Independence Day: Between celebration and vexation
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Residents of Palu, Central Sulawesi, have been busier than usual in recent days.
In some areas, people are painting their fences while many others are tidying up their yards. Students are participating in dancing and marching drills after class.
They are all making preparation for the 60th anniversary of Indonesian independence on Aug. 17.
"I took part in the marching competition last year. After attending a ceremony outside the governor's office in the morning of Aug. 17, we then participated in a parade the next day," said Andi Librianty, a student at state high school SMK I in Palu.
Like most parts of the country, Palu is ready to celebrate Independence Day.
Traditionally, Independence Day is commemorated through ceremonies on the morning of Aug. 17 nationwide.
Although Aug. 17 is a national holiday, most students and civil servants have to attend ceremonies at their schools and offices.
As part of the annual celebration, sports competitions and dance or musical performances are organized in towns and cities around the country.
Sports competitions are not only organized at the district level, but also in neighborhoods.
In Papua -- where there has been a separatist movement for years -- Governor J.P. Solossa has ordered locals to organize traditional Yospan dance competitions.
The dance is popular among local youths and is commonly performed in pairs.
The South Sulawesi administration is organizing a development fair. This year, the expo is taking place at Somba Opu. All of the regencies in the province are participating in the fair, which will run from Aug. 9 through Aug. 13.
Trade fairs, competitions and performances are all organized to build solidarity and togetherness among the people. At least, that is according to Rizal Intje Nae, a community leader in Tulo village, Dolo.
He said traditional games could help build solidarity among the children.
"A sense of solidarity and nationalism should be introduced at an early age," he added.
The younger generation is, however, skeptical about the effectiveness of these activities in building solidarity.
Rofika, 24, a student at Tadulako University in Palu, said Independence Day had become just another yearly event.
"The meaning of independence does not lie in the brightness of the lamps and decorations during the celebrations," he said.
Ferry Ahmad, 27, a resident of Palu, said the Independence Day celebrations had nothing to do with the reality now being faced by many citizens -- that many people still live "shackled" by economic problems. He cited the current difficulties faced by people in Palu in obtaining kerosene.
The situation in Ambon, Maluku, is even worse. Thousands of people cannot celebrate Independence Day because they are too busy just trying to survive.
Many people are still living in temporary shelters after years of sectarian conflict in the region. There are at least 15,000 families who depend on financial assistance from the government to get by.
"Frankly speaking, I am still afraid to return and rebuild my house," said Fatima Sangaji, a refugee from Waringin.
Another resident, Hamdani Hataul, said that after 60 years the people of Ambon had not enjoyed the benefits of independence.
"Independence is freedom, but the people of Ambon have yet to enjoy freedom. The government has done little to help the refugees," he said.
Despite the agony of the people, the local administration is planning to erect a stage for the celebrations.
Maluku will also celebrate its 60th anniversary on Aug. 19. The celebration is estimated to cost about Rp 1.8 billion.
Some people think the government does not do enough to show its commitment to the people.
According to Robert Wanggai, a youth in Papua, strengthening unity and nationalism should not only be done through celebrations. The government must also respond to the needs of the people.
"How can we love (Indonesia) if we are not loved (by it)?" he asked.