Amid the growing social polarization and division ahead of the 2024 general election, Indonesia longs for leaders who will run this modern republic under the politics of humanity and compassion for the entire population.
By
SUKIDI
·4 minutes read
SALOMO TOBING
Sukidi
Volunteers of various faiths offer optimism in humanitarianism that is inclusive and equal. Instead of being motivated by self-serving interests and providing a forum for identity politics before the election, humanitarian aid volunteers are oriented towards using love and compassion to realize the collective aim of helping their fellow humans who are experiencing depression or suffering. Compassion is the meeting point of volunteers of various faiths in sincerely offering humanitarian services.
The essence of inclusive and equal humanitarianism motivates volunteers of different faith to meet and unite based on the value of compassion, not only to share the suffering of other people but also to free them from the hardships of life. It is also manifested in humanitarian endeavors, or compassion in action, in line with the wise directives from two Buddhist figures, Franky O. Widjaja and Hong Tjhin, to interfaith humanitarian aid volunteers affiliated with the Tzu Chi Buddhist Foundation.
Since the earthquake claimed the lives of more than 300 people in Cianjur, West Java, Tzu Chi humanitarian volunteers from Cianjur, Bandung and Jakarta have been contributing actively to distributing packages of staple foods, personal necessities and medicines as well as health services in the spirit of affection and compassion, in line with the literal meaning of “tzu chi”. Humanitarian aid stemming from love and compassion for the residents of Cianjur is a continuation of the inclusive and universal humanitarian services the Tzu Chi foundation has provided since it was launched in Indonesia in 1993.
Humanitarian aid that draws on the spirit of love and compassion is also reflected in Catholic and Protestant humanitarian services. These religions, which also place great emphasis on the bond of love and compassion, are also dedicated to social and humanitarian efforts for their fellow humans.
Catholic teachers, counselors, youths and volunteers have joined their hands to provide humanitarian services. An integrated disaster relief station of the Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI) has been set up in Cianjur to provide inclusive humanitarian services. Humanitarian aid volunteers are also contributing through the interfaith cooperation between the Cianjur Indonesian Christian Church (GKI) and the Gusdurian Network in the tradition of realizing humanity for all.
“Together for humanity” reflects the principle of gotong royong (mutual assistance) for the humanitarian cause of the Muhammadiyah Disaster Management Center, which is dedicated to relieve the suffering of others. Muhammadiyah’s humanitarian aid volunteers are providing logistical support, emergency shelters, packaged instant meals and health services based on the value of compassion. The noble example of human compassion set by its founder, Ahmad Dahlan, has inspired Muhammadiyah’s volunteers to launch a collective effort to perform charitable, virtuous and humanitarian deeds for their fellow humans without discrimination.
The humanitarian aid volunteers of different faiths from different parts of the country have raised new hope for inclusiveness and equality in Indonesia. They are sincerely dedicated to humanity, based on their strong conviction in the essence of inclusive and equal humanitarianism. The principle of universal human compassion provides moral guidance for these volunteers to feel affection and compassion for their fellow humans.
It is regrettable that this principle of compassion seems alien to political leaders. Their character is dominated by a political doctrine that perpetuates and intensifies social polarization and division. Our leaders are trapped in politics that favors their supporters on the one hand and censures their critics on the other. Amid the growing social polarization and division ahead of the 2024 general election, Indonesia longs for leaders who will run this modern republic under the politics of humanity and compassion for the entire population, without discrimination of any kind. The people, regardless of their politics, not only have the right to receive fair and equal treatment, but also deserve a life of prosperity and welfare in line with the mandate of the founders and the Constitution of the republic.
A democratic leadership that embraces all elements of the nation is needed in the future to create a strong sense of togetherness in loving, maintaining and advancing Indonesia as a country and project that belongs to all. The republic was built as a “country for all”, as stated in Soekarno’s speech on 1 June 1945, and should thus be managed in the spirit of gotong royong for the people’s welfare. This is the core idea of the Republic of Indonesia actually set forth by the nation’s founding fathers, meaning that public interests and public welfare comprise the first and foremost priority in the objective of governing the state.
