by: Dr. H. Andry Wibowo, SIK MH., Msi
The independence of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia is the result of the sacrifices of all the fighters and founders of the nation for the realization of an Indonesia that is sovereign, safe, just, and prosperous.
The sacrifices made by the fighters are a historical record that must be passed down and instilled in the hearts and minds of all citizens as the moral values of the Indonesian nation.
The spirit of sacrifice is the core value that ensures the social and political life of the Indonesian nation proceeds in accordance with moral ethics, the constitution, and the law, alongside the growth and development of society.
Denying the sacrifices made by the nation’s fighters opens the door to disasters in political and social life.
The acute pragmatism that occurs in failed states when conducting political and social life becomes the epicenter of destruction, not only leading to the failure of national development aspirations but also weakening political sovereignty, creating various threats to national security, and giving rise to feelings of injustice and the potential failure of efforts to achieve national prosperity.
If we may reflect on developed and successful countries, the most fundamental aspect of their lives is the spirit to protect and build the collective life of their nation.
A life that adheres to national commitment and consensus, as experienced by the Chinese, American, Japanese, South Korean, and Singaporean nations.
This is evident when the influence of the state is felt across all sectors of life, from the strength of the currency to the control of the social fabric of society.
A concrete example of a nation’s protective measures is President Trump’s threat to the entire world, including Indonesia, regarding trade tariffs.
This demonstrates how superior the United States is to other nations in the world, including those in the Global South.
With new leadership, as it marks its 80th year of independence, the Republic of Indonesia is expected to uphold the great dreams of its national heroes, realizing an Indonesia that is sovereign, safe, just, and prosperous.
The basic and primary effort to achieve this, apart from through national development programs, is the urgent consolidation of national leadership. This is especially true in building what is known as the fighting spirit of political, bureaucratic, governmental, military, legal, and police leaders.
Attitudes and actions that set an example for the people and reflect the spirit of the nation’s fighters and founders.
The attitudes and actions of figures such as Soekarno, Hatta, KH. Hasyim Ashari, Cut Nya Dien, Kartini, Diponegoro, Sudirman, Hoegeng, and many other fighters should not merely be interpreted as symbols of personal nationalism. These attitudes must be transformed into the collective identity of leaders at all levels of social and political structures.
The attitudes and actions of leaders who love their homeland through selfless service to the nation, obedience to the law, adherence to moral ethics, and the courage to take responsibility in exercising their mandate of power, form the basis of orientation and the main objective of service.
This prerequisite is extremely important to ensure the realization of the dreams of the nation’s fighters and founders of an independent Indonesia.
However, if the fighters and founders of the nation are only used as commodities for socio-political propaganda without the exemplary attitudes of leaders, then the great dream of an independent Indonesia will be far from reality.
If the attitudes and actions of the fighters and founders of the nation once brought about Indonesia’s independence, then the exemplary conduct of today’s leaders in upholding the hope of realizing an independent, safe, just, and prosperous Indonesia is absolutely necessary.
The commemoration of Independence Day on August 17, 1945, serves as a moment of reflection and reaffirmation of resolve—the ideals of independence must be realized as a sign of respect for the fighters and founders of the nation.***
“Happy 80th Anniversary, My Indonesia.”
Jakarta, August 12, 2025
