Indonesia Becomes an Example to Other Countries

KOMPAS/DAHLIA IRAWATI

President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo holds a get-together, inaugurates the building and gives a Studium Generale with the theme "Islam Nusantara and the Unity of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia to Achieve a Peaceful Indonesia" on Thursday (29/3) at the Islamic University of Malang, East Java. In front of the students and residents of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Jokowi invited everyone not to be easily provoked by negative issues or those that will only build pessimism. The President invited the public to be optimistic to look at the future of the nation.

MALANG, KOMPAS — Globalization and higher human mobility has led to the fact that there is almost no such thing as a homogeneous country. Indonesia, which has over 17,000 islands, 714 tribes, and 1,100 regional languages, has been diverse for a long time, and that diversity has now become a model for other countries.

Indonesia\'s ability to take care of its diversity and uphold mutual respect among religious followers also inspires the global community. Its diversity has become capital that strengthens Indonesia.

Indonesia has since its birth been a pluralist country. The founders of the state also realized the difference is God\'s mercy and grace. The diversity is managed based on Pancasila, the 1945 Constitution, the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia and Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity).

"Our ability as a pluralist nation becomes a source of inspiration for other countries in the world. Many countries want to be strong like us," said President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo in a public lecture to thousands of students at the Islamic University of Malang  (Unisma), Malang, East Java, on Thursday (29/3).

Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) supreme board member Tholchah Hasan; United Development Party (PPP) chairman M. Romahurmuziy, who is also the grandson of one of the founders of Unisma, Oesman Mansoer; Unisma rector Maskuri; Cabinet secretary Pramono Anung; and East Java Governor Soekarwo attended the public lecture held on the 37^th Dies Natalis of Unisma.

At the event, President Jokowi cited as an example Afghanistan, which wants to be able to manage diversity like Indonesia. Afghanistan is a country with seven tribes. However, a dispute between two tribes, which later expanded into an armed conflict for 40 years, has left the nation divided. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has also asked Indonesia to become a mediator to promote peace in the country.

"We have already met with ulemas in Afghanistan, and by the end of February also met with a group we invited to Indonesia, of course in a closed meeting," said the President.

Vice President Jusuf Kalla also visited Kabul, Afghanistan, in late February to attend the Kabul Process Conference. The conference is part of an effort to unite the warring parties so that the people of Afghanistan can enjoy peace again.

Indonesian diversity then became an inspiration for other countries because in addition to having such vast diversity, Indonesia is an archipelagic country. This is what should make all Indonesian people able to overcome the challenges of maintaining communication, taking care of tolerance and safeguarding unity and harmony. The overcoming of all challenges will make the spirit of brotherhood of one nation, one homeland and diversity be maintained.

Therefore, the President said, all citizens should not be easily provoked by irresponsible issues, both about foreign henchmen, foreign debt, the now-defunct Indonesia Communist Party (PKI) and the free land certificate distribution program. The various issues, which are not based on strong evidence and are being blown out of proportion, will only create pessimism.

In reality, the Indonesian people must have a strong mentality and work ethic to win global competition. Those issues were assessed by President Jokowi only to divert the attention of all efforts and hard work of the people.

The President then pointed to a doctored photograph, which featured his face in front of the pulpit where DN Aidit, the chairman of the Central Committee of PKI, was speaking. The President explained that he was born in 1961 so it was impossible for him to have attended the event. Moreover, the PKI had been disbanded by the government in 1965.

"It is illogical, but there are those who believe it. Such issues are not finished," said the President.

Don\'t be provoked by issues

The President also hoped that the people would not easily be provoked by issues that divert efforts and hard work to build the nation. "We have to leave everything in God\'s hands, be confident and focus on building the state. Unisma should become an example in taking care of diversity and maintaining unity as well as being the driving force of science," the President said.

During his presence in Unisma, President Jokowi also inaugurated Umar bin Khattab Building, which serves as an auditorium. Meanwhile, Maskuri said Unisma was ready to dedicate its figures to the goodness and progress of the nation. As a Muslim boarding school (Pesantren)-based campus, Unisma brings the agenda of change.

(INA)