Should Joshua lecture on how to create harmony?<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Diobok-obok airnya, disemprot-semprot, ikan
\nkecil mati semua (The water is stirred frenziedly, sprayed
\neverywhere, and all the small fish die).\"<\/p>\n
The impish child star cavorts and laughs innocently, unaware
\nthat the lyrics of his song perfectly reflect the current
\npolitical situation in this country.<\/p>\n
All of six years, Joshua is already a phenomenon in the
\nentertainment world. The theme of his song is so popular that it
\nhas been adopted by many, including political figures in spicing
\nup their speeches.<\/p>\n
It succeeds because it mirrors the social unrest in small
\ntowns such as Ambon, Kupang, Banyuwangi and, most recently,
\nSambas, West Kalimantan. The peace has been ruined by the
\nsupposed provocateurs, with a toll much greater than NATO has
\nmanaged in its bombing of Kosovo.<\/p>\n
\"And now it is Urang Awak's turn to be diobok-obok,\" said
\nUncu, a textile merchant in Tanah Abang, using the colloquial
\nname for natives of West Sumatra. \"And the provocateur is the
\ngovernment itself.\"<\/p>\n
I smiled at his choice of terms. \"No matter what happens,
\nplease do not use that term,\" I said, trying to console him. \"It
\nis too scary. No government in the world would do such thing as
\nto provoke a riot.\"<\/p>\n
Like many other West Sumatrans living in Jakarta, Uncu is
\nangry at the installation of Zainal Bakar as vice governor of
\nWest Sumatra. Everybody, including home affairs minister Syarwan
\nHamid, knows Zainal and governor Muchlis Ibrahim disagreed in the
\npast; Muchlis pronounced he would resign if Zainal was chosen.
\nBut the President did not give a damn.<\/p>\n
Syarwan did not waste a minute in humiliating Muchlis. He
\ndarted to Padang and installed Zainal amid protests. Muchlis
\nresigned. Hence the social unrest.<\/p>\n
Raging protests have shattered the previously peaceful
\nenvironment. Angry students raided the governor's office and
\ndragged out his chair. They were not taking a leaf out of the
\nbook of unruly Surabaya soccer fans, but showing their
\ndispleasure at what they believe was the government's railroading
\nof the governor out of office.<\/p>\n
Rumor has it the government wanted Muchlis out due to reported
\ndifferences with high-ranking officials in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
And talk about harmony brings me back to Joshua. He finds a
\nway to fit in whatever the situation. He stole the show from pop
\nsinger Nugie when they performed an old song together on TV.
\nDespite their age difference, the two were in perfect harmony,
\nstunning viewers with their easy banter.<\/p>\n
Why can't high-ranking adults follow Joshua's example in
\ngetting along with others.<\/p>\n
Remember how we had such great expectations when four
\npolitical figures joined together in what became known as the
\nCiganjur declaration.<\/p>\n
These figures, each with millions of followers, stood hand in
\nhand in front of the cameras. It looked like all the differences,
\ncontroversies, disparities and social unrest would soon fade away
\nwhen the convened People's Consultative Assembly \"listened\" to
\ntheir recommendations.<\/p>\n
Hope soon went the way of the wind. The leaders went their
\nseparate ways, fighting for their own interests. The government
\nand legislators paid no heed.<\/p>\n
Now, all we see are \"political struggles\" on TV. Contradictory
\nstatements from the political figures have become part of our
\ndaily menu. Why can't they compromise?<\/p>\n
\"It's normal for a country with a one-year-old democracy,\"
\noffered Sudana, a Balinese whose hometown has been free of
\nunrest. \"Besides, it is what you want. In the New Order era, you
\ndidn't have the courage to be different from others.<\/p>\n
Everything had to be in accordance with what the authorities
\nwanted. Even the fence of your house was painted as per the
\ndirection of the local officials. Now it is time to be different
\nfrom others. It is human rights, remember?\"<\/p>\n
\"To be different is all right,\" said Nino, his colleague.
\nAlthough the two gentlemen work for an oil company operating deep
\nin the jungles of East Kalimantan, the company's sophisticated
\ntelecommunications keep them up-to-date on every situation.<\/p>\n
\"But not in the way political leaders and government officials
\nexpose their conflict on TV, confusing viewers, especially those
\nwho do not have anything to do with electoral laws and
\nregulations, what with their own problems in making ends meet.\"<\/p>\n
Take the tug-of-war between the President and the General
\nElections Commission over barring of ministers from campaigning.
\nThe public is baffled because both parties interpret laws to suit
\ntheir aims. Each claims to be in the right.<\/p>\n
The commission refers to a regulation to justify its argument
\nministers must stay neutral because they are paid by the people,
\nnot their political parties. The government adamantly defends its
\nstance, citing another regulation and stating a minister is in a
\npolitical position and has every right to campaign for his or her
\nparty. It proposes they could take a long leave for the purpose
\nof campaigning to avoid possible misuse of state facilities.<\/p>\n
Which leaves the man and woman in the street with a big
\nquestion: Who will take care of the government if all ministers
\nare busy spitting words of promise on the campaign trail? Even
\nwith all the ministers working, this nation is still in the
\ndumps.<\/p>\n
It seems so hard for the top politicians and government
\nofficials to compromise and it seems that disagreements will go
\non one after another until God knows when, while time is running
\nout and the general election is around the corner.<\/p>\n
If they are still adamant, we may need Joshua to lecture them
\non how to create harmony, so that this nation can concentrate on
\nmaking the general election a success, and restoring the economy.<\/p>\n
I rest my case.<\/p>\n
-- Carl Chairul<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/should-joshua-lecture-on-how-to-create-harmony-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }