To myself and to the nation, especially the Indonesian youth everywhere, do not let Youth Pledge Day become a mere annual ceremony, a piece of history to be read, or three sacred pledges to be declared during the flag ceremony only.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Chief Firli Bahuri, in his statement here on Thursday, encouraged the youth to uphold the spirit of anti-corruption during the commemoration of Youth Pledge Day.

Youth Pledge Day commemorates the declaration made by young Indonesian nationalists to acknowledge one motherland, one nation, and one language as core elements of the Indonesian State during the second Youth Congress on October 28, 1928.

"Unite, Revive, and Grow, as the big theme for the current commemoration of Youth Pledge Day, should be an inspiration for us all to always spark the youth's spirit," he noted.

This aims to help the youth become the agents of change as well as the driving force to expedite the realization of the nation's dreams, hopes, and objectives, he affirmed.

Bahuri opined that only by understanding and applying the essence, meaning, and values of the Youth Pledge in our day-to-day lives can this country be saved from every threat and problem.

One of these problems include corruption and corruptive behavior that have taken roots in this republic, he stated.

"It would require all sections of society to unite in order to remind each other and gather the nation's strength to fight against corruption and corruptive behavior in our beloved country," he affirmed.

Bahuri called anyone with intentions to commit corruption as the nation's traitor owing to the damage it caused to the country's finance and economy.

This humanitarian crime also goes against the values of the Youth Pledge that should be the goal of the nation, he affirmed.

"To myself and to the nation, especially the Indonesian youth everywhere, do not let Youth Pledge Day become a mere annual ceremony, a piece of history to be read, or three sacred pledges to be declared during the flag ceremony only," he stressed.

He requested the youth to understand the true essence of the Youth Pledge to continue to uphold the spirit of the ceremony.

He also urged the youth to absorb life values from every step, blood, and tears that the youth shed during their fight for freedom in order to stay true to the nation's ideology and to be protected from greed.

To this end, Bahuri emphasized that people should not only avoid corruption and corruptive behavior but also be obligated to fight them since Indonesia is not yet free from this humanitarian crime.


Translator: Benardy F, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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