IF ONLY

November - December 2016. The rainy season has come throughout Indonesia. As many big cities don't have appropriate water canal (or it used to be in past period, but it being covered with sort of infrastructure materials), so the flood has swamped residential areas that stimulating people to blame on the government. Why is the flood problems always happen annually? Asked the majority of people.

But then, there was a revolution changing Jakarta situation with controversial actions. The local government has solved these problems by dredging the river over Jakarta. As a result, a lot of illegal shacks should be displaced to housing units. While achieving the aim of its project, however, the number of people have refused it as many reasons were shouted at. Did the governor engaged them immediately? As I remember, it occured by the staffs, nor himself. Apparently, without intensively personal touch communication, it has hurted the grassroot.

Unfortunately, something happened in early October. The governor spoke faulty about Holy Qur'an, Al-Maidah : 51. This video has been virally shared in social media. Nevertheless, people has alleged him of blasphemy action. The majority of moslem alliances has shouted at him then massively congregated at Bundaran Hotel Indonesia on November 4th, which has become the starting point of others agenda, mostly about political issues. Aggravating potential treason assault, the demonstration has been guarded by millitary to continue on December 2nd, with the name of a peaceful rally (Aksi Damai 212 ; Aksi Bela Islam) inviting millions of people from west to east. The purpose of its rally is the same as before, imprisoning Ahok because of his derogatory verbal spoken of Holy Qur'an. They hope this rally would be influenced the government to do sentence to Ahok. 

In my subjective opinion, as Indonesian, we all have the same right to aspire our arguments to the government. So do we, nowadays. I agree to that peaceful rally of Ahok whereas in my perception, the purpose of rally is too shallow. I think, to forced the imprisonment is less fair due to presumption to innocence before judgement. We don't have right to judge Ahok or every offender even the worst of violences, for instance, a murder or an assassination. Yet, it might be more essential to disclose the uttermost ingrained problems affecting financial gap, a lack of public wealth, illegal logging, climate change, environmental damage, and human rights. For example, the corruption, human rights violences (Munir's premeditated murder : who's the mercenary on his case?), repetitive flood and any disasters caused by massive land convertions, multinational companies acquitition, oil & gas exploitation from other nations (Freeport unlimited cooperation agreement : how long have we been kept silence?), and also the terrorism from radical groups of people. 

If only we have a choice to be more objective, not to emphasise a mere religious view, I think racism should not be ignited over mass media. Others' provocative demonstration should not be occured due to all coverage purposes thoroughly. If it happens, the name of Aksi Bela Islam (Islamic Defence) will be vanished to Aksi Damai (Peaceful Rally) itself representing all religious worshippers, moslems were doing Shalat Jumat while others praying as theirs.

Hence, I appreciate to all the mass who have orderly and well behave toward its event. I wish it will become long-lasting unity to live on. Also, I hope we can truly open our eyes to resolve some major issues above. Let us be more excellent to analyse sort of information and be better to pick most priority concerns to discuss than racism agenda. 

PS : I've just wondered, how will happen if another minority religion is presumably blasphemed? Should the adherence(s) will plan a rally?