Togetherness Amid Differences

KOMPAS/SAIFUL RIJAL YUNUS

Indonesia’s motto, Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity), is painted on a mural at the Villa Kapuk Mas 2 Barat child-friendly integrated public space (RPTRA) in Pejagalan, North Jakarta, on Sunday (19/3/2017). Words of unity and tolerance are commonly seen across the city as antidotes for widespread hate speech in recent months.

Several artists have painted beautiful pictures on walls in Jakarta.  The murals convey a message of peace, unity and respect for diversity. It is an important spirit amid recent hate speeches.

The mural on the wall spanning 75 meters is dominant enough. It is located on the inspection road of RW 009 in Pejagalan sub-district, some 500 meters north of Kalijodo, North Jakarta, on the right side of the Sedyatmo section of the toll road, next to Satrya Dharma Temple.

Although it is covered in dust, the pictures of seven faces on the wall remain visible. Some faces have slanted eyes. Others wear hijab. On the left and right side are Muslim and Chinese ornaments. The message is clear: living together is undoubtedly beautiful.

“Here, most of the residents are of Chinese descent. But the Muslims are friendly. If a resident dies, there are ceremonies. We organize things together,” Acong, 39, a resident of the RW 009 RT 011 neighborhood, said last week.

That day, Pejagalan sub-district was quiet. Acong spent the holiday at a coffee stall near his house. Along with a neighbor, the factory worker helped direct traffic at a crossroad.

He moved from Angke to Pejagalan 17 years ago. His birth name was Suhardi. A Chinese-Indonesian neighbor once called him Acong, and he has been known by that name ever since.

Acong said the mural on the wall in Pejagalan reflects the situation in the neighborhood. Familiarity among residents is there although it is not as strong as it used to be.

The mural was drawn by Nur Hasnah from the street art group Ladies on the Wall. The pictures were inspired by the peaceful life of the local people. “The complex is relatively good with big houses. There are temples too. Residents interact at coffee stalls. Mosques and temples are located close to each other,” she said.

The complex is close to an urban forest and a river. Both are sources of life. Nature and the environment never choose who lives there. “Nature does that, and humans should do that too,” Nur said.

Relaxed life

At a basketball court in Kapuk Muara, Penjaringan, North Jakarta, that day, children played with their peers. Nearby, Odi sprayed turquoise paint on the wall. On the wall were pictures of coconut trees, the National Monument and other things. Some letters could be read clearly. “It reads ‘relax’,” said Odi, pointing out the letters. The word was chosen to represent his concern that Jakartans were ill at ease. Politics, especially the gubernatorial election, make some people anxious.

Hate speech is often heard. When we open social media, we can easily find words that can easily divide society.

Odi and his friends under the street name Easy123 draw graffiti at the child-friendly public space (RPTRA) in Kapuk Mas Barat Villa, Kapuk Muara, Penjaringan. For two days, Saturday and Sunday, Odi and his friends drew graffiti.

A picture on another wall has a clear message, “Bhinneka Tunggal Ika”. The phrase is written in blue, green, purple, yellow, red, black and grey. The “unity in diversity” message was chosen to remind the public of their individual lives  –  ignoring others. The public space is expected to help people live together in harmony.

“Yes, we are different. But why should we be sensitive about our differences?” Odi said.

Easily angered

Odi’s activity was part of The Artsip Jakarta movement. The mural and graffiti artists were invited to participate and create messages in dozens of public spaces in Jakarta.

On a wall by the Opak River, Penjaringan sub-district, North Jakarta, there is a phrase “Jakarta Overloaded”. The phrase is prominent with big letters and a red background. Graffiti artist Riyan Riyadi, alias The Popo, drew it a year ago.

Riyan did the art with the Trotoart community, which was founded by Jhons Patriatik Karlah, who lives there. The phrase in the mural was the result of a mini survey through social media. The phrase suits the area as there are many warehouses and container trucks there.

“Now I feel the phrase ‘Jakarta Overloaded’ has another meaning. Not only is the city overloaded, but so too are residents. People anger easily,” Riyan said.

Connected to residents

Jakarta Art Movement (JAM) activist Bambang Asrini Widjanarko said a mural was a strong media to voice a message because it was connected directly to society. Since 2012, JAM has responded to urban issues by creating murals in the neighborhoods of Matraman (East Jakarta) and Karawaci (Tangerang). In June 2016, its members created a mural in Bali Meister sub-district, Jatinegara, East Jakarta, as part of a campaign to put an end stigmatizing those with schizophrenia. “This is also part of diversity,” he said.

Through the mural, residents are no longer a passive audience but actively express positive messages. “A message will be more powerful if a public figure with millions of followers spread the words through social media,” he added.

Yogyakarta-based Gadjah Mada University sociologist Arie Sujito said the mural could tell the public not to be provoked by groups that use ethnicity, religion, race and societal sentiments for political gains. Many murals with social and political themes show there are many people (including youngsters) who care about national issues. “Murals provide room for contemplation through visual language,” he said.

During the independence era, renowned poet Chairil Anwar coined the phrase “Boeng Ajo Boeng!” (Brother, Come on Brother!) that featured on a poster by painter Affandi. The poster was the idea of President Sukarno to promote unity. May the murals with the message of peace on walls around Jakarta help keep people sane and maintain togetherness amid differences.