JAKARTA, KOMPAS – Every year, the intolerance index of the people of Indonesia continues to rise. The existing parameters show that Indonesia is in a position that makes it susceptible to be manipulated for political reasons. Therefore, it is important to strengthen national integration. This is the most crucial time to revive the roles of Pancasila and “Bhinneka Tunggal Ika” as the glue for the nation.
The result of a 2015 research by the Pew Research Center shows that the level of intolerance among Indonesians has increased year by year. In 2007, the intolerance level in Indonesia stood at 6.2, which rose to 7.9 in 2014 and 7.6 in 2015. Meanwhile, Indonesia’s 2016 radicalism index reached 43.6, which shows that Indonesia is in a vulnerable state.
“The use of issues pertaining to tribal affiliations, religion, race and societal groups (SARA) will be brought to the surface again, particularly in connection to the 2019 presidential election. Also, it will be important to observe the 2018 regional elections,” said Sri Yanuarti of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) Political Research Center at the discussion, “The Threat of Identity Conflict (SARA) in 2019”, and the concurrent book launch for Resolusi Konflik, Jembatan Perdamaian (Conflict resolution: The bridge to peace) by Kompas Publishing, held on Wednesday (15/11) at LIPI. The discussion was organized by the Office of the Coordinating Human Development and Culture Minister along with the LIPI Political Research Center and the IM Center for Dialog and Peace.
In contrast to the 2019 presidential election, which many predict will be heated, Sri said the general elections at both the central and regional levels would involve little selling of the religion narrative at the grassroots level. This is because the electoral contest was very wide, both in terms of contesting actors and geographical area.
Ichsan Malik, author of Resolusi Konflik, Jembatan Perdamaian, explained that present handling of violent conflicts had improved. However, the brutality of the violence that occurred in society was out of the ordinary.
Two new phenomena
Ichsan has noticed two new phenomena emerging in the last 10 years. The first is the tendency of every group to feel as though they are a victim, or the party subject to unfair treatment. “Everyone is racing to become a victim. If this is allowed to continue, 2019 will see greater societal conflicts,” he said.
The second phenomenon is the way distorted information has become the most dangerous trigger of conflicts today. This was where further anticipative measures were needed, particular on the circulation of fake news that has been mushrooming on social media lately.
To reduce the gap between managing conflicts and the brutal violence, Ichsan believes that it is important to strengthen the people’s sense of togetherness as national citizens. This is the critical time to revive the roles of Pancasila and “Bhinneka Tunggal Ika” as the nation’s glue.
Sri sees the need to tighten relevant regulations on the use of SARA issues by creating a rigid mechanism on what is permissible and what is not, as well as on related sanctions. “One of them is voiding electoral participation for political parties found to be using SARA issues in the (electoral) contest,” she said.
Furthermore, she added, a mechanism was needed for submitting complaints on SARA-based discrimination in the 2019 general elections. Law enforcement measures were thus also needed to sanction electoral campaigns that used SARA issues or discriminatory approaches based on SARA.
“Quick and active response by security personnel is needed. Also, efforts in interfaith dialog need to be strengthened and made effective by using customary wisdoms to prevent conflict,” she said.
Societal divisions
The education and religion deputy at the Office of the Coordinating Human Development and Culture Minister, Agus Sartono, a keynote speaker in the discussion, explained that divisions among the people would continue. Social media would accelerate societal divisions.
“It is important to learn to what extent the issue of religion will be used in the election contest, according to the political map of the 2019 general elections. We need to carry out preventive measures against the impact of identity politics. Because if a social conflict occurs, it will not only be financially costly, but will also hamper development,” Agus said.
Komaruddin Hidayat, a professor at Jakarta’s Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University, said the Jakarta gubernatorial election had provided Indonesia with an incredible and unprecedented lesson.
“If a conflict is maintained, it is feared that the dream of independence will not be realized. What will occur are just battles between politicians that have a five-year mentality,” Komarudin said.
(ABK/MHD)
