Nina A. Loasana, Jakarta – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has called on the public to further uphold and preserve the state ideology of Pancasila and to remain optimistic amid the current challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"This year, we commemorate Pancasila Day amid the COVID-19 pandemic. A situation that has tested our spirits as a nation, [as well as] our sacrifices, discipline, obedience and calmness in making fast and right decisions," Jokowi said during the virtual commemoration of Pancasila Day at Bogor Palace in West Java on Monday.
"We are grateful that Pancasila remains our guiding star as we face all these challenges. It has inspired us and strengthened our unity [..] and lifted our spirits to face every difficulty and challenge."
In his speech, Jokowi also asked all government officials to pay attention to those facing economic hardships and to serve the people equally without differentiating between ethnicity, religion, race or affiliation.
"We must strengthen our unity, help each other, cooperate and remain optimistic that we will emerge as winners from every challenge," Jokowi said.
He said the current challenges would be tough to overcome and that Indonesia would still face hard times into next year, reminding everyone to remain optimistic, to maintain their spirits and forge a stronger and more united country.
He also emphasized the importance of finding innovate solutions amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
"As a great nation we have to come out as a winner. We should not stop creating, innovating and achieving [great] things amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Let's prove our resilience and win our future," he said.
June 1 officially became a national holiday to commemorate the birth of Pancasila after Jokowi signed a presidential decree in 2016 in a bid to promote the state ideology as a way of life for all citizens.