Indonesia, the republic of money?

By Fatkhul Anas

The passing of time has unthinkably brought the nation of ours far beyond the era. The clock hands have also witnessed the nation's establishment from the ruins of national awakening till meeting its one century. Since 20 May 1908, the roots of nationalism have started to awaken in the beloved Bumi Pertiwi. Since the era of national awakening, the struggle for independence having initially been focused in regions has now changed to be the spirit of unity. It was the beginning of Indonesian 'aufklarung' era. The era that has given all Indonesian people the spirit to cultivate relationship in the struggle for reaching independence.

In the post-Indonesian independence, the spirit of unity has still been maintained and strong. Indonesia comprising thousands of islands, tribes, languages. cultures, races, and skins has remained in harmony within the frame of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI). It is inevitable that any obstacles like efforts to separate from Indonesian territory, our nation has still stood on the NKRI. This means the spirit of unity has remained the principle of RI. All this cannot be separated from the National Awakening era in 1908.<>

We have now commemorated our one century national awakening. Has our sense of unity been still strong as the strength of the NKRI? This is likely fundamental problem we need to question. Why? Because though till this moment our nation has still been in unity within the frame of the NKRI, our heart has perhaps vanished without the spirit of unity. We can take a look the emerging culture of individualism, egoism, pragmatism, and hedonism has created men and women with their own interests and paying no attention to others. Other people are the ones that is not necessary to help, care and even considered as enemies.

In this regard, it is reasonable enough that the culture of individualism and its all varieties have again and again been opposed to the spirit of unity. We tend to consider other people as enemies that should be our friends. There is no such sense of belonging but competition, hatred, and hostility. It is clearly opposed to the spirit of unity. Instead, we should be able to cooperate and help each other in any sufferings without showing our own power to bringing down each other. Then, where is the spirit of unity we are searching for?

Ironically our nation has increasingly been crazy for money. Almost all life sectors cannot be separated from money. In education the easier we provide money the easier we would be admitted at a school or university. Willing to be police or arm force, the more money we provide to more opportunity we are. It is also the same as those willing to be civil servants of officials. They tend to be admitted if they would provide more money to bribe. Any graft practices have also conducted because of money. The graft practices have not only happened in village institutions, but also happened in central institutions. Even poor and rich people have also involved in graft cases.

Money has been such king for the nation so it is reasonable enough to call it as the "Republic of Money". With money all problems can be resolved. For those whose no money their problems would never be overcome, it is just a parable. All this is real and we are so difficult to deny the fact. All this was caused by capitalism coming to our country. Since the capitalism came to Indonesia along with the coming of colonizers in 1596s, the tendency of people to pursue material wealth has emerged.

More over along with the establishment of (Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie) VOC in 1602, Indonesia did fall into the hand of colonizers both economically and politically. It could no longer attain its better life and tended to be worse on account of materialism. Since then the way of thinking of Indonesians has totally been changed. The need of materialism has become the most important think. Even They have been encouraged and taught to be thirst for material. In turn they have all of the time pursued the material for their own life.

As consequence there have now been many criminal acts such as deception, negative competition, slaughtering and even assassination for pursuing material especially money. Many people tend to pay no attention to others for being busy in getting money. Political campaigns have been voiced for money instead. At least many people mandated to be officials have involved in graft cases and wanted salary hike and more facilities. Whereas all this has not always be needed. They could help other people for being promised with money. Indeed Indonesia has now been the Republic of Money. Ironically Indonesia has remained poor for considering money as such king though it has abundant natural resources.

Then who should be blamed over all the scene? The unity has been replaced by money. And that is the fact. Yet we may no be pessimistic. Ronggowarsito advised us that no matter how profitable it was to be wild people, it was more profitable to be conscious ones. That's why we must be aware or self-introspection. Whatever really needed by the nation should be struggled for. We should also be aware of surrounding situation. Our happiness with material is not but a pseudo-happiness. For that reason we need to think other people's interest to be useful for the nation and state instead of thinking of money.


The writer is teaching staff at the Hasyim Asy'ari Institute