonial era.
That means the values of Pancasila are actually the pulse of the Indonesian nation.
“Therefore, we in DPD RI for the 2019–2024 service period proposed an initiative Bill on the Protection and Preservation of the Customary Culture of Nusantara Kingdoms. Alhamdulillah, the bill has been included in the list of the National Legislation Programme,” he added.
As Chairman of DPD RI, he admitted that he deliberately voiced and continued to encourage the heirs of the kingdoms and sultanates and indigenous peoples of Nusantara to have a place to participate in determining the direction of the nation’s journey.
The reason is, they are part of the guardians of cultural resilience which is an important part of national resilience.
“Moreover, we face global challenges and threats due to disruptions that occur in the world, both those caused by global geopolitical tensions, as well as technological disruption and environmental disruption,” he said.
“This is no joke. It must be faced with a strong spirit of togetherness, do not leave the government alone,” he continued.
At the end of his presentation, LaNyalla invited all parties to continue to fight for the strengthening of cultural resilience as part of national resilience, through strengthening the character and identity of the nation that refers to the noble values of Pancasila.
The FGD went well and was followed very enthusiastically by the participants.
The discussion was led by Putu Eka Gunayasa as the moderator and presented two speakers, the King of Denpasar Ida Pengelingsir Puri Satria Denpasar and Lecturer of the Indonesian Institute of Arts Denpasar Dr. Kadek Suartaya.
It also received many responses from the participants.
Ida Pengelingsir Puri Satria Denpasar said that he strongly agreed with what was expressed by the Chairman of DPD RI.
He said, the source of culture is the palace or kingdom. With the preservation of the palace and kingdom, this nation will be stronger.
“Therefore, he must be re-elected as chairman of DPD RI for the next period. Only he has fought for the kingdom and sultanate in the country so far,” he said, which was immediately greeted with loud applause.
“That means he has actually contributed to maintaining national resilience, through cultural resilience,” he continued.
Ida also added that to preserve culture, it must go through a process of adaptation from year to year. And DPD RI as a high state institution has succeeded in guiding the adaptation.
“Because preserving culture must also have a legal umbrella, the initiative bill from DPD RI must continue to be encouraged until it becomes an Act,” she said.
In line with LaNyalla, Dr. Kadek Suartaya said that technological disruption marked by the era of robotisation and artificial intelligence will also hit culture.
“In fact, now it has existed in front of our eyes – the mobile phones. Gadgets are eroding our culture indirectly. All of this must be mitigated, immediately,” he said.
“Therefore, the event initiated by DPD RI is very good with a very contemporary theme for our cultural resilience,” he added.
Seirama dengan yang dipaparkan LaNyalla, Dr Kadek Suartaya mengatakan bahwa disrupsi teknologi yang ditandai dengan era robotisasi dan artificial intelligent juga akan menghantam budaya.
Alfiansyah Komeng as an elected member of DPD RI also gave his views on culture. He revealed his version of culture.
“Budi is good, daya is work. So cultivation (budi daya) is a good job. So don’t associate negative things with culture. Good work has also been done by Pak Nyalla as chairman of DPD RI. He continues to maintain and preserve culture,” Komeng explained.
The event was attended by DPD RI members from Bali H. Bambang Santoso and Ngurah Amara, Lampung DPD RI member Bustami Zainuddin, and DPD RI member from Banten Habib Ali Alwi.
Also present were DPD RI member elected from Bali Arya Wedakarna, DPD RI member elected from West Java Alfiansyah Komeng, DPD RI member elected from South Papua Rudi Tirtayana, DPD RI member elected from East Kalimantan and Yulianus Henock Sumual.
Also present were Ayu Putu Lilik Handayani (Representative of the Bali Provincial Secretary, Head of the Heritage Division of the Culture Office), Wayan Sumara and Arya Wibawa (Bali Police), Candra Purnama (Bali High Prosecutor’s Office and a delegation from Makodam X Udayana), as well as a number of Udayana University Faculty of Cultural Sciences students, Denpasar Institute of Indonesian Art students, and Mahendradatta University students.
