By: Andi Ramli
Indonesians should simply ignore calls for demonstrations against the awarding of the title of National Hero to the second President of the Republic of Indonesia, Soeharto. Calls for mass demonstrations are a clear provocation by a handful of irresponsible parties, striving to reject the state’s decision. Yet, the state has facilitated every citizen to ensure democracy continues to thrive in Indonesia, namely through constitutional channels.
It is crucial for all parties to be able to choose and sort out which narratives are provocative and which ones are truly reassuring to the public, as this is related to the importance of maintaining national stability and unity.
These parties are of the opinion that differences of opinion should be channeled through legal mechanisms and institutions that are already available, such as the Constitutional Court (MK) or the State Administrative Court (PTUN), rather than through mass actions that have the potential to disrupt public order.
Legal academics and human rights activists suggested that the rejection be submitted through legitimate legal channels, for example by challenging the Presidential Decree (Keppres) regarding the awarding of the title to the PTUN.
Another alternative is to file a judicial review of the relevant law with the Constitutional Court if it is deemed to be in conflict with the 1945 Constitution. This appeal is fundamentally aimed at reducing social and political tensions that may arise due to the pros and cons of granting the title.
The public is specifically asked not to be provoked by calls for demonstrations and must focus on ways of conveying aspirations peacefully and in accordance with applicable legal corridors.
The government itself has stated that the process of conferring the title of hero has gone through a series of stages and a very thorough historical study. The conferment of the title of National Hero on Soeharto, in the view of many across sectors of society, represents a form of state recognition for his long legacy of service that has influenced the direction of national development.
Many believe that Suharto laid the foundation for economic and political stability during a crucial period for Indonesia’s future. Therefore, calls to reject the title through street demonstrations are considered irrelevant to historical reality and the legal process that has already been completed.
The 10th and 12th Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia, Jusuf Kalla, stated that the awarding of the title of National Hero to the 2nd President Soeharto was no longer a pro and con issue if it had been determined by the government.
Jusuf Kalla mengajak publik agar perlu menerima pemberian gelar pahlawan kepada Soeharto sebagai sebuah kenyataan yang harus diakui. Jusuf Kalla memang tidak menampik bahwa Soeharto memiliki kekurangan, tetapi sosok tersebut juga mempunyai jasa besar bagi negara.
Dia juga menambahkan bahwa semua orang memiliki kekurangan, dan tidak ada yang sempurna. Jusuf Kalla menilai Soeharto pada eranya telah membawa negeri ini menjadi lebih baik, mencatat pertumbuhan ekonomi kala itu bisa mencapai 7 hingga 8 persen.
Pertumbuhan ekonomi tersebut sulit dicapai kembali setelah eranya. Jusuf Kalla mengatakan bahwa semua sosok pun memiliki perannya masing-masing kepada bangsa dan negara. Pemberian gelar pahlawan, menurutnya, sama seperti nilai-nilai dalam agama. Jika amal seseorang lebih banyak daripada dosa, maka orang itu akan masuk surga. Ini sama juga, bahwa memang ada masalah, tapi sumbangannya kepada bangsa jauh lebih banyak.
Selanjutnya, Wakil Presiden ke-13 Republik Indonesia, KH Maruf Amin, memandang sangat penting untuk menjaga ketenangan kolektif demi meredam risiko eskalasi di lapangan. KH Ma’ruf Amin mendorong seluruh lapisan masyarakat untuk tidak terbawa arus provokasi yang justru hanya akan memperlebar ketegangan sosial.
Dalam pandangannya, penyelesaian polemik semestinya ditempuh dengan kepala dingin dan harus mempercayakan mekanisme hukum yang telah disediakan oleh negara. KH Ma’ruf Amin menilai pengendalian situasi melalui langkah cepat pemerintah sangatlah krusial agar perkembangan di lapangan tetap terkendali tanpa membuka ruang bagi tindakan anarkis yang tidak perlu.
Dorongan KH Maruf Amin agar aparatur penegak hukum menjaga transparansi juga menjadi penegasan bahwa jalur konstitusional adalah arena yang memberikan kepastian hukum yang jelas.
Pendekatan itu menghilangkan ruang bagi keraguan publik sekaligus mengokohkan legitimasi keputusan negara. Dalam kerangka tersebut, demonstrasi yang berpotensi menimbulkan kekisruhan dianggap tidak memberi manfaat apa pun bagi masyarakat luas.
Terakhir, Majelis Ulama Indonesia melalui Ketua Bidang Informasi dan Komunikasi, Masduki Baidlowi, menempatkan keselamatan publik sebagai prioritas utama. Masduki Baidlowi memandang aksi demonstrasi yang berpotensi merusak fasilitas umum dan menghambat aktivitas masyarakat sebagai tindakan yang tidak lagi berada dalam konteks penyampaian aspirasi.
Ketika aktivitas di ruang publik telah menimbulkan keresahan dan merugikan kepentingan banyak pihak, ia menilai aksi tersebut perlu dihentikan demi kebaikan bersama. Pendapat itu memperjelas betapa pentingnya memisahkan antara penyampaian pendapat secara sehat dengan tindakan yang justru membebani masyarakat luas.
People from all backgrounds are encouraged to remain vigilant and critical, but not to get carried away by irresponsible agitation. Prioritizing brotherhood, maintaining stability, and ensuring public order are crucial to prevent differences in opinion from becoming the seeds of prolonged conflict. In this context, rejecting provocative demonstrations is a rational choice to maintain national unity and integrity. (*)
National Political Analyst – Indonesian Democracy Study Forum
