Forewords
Indonesia proclaimed its independence on August 17, 1945, just days after the Japanese surrender to the Allied Forces. To the Indonesian people, independence day is the most historical moment of the Indonesian history, considering that Indonesia had a terrible experience under the colonialism for more than 350 years. It is the idea of independence that counts.
Even before the establishment of the United Nations in 24 October 1945, the Indonesia’s constitution which was established in 18 August 1945 already stated that “independence is the inalienable right of all nations, therefore, all colonialism must be abolished in this world as it is not in conformity with humanity and justice”.
After Indonesia finally gained its independence, Indonesia was able to develop a feeling of solidarity among the newly independent states in Asia and Africa through the Asia-Africa Conference in Bandung 1955, which is the cornerstone of the establishment of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in 1961.
As a great nation, Indonesia is always at the forefront in the international fora. For instance, while Indonesia was the chairman of the NAM in 1992, Indonesia proposed for the restructurization and revitalization of the UN Security Council. It was also during that time that Indonesia came up with the idea of establishing a “North-South Dialogue” to bridge the gap between the developed and the developing countries. Besides that, Indonesia also initiated the “South-South Cooperation” to strengthen cooperation between developing countries so that they have more bargaining power against the developed countries.
The Birth of the Republic
The Republic of Indonesia first saw light on August 17, 1945, when its independence was proclaimed just day after the Japanese surrender to the Allies. Pancasila became the ideological and philosophical basis of the Repiublic, and on August 18, 1945 the Constitution was adopted as the basic law of the country.
Following the provisions of the Constitution, the country is headed by a President who is also the Chief Executive. He is assisted by a Vice President and a cabinet of ministers.
The sovereignty of the people rests with the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR). Hence, the President is Accountable to the MPR. The legislative ower is vested in the House of Representatives (DPR). Other institutions of the state are the Supreme Court, the Supreme Advisory Council and the Supreme Audit Board.
Soekarno became the first President and Chief Executive, and Mohammad Hatta, the first Vice-President of the Republic. On September 5, 1945 the first cabinet was formed.
Pancasila and Principle “Unity in Diversity”
As coat of arms, Pancasila made in 1945 is an outlook or philosophy of Indonesian life that has been accepted as the unifying factor of the Indonesian nation and provides the direction to achieve spiritual as well as material welfare and prosperity within the Indonesian society which is pluralistic in character. Pancasila is a philosophy containing values rediscovered from the soil of Indonesia itself. Values constitute the essence of Pancasila philosophy are neither referring to certain groups of society since its reference is found in the life of the Indonesian people as a whole.
Indonesian philosophy of life reflects the views and attitude of the Indonesian people on themselves and their environment, by giving priority to the harmonization of all aspects of life, a balance between various interests, strengthening solidarity and friendly relation for mutual benefit, reach a consensus through deliberation, etc.
The principle of Unity in Diversity as described in the 36 values of Pancasila, Indonesia’s Philosophy of life has inspired and transpired the code of conduct of Indonesian in their daily life, either nationally or internationally. Although Indonesia consists of about 500 ethnic groups, all Indonesian community able to live side by side peacefully.
