. (I'm not sure I like it myself though)
Indonesia is a religious country. Traditionally practised by sensible and moderate believers. In spite of one overwhelming majority religion, the core concept historically has been inter-religious tolerance. That was not because of the teaching by the holy books, but because of the sensible people. Indonesia has always been perceived by the rest of the world as not only the largest Muslim country but as the exemplary tolerant Muslim democracy as well.
“Times they are a-changing” though, it seems. Indonesia’s positive image has been tarnished lately. I saw the newsreels here and the horrible video that was shown. And I read the news-reports and articles on the subject on Indonesian newspaper sites this week. I don’t want to believe them. But the headlines tell it all – and they are very alarming.:
HORRIFIC VIDEO SHOWS BRUTALITY OF ATTACK ON AHMADIYAH
Mobs destroy 3 churches in C. Java.
EDITORIAL: TURNING BLIND EYE TO RELIGIOUS BULLIES
House summons police chief, minister on Ahmadiyah attack
Editorial: Ahmadiyah: State terrorism
Indonesia: NGO leaders gather to condemn Sunday killings
THREE CHURCHES TARGETED IN CENTRAL JAVA VIOLENCE
It’s really worrying.
No doubt Indonesia still is a sound secular regional democracy. Hardcore, die-hard radical Muslims still hardly play any direct role in the political system. Religious based political parties in parliament are democratic and pretty decent representatives of a minority part of the population.
Outside the professional political arena the intolerant vigilantes and misguided violent mobs manage to gain ever more influence by conquering the streets though. Ever more streets. And, seemingly, ever more hearts and minds. While this deteriorating process is getting worse, the authorities don’t take any serious action. Well, admittedly sometimes one or two culprits get caught and condemned. But the real trouble-stirrers always succeed in staying at large. It looks like the President and the government lack the courage to confront them head-on. On the contrary they are making concessions to appease the hard-liners. The Indonesian bishops rightly said: the state fails to protect minorities.
It’s not enough any more to just call for calm and for refraining from violence. Now the vast majority of sensible and reasonable people should demand the authorities to counter the perpetrators. By simply using the democratic institutions. By simply applying the state of law. And by stopping being politically chicken and by shedding the yoke of political cowardice. Otherwise Indonesia’s renowned tolerance will definitely go down the drain.
Hi Colson,
You are right that the main cause of all the troubles in the country is the government’s inability (or unwillingness) to take firm action on those who violate the laws.
Twelve years ago I would really want massive protests like they are doing in Egypt.
But our failure to get proper leaders after the so called Reformasi on May 1998, made me think that it would be better if the protests are done more ‘softer’ a.o through various online social media incl. blog, like we have done on the Prita and Bibit-Chandra cases, but this time should be much more aggressive and smart.
Dear Colson, remember me? I’m the guy who used to write at http://www.guebukanmonyet.com
I kinda miss exchanging thoughts with you. So, send me an email
@@ Harry: The best way to demand action is “soft” indeed. To topple a regime unfortunately calls for mass demonstrations and usually some incident of unfortunately.violence and counter-violence included. But there is no need of a regime change here. The authorities should just do what they are meant for: protect their citizens.
@ barley: Of course I remember
. As for the e-mail: I will send you one one of these days. (By the way: do you remember I once wrote you a letter in which I said that though religion is a huge comfort to many, an integral part of the lives of over 200 millio0nIndonesians and a big help to morally discipline people, it could prove to be one of the main handicap hampering Indonesia’s development? The excesses some believers indulge in look like examples of these handicaps.)
hi,, you hv a nice blog!
mind to follow me? I’ll follow u back then..=)
http://pramuditapuspitatemi.blogspot.com/
@ pramudita: Thank you. Like you asked I checked out your blog . Looks great.
the latest development, FPI said they will overthrow SBY if the government tried to disband them. This will put another trial to SBY’s presidency whether he is capable to disband these maggots.
This has become headline for media for several days, I hope they keep focusing this issue so the government will really act this time.
Colson, this interview with Amy Chua from 2004 might interest you http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUrfo5cyeDA&feature=related
@calvin: Jeez, the blatant insolence of the bastards. Fucking unbelievable. Threatening the government with a coup d’état is a capital crime as such. It is an insult and a challenge to the president. One he can’t ignore if he’s got balls- he should instruct the prosecutors to try and get these these criminal behind bars immediately.
@ santi d. Thanks you!
Well, her analysis is thorough. With much of it I do agree. I don’t think however that manipulating and targeting scapegoats to blame for poverty and lack of justice, is something which comes about if democracy is added to neo-liberal economics only. That may but need not happen (it didn’t happen in Spain or Portugal. Nor even in Brazil or Chile. Maybe because these countries are only multi-ethnic in a limited sense??? I don’t think so.) . Now she obviously is right about much in describing the Indonesian example. But actually in colonial times the manipulating and harassment of scapegoats wasn’t that much different ( so it happens even in situations which are non-liberal economics as well as non-democratic) or in Soeharto’s New Order era (pretty tough Chicago school economics but without any democracy also provided scapegoats.).
[...] wrote a post on Pelopor website, saying: It looks like the President and the government lack the courage to [...]
[...] wrote a post on Pelopor website, saying: It looks like the President and the government lack the courage to [...]
[...] escreveu um post [en] no site Pelopor dizendo: It looks like the President and the government lack the courage to [...]
[...] ??????Pelopor????Colson???????????? ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ?? Carolina Rumuat · ?? Mutsumi Ito ???? 2011/02/18 · ??? Tweet [...]