National brotherhood
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.