Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) led a ceremony at the Pancasila Building, the Foreign Affairs Ministry, at around 8 a.m. local time on Saturday to commemorate Pancasila Day.

"Thank God, Indonesia has Pancasila that has become a guiding beacon for our community, nation, and state practices," the president, dressed in Solo traditional costume, noted in his speech.

The state ideology of Pancasila has become a blueprint for the nation to ward off the influence of other ideologies, and it has also been a unifying factor for all components of the nation, Jokowi pointed out.

The head of state asserted that Indonesia has proven to be a tough nation that has been able to withstand hardships and unite to tackle various challenges.

"The 74 years of journey of Indonesia has transformed us into a mature nation. These 74 years have been marked by dynamics, ups and downs, but we have managed it, and we can manage it and strengthen our unity," Jokowi emphasized.

Chairperson of the Agency for the Implementation of State Ideology of Pancasila (BPIP) steering committee Megawati Soekarnoputri, a member of the BPIP steering committee Try Sutrisno, cabinet ministers, and school children were present at the ceremony. All participants worn traditional attire from different regions.

Pancasila Day is observed on June 1. On this day, Pancasila was formulated at the meeting of the Investigating Committee for Preparatory Work for Independence (BPUPKI) held from May 29 to June 1, 1945.

The Constitution of 1945 defined Pancasila as the fundamental principles of the independent Indonesian state.

Translator: Bayu Prasetyo, Sri Haryati
Editor: Azizah Fitriyanti
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