Should Joshua lecture on how to create harmony?

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