Should Joshua lecture on how to create harmony?

JAKARTA (JP): Diobok-obok airnya, disemprot-semprot, ikan kecil mati semua (The water is stirred frenziedly, sprayed everywhere, and all the small fish die)."

The impish child star cavorts and laughs innocently, unaware that the lyrics of his song perfectly reflect the current political situation in this country.

All of six years, Joshua is already a phenomenon in the entertainment world. The theme of his song is so popular that it has been adopted by many, including political figures in spicing up their speeches.

It succeeds because it mirrors the social unrest in small towns such as Ambon, Kupang, Banyuwangi and, most recently, Sambas, West Kalimantan. The peace has been ruined by the supposed provocateurs, with a toll much greater than NATO has managed in its bombing of Kosovo.

"And now it is Urang Awak's turn to be diobok-obok," said Uncu, a textile merchant in Tanah Abang, using the colloquial name for natives of West Sumatra. "And the provocateur is the government itself."

I smiled at his choice of terms. "No matter what happens, please do not use that term," I said, trying to console him. "It is too scary. No government in the world would do such thing as to provoke a riot."

Like many other West Sumatrans living in Jakarta, Uncu is angry at the installation of Zainal Bakar as vice governor of West Sumatra. Everybody, including home affairs minister Syarwan Hamid, knows Zainal and governor Muchlis Ibrahim disagreed in the past; Muchlis pronounced he would resign if Zainal was chosen. But the President did not give a damn.

Syarwan did not waste a minute in humiliating Muchlis. He darted to Padang and installed Zainal amid protests. Muchlis resigned. Hence the social unrest.

Raging protests have shattered the previously peaceful environment. Angry students raided the governor's office and dragged out his chair. They were not taking a leaf out of the book of unruly Surabaya soccer fans, but showing their displeasure at what they believe was the government's railroading of the governor out of office.

Rumor has it the government wanted Muchlis out due to reported differences with high-ranking officials in Jakarta.

And talk about harmony brings me back to Joshua. He finds a way to fit in whatever the situation. He stole the show from pop singer Nugie when they performed an old song together on TV. Despite their age difference, the two were in perfect harmony, stunning viewers with their easy banter.

Why can't high-ranking adults follow Joshua's example in getting along with others.

Remember how we had such great expectations when four political figures joined together in what became known as the Ciganjur declaration.

These figures, each with millions of followers, stood hand in hand in front of the cameras. It looked like all the differences, controversies, disparities and social unrest would soon fade away when the convened People's Consultative Assembly "listened" to their recommendations.

Hope soon went the way of the wind. The leaders went their separate ways, fighting for their own interests. The government and legislators paid no heed.

Now, all we see are "political struggles" on TV. Contradictory statements from the political figures have become part of our daily menu. Why can't they compromise?

"It's normal for a country with a one-year-old democracy," offered Sudana, a Balinese whose hometown has been free of unrest. "Besides, it is what you want. In the New Order era, you didn't have the courage to be different from others.

Everything had to be in accordance with what the authorities wanted. Even the fence of your house was painted as per the direction of the local officials. Now it is time to be different from others. It is human rights, remember?"

"To be different is all right," said Nino, his colleague. Although the two gentlemen work for an oil company operating deep in the jungles of East Kalimantan, the company's sophisticated telecommunications keep them up-to-date on every situation.

"But not in the way political leaders and government officials expose their conflict on TV, confusing viewers, especially those who do not have anything to do with electoral laws and regulations, what with their own problems in making ends meet."

Take the tug-of-war between the President and the General Elections Commission over barring of ministers from campaigning. The public is baffled because both parties interpret laws to suit their aims. Each claims to be in the right.

The commission refers to a regulation to justify its argument ministers must stay neutral because they are paid by the people, not their political parties. The government adamantly defends its stance, citing another regulation and stating a minister is in a political position and has every right to campaign for his or her party. It proposes they could take a long leave for the purpose of campaigning to avoid possible misuse of state facilities.

Which leaves the man and woman in the street with a big question: Who will take care of the government if all ministers are busy spitting words of promise on the campaign trail? Even with all the ministers working, this nation is still in the dumps.

It seems so hard for the top politicians and government officials to compromise and it seems that disagreements will go on one after another until God knows when, while time is running out and the general election is around the corner.

If they are still adamant, we may need Joshua to lecture them on how to create harmony, so that this nation can concentrate on making the general election a success, and restoring the economy.

I rest my case.

-- Carl Chairul