JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The acts of solidarity triggered by the two-year prison sentence for non-active Jakarta governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama on Friday (12/5) continued across several regions. The peaceful actions, however, took on a broader theme, namely maintaining the diversity and peacefulness of the Unitary Republic of Indonesia based on Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution.
The vigils in some regions, dubbed “1,000 candles”, proceeded with lighting candles, singing national songs and prayers led by figures of different faiths.
“This is no longer about Ahok [Basuki] or the regional election. We have become concerned over the growing radical groups that are trying to replace the state ideology,” said Samuel Wattimena, a resident, while attending the rally at Merdeka Square in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, last night.
The downpour at around 7 p.m., local time, did not deter people from joining the event.
In Surabaya, East Java, several Muslim, Christian, Catholic, Hindu and Buddhist community figures joined the people, who mostly wore red and white attire. The crowds blocked Jl. Pahlawan and the surrounding area.
One committee member, Fajrin Maarij, said the event, titled 1,000 Candles for Peaceful Indonesia, did not only show sympathy for Basuki. “The solidarity action was a reflection of justice in Indonesia. May the people maintain the beauty of difference of ethnicity and religion in Indonesia,” he said.
Leading the prayer, East Java Churches Deliberation Council chairman M Sudhi Dharma said, “Bhinneka Tunggal Ika is a blessing from God that must be kept intact.”
During the “1,000 Candles for National Unity” vigil in Semarang, Rembang-based Darul Ulum Islamic boarding school patron Ubaidillah, or Gus Ubaid, said Indonesia should not be messed up by any one group of people. Indonesia is great because of its differences in ethnicity, religion, culture and tradition.
Currently, Indonesian unity is being put to a test. The people are driven to groups opposing each other. “Through the candles we light up the soul and diversity,” Gus Ubaid said.
During the event, participants also showed their support to the government to take harsh action against intolerant individuals or organizations.
People in Palembang, South Sumatra, also gathered at the People’s Struggle Monument in Palembang last night to light candles as a symbol of hope to maintain Indonesian unity.
Event coordinator Eka Syahrudin said the fanaticism on social media and in real life had become alarming. “We do not want to see the country divided because of race or religious differences. Let us maintain our unity,” he said.
The event in Palembang, Eka said, was initiated after seeing similar events in other places, such as in Jakarta, Bali, North Sumatra, East Nusa Tenggara and North Sulawesi.
