UNS – The Study Program of Development Economics, the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta held an online ‘Diskusi Kebangsaan (Discussion in Nationalism)’ by bringing up a theme in New Normal and Pancasila Values.
The theme is specially chosen to know the implementation of Pancasila values in the society during the New Normal condition that will be implemented by the Central Gov. in 102 Municipalities/Cities.
During the occasion, the Development Economics Study Program FEB UNS invites a lecturer who is also a communication expert in Universitas Indonesia (UI) Dr. Ade Armando and a lecturer from FEB UNS, BRM. Bambang Irawan, M.Si, as the main speaker.
Opening the material presentation, Dr. Ade Armando states that the government’s decision to implement New Normal is the best choice. He expresses that with the New Normal the pulse of community activity, especially economic activity, can come back to life.
“The community will return to their activities outside while the outbreak is not over, working, school, worship, and other activities but with more attention to health protocols. The economic transaction must continue because if it stops the effect will be far more detrimental to society,” said Dr. Ade Armando, on the sidelines of the discussion, Tuesday (2/6/2020).
Another important point that earns the attention of Dr. Ade Armando is a lack of support from the community to the Government in handling the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). He regretted the fact that there are parties who had made the situation worse by holding discussions that had cornered the government.
In front of the Discussion participants, Dr. Ade Armando expresses the importance of the role of community leaders, especially religious leaders, to educate the lower strata of society, thus they can show confidence and positive support to the government in handling the Covid-19 pandemic.
In line with the initial statement of Dr. Ade Armando, FEB UNS economist, BRM. Bambang Irawan, M.Si states that the government’s decision to impose New Normal is the best choice for the community.
From the economics point of view, BRM. Bambang Irawan views that the supply and demand chains are predicted to be negative and the situation has not been able to fully restore the condition of the Indonesian economy even though the COVID-19 transmission curve has begun to flatten.
On the other side, Drs. BRM. Bambang Irawan regretted the low awareness of the community in complying with health protocols that have been implemented by the government. To him, this will only complicate to break the chain of the spread of Covid-19. Drs. BRM. Bambang Irawan also considers that the presence of community leaders, especially religious leaders, has an important role. He states that community leaders and religious leaders contribute to the implementation of Pancasila value in the community.
“During the ongoing pandemic and with the New Normal implementation ahead, community leaders and religious leaders have an enormous role to develop Pancasila values that are rooted in national cultural values in the surrounding community, especially tolerance and ‘tepa sarira (respect for others)’,” BRM. Bambang Irawan concludes. Humas UNS/Yefta
