What is Pancasila and How We Watched It Dying

Source: Wikipedia

By definition, Pancasila is the national ideology of Indonesia. It was introduced in 1945 by President Soekarno as a noble agreement made by representatives from various groups to serve as the foundation of the newly founded nation.

Pancasila consists of five core principles:

1. Belief in One Almighty God– Acknowledging a higher power as the moral compass of the nation.

2. A Just and Civilized Humanity – Emphasizing fairness, equality, and respect for all individuals, regardless of background.

3. The Unity of Indonesia – Upholding national unity and integrity, rejecting division or separatism.

4. Democracy Guided by the Inner Wisdom in the Unanimity Arising Out of Deliberations Amongst Representatives – Promoting a democratic system guided by consultation and collective decision-making.

5. Social Justice for All Indonesians – Ensuring equal access to resources, opportunities, and a fair distribution of wealth for every citizen.

   
   

These principles are meant to be applied across all aspects of life in Indonesia—government, law, public policy, and daily behaviour. But the reality today shows the Indonesian government has lost sight of what Pancasila truly means in both its actions and leadership.

Take, for example, the fact that members of parliament (DPR) now earn 42 times more than Jakarta’s minimum wage, while millions of Indonesians remain unemployed and struggle in poverty. This level of inequality directly contradicts the very idea of social justice.

And just last night (August 28, 2025), we witnessed another horrifying moment; a police tactical vehicle ran over a Gojek driver—with no empathy, no remorse.

A police tactical vehicle ran over a Gojek driver

This incident occurred during a demonstration in Pejompongan, Central Jakarta, where thousands gathered to protest economic inequality and demand justice. Instead of protecting citizens, security forces responded with excessive force. According to KontraS’s press release, the demonstration was a peaceful action aimed at amplifying the voices of the marginalized. Yet, it became a chilling reminder of how the state now turns its power against the very people it is supposed to serve.

The act of running over a civilian with a state vehicle, captured on video and shared widely online, reflects not only inhumanity, but a deep erosion of the state's moral compass. The values of justice, human dignity, and democracy—all enshrined in Pancasila—were nowhere to be found.

This incident isn’t just an act of state violence. It’s a message that the Indonesian government has lost its ideology and its purpose. The principles of humanity, justice, and unity have been hollowed out. What remains is a structure without soul.

Pancasila was never meant to be a slogan written on government walls or recited during ceremonies. It was created as a living foundation—a guide for how we treat one another and how our government should serve its people.

If we allow this ideology to die in silence, we are complicit in its burial. If we still believe in Pancasila, we must hold our leaders accountable to it—not just in words, but in action. Because a nation without its values is just an institution of power, not a home for its people.