Social justice, as mandated by the nation's founders in one of the five principles of Pancasila, has not met expectations, especially in some provinces in eastern Indonesia

This time, there was nobody. The place was quiet. This was deliberate. This year, Independence Day is celebrated solemnly.

Democracy and humor run parallel each other. Like a ludruk (folk drama) play, politics is a fragment. Sometimes intriguing words is needed to create a relaxed atmosphere.

In coping with the pandemic that is spreading quickly, several democratic governments, including Indonesia, have introduced policies and carried out actions that go against democratic principles.

The Covid-19 pandemic has hit many sectors of state life, including the quality of democracy.

The anniversary of the birth of Pancasila on 1 June was commemorated in a number of places. The Pancasila principles are being tested in the midst of the epidemic and the policies the government has taken.

The COVID-1 9 outbreak could hamper efforts to strengthen democracy, which is one of the mandates of the reform movement. Especially in recent years, the country’s democracy has suffered ever more setbacks.

No one expected the entire world would suffer from COVID-19. Only a few are really prepared to face the pandemic. Economically, all countries are now facing a potential slowdown or even recession.

Although civil society, especially NGOs, are important in overseeing the government, the issues they voice often do not represent the interests of the people.

The global community tends to prefer authoritarianism as their standard choice of political system. Democracy is a mere exception, emerged once in a while by experiments of little success.