Indonesia Needs to Build Karang Kedempel Because Lemhannas and BPIP Have Failed to Perform Their Functions & Duties
Author: Jacob Ereste
Freelance Journalist
Javanese mythological figures, including Ismaya, another name for the popular Semar character in the puppetry treasures in Indonesia. And Semar is considered an incarnation of a god who is closely related to spiritual values and wisdom. The same is true of the Ismaya book which never existed, but is always mentioned in various traditional heritage stories.
Many people often misunderstand the Ismaya Book as identical to the Adam Makna Book which comes from the Jowo Sanyoto teachings. In fact, the Adam Makna Book contains teachings on life, offerings and explanations of the meaning of Javanese letters (Hanacaraka). Thus, this book is associated with Ki. Kere Sabda Gedibal who is considered the reincarnation of Ki. Semar Badranaya, an incarnation of Sang Hyang Ismaya. So clearly, this book is not the Ismaya Book.
The figure of Ismaya is indeed considered the most special in the world of puppetry and spiritual beliefs in Javanese tradition. Because Ismaya is said to have a divine dimension in his simple nature and attitude.
As an incarnation of a god, Ismaya is considered the incarnation of Sang Hyang Wenang, the highest ruler of heaven, then descended to the world as Semar to become a punakawan who accompanies the Pandawa knights.
Although he is not handsome and often behaves silly, as Semar he has deep spiritual wisdom, so he becomes an advisor to the kings or high-ranking officials in the land of Karang Kedempel which is not as luxurious and magnificent as Astina, Amarta or Alengka. However, Karang Kedempel is a spiritual center, not a center of power. This means that Karang Kedempel is a place to learn noble values, honesty, loyalty and wisdom. This means that Karang Kedempel is symbolic, not geographical, because it is a place for inner cultivation so that spiritual values and life wisdom can be maintained and continuously improved.
It seems that Indonesia today needs to have a place or region like Karang Kedempel to restore ethics, morals and noble human morals in order to build a country that is in disarray due to the greed of a super greedy and egoistic regime.
Or, a kind of candradimuka crater is needed that is more symbolic and mythological in nature to forge oneself to become a tough knight, not contaminated by a culture of corruption, betrayal and abuse in using positions or power to enrich oneself, without regard for the rights of others.
Because the Indonesian nation cannot expect much from Lemhannas (National Resilience Institute), let alone from BPIP (Pancasila Ideology Development Agency). Because, Lemhannas which functions to provide education and training for prospective leaders seems to have failed to produce leaders who are corrupt and treasonous towards the Indonesian nation and state. Moreover, BPIP whose program and function to foster and strengthen the Pancasila ideology is even more unclear which is increasingly forgotten by many people. Then what kind of Pancasila education has been carried out by BPIP, both formally and informally.
Because it is real and clear, the duties and functions of BPIP to ensure that Pancasila can remain the basis of the state, the national ideology and the guideline for national and state life have totally failed to be answered by the rampant betrayal of state apparatus and criminal acts of corruption that are increasingly disturbing and causing misery to the people.
Banten, June 8, 2025
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