Maintaining the Integrity of the Nation

Ida Rsi Waskita Sari

· 4 minutes read

More than the observance of Nyepi (Day of Silence) last year, which was overshadowed by the simultaneous local elections, the change of the 1940 Saka Hindu calendar year to 1941 on March 7, this year was overshadowed by the dynamics of the legislative and presidential and vice presidential elections on April 17.

There is growing concern that the political situation will heat up and could damage the unity and integrity of the nation. As a political event, legislative and presidential elections could be considered an effort, art and science to gain power in a constitutional way. People participate in the elections with the intention of achieving a common good, as Aristotle once said. However, it must also be remembered that power can also be taken unconstitutionally.

We have witnessed turmoil that has heated up the political condition, with all its dynamics. Beginning with the emergence of the hashtag #2019ChangethePresident, which was later disputed, because of its establishment was declared in a number of regions. This was later followed by the launches of # Jokowi2 Period and #TetapJokowi hashtags, and #PrabowoPresident hashtag.

The "small fire" eruption occurred in Pekanbaru, Riau, when a group of people rejected the visit of Neno Warisman, a member of the Prabowo Subianto-Sandiaga Uno campaign team to the city on August 25, 2018. Neno, who waited at the airport, was picked up by another group of people causing clashes before the police came and dispersed them.

It was then followed by a hoax by a member of the Prabowo-Sandiaga national campaign team (BPN), Ratna Sarumpaet, who claimed to have been beaten by a number of unknown people. Then, the issue of religious adherence and Quran reading ability of the two presidential candidates Joko Widodo and Prabowo Subianto also grew. It was also marred by news of Prabowo\'s presence at a Christmas celebration. Regarding law enforcement, there were also accusations of "the criminalization of ulemas" and injustice. There was also controversy over a splashy statement made by General Moeldoko, who said he was ready for "total war".

Nyepi

Back to Nyepi, a famous Japanese musician who lives in the United States, Kitaro, in his interview with Indonesian TV presenter Desi Anwar said "silence is music". Can Bali\'s natural silence during this year’s Nyepi can also be considered "music" to thrill our hearts so that we can stay peaceful in competition?

In addition to such political dynamics, Neno Warisman’s prayers have also become a controversy.

The role of Muslims in the dynamics of political competition ahead of the April 17 presidential election is indeed very vital. Besides being the largest religion, Islam also has a big vision as a religion with rahmatan lil’alamin. Quoting Sahal Mahfudz in the Sufi Conference at Borobudur Hotel (July 15-17, 2011), the word rahmat in Arabic means \'compassion\'.

"Affection is the basic value of humanism which is an important tool for building human civilization, because, if it is not based on compassion values, the practice of Islam can lead to a rise to extremism and radicalism that use violence. This can hurt the face of peace-loving Islam, turning into fitnatan lil\'alamin [hatred]. Love as a religion values must be spread as a moral value that can form a personal character with moral character and dignity that is able to build a peaceful world civilization, "he said.

Concerns about the outbreak of violence in the presidential election will actually arise because of their role which has changed to fitnatan lil\'alamin. Religious formalism that seems to emphasize differences needs to be answered with culture.

Referring to Abd A\'la in "Indonesian Cultural Consensus", June 8, 2018, culture is able to break the gap and promote spirituality as a substantial foundation in religion. Whatever our religions and beliefs are, we must worship God through our own cultural specialty. Bung Karno (former president Sukarno) once stated: "Not only the Indonesian people have God, but every Indonesian should have God. His own God“.

Indonesia should be a country where each person can worship their God without restrictions. All people should have God culturally, with no religious selfishness (Asep Salahudin, Kompas, 3/9/2018).

There is an opinion that "Indonesia has two large capitals, namely religions that recognize diversity and pluralism and commitment to coexist together peacefully".

The nation\'s two strengths should continue to be maintained and developed by whoever who will continue the course of government after the April 17 2019 presidential election. Recognizing diversity and pluralism means equal and equitable treatment for all religious followers.

And, coexistence in peace means mutual respect as brothers and sisters of the same country and nation. May this nation survive and successfully hold the 2019 legislative and presidential elections so that the integrity of the nation is maintained without any significant turmoil. (Ida Rsi Waskita Sari, Hindu Priest)

Editor:

nyepi day of silence ida rsi waskita sari