Addressing Challenges to Indonesian Pluralism
The current development as seen on the news on Indonesian online and printed media as well as television showed an interesting phenomena which drew the attention of many obeservers both nationally and internationally. The increasing current trend that divides Indonesian society in Indonesian politics has raised concerns on the future of Indonesian diversed society.
This phenomenon includes the emergence of hate speeches and the increasing distrust which, in most cases, affected members of societies along ethnic and religious lines. For many, this is very alarming, particularly as Indonesia was known as a country where moderate Islam and democracy can go hand in hand.
So how we need to put this development in perspective? How the society and the government should wisely respond to this development? I would like to address those problem in this first blog.
Pluralism may refer to diversity, differences in values, and notion of “otherness” and some stresses more on creating relations than defending differences[i]. We see challenges to Indonesian pluralism recently due to the political circumstance in the Jakarta gubernatorial election in the beginning of the year, when a candidate was alleged, and in the end convicted, for religious blasphemy.
Though the uproar has subsided, the division which may threaten pluralism in Indonesia, has continued, particularly on digital platform. To some extent, hate speeches, fake news, and hoaxes, have exacerbated the challenges to amiable and peaceful relations that Indonesian societies enjoyed previously.
I would argue that this development must be responded, particularly by the government and public figures. There are some options that may be taken into consideration:
1. First, improving and strengthening the education on the values contained in Pancasila, including at the early/ primary level. Pancasila contains values and norms which guide harmonious relations between members of societies, regardless their age, professional, religious and ethnic backgrounds. Effective approach needs examples and practices in addition to doctrinal methodology. This is to prevent the strengthening of distrusts among diverse society in the long run.
2. Second, strengthening rules and regulations governing the use of public and internet platforms to prevent the use of hate speeches and hoaxes which threaten public order. Robust law enforcement is essential, without necessarily become a barrier to freedom of speeches.
3. Third, hate speeches and fake news have created headaches even to governments in developed countries. Engaging and encouraging media (both printed or online, traditional and non-traditional) to have responsible reporting and prevent news that may endanger public order is critical. The rapid digital technology advancement has created challenges in how a government responds to the trend of increasing use of hate speeches and fake news in influencing members of societies for political gains or other purposes at the expense of public order and social harmony.
4. Fourth, engaging religious leaders, from all stripes, in the campaign against disunity and hatred. Hates, lies, slander, for examples of acts that universally denounced by all religions. Therefore, campaigns against hate speeches and hoaxes need the involvement of religious leaders to achieve the goals effectively.
5. Finally, the equal opportunity and just distribution of welfare is utterly crucial in preventing disharmony and distrust. The competition of resources as well as the feeling of being marginalized will lead to resentment and dissatisfaction in some members of societies. It is huge and necessary tasks for the government to address this matter. Ensuring social justice, which is closely linked to human rights, will prevent any efforts through the uses of hate speeches and fake news to stir the public into division based on their differences.
[i] “What is Pluralism?” https://www.uvh.nl/kosmopolisinstitute/pluralism
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