PANCASILA

Pancasila is the philosophical basis of Indonesia. Pancasila consist of two Sanskrit words, panca meaning five and sila meaning principle. It comprises five inseparable and interrelated principles. They are:

1.      Belief in the One and Only God

2.      Just and civilized humanity

3.      The unity of Indonesia

4.      Democracy guided by the inner wisdom in the unanimity arriving out of deliberations amongst representatives

5.      Social justice for the whole of the people of Indonesia

Elaboration of the five principles is as follows:

1.      Belief in the One and Only God

The principle of Pancasila reaffirms the Indonesian people’s belief that God does exist. It also implies that the Indonesia people in life after death. Moreover, it emphasizes that the pursuit of sacred values will lead to a better life in the hereafter.

2.      Just and civilized humanity

This principle requires that human beings be treated with due regard to their dignity as God’s creatures. It emphasizes that the Indonesian people do not tolerate physical or spiritual oppression of human beings by their own people or by another nation.

3.      The unity of Indonesia

This principle embodies the concept of nationalism, of love for one’s nation and motherland. It envisages the need always foster national unity and integrity. Pancasila nationalism demands that Indonesians avoid the feelings of superiority on ethical grounds, for reasons of ancestry and color of the skin.

4.      Democracy guided by the inner wisdom in the unanimity arriving out of deliberations amongst representatives

Pancasila democracy calls for decision-making through deliberation, or musyawarah, to reach a consensus, or mufakat. It is democracy that lives up to the principles of Pancasila. This implies that democratic right must always be exercised with a deep sense of responsibility to God Almighty according to one’s own conviction and religious belief, with respect for humanitarian values of man’s dignity and integrity, and with a view to preserving and strengthening national unity and the pursuit of social justice.

5.      Social justice for the whole of the people of Indonesia

This principle calls for the equitable spread of welfare to the entire population, not in a static but in dynamic and progressive way. This means that all the country’s national resources and the national potentials should be utilized for the greatest possible good and happiness of the people.

Social justice implies protection of the weak. But protection should not deny them work. On the contrary, they should work according to their abilities and field of activity. Protection should prevent willful treatment by the strong and ensure the rule of justice.

These are sacred values of Pancasila which as a cultural principle should always be respected by every Indonesia because it is now the ideology of the state and the life philosophy of the Indonesian people.