History of Pancasila Youth – ANTARA News

JAKARTA (Antara) – Pemuda Pancasila (PP) is a paramilitary organization established on October 28, 1959 by General Abdul Haris Nasution. This organization was originally named Pemuda Patriotic and is a youth wing from the Indonesian Independence Supporting Association (IPKI).

IPKI itself was founded by three high-ranking TNI officers, namely AH Nasution, Ahmad Yani, and Gatot Soebroto, with the aim of counteracting the threat of communism represented by the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) and upholding the ideology of Pancasila as the only nation’s guidelines.

Along with the development of IPKI, Patriotic youth changed its name to Pancasila Youth. At the same time, several organizational wings such as Pancasila workers, Pancasila Farmers, and Pancasila women were formed to face groups affiliated with PKI, such as Youth People, All Indonesian Labor Organizations (SOBSI), Indonesian Farmers (BTI), and Gerwani.

At the beginning of the New Order era, IPKI developed into a political party and participated in the 1971 elections. However, there was an internal division that caused IPKI to join the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI), while the Pancasila youth chose to affiliate with Golkar who was then the dominant party in government.

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In 1981, there was an Extraordinary National Conference (Munaslub) Pancasila Youth in Cibubur. During this meeting, Japto Soerjosoemarno, a Judaudi -blooded Mangkunegaran nobleman, was elected as Chairman of the Pancasila Youth. Since then, Japto has become a figure that is synonymous with the leadership of this mass organization and continues to lead until now.

The Role of Pancasila Youth in Indonesian History

Pemuda Pancasila played an important role in various Indonesian historical events, especially in 1965 during the coup which led to the overthrow of President Soekarno’s administration.

This organization is associated with the role of military supporting forces in the massacre of those accused of being the PKI sympathizers. Documentary The Act of Killing (Butcher2012) describe how this group contributed to the event.

In the New Order era, Pemuda Pancasila was known as one of the organizations that supported President Soeharto’s government policy. His close relations with Golkar made the Pancasila youth develop rapidly with millions of members spread throughout Indonesia. When the New Order ended, the Pancasila youth remained and adapted to the changed political dynamics.

Also read: Profile of Japto Soerjosoemarno, a Pancasila youth figure called by the KPK

Pancasila Youth Social Achievement and Activities

Apart from the various controversies that surround it, Pancasila Youth is also active in various social activities and has several achievements that are recognized nationally. Some of them are:

1.

PThere is 30 October 2019, Pemuda Pancasila received an award from the Indonesian World Record Museum (MURI) for the category of the Youth Pledge Pledge category by the most members of the mass organizations and anti -drug pledges by the most members of the mass organizations.

2. Anti Covid-19 prayer prayer rugs

During the Covid-19 Pandemic period, Pemuda Pancasila initiated the manufacture of anti-covid-19 prayer mats that were easy to clean. This program received support from the Speaker of the Indonesian Parliament Puan Maharani and was handed over to the Chairperson of the Indonesian Mosque Council, Jusuf Kalla, at the Istiqlal Mosque.

3. Assistance for victims of the eruption of Mount Semeru

​​​​​​​On December 5, 2021, Pancasila Youth members from Lumajang jumped directly into the disaster site to provide assistance to victims of the Semeru Mountain Eruption. This action shows the social care of the organization in the midst of disaster.

As one of the organizations that has long been established in Indonesia, Pancasila Youth has a long and complex history. Its role in Indonesian political events, especially in the New Order era, as well as various social actions they took, made it an organization with broad influence.

However, on the other hand, Pancasila Youth is also often associated with controversy, ranging from clashes with other mass organizations, demonstrations that lead to chaos, to cases of persecution. Having a number of members reaching millions, this organization remains one of the important elements in Indonesian social and political dynamics, as quoted from various sources.

Also read: Pancasila Youth Respect the KPK’s legal process who searched the Japto House

Also read: KPK confiscated 11 cars after searching the house of PP Japto Soerjosoemarno

Reporter: Raihan Fadilah
Editor: Suryanto
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