Welcoming Golden Indonesia (Anxiously?)

KOMPAS/HERU SRI KUMORO (KUM)

J Kristiadi

It has become a tradition for Indonesians from Sabang to Merauke to commemorate Independence Day with joy. People across the cities celebrate in various ways to mark the day that brought an end to colonialism.

Expressions of pride and triumph intermingle with romanticism for the nation’s fighting spirit as reflected in the flag ceremonies, parades, carnivals, pole-climbing competitions, cultural performances and people displaying the Red and White flag at their homes. In the 1990s, people even sent Independence Day greeting cards.

This year, however, has seen no public enthusiasm, even in the second week of August. This is despite the fact that this year’s Independence Day is expected to be a milestone towards the nation’s approaching centennial in 2045, declared as the “Year of Golden Indonesia”. This lack of enthusiasm is understandable due to the ravages of the Covid-19 epidemic that has resulted in a variety of crises, including an economic crisis.

People around the world are anxious and worried, as no one knows for sure when these crises will be resolved. Michael T. Osterholm, a professor of epidemiology and the director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, said that the multiple crises caused by the Covid-19 pandemic would end only when a vaccine was developed – which requires a long time – or when a large enough percentage of the global human population had developed lasting immunity. This second scenario will not be easy to realize, as it has been estimated that around two-thirds of the global population must have been infected with the virus that causes Covid-19 in order to develop such immunity (Foreign Affairs, July/August 2020).

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However, Indonesians must not feel trapped or complacent; nor should they surrender to feelings of deep anxiety and uncertainty. Fear of uncertainty is not a normal fear, as it is not the opposite of courage (Albert Camus, Krisis Kebebasan/Crisis of Freedom, Obor Foundation, 2013). The most effective form of courage against this kind of fear is hope.

Wise people say that hope is the companion to strength and the mother of success, as those who truly have hope are blessed with an internal miracle. The best way to avoid becoming overwhelmed by despair is to be active. In the words of Aristotle, “hope is a waking dream”. Only in darkness do the stars shine.

Therefore, our dreams of 2045 as the pinnacle of Indonesian glory must be sustained, as it is not an impossibility. History shows that Soekarno and Hatta read out the “Indonesian Proclamation” that was no more than 100 words, but succeeded in calling all Indonesians to rise and revolt against the colonial forces. This was possible, as the duumvirate of Soekarno-Hatta believed in the dream that Indonesians could free themselves from the vicious clutches of their colonizers. Freedom is the golden bridge for Indonesians to realize a Golden Indonesia in 2045.

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Kompas/Wawan H Prabowo

Portrait murals of pioneering independence fighters such as the Proclamator Soekarno-Hatta adorn the city walls on Jalan Aria Putra, Ciputat, South Tangerang, Banten, Thursday (19/3/2020).

It must be acknowledged that realizing the glory of our nation will not be an easy feat. The dynamics of national and state life over these past 75 years, full of persistence in building a bridge towards glory, have not been entirely successful. However, during this period, Indonesians have had plenty of capital to fight on, including their increasing faith in Pancasila as the state ideology. Furthermore, Indonesians have a deep capacity for contributing to social capital. The spirit of unity has been preserved and sustained.

Amid the political chaos, the government is working extra hard to resolve the Covid-19 health crisis. The state has also been able to mitigate the turmoil caused by identity politics and other complications.

A number of government agencies have prepared a path to welcome a Golden Indonesia. The National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas), for instance, developed in 2018 a rather comprehensive strategy to achieve Golden Indonesia 2045. Among the most important issues is the demographic bonus.

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Today’s millennials will be at the peak of their productivity in 2045, when they will be aged 40-51 years old. They will determine the future of Indonesia. However, the demographic bonus requires the state’s presence in educating our youths. If the state fails, they will be unemployed; as a consequence, they will become a highly dangerous species. German magazine Der Spiegel published an article in its February 2008 edition titled “Junge Manner: Die Gefahrlichste Spezeis der Welt” (Young People: The Most Dangerous Species in the World). Another challenge facing millennials is the increasing certainty that robots will replace human workers (Rise of the Robots: Technology and the Threat of a Jobless Future, Martin Ford, 2015).

In order to prepare for Indonesia 2045, an urgent call must be made to all Indonesians to adhere to the health protocols. These policies will be effective only when they are carried out as a movement of national discipline. Organizations like the Indonesian Scouts can pioneer the movement. The Agency for Pancasila Ideology Education (BPIP) can also lead the way in implementing the values of Pancasila. If this works, Indonesians will be able to realize a Golden Indonesia in 2045, instead of an Anxious Indonesia.