The Fifth Principle of Pancasila : Realizing Social Justice for All Indonesian People

 

The Fifth Principle of Pancasila : Realizing Social Justice for All Indonesian People 

Naila Kamila Putri

1705624177

Faculty of Economy and Bussines 

Universitas Negeri Jakarta 

2025

Introduction 

Pancasila is basically the backbone of Indonesia—it’s the main set of values that shape how the country runs, from politics and society to culture. Out of the five principles, the fifth one—“Keadilan Sosial bagi Seluruh Rakyat Indonesia” or “Social Justice for All Indonesian People”—is super important when it comes to building a fair and equal society. The idea is that everyone, no matter their background, should have the same rights and chances to be part of the country’s progress and enjoy its benefits. It’s about making sure no one’s left behind.

But of course, just like in many other countries, making this happen isn’t always easy. Even though Indonesia keeps growing and developing, there are still a bunch of challenges when it comes to turning this principle into reality. In this article, we’re gonna dig into what this fifth principle really means, how it affects daily life and politics in Indonesia today, and what kind of obstacles are still holding us back from real social justice.

The Meaning of Social Justice in Pancasila 

When we talk about social justice in the context of Pancasila, it’s not just about being fair in front of the law—it goes way beyond that. It’s about making sure everyone in Indonesia gets a fair shot at life. That means a balanced share of resources, chances to go to school, access to proper healthcare, decent jobs, and fair treatment in the economy. Basically, it's making sure no one gets left out or left behind just because of where they come from or what they have.

The fifth principle acts kind of like a guide—for both the government and society—to deal with deep-rooted problems like poverty, discrimination, and exploitation. And unlike the usual idea of justice that’s all about legal stuff, social justice in Pancasila also touches on economic and cultural fairness. It’s about protecting the people who are often ignored or pushed aside, giving power to the ones who don’t usually have a voice, and working toward a more peaceful and equal society where everyone belongs.

Historical Background and Philosophy 

The idea of social justice in Indonesia didn’t just come out of nowhere—it was shaped a lot by what people went through during colonial times. Back then, under Dutch rule, most of the wealth and opportunities were controlled by just a small group of people. Meanwhile, the majority of Indonesians were stuck in poverty, with little access to education or any real say in politics.

When Indonesia finally gained independence in 1945, leaders like Soekarno had a clear vision: they didn’t just want freedom from foreign powers, but also freedom from things like inequality, poverty, and unfair treatment within the country itself. Soekarno believed that true independence meant building a nation where everyone had a fair chance. That’s why the fifth principle of Pancasila was added—to represent Indonesia’s dream of becoming a just and equal society.

On a deeper level, this principle is rooted in values like gotong royong (mutual cooperation), caring for each other, and standing in solidarity. It’s not about competing to be better than others, but about moving forward together—where progress and success are shared by everyone, not just a few.

Implementation in National Policy 

The fifth principle of Pancasila isn’t just a bunch of nice words—it’s actually been used as a foundation for a lot of national programs and government policies. You can see it reflected in the Constitution and in many laws that are meant to promote fairness and improve people’s lives.

For example, Article 33 of the 1945 Constitution talks about how the economy should be run together, like a family system. It also says that key industries and natural resources should be controlled by the state, not just private companies, so that the benefits go to the people—not just to the rich or powerful.

There are also social protection programs like Kartu Indonesia Pintar (KIP) and Kartu Indonesia Sehat (KIS). These cards help kids from low-income families stay in school and get healthcare without extra costs. Maybe you’ve seen people around Jakarta using KIS at local clinics (puskesmas) or how students in public schools get financial help through KIP to buy books or uniforms. Programs like PKH (Program Keluarga Harapan) also give monthly support to really poor families so they can afford basic needs.

Another one is Dana Desa, or Village Fund. This is meant to help rural areas develop, especially places that are still far behind big cities like Jakarta. The idea is to make sure villages can build roads, schools, or clean water systems so the development isn’t just stuck in urban areas like Jabodetabek.

There are also labor laws and minimum wage policies. In Jakarta, for instance, the UMR (Upah Minimum Regional) is adjusted almost every year to match inflation and living costs. It’s supposed to protect workers, like those working in malls, restaurants, or as ride-hailing drivers, so they earn enough to cover their daily needs.

But of course, even though these programs are based on the idea of social justice, how well they actually work depends on a lot of things—like whether local leaders really care, if the budget’s enough, or if the people in charge are doing their jobs properly. Sometimes you’ll hear stories of KIS cards not being accepted in certain hospitals, or village funds being misused. So while the intention is good, the real challenge is making sure these policies are implemented fairly and reach the people who really need them.

Conclusion 

The fifth principle of Pancasila—Social Justice for All Indonesian People—is still one of the most important but also one of the hardest goals for Indonesia to fully reach. It shows how the nation wants to stand for fairness, equality, and respect for everyone’s dignity. Even though Indonesia already made some progress, honestly there’s still a lot of issues and challenges that make it hard to really apply this principle in real life.

To really make Social Justice happen, it’s not something that the government can do alone. It needs commitment that continues, a government that’s open and honest, and also support from all parts of society—like students, workers, communities, and even small businesses. Everyone has a role. Only by working together and seriously going back to the real values of Pancasila, Indonesia can be a country that’s not just growing, but also fair and truly good for all its people.