Pancasila, the five basic principles of the Republic of Indonesia, have come under threat recently. Amid the contemporary political fraud and economic downturn, these principles - comprising the belief in one God; a humanity that is just and civilized; the unity of Indonesia; democracy guided by the wisdom of representative deliberation; and social justice for all Indonesians - seem to have been forgotten by the nation.

Pancasila have become a commodity to decorate the pages of history books or to give certain members of political parties or their elites certainty of winning seats in the House, or to enable government officials to gain better positions.

Indonesia's present leadership style seems to be more or less a continuation of two previous eras, but with some changes. During the first two long-ruling regimes in Indonesia, under Sukarno and Soeharto, abuses were largely about how the leaders and their compatriots systematically, intentionally or unintentionally, monopolized the interpretation of the Pancasila and used them to repress political opponents and to empower their positions economically, socially or politically.

On the other hand, these principles actually and historically are recognized by most Indonesians as representing the current ideological reality and hopes for better Indonesia.

And this was possible because those behind the creation of the Pancasila, were actually from different backgrounds and professionals working for a country based on the principles of multiculturalism.

Due to the current fraud in Indonesian politics, one of the most crucial points is inevitably therefore related to the first principle, i.e. the inclusion of faith in nation building. And with political competition heating up lately, the principle have been at stake more than before. The threats have not only involved parties which embrace Pancasila as their foundation, but have also come from parties that reject Pancasila.

Recent political discourse has concerned this saddening matter. Certain religious symbols have become trademarks to represent certain political wishes.

To make this situation easier to understand, let us see how a soap opera influences its viewers. Most ideas presented in a soap opera are melancholic and dramatic. Life seems to be so easy and full of easily possessed luxuries. Every problem comes up and is then is overcome easily. To change a fate is as easy as turning your palm up. But do these shows reflect the reality?

Why is this process taking place? Here, the most possible answer is about permissiveness.

Carefulness is slowly being replaced with carelessness. And this is possibly also happening to our state ideology, the Pancasila. Consequently, many people have become dubious about the already well-configured setting of the state, and have dreamed of a future in which things are different.

This being the case, how can we ensure Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity) prevails, as mandated by the state ideology?

The fact that some religious-based parties and hard-line groups, have employed sensitive issues to harm our diversity is indeed worrying. All stakeholders of the nation have the obligation to maintain the principle of Unity in Diversity.

And it is not inconceivable that we will have to reinterpret the concept of Pancasila and to renew our mutual understanding and commitment to the nation. We are obliged to preserve the spirit of our founding fathers when they decided to make the Pancasila our state ideology.

The writer is a teacher.

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