Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Constitution Day should not only be commemorated in a ceremony but must also be implemented for the welfare of the nation and the state, Vice President M. Jusuf Kalla stated.

"The commemoration of Constitution Day must not just be a ceremonial event but should be well implemented as well," Kalla noted here on Friday.

The function organized by the Peoples Consultative Assembly featured a competition on the states four pillars in which senior high school students from all over Indonesia participated.

While implementing the Constitution, Indonesians must also understand its vision and mission aimed at improving public welfare, he emphasized.

The 1945 Constitution (UUD 45) is one of the highest achievements of Indonesia, he pointed out.

"Our founding fathers -- Bung Karno and Bung Hatta, and several others -- were farsighted and had successfully drafted UUD 45 in a relatively short time," Vice President Kalla said.

The Preamble of the UUD 45 cannot be changed, but the contents could, as long as it is in accordance with the needs of the nation, he added.

He cited as an example the US that has amended its Constitution 27 times within a period of 200 years.

"Indonesia is a large nation and has amended its UUD 45 four times so far. We should be grateful," he said.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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