Indonesia is often introduced as a tolerant country, rich in culture and extraordinary diversity. Since school days, we have been taught the slogan “Bhinneka Tunggal Ika” or “Unity in Diversity,” which reflects the spirit of national unity. According to Indonesia.go.id and Gramedia Blog, this country consists of over 17,500 islands, inhabited by 1,340 ethnic groups and speaking 718 regional languages. Thousands of unique traditional cuisines and dances further enrich the culture of this nation. With all of this, Indonesia should be able to stand as a strong and advanced multicultural country, just like reappearance of the mythical “lost Atlantis”.
Indonesia even has Pancasila as its national ideology, with each of its principles reflecting the idea that “diversity should serve unity”, reinforcing the foundation of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika. Ironically, the diversity that should be our greatest strength is still underutilized and often becomes a source of division. To truly harness the potential we have, we must know the extent of our cultural richness, understand the challenges or problems we face, and identify steps we can take to maximize our diversity.
Indonesia holds tremendous potential in terms of culture and creativity. The spread 1,340 of ethnic groups from Sabang to Merauke reflects a rich diversity in local customs, food, music even arts. It’s like we have a buried golden treasure. If it is managed wisely, these differences can become an endless source of innovation. Diverse perspectives will produce creative ideas and solutions to various national problems. For example, in design and architecture, traditional values have inspired unique works. In the culinary sector, authentic recipes such as ‘nasi goreng’ and ‘rendang’ have gained global recognition, it’s proving the global appeal of local richness.
Another example comes from Jember Fashion Carnaval (JFC) which has become an illustration of how local cultural creativity can shine on the international stage. The cultural tourism sector also contributes significantly to the national economy. In 2024, cultural tourism is expected to contributed around 4,01% to 4,5% of Indonesia’s GDP and generate foreign exchange of USD 16.7 billion. Culture is not just about identity; it is a strategic asset in national development. Yet, in silence, our diversity seems to be waiting to be maximized.
Behind the beautiful narrative of diversity, we must honestly face the reality of our situation. While other countries focus on developing advanced technologies, infrastructure, scientific achievements, and even exploring space or seeking new habitable planets, Indonesia still buried in an endless debate about identity. National energy is drained in conflicts about who comes from which ethnic group, who deserves to lead based on background, and who should be excluded. Identity politics is continuously nurtured and even manipulated by elites for power. Religious and ethnic conflicts still frequently colour our society.
The nation that proclaims Bhinneka Tunggal Ika seems to be struggling to unite of its own diversity. Violent incidents, such as attacks on places of worship and even the largest ones like ‘Poso Tragedy’ still leave scars and trauma within communities. Hate speech like ‘Jawa hama’ or ‘tebak agama’ has sadly become part of everyday discourse and even normalized in social media comments. Meanwhile, fundamental issues such as education and poverty are often sidelined. Pancasila, which was supposed to be compass, now feels like a powerless symbol.
The challenges of diversity are not only visible on a national scale or in the major issues highlighted by media. As multicultural country, we must have at least once experienced differences that are very difficult to accept in society. We can easily see how religion has become a promising field of money, supposedly neutral educational institutions incapable of implementing multicultural education, and many organizations teach absolute, authoritarian, and fanatic thinking that blinds reason and logic. However, that doesn’t mean hope is lost; the founders of this nation were well aware of the complexities of Indonesia’s diversity. That’s why they established Pancasila and Bhinneka Tunggal Ika as the foundational pillars, to realize a truly united Indonesia.
There are various ways that we can apply in our efforts to manage diversity as a driver of national progress. First, we must implement multicultural education from an early age. Children need to be introduced to the values of tolerance, empathy, and respect for differences. This education should go beyond simply recognizing cultural variety; it must instill universal values such as mutual cooperation and deliberation. Digital literacy is also crucial so that the younger generation can discern accurate information and resist provocative hoaxes. Next, fair law enforcement without discrimination is essential.
Practices of ‘tumpul ke atas, tajam ke bawah’ or ‘soft on the powerful, harsh on the weak’ only erode public trust in the legal system. People grow afraid to speak out, apathetic and choose to survive rather than innovate. Therefore, the state must guarantee justice for all, regardless of background, and must not marginalize the powerless or minority groups. Additionally, improving the quality of education must be a priority, because well-educated society is more open-mined, acts with wisdom, is capable of engaging in healthy dialogue, and produces constructive conversation. With strong education, our human resources will improve, we’ll improve, we will be able to harness our wealth and diversity, and achieve national progress will be within reach.
Ultimately, Indonesia stands at a crossroads: to become the true embodiment of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika a ‘real Atlantis’ or to remain a country hindered by differences. The true challenge lies not in whether differences exist, but in how we as one nation choose to manage them. Just like the spirit of mutual cooperation, widely recognized as a fundamental Indonesian value that is not bound by the absolute culture of an ethnic or religion, we can make it a thread that unites us.
No matter how vast the differences, if there is the will and the ability to manage them, we can transform them into strengths. Of course, this requires strong collaboration between society and government. Openness and firmness from the government in protecting all its citizens are key to realize the ideals of Pancasila. With the right steps and the courage to change, Indonesia as the real Atlantis is no longer a myth, but it is a future we can strive to achieve.
Writer: Resi Lestari, Student of Al-Ihya Islamic University, Kuningan
