Announcement

Indonesia will be 71 years old this year. If we compare it with a human, this age will be considered as an old age. However, if we compare it with a country’s age, this number will be categorized as a young age; moreover, if we relate it the complex social condition of the country. When we look Singapore, even though it is younger than Indonesia, it is more prosperous. It can be said that Singapore which has the biggest national income in the world is very far from Indonesia prosperous number. This archipelago island is lucky as it has culture majority, i.e. Tionghoa. Besides, it only has 3 million people. Having a culture with a little number of people, Singaporean government rules the country easier.

The question then, does rule heterogeneity country more difficult and is the heterogeneity country not prosperous?

The dean of Social and Political Science faculty, Gusti Putu Bagus Suka Arjawa, has his own ideas relating to these problems. He said “Yes, for some countries, including Indonesia”. The heterogeneity of a country faces many values as well. In every country, these values turn into ideologies. “And, the later goes in political field. When politic blends with a selfish individual character, these ideologies will crush and cause conflicts,” he said. He added, in an extreme situation, it could cause civil and world wars. No government with conflicts in a country could rule the country well. The incompetence of the government in ruling the country could detain the prosperity of people and the prosperity could not be reached.

There are 250 cultures in Indonesia approximately. It means that these cultures determine the values for the culture group. Value, belief, or a good perspective, is the result of social life component crystallizations where the people live. This means that there are customs used as a standard behavior to achieve social order and purpose of life in a particular cultural environment. In addition, these habits will be largely determined by geographical shape, natural conditions, and the strength of the community in dealing with the environment. He gave an example; Madura has Carok culture (a type of martial arts) which actually has a prestige in the society. However, the communities with other cultures are considering Pencak Silat as a culture because it is not only has a prestige but it also demonstrates the ability to create artistic value while facing the threat. Meanwhile, Bali has its own way of facing the challenges, namely the conception of jengah, which contains the prestige as well. However, the people must have the ability to exercising themselves to be patient and then with strengths and abilities maximized, both in the efforts, studies, hard works in controlling themselves, to win the battle of pride. Everything was very dependent on the social challenges that exist. Madura behaves that way; it could be caused by geographical factor, population number, and natural factor (did not have a permanent source of water). This island is not supported by high mountains like those in other regions. Mounts are the earth’s water sources which can be use by people in their lives.

However, even with such geographical circumstances, each culture and community groups in Indonesia has almost the same value, i.e. cooperation and interdependence among one another. In Java, it is called as gotong-royong, in Bali is called ngayah, which the point is to help one another, whether by individuals or groups. Moreover, Balinese people do it in a broader context, i.e. harmonization of life between man and man, man and the environment and man to God as the creator of the universe, called the Tri Hita Karana. Gotong royong in any forms in every culture in Indonesia, is a reflection of humility and a public acknowledgment of the natural glory. However, Indonesia should be grateful for the history as by the ideas of ancestors and the founder countries who have formulated two magic spells to unite the nation; i.e. the motto Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity) is embedded in Inscription Sutasoma written by Mpu Tantular more than 500 years ago, and Pancasila written by the founder the state, Soekarno. These two powerful things are the things uniting the nation.

Bhineka Tunggal Ika is a fact and important message historically. It is classical and very important for the preservation of the nation. Since centuries ago, Nusantara has been recognized as a pluralistic nation, so it must be received in a state as it is. Opposition to this plurality will provide disaster for the nation. Thus, the present generation should think of it in order not to become victims of conflict and are not in pressure from the denial of this plurality. Meanwhile, Pancasila is nothing other than the modernization and development of Bhineka Tunggal Ika in accordance with the context of the 20th century, and even up to -21 this century. The updates are five principles in Garuda Pancasila, symbol of the country, which is a translation of Bhineka Tunggal Ika. For example, the third principle is under the first principle. Generation of Orde Baru (English: New Era) tried to translate it again into the Pancasila small points. Socialization of these items was done through P4 socialization. However, the practice was more emphasizing the political power of Orde Baru making the understanding in society lesser. Each meeting in this socialization in all area in Indonesia, concerned more about the justification for Orde Baru.

Nusantara in the past, with Indonesia at present, has no significant changes in terms of identity. Diversity is still there, probably increasing because globalization gives new color to Indonesia. There is a trade that allows foreign people to stay and even raising a family in Indonesia. Islands who previously were not so famous centuries ago, now even become favorite tourist destination islands, such as Bali, Wakatobi, Segara Anak, and others. Papua is now known as the object of a major mining excavations in Indonesia and Java is the most famous island with a variety of cultural activities and tribes. Jakarta as the capital city of the country is very strong with various tribes. Thus, in this 21st century, such diversity does not just have to be the Indonesian color as usual, but has appeared in many new ways as described above. Because of the diversity in the city, each pattern culture should be learnt carefully.

He stated, learning about Indonesia at this time should have been seen much closer geographically, compared with the past, which thus should also be a means to raise awareness on plurality. Urban communities are those who are more rational and have a higher knowledge. They are supposed to give an appreciation of the wide range of diversity that exists to place it in the right context.

When Indonesia is now 71 years old, we must understand that diversity is a common thing that has already existed in Indonesia. That is the thing that must be recognized by the people of Indonesia so that they can be more aware. The challenges of globalization are now whack Indonesia can only be overcome by the reality of diversity, so that the various forms that tried to infiltrate from the outside will not be able to achieve its goals. Various bomb blasts that have occurred in Indonesia are failure of the fact of such Indonesians. They easily believed what was proffered by outsiders and easily forgot the history. Though half a millennium has we have being remembered that we live in such differences.

It is impossible to equate the difference into one. The existing value since half a millennium, then composed in 250 tribes and languages, it is impossible to make it the same no matter how many revolutions we try to do. Revolution has a weakness, which will happen when it is united by fate tyrannical power in a long time. As for Indonesia, although tyranny may exist, but socially the cultural layers that deal directly with nature open their social awareness that here is always a stronger thing than tyranny, i.e. nature, the power of the universe and God. Later, as a result, shared feelings grow, although then clustered into various cultures. A community has no power when the feeling of togetherness in the group was then able to penetrate the barrier of the group. Coercing to disperse the group, feeling to win over the other, would not be likely to happen in Indonesia.

"In the middle of Republic of Indonesia’s anniversary celebration, there are three instruments which have to be maintained, reflected and then developed," said Suka Arjawa. The first is the motto of Bhineka Tunggal Ika. This is the instrument that should bring awareness to us, that Indonesia is plural. Second, is Pancasila. This instrument is a modern idea to strengthen Bhineka Tunggal Ika under God's protection. Lastly, third is the local wisdom. From such wisdom, we see cultural similarities between the various communities in Indonesia. Happy birthday! Wish all the best Indonesia! **** (ayuniantari)