Jokowi Launches Presidential Working Unit To Combat Extremism

© AFP Photo/Anthony Wallace

Former President Megawati is among its lead advisors.

PresidentJokoWidodoofficially inaugurated the presidential working unit on the implementation of the state ideology ofPancasila(UKP-PIP) at the State Place, Jakarta on Wednesday.

Accompanied by Vice PresidentJusufKalla, the president entrusted activist and intellectual Yudi Latif to lead the UKP-PIP.

Yudihad been assisting the government in arranging the establishment of the working unit since the very beginning.

For the unit's leadadvisor,Jokowiappointed Former President and Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) chairwomanMegawatiSoekarnoputriand Former Vice President TrySutrisno, Former Constitutional Court Chief justiceMahfudM.D., activist and former chairman of Muhammadiyah Ahmad Syafii Ma'arifand FormerMuhammadiyahchairman DinSyamsuddin.

The working unit also consists of religious leaders, namely, Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) Chairman MarufAmin, Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI) Chairman AndreasAnangguruYewangoe, Buddhayana Indonesia Assembly (MBI) ChairmanSudhamekand Indonesian Hindu Religious Councils (PHDI) ChairmanWisnuBawaTenaya.

Previously,Jokowiconveyed the UKP-PIP's purpose is to involve and embrace all elements of the nationincluding those who criticize the establishment of the working unitto embedPancasilavalues in their daily lives, as well as to counter the growing extremist ideologies in the country. In doing its activities, the tribute and practice ofPancasilavalues conducted by the UKP-PIP will be based on the principle of 'musyawarah' or consensus decision-making.

UPDATE: Din Syamsuddin was removed from the working unit and has been replaced by Nahdlatul Ulama Chairman Aqil Siradj.

Yudi Latif confirmed the news after the inauguration, saying that Din Syamsuddin will be assigned for another duty. Yudi said, aside of UKP-PIP, the government also planned to establish other institution including a Council of National Harmony.

"It's to avoid overlapping. Some are assigned in this unit, some in other plans," he told reporters.

Even so, Yudi was unable to confirm whether Din will be guaranteed a position in the Council of National Harmony.

"He hasnt provided any explanation, but it is supposedly that there is another task (for him besides UKP-PIP), said Yudi.

(brl/red)