New Normal? This is Really Normal

KOMPAS/WAWAN H PRABOWO

President Joko Widodo speaks with Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan while reviewing the readiness to apply the new normal standard procedure at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle, Central Jakarta, Tuesday (26/5/2020). On that occasion, the President ensured the preparation for disciplinary implementation of large-scale social restrictions or PSBB by the Indonesian Military (TNI)/National Police (Polri).

New normal is neither a mantra nor an idol. It has become a normal phenomenon because of certain events that have caused humans to change their habits. This process results in an anomie situation since the definite norms of social life have not yet been shaped, while the old norms are outdated. The Covid-19 pandemic due to the new coronavirus is a disaster that threatens humanity. Without setting up a new normal, it is impossible for a pandemic to be controlled.

The process does not take place as easily as turning the palm of the hand because the new normal is an order to reach a higher quality of life, both physically and mentally, building a new civilization for a perfect life together. The spectrum of the new normal is very broad and complicated because it covers all aspects of life. This includes physical things, such as the discipline of keeping physical distance, washing hands, wearing face masks and changing symbols of intimacy, such as shaking hands and hugging.

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Religious rituals have also been restricted, which is a transitional stage with consequences that have made the public ambivalent. Faith has become more essential. Manifestations of piousness are no longer ceremonial but are more personal and essential (Victor Turner, “The Ritual Process Structure and Anti-Structure”, 1995).

KOMPAS/KRISTI UTAMI

Tegal Station is preparing to welcome a new normal. In addition to limiting physical distance between people, the station manager also provides hand washing facilities and body temperature measurement facilities.

The fierce debate about the new normal was triggered by the government\'s plan to loosen large-scale social restrictions (PSBB). The central issue revolves around the tug-of-war of two policy options that are dilemmatic and reciprocal. Prioritizing health by tightening PSBB would increasingly paralyze the national economy. Loosening PSBB would make it increasingly difficult to control Covid-19 transmission. So far, the state has made flexible policies to maintain the balance of the two issues. However, the policy requires detailed plans and accurate data for effective handling of the pandemic. The complex management of a pandemic management also requires political communication that is more articulate, solid and intensive so that it does not confuse the public.

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The country\'s efforts to deal with a pandemic will succeed more quickly if the government collaborates with civil society. The spirit of social solidarity needs to be further improved, especially related to the discipline to follow the health protocols. Empirically, there is a correlation between compliance with the protocol and the shrinking of Covid-19 transmission. If the community gets healthier, the economy will soon recover.

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This is really normal

The next important agenda for Indonesian people is to win the fight against virus, which is far more vicious and powerful. According to Yogyakarta-based Aisyiyah University lecturer M Nurdin Zuhdi, the virus is syirik (shirk) which has been mutated since thousands of years ago under in the form of syirik asghar (small shirk) which transforms into despicable traits, such as envy, hatred, revenge, greedy and denial of God’s blessing (Kompas, 5/23/2020).

The warning is very important because the coronavirus not only attacks the human body but also the antibodies of the Indonesian people as a political entity. The fight is more difficult because the groups that are vulnerable to this virus are those who crave power and attempt to achieve it by justifying any means. The attempt starts from buying votes worth the price of staple foods to spreading hatred, hoaxes and pitting people against each other. Even, manipulating noble values in order to fulfill the thirst for power.

KOMPAS/RIZA FATHONI

A visitor stops in front of a pharmacy in Summarecon Mal Bekasi, Bekasi City, West Java, on Thursday (28/5/2020). Summarecon Mal Bekasi, which belongs to the green zone, has been carrying out activities within the new normal framework by complying with health protocols such as wearing masks and maintaining physical distance.

The transmission rate of this virus is faster than a coronavirus. The power hunters who get infected become like a possessed being who imagine the extraordinary sensation of the pleasure of power. They usually have neither empathy nor conscience and do not listen to people’s aspirations. So, they do not care no matter how their behavior affects national and state solidarity.

They produced extractive political regulations to preserve their power.

The crime they have committed is considered normal. So far they have not only succeeded in building an empire of power, but also succeeded in drawing up a scheme and process for a political dynasty. They produced extractive political regulations to preserve their power.

The most actual and factual illustration of the last 20 years is the process of political recruitment that is not based on the most basic rules regarding the structuring of politics and systems of power. The political competition system completely ignores meritocracy, transparency and personal integrity, which is primed for potential political power holders. As a result, leadership at all levels becomes weak. Even if by chance a candidate with good intentions is elected, it is not easy to produce policies that favor the interests of the people because he or she must have sophistication and ingenuity to deal with the jungle of pragmatic and opportunistic interests.

KUM

J Kristiadi

The agenda to win the war over the virus of shirk, envy, and greed is a necessity. The victory in defeating the virus would be an extraordinary achievement because it would produce, not just a new normal, but also a normal one that is capable of producing a novelty of political civilization that is essential for the nation and the state. This is really a normal that is dreaming of by all levels of society.

J KRISTIADI, Senior Researcher, CSIS