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| A bearer carrying the national flag to be hoisted during the Independence Day celebration in Jakarta. Indonesians are bound by their respect for symbols of the nation. |
THE late Pramoedya Ananta Toer was incarcerated for more than 12 years.
When he was released on Dec 21, 1977, the label topol (tahanan politik
or political prisoner) stigmatised him for life. He suffered and so,
too, his family. The last time I met him 17 years ago, he was not in the best of health
but he was cheerful and chatty. There was a small Sang Saka Merah Putih,
the Indonesian flag on his table. I was tempted to ask what he felt
about the symbol of the country that had done so much injustice to him. I
expected him to say that he had nothing against his country. He
accepted his fate, for he, too, had a checkered past. He was one of the
ideologues of Lembaga Kebudayaan Rakyat, the eyes and ears of Partai
Komunis Indonesia.
Yet, he was as Indonesian as anyone in the country can be, as loyal and
as patriotic. He spoke at length about his beloved country, his belief
in Bhinneka tunggal ika (unity in diversity) that is the motto of
Indonesia. And, he wasn't that bitter to hate his country. Nor to ignore
the significance of Hari Kemerdekaan (Independence Day). After all, he
knew many of the founding fathers, including Sukarno, the first
president. I am envious of the Indonesians as a whole. When it comes to manifestation of patriotism, they are in a league of their own.
There will be no debate, discourse or campaign to fly the Sang Saka
Merah Putih. And, no necessity for any of its leaders to appear on
television to encourage, plead or cajole the people to fly the dwiwarna
(dual-colour) flag. Indonesia was painted red and white this month (Aug 17, 1945 was their
Independence Day). Little wonder they called the flag "the sacred red
and white". It is kudus (sacred) indeed. Not only the flags, they will
also ensure the red and white motifs in different formations. Not that
their society is not divided. Or the people are not at loggerheads
politically. Religion, sects, even ethnicity, are dividing them. But, there is one thing that will bind them: the respect for symbols of
Indonesia. Sang Saka Merah Putih, especially. The national anthem. And,
their sense of pride, which can be intense, even feverish, at times. Patriotism comes in many forms, some would argue. Jingoism is archaic
to some. Symbolism means little to a segment of our society.
The sense of loyalty does not mean submitting to certain acceptable
norms about propriety and good conduct. The love for one's country can
be manifested in other forms. And, the debate rages on.
Tell that to the Indonesians. Perhaps their priority is to ensure the
creation of negara bangsa (nation state), the rest come later.
They believe in unity in diversity. They speak the same language. They
salute the Pancasila, the official philosophical foundation of the
state, not unlike our Rukun Negara. They may not be as successful
economically compared with us (perhaps, not yet), but they built the
foundation of nation-building first. They need that to unite 240 million
people.
Even Pramoedya wrote great novels about the Indonesia that had not been
kind and just to him. The world knew Indonesia through his books. He
was candid in telling his stories. From Keluarga Gerilya (A guerilla family) to Nyanyi Sunyi Seorang Bisu
(Mute soliloquy), two of his best-known autobiographical novels, he
taught us about humility, struggle and sacrifice. And, above all, love
for one's country.
The National Day is not about parade, patriotic songs and flag-waving.
And, it is not about mimicking the call for "Merdeka!" by Tunku Abdul
Rahman, the first prime minister of the country. It matters little how
we manifest patriotism, but perhaps by learning from the Indonesians, we
could at least hoist the Jalur Gemilang at our offices, shops or homes. I wonder what the late Yasmin Ahmad would have thought about the debate
on what constitutes patriotism. But I know one thing for sure. She
would have continued showing us as Malaysians in her united colours of
cinema. The Malaysia that she had envisioned.
A united Malaysia. Dirgahayu Malaysiaku!
source: nst.com
