Pancasila: Indonesia’s Guiding Principle


         Pancasila or the five principles of Indonesia, written by then President Sukarno, is the national ideology that guided Indonesia after achieving its independence. It consists of the following principles: belief in one God, just and civilized humanity, Indonesian unity, democracy under the guidance of representative consultations and lastly, social justice for all people of Indonesia. Pancasila was made and ratified from the desire to establish a neutral cultural identity that would also unify Indonesia as a nation.
    Fast forward several decades later, the Pancasila is now embedded in Indonesians’ way of life through their educational system, politics, economy and society. And while it has been successful in strengthening Suharto and Sukarno’s reign, it is important to ask if it served its purpose of truly uniting the Muslims and Christians of Indonesia. Under these presidents, it is not surprising that the Pancasila became a form of political and social control. Because of its sacredness, to oppose Pancasila is to oppose the government and the nation. Rather than unifying the state, it pacified it. Different accounts also criticize the first principle of belief in one God. Atheists and indigenous peoples who do not practice the officially and legally classified religions in Indonesia were discriminated.
    Aside from the previously mentioned discrimination brought about by one of the five principles, another miss is that it somehow promotes a neutral stand wherein it wants to avoid conflict. We need to remember that through conflicting forces – the thesis and anti-thesis, synthesis is brought about to the society. If Pancasila promotes conflict avoidance and neutrality, it maintains the status quo that prevails. This becomes problematic especially since the status quo is decided by those who have the most power. On the other hand, the pros of Pancasila stem from the very motive of its establishment. Sukarno wanted it tailor-fit for Indonesians as a product of the many studies about Indonesian society. It is impressive to know that social justice, unity, democracy and humanity did unite the nation and was pursued. Unfortunately, most fail to put into practice these principles in everyday life in the 21st century. Cultural supremacy, corruption, human rights violation and many others remain prevalent in Indonesia and other parts of the world.

      After looking at both the positive and negative sides of Pancasila, it is important to take note that meanings and relevance change over time. After discussing the pros and cons of Pancasila as the national ideology both may it be in the macro and micro level,  the question remains if it is now obsolete and who decided whether it is still relevant in today’s society. Whoever holds the most power gives meaning to Pancasila and what it ought to be today. Similar to a double-edged sword, the Pancasila may unify Indonesia or can divide it as well depending on the meanings and interpretation these leaders have. 
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References:
Bahasa Kita (28 Sepetember 2011). Pancasila. Bahasa Kita. Retrieved from http://www.bahasakita.com/pancasila/
Chang, C. (05 January 2017). Why making fun of Pancasila is no joke to Indonesians. News.Com. Au. Retrieved from http://www.news.com.au/national/politics/why-making-fun-of-pancasila-is-no-joke-to-indonesians/news-story/7dce28f46e2661b52f05e84a8898430b
Country Studies (n.d.). Government and Politics of Indonesia. U.S. Library of Congress. Retrieved from http://countrystudies.us/indonesia/86.htm
Darmaputera, E. (1988). Pancasila and the Search for Identity and Modernity in Indonesian Society. E.J. BRILL.
Hays, J.  (2015). GOVERNMENT, DEMOCRACY AND PANCASILA IN INDONESIA. Facts and Details Retrieved from http://factsanddetails.com/indonesia/Government_Military_Crime/sub6_5a/entry-4057.html#chapter-7
Jakarta Globe (11 December 2012). Pancasila Blasted for Repression of Atheists". The Jakarta Globe. Retrieved from            http://jakartaglobe.id/archive/pancasila-blasted-for-repression-of-atheists/
Kusumohamidjojo, B. (01 June 2013). Indonesians, Pancasila and oblivion. The Jakarta Post. Retrieved from http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2013/06/01/indonesians-pancasila-and-oblivion.html
Pakpahan, M. (2 June 2010). Pancasila Ideology Revisited. The Jakarta Post. Retrieved from http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2010/06/02/pancasila-ideology-revisited.html
Song, SW. (March 2008). Back to Basics in Indonesia? Reassessing the Pancasila and Pancasila State and Society 1945-2007. ProQuest Information and Learning Company.
Taubert, A. (1991). Liberalization, Co-operatives and Ekonomi Pancasila. Contemporary Southeast Asia, 12(4), 347-359. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/42707634

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