AMBON, KOMPAS – Injustice in various matters is a threat to the unity of the nation. It is feared that allowing such injustice and imbalance to exist would cause the nation to be divided.
The government has continued to make serious efforts to deal with the imbalance through various ways. Starting from the development of roads, ports and airports to improve connectivity and press cost of logistics. Other than that, the government has also allocated a budget for food aid, loans interest rate subsidy for micro entrepreneurship capital and has distributed Indonesia Healthy Card and Indonesia Smart Card to improve the quality of human resources in the country.
Several of the government’s initiatives have managed to cause Indonesia’s gini ratio, which is the measurement for social imbalance, to move downwards from 0.408 in March 2015 to 0.397 (March 2016) and from 0.402 (September 2015) to 0.394 (September 2016).
The government has also urged all components of the nation, including social organizations, to play a part in working together to reduce social imbalance. “Social justice must be realized. Without social justice, this nation will fall behind (in global competition),” said Vice President Jusuf Kalla when closing the 2017 Muhammadiyah Tanwir meeting at the Islamic Center building, Ambon, Maluku, Sunday (26/2). The event was attended by, among others, Muhammadiyah central executive board chairman Haedar Nashir, Maluku governor Said Assagaff and Muhammadiyah figures from all across Indonesia.
The tanwir meeting, which is the second highest Muhammadiyah forum after the muktamar, carried the theme “Sovereignty and Social Disparity for a Progressive Indonesia”. In the event, Kalla expressed his appreciation for Muhammadiyah’s contribution to society through several of its services and community-empowerment programs. Muhammadiyah’s works are carried out in various fields, including education, health and social services.
Siding with the people
Before the closing of the 2017 Muhammadiyah Tanwir meeting, Muhammadiyah central executive board general secretary Abdul Mu’ti, read out the Muhammadiyah Tanwir 2017 resolution. The points in the resolution are a summary of the three-day tanwir meeting on February 24-26, 2017.
Among the points of the resolution, it is stated that, in the efforts to realize social justice, the government must be firm and confident in implementing its economic policies that helps the underprivileged, must uphold the law justly and manage natural resources based on Pancasila and 1945 Constitution. The state should also not be defeated by foreign or domestic capital power that causes division among the people of the nation in order to preserve power.
Therefore, the government must encourage the public to play a bigger role as a critical group, a balance and control over the government’s governance and also as a strategic partner in strengthening the nation’s sovereignty and realizing social justice.
Haedar said that being in Ambon was like being taught a lesson in culture. Maluku, which is multiethnic and has multiple religions, is rich in local wisdom and diverse in languages.
The culture lesson in Ambon reaffirmed Muhammadiyah’s position in making culture a central pillar in building a progressive Indonesia. Muhammadiyah will still stand as a social dakwah (Islamic preaching) movement that is outside of practical politics. “However, (we will) still work to create a nation and Muslim community that enlightens and advances the country,” Haedar said.
Separately, Muhammadiyah chairman Busyro Muqoddas stressed that since 108 years ago, Muhammadiyah has carved its religious and national commitment in an integrated manner. The commitment, in line with Muhammadiyah’s concept, is never empty from efforts that are interpreted in a dynamic way.
Regarding to the lesson in culture mentioned by Haedar, governor Said Assagaff stressed the importance of maintaining Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (unity in diversity) for an Indonesia without discrimination, without violence and without monopoly, as well as a safe and peaceful Indonesia. “For us Maluku people, the fact of diversity is part of our cultural identity,” he said. (IVV/FRN/NTA )
