By: Gerry Katon Mahendra
This month, precisely on August 17, 2019, the Indonesian people celebrated the 74th anniversary of independence. An age phase that cannot be categorized as young, but rather deserves to be interpreted as a phase of maturity for a nation. It is not a coincidence that at the age of 74 this year the Indonesian people have experienced various dynamics that have alternated, both dynamically oriented positively and negatively. There were at least three major events that adorned the Indonesian age range, starting with the PKI G30S in the 1960s, massive demonstrations that led to the fall of President Soeharto in the late 1990s, and the return of the mandate, where the people were given full trust to elect the President directly in the early 2000s.
The three major events which ultimately contributed to the direction and face of Indonesia’s current conditions. Latest, we all have just completed one of the great intentions of the Presidential Election which also drains the energy of all elements of the nation. Interestingly, this year’s Presidential Election was also marked by the massive spread of hoax news that attacked the two contesting camps. In a simple sense according to KBBI hoaks (hoaxes) are interpreted as hoaxes. A simple description, during the month of April 2019 alone, 486 hoax information had been identified by the Ministry of Communication and Information (Ministry of Communication and Information). 209 of them are hoax information from the political categories before and after the election.
Operationally, the massive spread of hoax news is certainly very unsettling to the public, not only has the potential to make information blurred and wrong, it also has the potential to trigger national disunity. Some of these political events, along with the variety of stories in them, should be able to be good learning material for staring and realizing the ideals of the future of the Indonesian nation, both in the short term (the next five years) and long term. Reflecting on the country’s political situation which is currently relatively thawed and conducive, it is time for us to divert the nation’s energy in interpreting and reflecting on the 74th independence to be filled with innovative formulations.
This is also in line with the spirit of the industrial revolution 4.0, where almost every country in the whole hemisphere feels the effect. Speaking of the industrial revolution 4.0, the concept was first coined by a group of expert representatives from various fields from Germany, in 2011 at the Hannover Trade Fair. It was explained that the industry is now entering a new innovation, where the production processes of various aspects have begun to change rapidly. (Listhari Baenanda, binus.ac.id).
Four Major Capital
So, where is Indonesia’s position in interpreting the Industrial Revolution 4.0? As a country with the 4th largest population in the world, of course Indonesia has the potential to play a variety of strategic roles in welcoming the new era for the progress of the nation. Natural resources, human resources, geographical location, and the strengthening of community culture are the four initial assets to implement the Industrial Revolution 4.0 while guarding the nation’s ideals for the next five years. Natural resources, our country is very well known for having various potential natural resources. As an illustration, the records of US government agencies, which have a focus in the field of Geology (US Geological Survey), show that Indonesia has become one of the countries that have the largest production and reserves of mining material in the World. As of 2014, in terms of natural resource reserves, Indonesia has the second largest tin reserves (2) worldwide, gold (6), and geothermal energy (1). While in terms of production, our country is the third largest producer of nickel in the world, bauxite (2), gas (9), coal (6), crude paint oil (1) (lipi.go.id, 2015).
Human resources, with a population of 267 million, are more than enough to be utilized together to be more productive. Moreover, Indonesia is currently enjoying a demographic bonus period where the population of productive age is more than unproductive age, which is more than 68% of the total population (katadata.co.id, 2019). Geographical location, when viewed from the technology and economic sectors, with Indonesia’s strategic position makes Indonesia a world trade channel or it can be said that Indonesia is located in a busy crossing of traffic. Therefore, a positive impact on technological development and economic conditions in Indonesia will be obtained (romadecade.org, 2019). Regarding culture, although it is not the highest culture and work ethic among other countries, the general culture of the Indonesian people is believed to be able to be a capable capital to oversee the ideals of the nation because this nation has a diverse culture and has a very strong uniqueness.
As expressed by the Historian and Professor of the University of Gadjah Mada (UGM), Professor Djoko Suryo “We have a uniqueness, Unity in Diversity that is able to frame, bind, and tie diversity” (mediaindonesia.com, 2018). One more thing about culture, we must be willing and able to recognize that there is still a need to improve community culture, from reactive culture to anticipatory community culture. Why is that really necessary? Reflecting on what has happened in recent years, there needs to be a joint commitment to counteract the spread of hoaxes as early as possible. The potential and spirit of Bhinneka-ness that is owned by the Indonesian people, is felt to be in vain if the community is still being reactive and unfiltered in filtering information received. Checking the truth of the event information source, getting used to not being reactive and provocative in responding to an event, and playing an active role in every anti-hoax campaign are some simple steps that can be realized in order to counter the spread of hoax news.
The four capitals above, if they are able to be managed professionally, are strong, and sustainable commitments are considered capable of becoming the most effective “weapons” in the effort to interpret, guard, and implement the ideals of the Indonesian nation in the next five years within the framework of the industrial revolution 4.0. All of us, both the government and the people of Indonesia, are to work together to realize this and the 74th independence momentum of the Unitary Republic of Indonesia (NKRI) must be able to be used as an initial milestone to jump further so that our nation continues to be a nation that grows, develops, and make progress as what the founding fathers of the nation dreamed of decades ago. Let’s guard, let’s move together for a better Indonesia. Make Indonesia a superior HR towards the aspirations of advanced Indonesia! Independent!