Building Hope in Problems of Social Solidarity

Indonesia is one of the most complex countries in the world. Based on BPS census in 2010 this country has a population of 237.641.326 with 1.340 tribes. The Large number of terms is certainly comparable to the number of languages and sublanguages in Indonesia reacing 546 languages. Form of diversity is certainly more complex when talking about the number of sects in Indonesia. Just like a building, it will never stand up without any components of a unified and mutually reinforcing. The building will stand if there is integration between the foundation, pillars and roof, So will Indonesia. There will not be a comfortable life without the cooperation and mutual help among people. Multiculturalism in Indonesia is not only thing to be proud but also needs to be monitored and maintained. Multiculturalism is like a double-edged knife, one side gives a positive value as an asset of the nation, but on the other hand, if not used and maintained properly can be dangerous for this country.

Now, after more than 81 years we passed the Sumpah Pemuda, more than 68 years of our independence, and more than 15 years we exceeded reform movement, did it already actually provide independence and freedom of its people in multiculturalism? International agencies ”The Appeal of Conscience Foundation” has indeed been giving awards to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono as judged to be able to develop religious tolerance in Indonesia. Even Indonesia is the country with the highest level of democracy in ASEAN. However these are not indicators for a thorough look at the Indonesian interfaith solidarity, much remains to be studied, improved, and strengthened.

Intolerance in Indonesia

One time a child can not understand when watching with fear and angry why their house is burned? why were their family persecuted? And why do they live in refugee camps? Inconceivable to them that it could happen just because their father had a religion. In Sampang and Mataram the story was only part of melancholy story that we can see which is about the lack of respect for diversity in this country.

In a survey conducted by Lingkaran Survei Indonesia (LSI) in October 2012, the level of intolerance towards the presence of other people of different identities increased when compared with a similar survey conducted by the LSI in 2005. In 2005, LSI photographed religious behavior and discrimination with the same variables and indicators. At that time, the public felt uncomfortable to a different neighbor identity of only 8-65 %. The findings of the survey in 2005 showed that they were not comfortable with the coexistence of different religions rising 8.2 % , from 6.9 % to 15.1 % in the 2012 survey. Earlier discomfort with the Shiite neighbors was at 26.7 %. Now, it rose by 15.1 % to 41.8 % . Those who are not comfortable in coexistence with the Ahmadiyya rose by 7.5 % that it is previously only 39.1 % to 46.6 % in 2012. And those who are not comfortable with the Homosexual neighbors which in 2005 was only 64.7 %. Now it becomes 80.6 % . Intolerance in Indonesia varies much with the plural society in Western democracies that ranges between 2.0-25.0 %, depending on the issue. The survey results showed that our national solidarity is being torn apart. Social conflicts between tribes and ethnicities that are still often the case are bad news for Indonesia. The way of peace and compassion that has been built up is not yet strong stuck. The spirit of tolerance in a multicultural society is not yet realized together.

The way for realizing social solidarity

There are several ways that can be taken to foster solidarity among the people so as to prevent social conflicts between groups. First, improve the quality of education. Education is very important in shaping the human mind when taking an action. This can be evidenced by the proliferation of conflicts in areas with relatively low levels of education. Due to the low level of education, knowledge of diversity and respect for human rights will also be low. Education should also focus on aspects of emotional intelligence and moral intelligence is which have no longer ratios. Because education is focused on intelligence ratio, it will lead a student to become a smart person but doesn’t necessarily have a good moral. Second, Realize oriented economy by social economy. Because the Economy that’s oriented to the global market only benefits the owners of big capital and displaces the social economic actors. A big inequalities in income distribution and poverty is the major problems in Indonesia. Starting from the unequal distribution of income, then triggering income inequality as a result of poverty. This would be a very serious problem if both are allowed to drag on and getting worse, they will eventually lead to political and social consequences such as social jealousy which is a negative impact on the quality of inter-community harmony.

Third, the political elite should be capable of protecting the diversity and freedom in Indonesia. Until now, after the death of Gus Dur no figures can be a solidarity maker in social and political level. Most of the political elite even use the difference as a commodity or a political vehicle that is often compared to each others. For example, when there is a member of the elite that uses racism issue to attack one candidate in a DKI Jakarta election 2012. These attitude would not only provide bad political education for society, but also damage the sense of respect for differences. Fourth, the law must be enforced. Government should no longer fail in enforcing the constitution and showing ignorance on the conflicts that occur (government inaction). So far, the government failed to take adequate measures to counteract discrimination, restriction, and the attack on Ahmadiyya and other minorities. They also failed to stem the MUI fatwa on Secularism, Pluralism and Liberalism (2005), and isn’t able to hold local government initiative to prohibit and prevent and vandalism to facilities owned Ahmadiyya. The government has not taken any concrete steps to confirm the decision of the Supreme Court (December 2010) that legalizes reopening GKI Yasmin.

Optimism amid high levels of intolerance

Increased levels of intolerance in Indonesia is not the end to achieve social solidarity in this country. Among all the problems always tucked an optimism for those who want to make changes. The first optimism is the level of intolerance, discrimination can still be overcome , because basically no society is really tolerant of all things (absolute tolerance). Even in developed countries such as America and France it is still there. The world teaches, discrimination and intolerance can be overcome, even defeated. Apartheid regime of South Africa, lasted from 1948 can finally collaps in 1994. Nelson Mandela is a hero who is very instrumental in changing the face of South Africa. America had just declared school segregation constitutional not to race in 1954 . Then In 2009, a black, Barack Hussein Obama, was elected as the President of the United States.

Second optimism was arising from the election of Jakarta. The use of ethnic and religious issues isn’t always effective in influencing the democratic choice of the people of Jakarta. It is of capital importance for optimism. In a democracy, demagog not always useful. Region area which still apply discriminatory regulation, are probably only a matter of time for sued by common sense the people of Indonesia. Third optimism arises from the fact that the collective anxiety can hit religion-based on political parties. Religion nuanced action intolerance and violence can be bad implications for religion-based on parties. Collective anxiety arising from acts of intolerance and discrimination, especially the nuances of religion, could backfire for the popularity and electability of political parties based on religion. The last optimism exist in young people of Indonesia which are relatively open and tolerant. The younger generation generally tend to be more open to ethnic and cultural diversity. In young people always tuck expectations of change towards a more open society and tolerant.

Realizing social solidarity is not only the obligation of government, realization of harmony in this country is our responsibility as people of Indonesia. Through cooperation between the communities will be realized social solidarity that leads to peace and freedom. Social solidarity isn’t only realized when the nation is hit by disasters, bat also should strive more for social solidarity in everyday life. Ideally, a sense of solidarity and a sense of social solidarity does not appear to be through natural disasters. We do not victims to preceed of a newly emerging sense of social solidarity. Properly, the sense of social solidarity should grow really high in the minds of the public. Social solidarity is very important in facing increasingly complex national problems because, social solidarity is a means to learn, recognize the environment, and give a positive impact on society.

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