Avoiding New Burden of History

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

Azyumardi Azra

The history of man, nations and countries is often accompanied by unpleasant, bitter and dark historical events. This bitter journey can be a "burden of history". It may be the events in the past or at the present time -- that will eventually become history -- are beyond human control or authority, such as natural disasters. However, it could also be due to human policies or steps taken without careful consideration; becoming “wrong ways” that cannot be or are too expensive and bitter to correct. “Nasi sudah menjadi bubur.” It’s something irreparable.

History affects the future. History is not just history or shared memories of past events. In the perspective of history of the future -- now becoming “conventional history” -- the time that passes along with actual events of today will undoubtedly leave traces and shadows in the future (ghosts of the past). A clear positive step for today's progress can bring life and civilization in a better direction. On the other hand, there are steps that could lead to catastrophes in the near and distant future.

In a multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary academic perspective, history for the future is contained in the big history or macro history paradigm. In contrast to conventional history -- often called microhistory -- “great history” examines the dynamics of human life and civilization based on various macro tendencies; whether positive or negative. An understanding of the dynamics of macro-history and micro-history should be a consideration for policymakers in order to avoid the "burden of history" today and in the future.

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Various burdens of past history are still hanging over Indonesia today. Among the burdens of history that often disturb us, for example, the alleged "slaughter" of members of the Indonesian Communist Party and those suspected of being communists in 1965-1966, and various cases of human rights violations; from the mysterious shooting of suspected criminals (1982-1986) to the “Trisakti tragedy” (1998).

In the perspective of big history, the burden of Indonesia's history is not limited to violence and loss of life; whether by state officials or non-state actors. The burden of history list can be long; also including the destruction of the ecosystem of life and civilization since the New Order regime until the Reformation Era. Much of the historical burden of environmental destruction, deforestation and exploitative mining in the name of development ironically continues to be more severe today.

The burden of history in various forms has not been able to be resolved by the top leaders of the country, who have come and gone throughout the reformation period from 1998-1999 until now. President Jokowi, with about two and a half years left in office, should strive to resolve the burdens of past history and at the same time prevent the emergence of new historical burdens today, which could become a negative legacy that must be borne by the national leadership and citizens in the future.

In addition to the burden of history in the past, there are several phenomena that can add to the burden of history today and in the future. For example; the violence of the police officers that killed several students during a demonstration against the revision of the Corruption Eradication Commission Law (September-October 2019), the killing of four members of the Islamic Defenders Front (7/12/2020) on the East Karawang toll road which is often referred to by some as the "Case of Kilometer 50".

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The potential burden of history is also seen in the decline of democracy, which should be corrected immediately before it becomes a historical burden. In recent years, there have been many discussions between experts and the public at home and abroad about the phenomenon of the decline of democracy with the strengthening of political oligarchy, unprocedural legislation, marginalization of civil society and reduced freedom of expression.

The recent controversies regarding the liquidation of many research institutions into the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) can also become a historical burden after the 2024 national leadership. The deconstruction of many research institutes together with the consolidation of many challenges into BRIN could become a historical burden, especially if you fail to do research to produce innovation.

The potency for another burden of history also overshadows the “show off” project of the development of a new national capital (IKN) in Penajam Paser Utara, East Kalimantan. The idea of moving the nation's capital city from Jakarta has existed since the time of President Sukarno. However, the viability and sustainability of the IKN project development in recent years is very doubtful. The Covid-19 pandemic continues with the country's financial difficulties. In addition, the remaining period of President Jokowi's administration is relatively short, meaning he could possibly leave the stalled IKN project because there is no certainty that the post-2024 national leadership will continue that project.

This is the time for the political elite to reflect and try to prevent an increasing burden of history for the nation-state and future generations.

AZYUMARDI AZRA, Professor of History at UIN Syarif Hidayatullah; AIPI KK Member

This article was translated by Kurniawan Siswo.