Glorifying Humans

Reckless politics, which destroys the basic values ​​of life, will threaten a long life.

KOMPAS/HERYUNANTO

Illustration

When a spiritual leader strives to uphold the constitution and deliver philosophical views and thoughts on ethics related to propriety and manners in politics at a grand conference, they are attacked. They are asked to return to the right path.

He was asked to just focus on religious affairs. Return to the pulpit of the house of worship. Meaning, in narrow-minded perspectives, those with religious leadership titles - pastors, ustaz, ulama, kiai, biku, panditas, and others - should only be responsible for quoting holy verses, frightening people with tales of hell, and giving away promises of nirvana paradise.

Likewise, the fate of academics with the title of professor, intellectuals, university lecturers, humanists, community figures who maintain morals, retired police and military generals, are all encouraged to return to their professional paths. There is no need for girls to enter the realm of statecraft political games. It is as if the professional area has boundaries so that if they express opinions about the main values ​​that underlie life, they are accused of going too far beyond their professionalism.

Also read: When Law Ignores Ethics

Artists also suffer the same fate. We are advised to lungein each other's shells. Poets just play with words. Artists are busy with lines, colors, shapes, compositions, concepts and ideas of visual art. Actors are welcome to imitate the role through acting, gestures, expressions, and bringing the character to life on stage or in front of the cinematic camera.

Dancers and choreographers are welcome to move and stretch their bodies in indulging their elasticity. Musicians, please indulge the hunters of songs, rhythm, and melody, with various sounds so that all human ears are enchanted by the beauty of music. Themes and ideas in all sectors of art should not delve into social and political matters because you do not have the legacy. Especially if artists are dragged into practical politics. That is taboo!

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

Literati Ayu Utami shows evidence of the submission of letters of amicus curiae to artists and cultural figures at the Constitutional Court, Jakarta, Monday (1/4/2024).

In fact, when a number of arts workers and cultural activists moved to become amicus curiae aka ”friends of the trial” in The Constitutional Court (MK), this has become a dispute that has divided the community. On the one hand, "good and true artists" and on the other, "hordes of disoriented artists." Giving birth to the stigma of artists with a new identity, "artists with practical politics". Being close to politics suddenly became taboo.

The breadth of devotion

In my opinion, it's okay for people to have that view, because that's how fun it is to live in a democratic atmosphere, where the constitutional basis has not been "legally" misused. One cannot—at least today—monopolize the truth. At the most, it can only be disrimpung with the rubber articles of the Information and Electronic Transactions (ITE) Law, as experienced by an environmental activist in Karimunjawa who was sentenced to prison.

They seem to forget. The legends of Indonesian, even world, artists when traced carefully reveal their struggles with social and political issues. For example, Affandi, S Sudjojono, Pablo Picasso, music groups such as Sting and Beatles, Chairil Anwar, Rendra, Fadjar Sidik, Kusnadi, and Pramoedya Ananta Toer. Even writer Vaclav Havel succeeded in becoming the 10th President of Czechoslovakia in Eastern Europe.

The question is, why do professionals - spiritual leaders, academics, and others - seem to have nothing better to do than "defect" from their safe and established professions? Isn't that full of risks? The brutality of the New Order taught us that people could lose their rights or be killed, and their sources of income could be taken away.

If today we are divided between worshippers of values and worshipers of a new idol called self-interest, it is clear where we will stand.

My understanding is simple. I only believe that they are people who worship values. Basic values ​​of life. Those basic values, including ethics, manners, propriety, and law, cannot be disturbed. They cannot be disturbed. We understand that engaging in reckless politics, which tends to undermine the basic values ​​of life, will threaten longevity. There's no need for a big narrative example.

Minor issues, such as the price of salt, availability of sugar, tea, rice, medicine, and religious affairs, are inevitably intertwined with political policies.

Therefore, if ultimately they are forced to engage in practical politics, such as speaking on free podiums, taking to the streets, or filing lawsuits, it is an inevitability. An inevitability that must be translated into action. Advocating and safeguarding the basic values of life, not advocating to create a "new style monarchy" disguised as a democracy.

They are fighting to honor humanity and human life. Indeed, this is the ultimate goal of all the knowledge that we learn as part of our cultural practice. Various professions that provide economic security are merely tools, once again, only tools, to equip ourselves as we embark on a wider space of service.

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

The Chairman of the Senior Lecturers Council of the University of Indonesia (UI), Harkristuti Harkrisnowo, read out a statement regarding the current situation ahead of the 2024 Election at the UI Campus in Depok, West Java, on Friday (2/2/2024).

Refuting stigma

This is where we can learn that the scope of scientific studies that we learn is not only limited to its own field. Those who are bored studying law, (should) not only aim to fulfill their dreams of becoming prosecutors, judges, or lawyers.

This nation hopes that they will use the law as a means to uphold humanity. Those who study police science are expected not only to become skilled police officers as detectives, thorough in investigation and anticipating order and the upholding of the law, but also to avoid becoming robotic police who are obediently waiting for orders from superiors and relinquishing their intellectual capacity.

Of course, we long for law enforcement officials who not only diligently enforce the law but also use their power to tasks that honor the lives devoted to marginalized small citizens.

Just as a police chief in Java Island who seriously studies the scales of agriculture, researches on organic fertilizers, rice seeds and various local food sources, cultivates the land, and modern farming techniques, in order to then turn them into a driving force for the work enthusiasm of students and young unemployed people in eastern Indonesia.

This is where we can learn that the scientific space we study does not only dwell in its own world.

Making them productive and independent individuals. Apparently, the science of policing can be used as a very broad tool for service: to honor human beings. This also contradicts the stigma of police as extortionists, blackmailers, and bribe collectors.

I believe that in this country, there are still thousands of professions that use their knowledge as a tool for service, going beyond the narrow boundaries of their own field of expertise. Being a medical worker is not only about administering injections and medicines. Being a soldier is not just about carrying a rifle and marching in formation.

Being an entrepreneur is not always about making a profit. Being a contractor is not just about flirting with government officials. Being a tax collector does not always involve looking for opportunities to accept bribes. Being a retiree should not feel like being a waste and counting the days while being friends with prostate and uric acid. Being a religious and spiritual figure is not just about reciting prayers and holy verses.

Embracing self-interest

Becoming an artist? It is certainly not expected for an artist who is only skilled in elaborating techniques for artistic matters. Otherwise, they may end up just being a craftsman. Artistic quality should be in line with visionary ideas that lead the way for their time.

Also read: Enjoying Indonesia in its antics

Art will have a life force. A sharp and critical force. Inspiring the public to create goodness after goodness. If only artists have the courage to break out of their shells and dare to articulate their thoughts and artistic abilities, they are truly using their art as a means to honor humanity, humanity, and life.

Amidst the chaos of contemporary politics, views like this can easily be accused of being partisan, promoting self-interest, or catering to personal agendas. However, I firmly state that yes, this perspective may indeed be partisan towards values: the values of life. If today we are divided between worshipers of values and those of a new idol named self-interest, it is clear on which side we will stand.

KOMPAS/RADITYA HELABUMI

Butet Kartaredjasa

Butet Kartaredjasa, Artists