Nation’s Awakening
More often than not, we interact by using the label “Indonesia” whereas the substance is not entirely about Indonesia.
The future of the Indonesian people lies solely in a government that is accountable to the people in the truest sense, because the people accept only this form of government.--(Boedi Oetomo founder Dr Soetomo)
Today, we commemorate National Awakening Day. The establishment of the Boedi Oetomo group 114 years ago marked the culmination of self-awareness as "the Indonesian people", who were then under Dutch colonial rule. This awareness became the main driving force that brought Indonesia out of colonialism.
Now, nearly 77 years since the declaration of independence, what has happened to the self-awareness as "the Indonesian people" that liberated us to exist as a nation? It is not easy to answer this question, because the idea of Indonesia as a “people”, let alone a “nation”, has been rarely explored.
More often than not, we interact by using the label “Indonesia” whereas the substance is not entirely about Indonesia. In fact, we are pushing the interests of our clique or group under the pretext of "Indonesia". This situation is worrying because as we strive to develop ourselves to achieve our dream of becoming one of the world's leading countries in 2045, we must face and deal with the various internal challenges that need to be clearly formulated.
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It is therefore time to think about the direction of the nation's journey by looking at and understanding the reality and the challenges it poses.
Looking at existing realities
The various realities that exist need to be observed carefully, their origins identified, the trends tracked, and the causes tackled. Care must be taken in observing the nature of reality (ontology), finding an explanation (epistemology), and assessing the implications (axiology).
First are the conditions of social interactions between cultures, communities, and generations, as well as economic and regional backgrounds. The dynamics of democratization and decentralization in the last two decades have affected not only the relationships between the community and the government, but also the relationships within the communities themselves.
The increasing use of information technology and social media without better awareness of digital literacy in the face of the flood of fake news has bogged down society in immaturity and left it vulnerable to division.
On the one hand, the government feels more accountable to its voters, while on the other have emerged unexpected impacts: voter disputes that have often led to divisions, from hobby groups to husband-wife relationships. The increasing use of information technology and social media without better awareness of digital literacy in the face of the flood of fake news has bogged down society in immaturity and left it vulnerable to division.
Second is the ubiquitous oligarchy in which government and state affairs are increasingly intermingled with issues of power, intertwined with corporate interests.
Many politicians and businessmen who have become public officials do not, or are unwilling to, understand the nature of public policy. Politicization and political transactions mar decision-making, hence putting public interests at risk. As a result, the discourse on policy is seeing a dearth of substance. There is no incentive to encourage public and government institutions, let alone state civil servants, to reform themselves.
Third is the positive trend in economic growth. Despite the pandemic, economic growth has begun to gain pace again. However, to achieve the goal of becoming a developed country, much of the work needs accelerating. A middle-income country is prone to falling into a trap that can be difficult to avoid if basic issues such as poverty, inequality, health services, and education are not taken seriously.
The demographic bonus and employment are also issues that need management strategies. Economic development, including investment, must be based on knowledge and innovation to pursue added value, instead of relying heavily on buying and selling commodities and the footwear industry.
Fourth is the suboptimal ecosystem to support research, technology, and innovation as keys to the nation's progress. The scientific mindset is yet to become a part of civil life. Science has not been integrated in decision-making. In fact, some policies are believed to be anti-science.
Bureaucracy and public institutions need to develop in their use of technology and innovation so the government’s economic activities do not stutter. The talented crop of researchers and potential innovators has not been managed optimally, which makes them lag in performance behind their counterparts in other countries. Some inventions and innovations have not boosted competitiveness because the downstream industry is half-hearted, while new technologies must be urgently developed and mastered.
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Fifth is the persistent, uncontrolled exploitation of nature in the name of development, when public awareness about the importance of protecting the environment is growing. The government and entrepreneurs have poor imagination as regards environmental sustainability, despite the climate crisis.
Businesspeople only think about how to make as much profit and as quickly as possible, leaving nature to shoulder the burdens of destruction. Since the Earth’s carrying capacity is limited, this country, despite its wealth in natural resources, is suffering increasingly from human greed and indifference, so that the victim of environmental destruction is the whole nation.
Lastly is about value. It is imperative that, as a diverse nation, Indonesia is inclusive socially, economically, and politically. However, it faces major challenges with regard to how differences in views, thoughts, beliefs and political choices are being used to legitimize nullifying inclusiveness.
To make things worse, law and governance have been unable to ensure justice for all. Eroded inclusiveness is threatening the state’s foundation. Aspirations for equality and national solidarity will only remain a dream if there is no affirmation to encourage inclusiveness. Taking the side of minorities, persons with disabilities, women and children, the poor and marginalized must be the soul of development plans and policies.
Looking at the existing realities above may be described in wordings lacking in “soft” diction because they speak as they are. However, hopefully it will expose the substance of the national challenge that we must dare to face in order to live the dreams of the nation’s founding fathers.
Living the dream
The aspiration of the nation’s founding fathers was, first and foremost, not for this nation to become a world leader, but rather to become a nation that is “independent, united, sovereign, just, and prosperous” (Preamble to the 1945 Constitution).
If this nation is truly independent (determining its own development direction towards progress), united (as a diverse nation), sovereign (managing its own development and resources), just (ensuring all citizens are equal before the law), and prosperous (the abundant results of development are enjoyed by all), it will win respect and trust and become a world leader.
So, becoming a world leader is an effect, not a cause. How to make it happen? The answer is straightforward: “to form a government of the state of Indonesia that protects all the people and territory of Indonesia and to promote public welfare, educate the nation and to participate toward the establishment of a world order”.
Thus, one key to answering the various national challenges is the existence of a strong, competent, and empowered government. It must be strong in order to protect the entire Indonesian nation and homeland, competent in order to deliver welfare and education to its citizens, and empowered to participate actively in creating the world order.
Corruption and inefficiency are mere symptoms, while the oligarchic mindset is the root cause.
However, making a strong, competent, and empowered government is not an overnight job. It must be sought continually. And against the various challenges described above, the fundamental step to take is to rid the government of the oligarchy and reform the bureaucracy. Corruption and inefficiency are mere symptoms, while the oligarchic mindset is the root cause.
And it is not just a matter of money, but the destruction of all the nation’s public resources, including law and governance.
The oligarchy should not be limited only to grumbling within the bureaucracy, but openly acknowledged. As in the past, the existence of the Dutch East Indies government was recognized as colonialism, not just an invasion motivated by trade. That's the springboard to finding a solution.
However, eradicating the oligarchic mindset is not easy, especially amid the various national agendas, from post-pandemic recovery, preparations for the 2024 general election, to relocating the nation's capital. What can be done is to tighten public supervision, so the government can perform better.
Criticism, input, and even opposition to government policies are among the civil rights protected by the Constitution. It should not be seen as anti-government. And this is where citizens and the government play their roles in the national interaction, which is to build awareness about being “the Indonesian people”, not as mere residents or inhabitants of the islands in this archipelago.
Shaping Indonesia
Indonesia is not built in an instant. The future of this country cannot be predicted through mere projections and statistical models, no matter how sophisticated they are. Indonesia came to exist through time and the actions of those who lived and interacted in it. Therefore, forming the Indonesia of the future must be a conscious effort among us all, as citizens.
The future of Indonesia does not lays in the hands of the Javanese, Minang, Batak, Dayak, Bugis, or other ethnic groups. The future of Indonesia does not lay in the hands of Muslims, Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, Confucians, or followers of other creeds and beliefs, either. Nor does it lays in the hands of political parties or groups A, B, or C. The future of Indonesia, as expressed in Dr. Soetomo’s vision, lays in the hands of well-educated Indonesians and, within the framework of a modern nation-state, a government that is accountable to its people. Only with such awareness will we truly awaken as a nation.
Yanuar Nugroho
Yanuar Nugroho,Lecturer at Driyarkara School of Philosophy, Jakarta; Honorary member of the Indonesian Academy of Young Scientists (ALMI); Visiting Senior Fellow at ISEAS Singapore; advisor at Centre for Innovation Policy and Governance (CIPG)
(This article was translated by Musthofid).
