Building Togetherness in a Year of Politics

KOMPAS/WISNU WIDIANTORO

Garuda Pancasila is carried by a member of a political party participating in the Declaration of the Peaceful Campaign for Simultaneous Elections 2019 at the National Monument Square, Jakarta, Sunday (23/9/2018). In the event, which was also attended by presidential and vice presidential candidates and a number of legislative candidates, declared antipoliticization, antimoney politics and antihoax campaigns.

We have just gone through the year 2018 together. We’ve now entered the year 2019, a year of politics, which is full of hope and challenges for this nation.

On April 17, 2019, a big event in democracy will be held. A general election will be held to elect a president and vice president, members of the House of Representatives, Regional Representatives Council (DPD), provincial DPRD, and district/city DPRD.

General elections are a manifestation of a democratic constitutional system. Therefore, if the 2019 general election is successfully held, it will certainly strengthen the position of Indonesia as the third-largest democracy in the world. On the contrary, if it fails, it is not impossible that this nation will fall behind other nations.

The problem that needs attention in this political year is diminishing national solidarity. The Kompas poll at the end of 2018 recorded a high level of anxiety among the community due to the escalation of fake news on social media (Kompas, 31/12/2018). The majority of respondents expressed fear that the 2019 general election could lead to fights or reduce the sense of togetherness.

When reading conversions on social media, high tension in discussions relating to the general election can be felt. Sentiments of ethnicity, religion, race, groups, or inter-groups (SARA) emerge. This condition is utilized by the campaign team of groups of supporters for the sake of electoral interests.

There are also many figures who spread pessimism rather than optimism for the nation.

The discussions are full of hatred, thereby raising wrinkles on the forehead, triggering anger that could lead to violence.

In such a condition, the presence of politicians with the spirit of statesmanship is badly needed. Presidential/vice presidential candidates, and those to become members of the House, DPD and DPRD, should not just think about themselves in the election, but rather think more about the sustainability of the nation for future generations.

The nation is a very pluralized nation. A sense of solidarity, brotherhood and harmony is an absolute requirement that must continue to be nurtured. Not without reason, the founders of this nation made Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity) its slogan, which was firmly gripped at the foot of the Garuda Pancasila bird.

In a democratic nation, civil society can take a central position to raise new awareness for the improvement of the nation. Nurturing national solidarity, togetherness, is the duty of all of us as children of the nation. This is our shared challenge as we enter the year 2019.