HOLOPIS.COM, JAKARTA – Every October 1, Indonesians commemorate Pancasila Sanctity Day, a national observance closely associated with one of the darkest episodes in Indonesia’s history, which unfolded in 1965.
Pancasila Sanctity Day is linked to the events surrounding the September 30 Movement in 1965 and the deaths of several Indonesian Army officers. The events later became an important part of Indonesia’s political history and formed the backdrop for the designation of October 1 as Pancasila Sanctity Day.
So, why was October 1 chosen as Pancasila Sanctity Day?
The History of Pancasila Sanctity Day
The events that form the historical backdrop of Pancasila Sanctity Day took place from late September to early October 1965. At the time, several senior Indonesian Army officers were abducted and killed.
Seven military personnel, later recognized as the Revolution Heroes, died during the events. They were General Ahmad Yani, Lt. Gen. Suprapto, Lt. Gen. M.T. Haryono, Lt. Gen. S. Parman, Maj. Gen. D.I. Pandjaitan, Maj. Gen. Sutoyo Siswomiharjo, and Capt. Pierre Tendean.
The victims’ bodies were later found in the Lubang Buaya area of East Jakarta. The site subsequently became an important part of the history of Pancasila Sanctity Day and is now known as the Pancasila Sakti Monument complex.
Under the official government narrative during the New Order era, the 1965 events were portrayed as a threat to Pancasila and the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia. October 1 subsequently became a symbol of the preservation of Pancasila as the country’s state ideology and foundation.
October 1 was officially designated as Pancasila Sanctity Day through Presidential Decree No. 153 of 1967. The decree established October 1 as a day to be commemorated by all Indonesians in a solemn and orderly manner.
The Meaning Behind October 1
Over time, Pancasila Sanctity Day has come to serve purposes beyond commemorating the events of 1965. The date also provides an opportunity to reaffirm Pancasila’s position as the foundation of the Indonesian state.
The main Pancasila Sanctity Day ceremony is typically held at the Pancasila Sakti Monument in Lubang Buaya, East Jakarta. The ceremony includes the recitation of Pancasila, the Preamble to the 1945 Constitution, and a pledge to uphold and practice Pancasila’s values.
The commemoration also serves as a way for the state to remember those who died in the 1965 events while encouraging the public to reflect on Indonesia’s historical journey. Today, Indonesians continue to commemorate Pancasila Sanctity Day every October 1 as one of the important dates in the country’s national history.
