: The official state philosophy consisting of five principles: belief in one God, a just and humane civilization, national unity, democracy, and social justice.
Indonesian social interaction prizes politeness and indirect communication. Openly expressing anger or direct criticism is generally avoided to maintain social harmony ( rukunr u k u n ) and prevent others from "losing face".
: While 86.1% of the population is Muslim, the state officially recognizes six religions: Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. Current Social Issues Indonesia. Cultural Environment and Local Contexts
Indonesia is not a country that will explode into civil war, nor is it a liberal utopia. It is a tembang (traditional Javanese song) played in a dissonant key. The social issues—poverty, intolerance, inequality, and environmental ruin—are not separate from culture. They are the shadow of gotong royong , the cost of malu , and the price of hierarchy.