National brotherhood
The prompt approval given to the establishment of the Yayasan Kerukunan Persaudaraan Kebangsaan, or National Brotherhood Foundation, is probably a good indication of the mood which prevails in our society.
The National Brotherhood Foundation (YKPK) was established on Monday, purportedly to save the nation from further polarization. The names of the organization's founders form an impressive list of prominent and highly-respected personalities from widely varied political and social backgrounds.
Certainly it is rather unusual -- and refreshing -- to see such a diverse group assembled in one organization. To mention just a few, the YKPK includes Kharis Suhud and Bambang Triantoro (Armed Forces), H. Mathori Abdul Djalil (United Development Party), KH Cholil Bisri (ulema), Jacob Tobing and Ida Ayu Utami Pidada (Golkar), Mochtar Buchori and Kwik Kian Gie (Indonesian Democratic Party).
According to a statement given by its chairman, Bambang Triantoro, the new foundation hopes to strengthen the spirit of brotherhood and nationalism while curbing the tendency to put individual and group interests before those of the nation.
Without detracting from the impressive economic progress that has been achieved over the past quarter century, it is difficult to deny that somehow this nation has been straying from its initial ideals.
In the economic field, many decry the concentration of wealth and opportunities in the hands of a few. The national ideal of an economic order based on the Constitution's principles of sharing and equal opportunities for all still seems far from becoming a reality.
Socially and politically, complaints have been aired about, among other things, sectarianism -- that is, the tendency to form and nurture exclusive groups based on ethnicity, religion or identity. Many people fear that ignoring this growing trend towards group egoism could lead to a fragmentation of our nation.
Tolerance of political and religious differences appears to be on the decline. The camaraderie that used to exist among politicians and community leaders of disparate views and backgrounds, before and shortly after national independence, is long gone.
The use of violence to resolve differences is becoming an increasingly familiar feature of our social behavior and sensitive issues are again being exploited by irresponsible elements to incite violence against rival groups or individuals. Cases in point are the vigilante attacks on the houses of murder suspects in Jakarta and a mob of high school students that planned on, but were prevented from, attacking a school in Sukabumi, West Java.
Such tension provides fertile ground for the growth of mutual distrust and suspicion among fellow Indonesians. The establishment of the National Brotherhood Foundation may then be seen as a healthy reaction to those trends. Whether its efforts will bear fruit will depend on its ability to rally the forces of national cohesion that are alive in our society.
It is to be hoped that the YKPK will not disappoint the many Indonesians who are apparently pinning their hopes on it.