Pramuka (Indonesia Scouts), the biggest national scouts movement in the world, has had its reputation tarnished recently following the emergence of a couple of rather disturbing viral photos.
The photos, which are shown above, show a group of junior scouts members, out on an excursion, eating a communal meal off of the ground while senior members watch.
The Tangerang Regency chapter of the Pramuka have come forward and confirmed that the demeaning incident occurred within their group. They said that the field trip’s group leaders were trying to teach the junior members a lesson for being tardy.
“We clarify that it was all a trick punishment for the members, because they violated the break time schedule,” said Tangerang Regency Pramuka Secretary Dandang Sudrajat, as quoted by Liputan 6.
By “trick”, Dadang meant that the junior Pramuka members were absolutely made to eat off of the floor as punishment so they won’t be late again in the future. That said, according to him, the food in the picture represented only a small portion of the group’s meal and that they went on to have a proper meal in a proper setting afterwards.
After the photos went viral, many condemned the act for misrepresenting the true values of Pramuka – an organization well known for preaching kindness as well as discipline.
Adhyaksa Dault, head of the central Pramuka organization, was among those who voiced their concerns that such a thing could happen within the organization. He even posted a side-by-side photo on Instagram showing how a communal meal should be had in Pramuka.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BSDALxfhyuJ/?taken-by=adhyaksadault
Systemic hazing and bullying unfortunately remain a strong part of campus or school culture in Indonesia. Earlier this year, three university students died due to apparent violence they suffered at the hands of their fellow students during a field trip.
Brien Doyle says
It is the biggest national scouts movement in the world because it is required by the ‘state’ and is not a freedom, and is thus a fascist organisation, and is about control and indoctrination, (nationalistic and religious), instead of learning and adventure.