Amid the heated political years laden with political idioms that can mislead the public, sarcastic and jeering exchanges among politicians and their opponents, and the clamor of bewildering hoaxes in the virtual world, a light orchestra is heard, echoing the noble values of the nation, Pancasila. The hum of the nation’s noble values penetrates through the midst of the cacophony of public discourse that has nearly lost its sanity. The kidung (song) is an agreement and legalizes the regulation on the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Terrorism (hereinafter referred to as the Terrorism Law).
Thanks to the earnestness and commitment of the state, the government and the House of Representatives, the regulation was not only agreed and approved in a matter of weeks by all House factions, including the "opposition" faction, but also gained the support of various public circles. The statement of Azyumardi Azra, a very polite, wise and prominent intellectual, may represent the public mood and sentiment: "The state should act more firmly against terrorism, Indonesia should be more strict, especially against those who have been at war games in IS [Islamic State]. Thus far, Indonesia has been too soft in facing terrorism." (Kompas, Saturday, May 26, 2018).
The orchestra has become more melodious and dynamic because the state has left a space open for the people to oversee and provide critical notes for the law’s implementation. Therefore, in commemorating Pancasila Day tomorrow (Friday, June 1, 2018), the people will not only be treated to ceremonies and screams of rhetoric, but also real work in the law that can be expected to muffle the acts of terror that have claimed thousands of lives over the last few decades.
However, the Terrorism Law, despite its comprehensiveness, is not a silver bullet, a powerful weapon that can instantly put an end to complicated matters. Therefore, a more comprehensive policy is needed.
This phenomenon proves that the Indonesian nation, if united, has a tremendous energy that is capable of overcoming the crisis that threatens the very survival of the nation and state. Unfortunately, this energy only emerges when it is stimulated by visible tragedy, such as the bombings in Surabaya and surrounding areas perpetrated by the members of a single family.
In fact, the threat to the nation and state that has not lost its power to destroy is the decomposition of political and state institutions due to the corrupt behavior of political breakers and state managers. However, because this threat is connected to intoxicating levels of comfort, the collective consciousness that bursts forth to extinguish the lustful flames of corruption is very weak.
The people strongly hope that the music of the Pancasila orchestra can be sustained because the agenda of eradicating terrorism cannot rely on the Terrorism Law alone, and it must be undertaken thoroughly. Therefore, a grand narrative is badly needed because the phenomenon of terrorism in Indonesia carries a "counter-narrative" ideology to Pancasila, and even overturns the values of humanity.
For example, the terror perpetrators are fed an understanding that death is great. Therefore, they should glorify death rather than life. Enjoying death is a wonderful art because it is a fast road to reach an ultimate life goal. However, what is also worrisome is that they have manage to form an alternative society with symbols, attributes and narratives that assert their identity as different from others. The axiom of "us" and "them" will divide the people.
Many studies conclude that one of the primary causes of the birth of terrorism, though multidimensional, is despair accompanied by a gap between increasing expectations and narrowing opportunities. Therefore, the agenda is not to comprehend, but must begin with the courage to fight sectarian and discriminatory behavior, intolerance and identity politics.
From a macro perspective, terrorism must be fought with a more powerful narrative that surpasses the narratives consisting of fairy tales of heroism that lend conviction to terrorists. Moreover, the grand narrative is also indispensable to the Indonesian people to achieve prosperity and justice, and to clarify the global position of the Indonesian nation as mandated by the Constitution: to implement world order based on independence, eternal peace and social justice.
A nation that does not have a grand narrative – or does not trust and implement it – will be dazed, confused and unsteady in facing an increasingly uncertain world. Therefore, the nation\'s elites are expected to actively offer their grand narratives with idioms that can move the people to realize the national ideals. The echoes of the Pancasila orchestra should not be allowed to simply fade. In particular, the political breakers should always keep in mind the threat that possesses a force no less destructive than terrorism: the excessive comforts produced by corrupt behavior.