Reviving the Spirit of Independence Day in Indonesia

Reviving the Spirit of Independence Day

By Zakky Ramadhany on 11:55 am August 17, 2013.
The roads and alleyways of Cempaka Putih Barat, a North Jakarta neighborhood, are mainly deserted with most of its residents still spending Idul Fitri with their families in their hometowns. But by noon on Saturday — Independence Day — those who chose to stay will begin to flood the streets, carrying bamboo poles painted red and white. “The most important thing is to find solid bamboo suitable to be used as the flagpole, then paint the wood to make it look more beautiful. This is done to celebrate Independence Day,” said Nursaleh, a resident of the area, who is in charge of organizing the neighborhood’s Independence Day celebration every year.“The children are also very happy when August comes, because a few days before Aug. 17 and on Aug. 17 we will surely hold some races that they can follow.”

In neighborhoods across Indonesia, Independence Day is commemorated with communal activities and games for kids and adults. Red and white cups strung between electric poles add nationalistic flair to the occasion.

Every year, neighborhoods stage mass clean-ups, unclogging the sewers and sweeping up litter. There is a sense of togetherness and patriotism as flags fly high across the city.

But for some neighborhoods, the traditions of games, cleaning and patriotic get-togethers are slowly fading.

“Every year, the community’s participation seems to get lower and lower,” said Henry Ingkiriwang, a neighborhood chief in South Jakarta’s subdistrict of Kebayoran Baru.

“They choose to stay at home or go to the mall rather than go out and take part in the games or communal work.

“The most common excuse is ‘I have things to do so I’ll just donate some money this year.’ But this happens every year. It’s not about how much you donate. It’s about a community getting together. I think people should do it at least once a year on Independence Day.”

The lack of enthusiasm is evident in the shape of community portals and gates, which used to be elaborately decorated with images and figures reflecting the country’s struggle for independence.

Independence Day decor used to be a test of a neighborhood’s sense of artistry and creativity, and decorating gates was looked at with pride.

Gone are the elaborate, colorful murals depicting wartime scenes, Indonesian independence fighters arming themselves with no more than sharpened bamboo sticks. At best, the gates receive a fresh coat of paint.

Rudi, a 27-year-old household equipment seller who each year sells flags in Jatinegara, East Jakarta, agreed that Independence Day traditions were dying and hurting sellers like him.

Rudi, who has been selling flags for seven years, said a few years ago the Jatinegara traditional market was crowded with flag sellers. This year, he said, there was hardly any competition.

“Last year many sellers lost money … many went out of business,” he said. “Today I haven’t sold that many flags. But thank God I still make between Rp 500,000 to Rp 700,000 [$48 to $68] a day.”

Rudi sells a variety of Independence Day paraphernalia including different sized flags and wood carvings resembling the national Garuda symbol.

Years ago, Rudi could sell thousands of flags and other memorabilia, earning up to Rp 18 million in profit.

This year, he said, he would be happy just to break even.

In a bid to resuscitate the lost festivity of Independence Day, the government recently announced plans for massive celebrations, events and parades.

The House of Representatives said it will host an orchestra today, featuring 200 musicians and choir members from all 33 provinces.

On Sunday, the State Palace will stage a cultural parade and arts performance.

The event, conceptualized by musician and choreographer Denny Malik, will start at 2 p.m. Participants will parade from the palace, through nearby Jalan Merdeka Barat before finishing at the National Monument complex, where performances will be staged.

The event will also include artists and performers from all provinces, each featuring their own cultural dances, music and costumes before taking the stage together for the finale.

Nursaleh of Cempaka Putih Barat said although his community would still host communal workdays and games, other neighborhood organizers he spoke to had not planned major games, such as panjat pinang , where teams try to climb a well-oiled log to seize prizes suspended high up in the air, which used to be the highlight of Independence Day.

But there will still be simpler games such as balap karung , where people race each other in a straight line or through a course while their legs are inside an empty sack.

Then there is lomba kerupuk , where people try to eat rice crackers tied to a string without the use of their hands, and lomba kelereng , where people race while balancing a marble on a spoon using their mouth.

Nursaleh said the games are symbols of Independence Day.

“In addition to a sense of togetherness and solidarity, all of the races also foster a sense of sportsmanship… [people] learn how to respect [each other],” he said.

But Lita Agnes, a kindergarten teacher from East Jakarta, thinks the focus of Independence Day should be different.

“The meaning of Independence Day for most Indonesian people is probably just a formal ceremony and celebration with a variety of competitions. I always ask myself, are they useful?” Lita added.

Although she agrees that such games are fun and can get her students excited about Independence Day, she argued that there should be more meaningful and educational activities with the games and races serving side attractions.

Year after year, she said, her kindergarten stages dramas with the war of independence as the main theme.

“After the drama is over, we explain the significance of the fight, about how we always need to fight and not give up so easily,” she said.

“There’s nothing wrong with [races]. But, it would be nice if we make Aug. 17 a reminder of the efforts and sacrifices of our heroes.”

Govt Projects GDP Per Capita to Reach $5,000 in 2014

By Agustiyanti & Ezra Sihite

 on 3:20 pm August 16, 2013.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono delivers the state of the nation address prior to the commemoration of the 68th anniversary of Indonesia’s independence at the House of Representatives building in Senayan, South Jakarta, on Aug. 16, 2013. (Rumgapres Photo).

In his annual national speech, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said that Indonesia’s projected GDP per capita will likely reach a new milestone by the end of 2014 — with a commensurate reduction in the country’s poverty rate.

“In 2004, our GDP per capita was $1,177, and in 2009 it increased to $2,299,” he said. “The figure kept on rising to $3,592 last year. By the end of 2014, our GDP per capita will reach $5,000.”

“Our economy grows at a rate of 5 or 6 percent, business sectors grow and we can also decrease unemployment and poverty,” he said. “The state’s income will increase, and we can keep expenditure and the fiscal deficit below 3 percent.”

Official data show 11.37 percent of Indonesians lived in poverty as of March 2013. In 2004, the figure was 16.6. The unemployment figure fell from 9.89% in 2004 to 5.92% in February of this year.

Yudhoyono gave examples of successful government programs that had contributed to the nation’s prosperity. “The government has carried out many programs to support the people,” he said. “We have financial-assistance programs for the poor, senior citizens and people with disabilities. We have also carried out rice-assistance programs, family programs and operational assistance for schools.”

Arief Budimanta, member of Commission IX in the House of Representatives, said the increase in the price of subsidized fuel would, however, likely push more people into poverty.

“The current [poverty] rate is 11.3 percent and it may increase to 12 percent,” he said. “Inflation has been crazy these past few months.”

Arief said that the government usually only relied on National Program in Society Empowerment and the Direct Financial Assistance stimulus in fighting poverty, but infrastructure programs and small-middle economic programs had yet to create a significant impact.