The Urgency of Asta Cita Values and Cultural Stakeholders’ Perceptions of Policy Strategies Based on Balinese Cultural Philosophy

Abstract

This study examines two key aspects: the urgency of Asta Cita values in strengthening national cultural identity, and the perceptions of cultural stakeholders regarding policy strategies grounded in the philosophy of Balinese culture. Asta Cita refers to the eight strategic missions of national development proposed by President Prabowo Subianto in his vision for a Golden Indonesia 2045. This research employs a qualitative descriptive approach, using in-depth interviews and participatory observations conducted in three customary villages in Bali. The findings reveal that the values embedded in Asta Cita align substantially with core principles of Balinese culture, such as Tri Hita Karana, Tat Twam Asi, and Rwa Bhineda. Cultural stakeholders emphasize the need for policy strategies that are locally rooted and community-driven, ensuring that Asta Cita is not implemented in a top-down manner that detaches it from the lived cultural realities of local communities. These findings highlight the importance of synergizing national policies with local wisdom to inclusively and sustainably reinforce national cultural identity through values native to the archipelago.