REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, LHOKSEUMAWE -- The Indonesian Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu said the nationalism concept should be fostered in view of the Asean Economic Community (AEC) and in an effort to maintain the nation's unity in the face of negative foreign values.

Minister Ryamizard, who was delivering a public lecture at Malikussaleh University, Lhokseumawe, Aceh province, on Thursday said the understanding and education on national defense is important for maintaining Indonesia's original culture.

He further said the Indonesian people should understand national perception to prevent foreign concepts dividing Indonesia's unity that have potentially entered through the AEC and social media.

Ryamizard added that several ideologies contradict Indonesian cultural values, such as radicalism, liberalism, socialist and communism.

"We have our own concept that is the Pancasila, which is appropriate for Indonesian culture. The foreign concepts are suitable for other countries, but not for Indonesia," the Minister said.

He added that the foreign concepts will be easily adopted by Indonesian people if they are not aware of the Pancasila.

Thus, the Indonesian people should be aware and understand the Pancasila, as well as defend the country to improve Indonesian identity in anticipation of the negative influence of foreign concepts, Ryamizard noted.

Several participants, who attended the public lecture, also demanded the government's efforts to improve awareness about the national concept.

Pancasila is Indonesian philosophical foundation derived from five principles, such as belief in the one and only God, the just and civilized humanity, the unity of Indonesia, democracy guided by inner wisdom in the unanimity arising out of deliberations amongst representatives and social justice for all Indonesian people.

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