Pengantar Bela Negara Bagi Mahasiswa UI--Prof. Dr. Ir. Budi Susilo Soepandji, DEA

Hi, I'm Prof. Budi Susilo Soepandji.

A professor at the Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia.

I'm here to talk about Bela Negara (State Defence) for UI students

from a historical and contemporary perspective.

Our constitution states

that defending the country is the right and obligation of the citizens.

Bela Negara can be done through civic education,

such as through the MPKT course

that Universitas Indonesia students take,

or through community service in line with their respective professions.

Citizens can also participate in Bela Negara

by taking part in basic military training

conducted by the TNI or Indonesian National Armed Forces,

or by Reserve Component, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

There are many other activities related to Bela Negara.

For example,

by maintaining sporting achievements and supremacy,

taking part in the diplomatic corps,

being willing to make sacrifices,

and participating in mitigating natural disasters.

Annually, Bela Negara Day is celebrated on December 19.

This commemoration was inspired

by physical and diplomatic efforts

by mobilizing all forces

to defend the independence of the Republic of Indonesia.

On December 19 1948,

the Dutch attacked the capital of Indonesia in Yogyakarta

with their military force.

The Dutch even arrested President Soekarno and Vice President Mohammad Hatta.

The Dutch called this action a necessary police action

to maintain order and to restore the grip of power

under the command of General Spoor.

For Indonesia,

what the Dutch did was considered a military aggression.

However, Indonesia prevailed

despite Dutch's military aggression.

MR Sjafrudin Prawiranegara immediately announced

the establishment of the Emergency Government of the Republic of Indonesia

in Bukit Tinggi, West Sumatra.

Then, Commander-in-Chief General Sudirman led the resistance

through guerrilla warfare with the support of all components of the people.

The resilience of the Indonesian people in defending the country finally paid off.

The Netherlands finally recognized Indonesia's sovereignty

on December 27, 1949.

The capital of the Republic of Indonesia returned to Jakarta

after several years moved temporarily

to Yogyakarta.

So, the spectrum of Bela Negara is very broad,

it can be through hard power

such as through armed forces.

Defending the country can also be done through soft power

by taking part in the development through one's profession and expertise.

Experience has proven that with the spirit of Bela Negara,

Indonesia won the physical revolution

in defending its independence.

Despite Indonesia's inferiority

in quantity and quality of its military arsenals.

That's why

our defense system is called Pertahanan Rakyat Semesta

or Total Defense System.

The spirit of Bela Negara needs to be maintained by all groups.

Starting from children,

teenagers, youth, students,

adults, to the elderly, according to their profession.

This needs to be instilled from an early age.

A student who behaves in a disciplined manner,

trustworthy,

complying with regulations and laws,

and a passion for helping others

as part of the nation,

is also considered a form of Bela Negara.

Carrying out the Nine Basic Values of UI

is also a manifestation of UI students' spirit of defending the country.

UI students who set exemplary examples

while on trains or Commuter Line,

helping elderly,

and helping fellow UI students

in any ways possible

are a real form of Bela Negara.

Another example is to restrain yourself from negative deeds and behaviour.

Students should uphold justice and moral values,

respect fellow students,

and comply with the regulations.

In this way, the students

can be said to have participated in efforts of Bela Negara.

In fact, UI students who have graduated

can create new job opportunities,

develop science and technology

to assist the government in food and energy security,

which is currently being promoted by the government of Indonesia,

ia also a form

of Bela Negara in real action.

Indonesia and its geographical location

is in a strategic crossroads

between the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean,

and between the highly populated Asia

and the relatively less densely Australia.

With more than 17,000 islands,

Indonesia has abundant natural resources

on land and under the sea,

and has vast biodiversity.

On the other hand,

Indonesia is located in a disaster-prone area.

The possibility of tectonic and volcanic earthquakes is pretty high

which could have fatal consequences

causing devastation to the impacted area.

Another example is high rainfall of the country,

on the one hand it benefits agriculture,

but on the other hand, it might result in floods and landslides.

In addition,

the diversity of ethnicities, races, religions and beliefs

requires us to maintain the spirit of national unity

so that the state founded by the founding fathers

can maintain its integrity.

Here we realize

that the motto "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika" (Unity in Diversity)

needs to be managed as part of the national treasure.

With "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika",

we maintain and grow the spirit of Bela Negara

to protect the unity of the Unitary States of the Republic of Indonesia.

Thank You.

Subtitles by Zhilal El Furqaan