According to him, gotong royong is not merely a slogan, but a noble Nusantara value that embodies solidarity, empathy, and independence. This spirit, he said, must be reflected in the parliamentary environment through collaboration between units and the elimination of sectoral egos.
“National progress can only be achieved if we unite, uphold sovereignty, and make the people’s welfare the primary goal of every policy,” Iskandar said during the 80th Anniversary commemoration ceremony at the Parliament Complex in Jakarta on Sunday.
He noted that independence and progress do not come from individual struggles. Gotong royong, he added, is a key foundation that must be maintained, especially amid rapid technological developments that have the potential to create sectoral divides.
Iskandar also emphasized the importance of the principle of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika amid the complexity of Indonesia’s ethnic, religious, cultural, and linguistic diversity.
He urged all civil servants within the DPR environment to consistently uphold diversity. “Civil servants must be guardians of diversity—protecting social cohesion and uniting the nation, not the other way around,” he said.
For Iskandar, the 80-year journey of the Indonesian nation is by no means a short one. It reflects the long sacrifices of heroes and the people who fought for independence.
Therefore, he stressed that the message of independence must be realized through work, collaboration, and the strengthening of solidarity at every level, especially within the legislature as the people’s representative.
“The commemoration of Independence Day is not only a historical moment, but also a reminder of our responsibility to safeguard and fulfill independence through real work,” he said.
He added that the theme of the 80th Indonesian Independence Day, United Sovereignty, Prosperous People, Advanced Indonesia, carries a meaning that is highly relevant to the daily duties of ASN in the DPR.
Closing his speech, Iskandar called on all ASN to embody the work ethic of “ASN with Berakhlak” as a moral and professional compass in carrying out their duties.
He expressed his belief that only ASN with integrity, professionalism, and a strong sense of nationalism can help make Indonesia a developed and sovereign nation.
“May we always be given the strength to carry forward the ideals of our founding fathers’ struggle to realize a prosperous and just society through Dharma Bakti in this beloved legislative institution,” he said.
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Translator: Fath Putra Mulya, Asri Mayang Sari
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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