Freedom in the Pandemic Era

ISTANA KEPRESIDENAN/AGUS SUPARTO

President Joko Widodo, wearing traditional South Central Timor clothing and a mask, sits on the stage of honor while leading the commemoration ceremony of the Seconds of the Proclamation of Independence at Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Monday (17/8/2020). The ceremony was held under health protocols, with a very limited number of attendants and guests.

The 75th Indonesian independence celebrations at the State Palace and other venues may have appeared to be simple, but still raised a sense of pride.

The event at the State Palace was less crowded than usual because of the Covid-19 health crisis. The number of people contracting the virus is still increasing. However, the spirit of independence still prevailed during these difficult conditions. Enthusiasm arose amidst the uncertainties.

History has taught us that this is not a nation that gives up easily. The seconds-long Independence Proclamation was celebrated with the help of technology and in strict adherence to the health protocol. The circumstances brought to mind something British historian Joseph Arnold Toynbee once said about challenge and response: Every challenge always has a response. And the palace rose up to the challenge to commemorate the Proclamation, both physically and virtually.

Also read: Preserving the Pearls of Independence

The Independence Day celebrations during the health crisis were still filled with pride: pride at being Indonesian; being proud Indonesian diversity as shown in the traditional clothing donned by the ceremony’s participants. President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo wore the traditional dress of South Central Timor in East Nusa Tenggara province.

Meeting every challenge with an appropriate response must be developed further to continue our independence. Technology is one way to unite the nation; technology can unite us as a nation. However, technology in the hands of irresponsible people can also destroy national unity.

The Indonesian nation is currently struggling with a health crisis and a looming economic crisis. This time of crisis is not the time to blame each other, but the time to ponder how we, as a nation, can work hand in hand to overcome crises.

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

Road users stop to pay their respects during the commemoration of the seconds of the Proclamation of Independence of the Republic of Indonesia on Jalan Margonda Raya, Depok, West Java, Monday (17/8/2020). The government through State Secretary Pratikno encouraged the public to stop all activities for 3 minutes on 17 August at 10:17 a.m.

President Jokowi\'s anniversary speech rang with truth: "Don\'t feel [that you are] the most religious, don\'t feel the most Pancasilaist, and don\'t feel the most self-righteous."

It is the time for the nation\'s elite to put their heads together to search for a solution to rise out of the crisis. The government should not monopolize truth by shutting down criticism.

One of the social assets of this nation is community solidarity, the spirit of helping each other. It is here that the nation’s leader has a central role in encouraging the emotional strengths of the nation to contribute to overcoming the national crisis.

The discussion published in this daily on 26 July 2019 offered an overview of social inequality as the single greatest problem the nation faces: inequality among its citizens, inequality between Java and outside Java.

It can be assumed that the post-pandemic era will involve much housework. Social inequality is widening. The discussion published in this daily on 26 July 2019 offered an overview of social inequality as the single greatest problem the nation faces: inequality among its citizens, inequality between Java and outside Java. According to the 2000-2018 National Socioeconomic Survey (Susenas), 30 percent of the national wealth belongs to the 10 richest people in the country, while 40 percent of the national population owns just 16 percent of the nation’s wealth. The health crisis is only widening the gap.

Social unity and justice is the great task this nation faces. This requires the kind of leadership that is not only populist, but also has the courage to develop affirmative policies to realize the aspirations of Indonesian independence: social justice for all.