It is time for state officials to only obey the constitutional mandate. The philosophy of diversity, the value of Pancasila and the constitutional mandate must be the first and foremost guide in the administration.
By
SUKIDI
·4 minutes read
SALOMO TOBING
Sukidi
A city without a place of worship for certain religions has come far at the crossroads of the modern state of Indonesia. During this time the officials in the city have organized state duties without guidelines for the philosophy of diversity, the value of Pancasila and the constitutional mandate.
Despite the philosophy of the nation, which is to live in harmony with fellow citizens, whatever their religion and beliefs, diversity is not even presented in the administration of the state. It is evident that the diversity of religious communities is not accompanied by a fair and equal local political policy to fulfill the aspirations and rights of citizens to be able to worship and establish houses of worship.
Instead of upholding the politics of diversity, officials in the city are even allied pragmatically in order to confirm favoritism toward certain religious groups to establish houses of worship and continue discrimination against other religious groups.
In fact, this republic was established by the founders of the nation, not for one group and one religion, but for all citizens, without any favoritism to the majority and discrimination to the minority. Even the nomenclature of majority and minority was unthinkable in the minds of the nation's founders because they were aware that the republic was established to protect and serve all citizens.
"We want to establish a country, all for all," said Sukarno on 1 June 1945 when giving a speech about Pancasila as the basis of an independent Indonesian state.
However, after 77 years of Indonesia’s independence, Pancasila has still not fully become a guide star in the administration of state, in a city without a house of worship for certain religions. It is evident that the principle of God Almighty is even drawn in the orientation of sectarianism and exclusivism, only accommodating certain religious divinity.
FERGANATA INDRA RIATMOKO
A motorcycle rider pass in front of the diversity mural on the walls of SMP Negeri 15 Surakarta, Laweyan, Solo, Central Java, Thursday (16/1/2020). Through the mural, it is hoped that the spirit of maintaining diversity will always flare up among students and the surrounding community.
Officials in the city have exploited the state as an orthodox political instrument, especially to determine the truth of a religion; and, therefore, it has the right to be granted favoritism. Conversely, other religions are perceived as heretical beliefs and the consequence is that they are not appropriately facilitated in the establishment of houses of worship.
This orthodox politics has often occurred in many other cities on the basis of the fact that state officials participate actively in determining the truth and even the salvation of a religion and belief. Adherents of certain religions and beliefs that are not in accordance with the political framework of orthodoxy approved by the state and the majority ultimately experienced discrimination and persecution.
This practice is actually a form of serious violation of freedom of religion and belief; but frequently, without being consciously realized by the wider community, this dishonorable habit has slowly started to be considered reasonable. In fact, as a manifestation of a modern Indonesian state, the state does not have spiritual jurisdiction to regulate and determine the truth and safety of religion.
The truth and safety of religion are not determined at all by the state and other external authorities, but by the conscience of every citizen, because religion and belief are fully inherent in every human being and deserve to be equally respected, tolerated and protected from any form of external disturbances, both from the state authority and religious authority.
Finally, the constitutional mandate regarding the guarantee of independence of religions and beliefs is not present in the administration of the state in the city of theocracy. This is proven in the absence of the basic principle of equality when state administrators only facilitate the establishment of a house of worship for adherents of certain religions.
This discriminatory state policy cannot be tolerated anymore. It is time for state officials to only obey the constitutional mandate. The philosophy of diversity, the value of Pancasila and the constitutional mandate must be the first and foremost guide in the administration of the state.
