A report by the Charity Aid Foundation in 2019 makes us proud. The report refers to Indonesia as a generous nation.
By
EDITOR TEAM
·3 minutes read
Kompas/Jumarto Yulianus
Banjarmasin Mayor Ibnu Sina (center) delivered a briefing on the delivery of social assistance in the form of a package of basic needs and cash of Rp. 250,000 to residents in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, on Tuesday (28/4/2020). Social Aid was given as a social safety net for residents affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
A report by the Charity Aid Foundation in 2019 makes us proud. The report refers to Indonesia as a generous nation.
The report, which contains the 2019 World Giving Index, measures citizens\' behavior when helping others, donating money, and participating in social solidarity movements. The Indonesian state index for charity matters is high. Indonesia is a generous country.
When the COVID-19 pandemic storm hit Indonesia, civil society groups moved. A number of entrepreneurs, ordinary people, and the media raised funds to help others. It is the emotional bond of fellow human beings that makes the voluntary movement move freely, without borders and party boundaries.
The middle power of civil society is the social capital that can strengthen Indonesia\'s social resilience as a nation.
This extraordinary power of civil society must continue to be nurtured and developed. That is the capital of Indonesia\'s middle power that moves on the basis of humanity and nationality. The middle power of civil society is the social capital that can strengthen Indonesia\'s social resilience as a nation. An article in The Diplomat by Shane Preuss on 24 April 2020 sees the strength of Indonesia\'s civil society as extraordinary and this nation resilient.
The generosity of civil society must not be undermined by cheap politicians who utilize social assistance for pandemic victims for electoral interests. Political image building in relation to victims of the COVID-19 pandemic within a certain extent can occur if there is honesty. If aid comes from the State Budget (APBN) funds, then it must be stated honestly, not claimed as personal assistance. That is really unethical.
This newspaper reported on Thursday, 30 April 2020, that Klaten Regent Sri Mulyani was under the spotlight. She attached pictures of herself giving out aid in the form of hand sanitizer to citizens. A number of regions have also used social assistance for electoral interests in the midst of the regional elections. That is a reflection of dishonesty of an official in order to reap sympathy from voters.
Kompas/Wawan H Prabowo
Residents come to the Curug District Post Office, Tangerang Regency, Banten, to disburse Cash Social Assistance (Bansos) on Saturday (25/4/2020).
Political elites and officials deserve to emulate how civil society voluntarism works. The officials at the central or regional level should not just shout through social media to appear sympathetic to the suffering people. It is the duty of the officials to complete the existing work. The power they have is dedicated to the interests of the people, not to their own self-image. So, there is no need for social assistance to be hampered simply because they are waiting for the right photos.
The COVID-19 pandemic knows no caste, political alliance, religion, or profession.
It is feared that the use of political symbols could erode the sentiment of togetherness that is now being fought for. The COVID-19 pandemic knows no caste, political alliance, religion, or profession. The politicization of social assistance will destroy everything. Instead of continuing to condemn the darkness, we encourage fellow citizens to do anything, however small, for humanity, without any segregation and symbols.
