Moral degradation: An ugly portrait of our society<\/p>\n
Setiono, Contributor, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Robohnya Moral Kami (The Degradation of Our Morals)
\nYayasan Obor Indonesia, 2005, pp 117<\/p>\n
Amid the seemingly never-ending crises in Indonesia, we are
\nfacing the most serious social ailment: the degradation of
\nmorality. Moral degradation appears in every sphere of life --
\npolitics, economics, education, law and many others. It has
\nbecome a general phenomenon. So ubiquitous is this ailment that
\nwe are no longer even cognizant of it.<\/p>\n
Corruption continues unabated, unjust treatment of minorities
\ndominates the current government, weak law enforcement clouds the
\nSupreme Court, illegal logging operations backed by high-ranking
\nofficials are thriving, the selling of forged diplomas is not
\nuncommon at educational institutions and blue-collar crime is
\nincreasing.<\/p>\n
Such crimes are committed by, as Soenjono Dardjowidjojo calls
\nthem, the zealots of Machiavelli. In their actions, they have
\nonly one thought: the end justifies the means.<\/p>\n
Inspired by the writing of A.A Navis in Robohnya Surau Kami
\n(The Falling Down of Our Small Mosque), Soenjono, who teaches
\nlinguistics at Atma Jaya University in Jakarta, wrote Robohnya
\nMoral Kami. This 117 page book, which is actually a collection of
\nSoenjono's articles from newspapers, covers issues related to our
\nailing society.<\/p>\n
The article Hobby Mencari Kambing Hitam (Eager to Find a
\nScapegoat), Soenjono compares the mature political life in the
\nU.S. with that in Indonesia. He looks at the cases that
\nthreatened the political careers of former U.S. presidents
\nRichard Nixon and Bill Clinton.<\/p>\n
He compares the political elite in this country, who are eager
\nto find fault, scapegoat and fight with each other, to
\ntelevisions programs such as Angling Dharma, Jaka Tarub and
\nDendam Nyi Pelet, all which depict such revengefulness.<\/p>\n
Using information from reliable sources, Soenjono wrote Potret
\nWakil Rakyat Kita\" (A Portrait of Our Representatives), revealing
\nthe tarnished image of our representatives in the People's
\nConsultative Assembly and the House of Representatives, who
\njustify the corruption and bribery among its members, as well as
\nthe use of forged diplomas.<\/p>\n
To further illustrate the shameful deeds that have become
\ncommon in our society, Soenjono wrote Bangsa Superlative
\n(Superlative Nation). Indonesia is notoriously superior for bad
\nthings (e.g. corruption and collusion).<\/p>\n
The question that deserves our attention is: Where do we go
\nfrom her to help future generations build a strong moral
\nfoundation?<\/p>\n
One may seek the solution in education. However, Soenjono
\ncautiously warns that education is of no guarantee since it has
\nbecome fertile ground for the seeds of immorality. The manut lan
\npiturut (to follow and to agree) philosophy that is deeply rooted
\nin our educational system helps contribute to the nation's moral
\ndeterioration. The practice of plagiarism is common in the
\ncountry and is one of the results of this philosophy.<\/p>\n
Worst is what Soenjono calls \"penyamunan di bidang pendidkan\"
\n(the burglarizing of education), where fake institutions openly
\nsell doctorates and offer professorship promotions to those who
\nare interested.<\/p>\n
Since moral degradation is everywhere and is seemingly not
\nbounded by time or space, it is like we have entered a vicious
\ncycle.<\/p>\n
Robohnya Moral Kami differs from other books on morality. The
\nbook is not prescriptive or normative in the sense of discussing
\ntheories on ethics, morality and the like. Rather, it is
\ndescriptive and illustrative.<\/p>\n
The ideas expressed are mostly the result of Soenjono's
\nreflections on what he witnesses in his daily life. Thus, every
\ntopic covered in the book is illustrated with lucid, though
\ncynical, examples.<\/p>\n
However, not all of the topics in the book are related to
\nmorality. Some articles, such as Disiplin Nasional: Darimana
\nMulainya? (National Discipline: Where Should We Begin?) and Sisi
\nLain Lalu Lintas Kita (Another Aspect of Our Traffic), are in
\nfact closely related to our conduct and etiquette. It is at this
\njuncture that Soenjono seems to have mixed up ethics, which deals
\nwith the principles of morality, and etiquette, which is
\nconcerned with the way people behave, or should behave.<\/p>\n
Despite the fact that many of the examples in the book portray
\nthe misdeeds of our political elite and bureaucrats, reading it
\ncan help us reflect on what we ourselves, as a populace, have
\ndone in the past and what we are doing in the present.<\/p>",
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