Spirit of Pancasila: How Indonesian Celebrate 75th Independence Day Amid Covid-19 Concerns

Each year, the country of Indonesia commemorates their independence from colonialism on August 17th. But, what are we celebrating for anyway?

Freedom may be one of the most important wealth for human being. No one would love for their rights to be restricted. Our ancestors in the past might experienced this.

But as the truth, most were not realized that their rights was being suspended in many ways. Until a group of people realized that they were so poor, and the cause was the injustice of the colonial government.

Their rights for having a decent economy would be limited. The rich resources was monopolized by the foreigners who actually didn't t own it at the first place. There were racism against the "pribumi", as their skin was not white and they didn't t have high intelligence as their education were limited. The health care was limited, even during pandemic like the current they would have the least treatment so that the foreigners could get the most medicines. When we eventually get rid of them, the date when our proclamator declared our independence for the first time became the day when most Indonesians supposed to celebrate and be grateful of it.

Hence, each year, there are ceremonies, competitions, and parties everywhere on the independence day. Children are having fun. People get to meet their neighbors at the local hall. Foods and tumpeng are made and savored freely for everyone. But, this year may be different. As we are restricted to meet a lot of people in order to restrain the spread of current pandemic. Parties would be suspended. Competitions would be canceled. Ceremonies would get dismissed. Even though there will be less fun, we still have to retain our independence, as the independence to live. To live is what everyone does and (mostly) wants. People would get sad to see their loved ones dies and can't hold a proper ceremony or even says goodbye on his/her deathbed, as the burial should be held in a strict protocol. Or even to see themselves being in this situation.

The spreads still get crazier each day. We may still in the loss. But we shouldn't give up hope. The independence day should be the day for us to retrieve the past spirit of our ancestors. In order to give the independence for the people, the youth from east to west must unite in the same wills for freedom.

The independence to live without being restrained by diseases must be obtained by unity. Not in physical, but in the spirit. There will be people who couldn't stay at home because the economy, we can help them in materials. There will be people who already get their financial decently, they should be patient and stay at home. There will be polices, medics, soldiers, couriers, chefs, teachers, students, and people, who can unite to end this unwanted situation of the pandemic. Thus, the spirit of Pancasila will be able to set his wings and fly away without any restrained, to give hope for the people, as they get their independence to live that they have been longing for.

Writer : Damar Abhinawa, IAAS LC UGM