United Reject Abstinence and Oppose Hoax For Quality 2019 Election and Ensure Sustainability of National Leadership
By: Nurman Alatas *
Unity in Diversity. Different but still one. The motto of the Indonesian people is written on the Indonesian state emblem, Garuda Pancasila is truly compatible with diversity in Indonesia. 1,340 tribes, 546 languages, 6 religions, 1 nation. The spirit of this unity became the basis of the birth of the country of Indonesia.
While far decades ago, President Soekarno once said “My struggle is easier because it is against the invaders. But your struggle will be harder, because it is against your own brother. Undoubtedly, the First President of Indonesia was a visionary, his view was able to predict how the possibilities and potentials of the country would become a nuisance in the future.
Just look now, even though this unity seems to be starting to falter with a storm of division. Now, racial, ethnic and religious hatred is like oil being struck by sparks. In the name of freedom, unity began to be ruled out. This has become an irony, considering that only 74 years ago this nation had pledged in one unit. Plus the pledge came after passing more than 300 years of colonialism. This is caused by others who want to impose their will to change the Pancasila and hamper the progress of the Indonesian nation.
The perpetrators of national unity are not from outside. However, nothing but not, is the utterance of hatred like the hoaxes launched by our own brothers. The spread of hoaxes that are increasingly unstoppable and merciless can ignite conflict in society. This can lead to primordial sentiments and strengthen radicalism. Hoaxes are spread by individuals who have an interest in generating sympathy, anger, and asking for support from the public for an ongoing political or humanitarian event whose purpose is no other to seize power cunningly.
Hoaxes and utterances of hatred are increasingly becoming increasingly popular with advances in technology and stimulation of social media. The spread of hoaxes on social media can instantly ignite thousands of masses in seconds. It could be that one day our country Indonesia will be re-colonized due to unrest that is not maintained.
Therefore, the re-fertilization of a sense of unity and tolerance also needs to be done by reminding the historical period of the struggle for Indonesian independence. Especially towards the holding of the April 17 2019 election. Don’t let hoaxes and hate speech destroy our Party of Democracy. The success of the 2019 Election was cheerful, without fear of choosing for the better progress of Indonesia. The community must have been smart in deciding the choice of a visionary Indonesian leader who was passionate about working hard and loving his people without being quick to get emotional and angry.
Let us use our right to vote to continue the success of the Indonesian Development which is currently being aggressively carried out. Jamgan Golput and don’t be afraid to choose because of intimidation by certain parties. Keep using the right. Choose smartly to choose the best leader and have a good track record. And have achieved for the progress of the nation.
*) UIN Alumni Sultan Maulana Banten
