4 Pillars Talk Show at UPH

UPH became the host for the event ?4 Pillars Talk Show? on Tuesday, February 13, 2014. This event is organized by the Majelis Permusyawaratan Rakyat Republik Indonesia ? MPR-RI (Indonesia General Council), taking place at UPH Karawaci, Tangerang, Building D 501 Auditorium. The main focus of the talk show is the culture of democracy, which also becomes a part of MPR RI program in imparting the 4 pillars (Pancasila, Undang-Undang Dasar 45, Negara Kesatuan Republik Indonesia and Bhineka     Tunggal Ika) of life that upholds the value of civilization, nationalism, and patriotism. The program will be hosted on 40 different campuses  all over Indonesia.

Featured as the speakers were MPR RI Chairman Drs. H. Sidarto Danusubroto, SH., UPH Rector Jonathan L. Parapak, Head of  Master of UPH Law Program Dr. Henry Soelistyo Budi and Head of UPH Master of Communication Program, Prof. Tjipta         Lesmana.  With hosts Chintya Sari and Yana Indrawan, the event was attended about 200 students as well as lecturers from        UPH Faculty of Communication Political Sciences and Faculty of Law.

Opening the talk show, MPR RI Chairman Drs.H. Sidarto described the reasons behind the national crisis that is now being experienced by Indonesia society. The democracy that is established by Indonesia founding father does not discern       majorities      and minorities, but insted it nurtures the democracy of pluralism. If a country is able to protect its minorities,             it means that that country has successfully practicing democracy. There are three things that must exist in democracy:                   to protect, to educate and to protect its people.

In regards to the current democracy, UPH Rector emphasized the importance of democracy education in the context of Negara Kesatuan Republik Indonesia (NKRI). ?Our nation needs leaders that are competent to be role models. Therefore, the education  here at UPH prepares leaders that have integrity and characters,? Rector commented. Drs. H. Sidarto supported UPH Rector?s thought on the importance of education in practicing a substantial democracy, a nation needs an intelligent and prosperous     society. Thus, he reminded the students to use their voting rights so that Indonesia will be led by a good leader. ?Vote a       candidate that has the ability and the capability that stay true to tasks at hand,? he added.

Students attended the 4 Pilar Talk Show.

UPH Rector, Jonathan L. Parapak gave his message.

On the other hand, Prof. Tjipta quoted Indira Ghandi, ?a nation with an empty stomach and low education cannot perform                 a liberal democracy?. According to Prof. Tjipta, the current Indonesia is applying an ill democracy. There are many detrimental    cases such as bribing, corruption, social discrepancy, and many more. ?This nation is still executing a procedural democracy. However, democracy should adjust to the nation?s situation. For example, there are still many people who are famished and         this situation is easily utilized by irresponsible parties for their own agenda. Thus, money politics become occurrences that      happen too often,? he explained. Prof. Tjipta further added that democracy does not purely consist of politic matters but also economics. ?Economic democracy must be strengthened first, afterwards, the nation can move on to the next stage, politic democracy,? he added.

In reality, Indonesia culture and daily life have many values that can serve as the root for an ideal democracy. Nevertheless, there is still a problem which is the procedure to apply those daily life values into the culture democracy concept. This concern was expressed by Dr. Henry, ?I agree that university is the right place to transform the culture of democracy. Currently, our society identifies the expression of democracy with demonstration and mayhem. While in fact, in the culture of democracy, the     instrument  to correct does not always exercise violence. There are many ways to communicate in a polite, straight-forward and openly  manner,? he described.

Following Dr. Henri?s thought, UPH Rector stated, ?We are a nation that practice a well-manner attitude and we are going to keep     it. Therefore, UPH always advise the students that they are allowed to do a demonstration, but it must be done in a smart way.        It means that students must understand well the problems and carry out their aspirations through the regulated approaches in an esteemed and civilized conduct.?

The talk show continued with the performance by UPHKustik students who sang Indonesia national songs such as ?Indonesia     Tanah Air Beta? and ?Gebyar-Gebyar?. The third part of the event was designated for Q&A session where students raised their questions   for the four speakers. Hopefully, this talk show recalled and rejuvenated students? commitment for their nation in         the implementation and practices of civilized and nationalistic life that uphold the noble values of Indonesia. So that one day, Indonesia can stand up as a nation that is independent, united, sovereign, fair and prosperous. (rh)