DO WE REALLY HAVE FREEDOM?
Political Speech by RIDHO RAHMADI, at the 76th Anniversary of Independence of the Republic of Indonesia, organized by the Ummat Party – Central Leadership Council.
Assalamu’alaikum Wr. Wb. (Peace be upon You)
الْحَمْدُ ِِ رَ ِّ ب الْعَالَمِیْنَ وَال َّ صلاةَُ وَال َّ سلامَُ عَلَى أشَْرَفِ اْلأنَْبِیَاءِ وَالْمُرْسَلیِْنَ وَعَلَى الَھِِوَصَحْبِھِ أجَْمَعِیْنَ أ َّ مَا بَعْدُ
Which I respect the Chairman, leadership and all administrators of the Shura Assembly, Supervisory Assembly Party, Ethics Assembly, and Party Court, and also what I respect, the Chairman, the leadership and all the management of the DPP, DPW, DPD, DPC; also, all friends and members of the UmmaT Party, throughout Indonesia.
Today, we gather virtually, to commemorate the 76th Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia. Let us pray, may Allah SWT. Provide a way out of all the problems that plague this country. And let me begin this speech with a question: Do we have freedom?
Authoritarian & Oligarchy: the Worst of the both Worlds
Have we been freedom? if the current government regime is authoritarian and partisan. We have witnessed how this regime’s repressive attitude towards the people of the opposition; Tinged with persecution, demonetization, banning organizations, and even the arrest of individuals, imprisoned behind bars.
On the other hand, to its blind-bound supporters, the government’s attitude tends to turn soft and friendly. The atmosphere of partisan politics is so obvious in the sky of the motherland; Our nation has been cut from above.
Such repressive and partisan politics ways; Supporting the part and dropping the other part, is the old-fashioned way. This method was once used by colonial and fascist regimes in Indonesia, about 1 century ago. At that time, organizations initiating nationalism and independence such as PNI, Partindo, were muzzled, and figures such as Soekarno, Hatta, Syahrir, dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo were imprisoned. or exiled. Then what’s the difference?
Have we been free? If the smell of oligarchy is morally and ethically blind, it is strongly in the body of our government. A group of oligarchic elites justify all means in order to protect their personal interests or the interests of their groups. These interests are not far from one thing, which is none other than the name is money. Greedy and greedy, those are the characteristics of oligarchy in Indonesia.
Mafia
So do not be surprised if the mafia has a grip and strong influence in this country. Indeed, the mafia and the oligarchic elites inherited an identical DNA of greed; then of course they will cooperate and open each other’s nets. They inherit an evil mentality, the ends justify the means, aka the goal of justifying all means.
The mafia took refuge behind power and not infrequently even dictated that power in many dimensions of national life. So, we knows there are various kinds of mafia; starting from the rice mafia, meat mafia, sugar mafia, fertilizer mafia, wheat mafia, chili mafia, onion mafia, oil mafia, drug mafia, gas mafia, mineral and coal mafia, tax mafia, legal mafia, and others so on. Indeed, the economic, legal, social, and political joints of this nation were destroyed, he made.
Communism
Have we been free? If we re-open the coffin of communism in this country, which has long been locked, and let its ideas return to the fray, then we realize that the PKI has a bloody history in the country. Indonesian. Remember the events of Madiun in 1948 and Gestapu in 1965. In the history of the world, in the span of 100 years, communists have killed 100 million people who are considered enemies.
Some people in the current government regime are trying to give a false negative signal by saying that there are no more PKI in the country and spreading the bullying by saying there is no more. a country in the modern world that embraces communism; Whereas there is still China (Super power economy and military), Vietnam, North Korea, Laos, and Cuba with the ideology of communism.
Economics
Have we been free? The economy is getting worse. The state budget deficit reached Rp. 1,006.4 T; The amount of foreign debt reached Rp. 6004 Trillium (Rp. 310 T came from China), a record high foreign debt ever taken by the Indonesian government after the reform. The population expenditure inequality rate (or Gini Ratio) stood at 0.38 in September 2019, a decrease of 0.034 points compared to the same period five years earlier.
Signs of disequilibrium and socio-economic disparity look increasingly obvious and gaping. See how 80% of Indonesia’s Gross Domestic Product is dominated by provinces in the Western part of Indonesia alone. Though Indonesia in the eastern part is no less echo ripah loh jinawinya.
See how Indonesia’s global competitiveness index, dropped from 37th in 2015 to 50th in 2020. Worse than Malaysia which is ranked 27th and Thailand at 40th. Likewise, Indonesia’s human development index dropped to 111st place in 2018, far below Malaysia at 61st and 61st. Thailand is ranked 77th.
Natural Resources
Have we been free? If the management of Natural Resources (SDA) is so haphazard and it seems that the greedy characters behind it. The contract of work for the management of mines by foreigners, which should be stopped for the benefit of the nation, was instead extended, even facilitated by Law No. 3 of 2020.
The process of making the bill is also full of interests. How not, the bill containing the 938 Problem Inventory List was completed in just two weeks behind closed doors inside a luxury hotel. Even though the bill concerns the state and the rights of 270 million Indonesians.
Do you know, how much SDA is controlled by mining entrepreneurs, conglomerates and foreign investors? For coal SDA alone, the value is more than Rp. 6,000 T. When combined with the mineral sector, the value of the SDA is more than Rp. 10,000 T. The net profit enjoyed by a few people can reach Rp. 60-90 T per year. What do 270 million Indonesians get?
The nickel mineral sector is a strategic sector for electric cars. The Indonesian government instead gave permission to some Chinese investors to manage nickel mines from upstream to downstream. Even the government banned nickel exports from January 2020, making indigenous local miners forced to sell products to Chinese companies at a cheaper price than the export price. .
Education
Have we been free? Education, which is actually the main road to build a progressive nation’s civilization, its quality continues to decline and is increasingly noncompetitive. In a study that looked at aspects of education management, affordability, accessibility, accessibility, and adaptability, Indonesia obtained a score of 77%; Same as Honduras and Nigeria, below the Philippines and Ethiopia.
Even from the PISA test results in 2018, Indonesia is relatively in the bottom group; For Mathematics, we are in the bottom 7 of the 79 countries. The ability to understand reading is also 126 points below the average of other countries. For the field of Science, Indonesia is ranked 9th from the bottom; Far below Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei, Thailand, let alone Singapore.
Though education is very important for us to manage natural resources, human resources, and capital resources. Without a good education, positions ranging from technical to managerial will be filled by foreigners; and once again, our nation becomes a spectator at home.
Health
Have we been free? Indonesia’s essential health care coverage index in 2017 was 0.57; same as Rwanda, under exactly Tonga and Samoa. Based on the index we are ranked 157th, far below our neighbors Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore.
Social Health Insurance Administration Body (BPJS Kesehatan), which is expected to become the standard of health services for the wider community, even has a deficit of Rp. 6,36 T. The projected health budget in the state budget is relatively small when compared to education; Only about 6%. Not to mention that the use of the budget focuses more on curative programs, not preventive programs. Preventing is easier than treating. But of course preventive programs are not favored by pharmaceutical companies; Because the drugs sold will not sell on the market.
Papua and West Papua
Have we been free? The issue of peace, and socio-economic injustice in Papua and West Papua has not been resolved. Don’t be like a minister said: “Yes, if Papuans have no turmoil, not Papuans, they are called”. Statements like this contain negative sentiments and give a misleading stigma; It is not appropriate to leave a minister who represents the Government of Indonesia, where the territory of Indonesia is Sabang to Merauke.
To deal with problems in Papua and West Papua, so far the government tends to take a security and military approach. The approach should be taken more prioritizing dialogue and brotherhood. The special autonomy law for Papua is rejected by most Papuans; because it is considered not to touch the substance of the problem there. But the government together with the Dpr instead passed a bill for Otsus Volume II. Obviously, this endorsement is a form of government approach that tends not to suck up aspirations and does not put forward dialogue.
Economic injustice in the land of Papua is also very painful. Day-night foreign companies such as British Petroleum and Freeport-McMoran siphon off natural gas and mine the earth content of Papua, reaping enormous success; however, there are very few economic benefits felt by the people of Papua. Even the contribution of royalties and taxes to the state budget from Freeport-McMoran is only about 0.8%.
Megawati’s government in 2002 also sold Tangguh liquid natural gas to China. The length of his contract is 20 years. What is suffocating is that the price pegged is very low; Even in 2008 the price was only one-eighth of the market at that time.
What do Papuans get? Merauke Integrated Rice Estate, with government permission to divide 2 million hectares of land in Merauke to 33 companies for processing. It is not economic justice and prosperity obtained by the People of Papua and West Papua but poverty and ecological destruction. A soldier from the University of Papua said that in 30 years all will be wiped out. There is nothing left but toxic waste.
Environment
Have we been free? Wet tropical forests in Indonesia are massively exploited through Forest Management Rights by about 600 companies in an area of 64 million hectares; which means the destruction of natural forests has been More than half of the forest owned by this country. A terrible number, especially when juxtaposed with the results of research conducted by the Indonesian Mining Advocacy Network, which found that more than 44% of the land in Indonesia has been encapsulated. as a mining concession.
Equally ironic is that the gross deforestation rate from 2018 to 2020 is about 584,000 hectares and reforestation is about 6600 hectares. This means that in the midst of the world’s efforts to expand forest cover as the lungs of the world, Indonesia is actually deforestation.
Do we have freedom?
If what is meant by independence is to be separated from colonization and stand alone as one nation, then the answer is already.
76 years ago, after a long struggle by the founder and hero of this nation, the unyielding and tireless, Allah SWT. Bestowing His grace on the Indonesian nation; Something to look forward to, namely independence from colonial rule. Happily independence was proclaimed on Friday, August 17, 1945 or coincided with 9 Ramadan 1364 H. We should continue to be grateful to Allah SWT.
However, has it been enough that independence has stopped there? Not yet.
Independence does not stop there enough. The founders of this country, not only aspired to escape colonialism; but also yearning for independence followed by all unity, strong sovereignty, the establishment of justice, and equitable prosperity for all Indonesian people. This is the true meaning of independence; which the founders of this country formulated in Constitution 45, which is a written constitution, which is binding on state organizers, state institutions, institutions people, and all citizens.
Thus, independence also means the liberation of this nation from authoritarianism and oligarchy; such as the mandate of Constitution 45 in the Opening of the 4th Paragraph, Article 27 Paragraph 1, and Article 28D paragraph 1.
Independence also means the freedom of this country from the mafia; so that economic democracy is established and there are no more monopoly cartels; such as the mandate of the Constitution 45 Article 33 paragraphs 1 to 4.
Independence also means the loss of communism to its roots from this mother earth; such as the mandate of constitution 45 in the opening of the 4th paragraph, and Article 29.
Freedom also means the use of natural resources for the benefit of the entire Indonesian nation; such as the mandate of the Constitution 45 Article 33 Paragraphs 2 and 3. Not for a foreign nation.
Independence also means the good quality of education that is able to build a civilized and progressive nation; such as the mandate of The Constitution 45 Article 31.
Independence also means the guarantee of health services and programs that prosper the community; such as the mandate of the Constitution 45 Article 28H Paragraph 1, and Article 34 Paragraph 3.
Independence also means the independence of the forests and nature of this mother earth from all kinds of ecological damage; such as the mandate of the Constitution 45 Article 33 Paragraph 2.
Independence also means the realization of socio-economic security and justice in Papua and Papua. The West, as well as the fulfillment of the rights of the people there; such as the mandate of Constitution 45 all Articles 27 to Article 34.
Learning from the Past
There are at least 22 verses in the Qur’an that encourage man to “walk on the face of the earth/explore and to pay attention to how the end of a people who deny the truth” . For example, in Al An’am 11:
قُلْ سِيْرُوْا فِى الْاَرْضِ ثُمَّ انْظُرُوْا كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الْمُكَذِّبِيْنَ
Say (Muhammad), “Explore the earth, then notice how the end of those who deny it.”
These verses contain the message that we should learn from the past, from what has happened on this earth. And it should be that we take wisdom and lessons so as not to repeat the same mistakes.
Our nation has been colonized for centuries and through various waves of suffering until finally free from colonization. Let’s learn from the history of this nation.
There was an era around 1908 to 1926, where the founders of this nation consistently built and initiated the idea of nationalism and independence, by forming many organizations that have various Kind of ideology. Starting from Budi Utomo, Sarekat Islam, Muhammadiyah, Nahdhatul Ulama, Aisyiyah, Muslimat NU, Princess Merdika, Hadi Woman, Indonesian Study Group, Indonesian Association, PNI, and so on.
This can be done because one of the reasons is the feeling of having a common enemy, that is, foreign invaders.
Then there was the era around 1926, where there was an attempt to unify the struggle; for example, through the Indonesian National Political Association (PPPKI) or students through the Indonesian Student Students Association (PPPI) whose results in giving birth to the Youth Oath, and also the Political Association Indonesia (GAPI).
For this united effort, plus cooperation between all the old and young, the Indonesian nation then finally gained independence.
Learn from the history of this nation; First, we need to understand and disseminate what our common enemy is.
My best friend, our common enemy is Tyranny! Again, it is tyranny; that undermines the various dimensions of life of this nation. Starting from authoritarianism, oligarchy, partisan politics, mafia, communism, disorganized economic management, unfair management of natural resources, education that is not educating and not giving value, poor health services, suffering of the people of Papua and West Papua, destruction of nature and forests, and all the tyranny and injustice on earth This motherland.
Let us realize all over the country, of our common enemies. All Indonesians should know. Young people need to understand. We are the ummat party must take part at the forefront; against tyranny and upholding justice, for the sake of achieving the true ideals of independence. We are the ummat party must dare to shout the truth to anyone, indiscriminately. Remember the beautiful cry in Q.S. Ali Imran 104:
وَلْتَكُنْ مِّنْكُمْ اُمَّةٌ يَّدْعُوْنَ اِلَى الْخَيْرِ وَيَأْمُرُوْنَ بِالْمَعْرُوْفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ ۗ وَاُولٰۤىِٕكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُوْنَ
“And let there be among you there is a group of people who call for virtue, command (do) the makruf, and prevent from being corrupt. And those are they Lucky people.“
Then in this struggle, the Ummat Party should be the initiator and promoter of the unity of our nation that has been divided; because it is impossible for the victory to be obtained if we are scattered. As stated in Q.S Ar-Ra’d verse 11:
ۗاِنَّ اللّٰهَ لَا يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوْمٍ حَتّٰى يُغَيِّرُوْا مَا بِاَنْفُسِهِمْۗ
“… Surely Allah will not change the situation of a people until they change their own circumstances…”
, also verse 90 Surah An Nahl,
اِنَّ اللّٰهَ يَأْمُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ وَالْاِحْسَانِ وَاِيْتَاۤئِ ذِى الْقُرْبٰى وَيَنْهٰى عَنِ الْفَحْشَاۤءِ وَالْمُنْكَرِ وَالْبَغْيِ يَعِظُكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُوْنَ
“Surely Allah commanded (you) to be just and to do good, to give help to relatives, and he forbade (committing) heinous acts, malice, and hostility. He teaches you so that you can take lessons.”
, and remember my friend all, you are the chosen man,
“And (remember) when your Lord said to the angles, “I want to make caliphs on earth…”.
How noble, the position of man before Allah SWT; caliph, representative of Allah SWT, honorable and dignified, entrusted with a certain duty to build benefit on the face of the earth.
Finally , longevity my country, continue my people, peace my mother earth, we the Ummat Party will fight with you, to fight against tyranny and uphold justice!
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Freedom!
Wassalamu’alaikum Wr. Wb.