REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesia's younger generation should be cautious of radicalism as they are currently facing the challenges of various ideologies.

"The younger generation occupies a strategic position in the development of the nation and its future. Therefore, it must have the resilience to face various challenges," Chairman of the Fourth Pillar Socialization at People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), Ahmad Basarah, stated in a press statement received here on Monday.

The Indonesian nation currently faces two waves of ideological rivalry, namely market fundamentalism and religious fundamentalism.

"On one hand, the younger generations have become the victims of consumptive and hedonic lifestyles created by market fundamentalists. On the other hand, they become radicalized as religious fundamentalists are able to recruit them," he stated.

Therefore, the MPR has been spreading the values regarding the four pillars of the MPR RI to Indonesians, including the youth and students, in an attempt to tackle the infiltration by foreign ideologies," he noted.

The four pillars of the MPR include the Pancasila (Indonesia's five-point ideology), the 1945 Constitution (UUD 1945), the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI), and the state motto Bhineka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity).

He also reminded the younger generation to be alert to the threats of disintegration from both local and global forces.

President Joko Widodo had earlier called on all elements of the nation to avoid spreading radicalism in universities in Indonesia.

The president stated that the era of openness has created a huge gap for ideological infiltration.

"Nowadays, ideological infiltration has been taking place everywhere, with the target of replacing Pancasila and dividing us. The era of openness cannot be avoided. Therefore, social media is open to infiltration that we are not aware of," he pointed out.

The president admitted that technological advancements have undeniably led everyone to an era of openness.

Currently, information can be easily spread and accessed by all people. As a result, several other forms of convenience can be enjoyed as a result of the progress.

However, on the other hand, such openness can create a gap for undeliberate ideological infiltration.

This condition prompted Jokowi to remind all the elements of the Indonesian nation on the need to be wary of the efforts to divide the nation.

According to Jokowi, infiltration is being carried out through soft approaches and by using the latest strategies.

As a result, several people forget that Indonesia follows Pancasila as an ideology that unites the nation.

"Many of us are so overwhelmed by it (the infiltration effort) that we forget we follow the Pancasila. I am proud of the declaration made by the heads of universities in Indonesia, with a determination to unite us in the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI), adhere to the 1945 Constitution, and uphold Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity)," he stated.

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