This is Indonesia, the product of the brilliant minds of its founders, and that which we must continue to rediscover, maintain, build and develop for the sake of realizing Indonesia as the dream that we share.
By
SUKIDI
·4 minutes read
DOKUMENTASI PRIBADI SUKIDI
Sukidi
In the middle of our shared concerns about the future of the nation, we need to rediscover Indonesia as regards Soekarno’s dream of "a country that belongs to us all". This country’s inclusive character offers equal opportunities for every citizen to devote their best thinking about Indonesia, established by the nation's founding fathers more than 76 years ago.
The thoughts on developing Indonesia should start with a visionary, strong and democratic leadership. Namely, a leader who gives rational optimism to his people about the nation’s direction amidst global uncertainty, exemplifies strong moral qualities amidst the low level of state ethics, and leads the country fairly and democratically amidst the declining quality of democracy.
The vision of an advanced Indonesia can only be realized if radical change starts from leaders who stand at the forefront with noble moral examples. "Ing ngarsa sung tulada (leaders set the example)," Ki Hajar Dewantara once said.
It is the example of leading the country that has faded from our Indonesia. As a big nation that continues to move forward in line with progressive human civilization, Indonesia's progress has been hampered by the small-minded behavior of its leaders. "A great era is born by centuries," wrote independence proclaimer Mohammad Hatta in Demokrasi Kita (Our democracy; 1960), quoting German poet Johann Friedrich von Schiller (1759-1805), "but great times meet with little people.” Hatta's criticism illustrates the context of leaders who are small-minded, narrow-minded, sectarian and do not exude historical awareness or a sense of belonging to Indonesia.
We should not be surprised if many leaders do not have the respect and pride of their people. “Who in Indonesia today do you admire and look up to?” Benedict R. Anderson (1936-2015) asked Indonesia’s younger generations who visited Cornell for more than 10 years over the pre-reform period leading up to 1998. The general response was depressing: “The common response is, first, bewilderment at the question, then a long scratching of the head, and finally hesitation... Iwan Fals. Isn't this rather terrifying?" (B.R. Anderson, "Indonesian Nationalism Today and in the Future," Indonesia No. 67, 1999:10).
As an expert on Indonesian issues who loved Indonesia, especially East Java, Ben Anderson seemed unable to hide his sadness on seeing Indonesian leaders who were different from the country’s great leaders of almost 100 years ago. We fully respect and are proud of the great leaders who were born in the independence era, and who led lives full of struggle, sacrifice and suffering.
According to Anderson (ibid.), these great leaders are: “Dr Soetomo, Natsir, Tan Malaka, Sjahrir, Yap Thiam Hien, Kartini, Haji Misbach, Soekarno, Sjauw Giok Tjan, Chairil Anwar, Suwarsih Djojopoespito, Sudirman, Roem, Pramoedya Ananta Toer, Hatta, Mas Marco [Kartodikromo], Hasjim Ansjari, Sudisman, Armijn Pane, Haji Dahlan and so many others who lived in that era.
“How sad I am to compare the (great leaders) of those times with the (leaders) of today.”
When Indonesia was in a very difficult and poor situation, we gave birth to great and historic leaders during the modern independence movement. However, after more than 76 years of independence, we have encountered leaders of poor spirit and soul who have neither sufficient knowledge nor historical awareness about Indonesia as a "country belonging to all" as Soekarno said and a "joint project" as Anderson said.
The logical consequence of the concept of Indonesia as “belonging to all” and a “joint project” is a call to every citizen to participate actively and constructively in building Indonesia, which has never been completed and continues to make process. Namely, Indonesia is a secular nation that is plural, inclusive, equal and civilized, which stands tall on the pillars of diversity, is full of respect for the dignity of a just and civilized universal humanity; which is united and equal, embodying the spirit of unity and oneness as the shared bond in the midst of diversity that is upheld discretely through a deliberative mechanism, to realize justice and welfare for all citizens without discrimination.
This is Indonesia, the product of the brilliant minds of its founders, and that which we must continue to rediscover, maintain, build and develop for the sake of realizing Indonesia as the dream that we share.
