The 19th anniversary of reform and celebrations of 109 years of national awakening have just been carried out in various ways in the country.
There were carnivals, concerts, flag ceremonies and discussions to reflect on the nation\'s journey. National songs were sung; red and white flags were hoisted. The commemoration of national awakening seems to have become a magnet for this nation to voice Indonesian ideology and diversity.
A part of the spirit of the nation was torn apart by the heat and harshness of the Jakarta gubernatorial election, the effects of which spread to regions across the country. The feeling of nationalism seems to have been torn apart. Confusion among a part of the nation\'s youth has been worsened by irresponsible social media penetration. Social media continues to produce fake content to create tension among the nation\'s youth and sharpen polarization.
In such a situation, it is appropriate to see the appeal of President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, who encourages the nation’s youth to stop mocking each other. "Stop. Stop mocking each other, defaming each other, slandering each other, stop! We must advance to a productive era."
In the country, it can be felt that there is a potential for political disturbance. However, at the same time, international rating agency Standard & Poor’s (S&P) raised Indonesia\'s debt grade from stable in June 2016 to a stable outlook (BBB-) in July 2017. Referring to Kompas May 20, 2017, Indonesia\'s debt rating of BBB is the best it has been since 2000. This certainly can be appreciated. Previous assessments of a stable outlook for Indonesia came from Fitch Ratings (December 21, 2016), Moody’s Investors Service (February 8, 2017) and Japan Credit Rating Agency (March 7, 2017). All of them give an investment-worthy assessment for Indonesia.
The assessments by the rating agencies essentially constitute as capital for the nation to continue to build itself. The sociopolitical situation must be maintained. President Jokowi and Vice President Jusuf Kalla and leaders of political parties supporting the government could share the role of keeping the sociopolitical situation in check.
Cohesiveness between the nation\'s leaders and honesty in communication could identify problems that exist in society and provide solutions. There is a feeling of injustice. There are issues of economic disparities and social hardships. The problems need to be discussed together and solutions need to be sought within the frame of the 1945 Constitution and Pancasila.
The problems of the nation are not for exploitation, which sharpens polarization – instead, solutions should be searched for together. The role of President Jokowi and Vice President Kalla is a strategic one – solutions must be sought together.