Social responsibility

Democracy is a shared responsibility and there cannot be any democracy without societal responsibility. Indonesia is still a long way from calling itself a democratic country or democratic society. Most people do not even understand what democracy means. Some cannot even tell the difference between democracy and anarchy.

In my humble opinion, intolerance (and violence associated therewith) will continue to plague Indonesia so long there is no clear separation between government and religion. Let's face it, Indonesia implements Pancasila as its state ideology and the constitution whereby both embraces freedom of religion. Yet there is a Ministry of Religion (which is an oxymoron). Granted inside the ministry 'some religions' are represented however, in reality it is a sham as it is hijacked by Islam. The government through the ministry of religion spends hard-earned tax money to print Qurans. I wonder if any funds are also available for printing the Bibles. Inter-faith marriages must go through the ministry of religion meaning the government through the Court of Religion (again a violation of Pancasila and the constitution) and the government has conveniently closes its eyes when tax-funded schools are forcing their students to wear Islamic garbs. Further, the ministry of education, another tax-funded institution, is promoting Islam in its curriculum (another violation of Pancasila and the constitution).

As to the implementation of Pancasila and the Constitution, most government officials under SBY are either ignorant or simply ignoring these basic tenets. The Aceh government is requiring its representatives to be able to read and recite Quranic verses (most of them failed anyway), decisions from the supreme courts are conveniently ignored as evidenced by the closure of some Christian churches although the ruling from the supreme court has been in favor of those churches. Local government officials apparently cajoled hard-liners to garner votes while ignoring the facts that their utmost duty is to uphold the laws and to defend the constitution. Then there is Council of Ulama (supposedly a nonb-profit, religion-based organization) that work together with the ministry of religion, ministry of health, etc. to sell 'halal stamps'. In reality, they are strong-arm eating and drinking establishments and F&B (Food and Beverage) companies to put the 'halal' logo on their products and thereby paying the MUI for such a stamp. Clearly, this is a business by hiding behind the ministries and the religion. Even if the 'halal' stamp is to be implemented based on free-will it is still a farce since the council has no laboratory to determine whether or not the products are actually halal. It is a complete sham and mafia-style pressure on the economy.

Should outsiders be involved? I wonder who would be considered outsiders? What about Indonesian Diaspora members? Would they be considered outsiders? What about former Indonesian citizens or even the citizens of Indonesia residing abroad who have better understanding of what democracy means. Would they also be considered outsiders? Robert Kennedy once asked his brother, John, prior to the latter running for president. "If not now, WHEN? If not you, WHO? It is obvious SBY has been silent and mute in regard to the religious intolerance (and violence) in Indonesia. Thus, ALL who cares about Indonesia and democracy in Indonesia must speak out. Otherwise, some day we will regret for not doing anything. Edmund Burke once said 'Evil can only triumph when good people see evil and decide to do nothing' while Pastor Niemoller once said 'we do not speak out when injustices fall on others ... and one day there is no one left to speak out for us). So, there is no outsider! No man is an island and borrowing the phrase from Hillary Clinton, we are all members of the Global Village. As such, we must care about each other, regardless of the geo-political designations, the skin colors, religions or other attributes. After all, free countries throughout the world, including Indonesia, are so inter-dependent and interwoven.

Back to the notion that Democracy is a shared responsibility, I aspire that members of the so-called Indonesia democracy, should join hands and reject anything deemed undemocratic. Sadly, only a few has done so. While many are expressing their criticism, only a few is willing to challenge the establishment. Democracy is not a top-down ideology and the strongest democracy is the one rooting deeply in the society. Yet, democracy has a price. Those aspiring democracy must be willing to pay that price. Martin Luther King, Jr. paid with his life. Mahatma Gandhi paid his due. Would the champions of democracy from Indonesia please step forward! All it takes is some people who truly care about democracy to do so and I am sure the (currently shy) support will come forward in droves. The time is now before Indonesia falls further into the dark ages and darkness. Regardless of what other countries think and say, democracy is a shared responsibility and the brunt is on the shoulders of the Indonesians who care.