Indonesia’s supposed core belief in diversity is being tested by religious-led homophobia and anti-semitism. It comes as President Joko Widodo is due in Australia — and his nation of 600 ethnicities readies for presidential elections next year, writes Duncan Graham
Outbursts of anti-semitism and homophobia are poisoning Indonesia’s well of respect for difference, its tradition of living in harmony and making a mockery of the national motto Bhinneka Tunggal Ika – Unity in Diversity.
In the run-up to next year’s presidential election, the Republic has still to find a champion prepared to confront illiberalism and restore the ‘moderate’ trademark. There was one – fourth President Abdurrahman ‘Gus Dur’ Wahid – but he’s long gone and his successors are turning to appeasement edged with fear and imagined threats.
The latest assumed threat is the Brit band Coldplay, set to perform in Jakarta in mid-November, delighting its fans and horrifying fundamentalists. The band is famous for its ‘infectious joy’ , philanthropy and support for LGBTQ people. The religious zealots, including both Muslim and Christians, picture concertgoers cheering the band’s chart-topper Viva La Vida (Live Life) and turning gay.
Then there’s sport. Earlier this year the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) cancelled Indonesia as host of the U20 World Games after two provincial governors opposed the event because young Israelis would compete. Indonesians are nuts about soccer which they play badly. Having the U20 in Indonesia meant millions would get to see the Beautiful Game at its peak and players learn new skills. That chance went to Argentina earlier this month. Uruguay won the tournament, Israel claimed third place.
Beach Games Next?
Now it seems Indonesia will miss the World Beach Games scheduled for Bali this August. It’s a multi-sport event run by the Association of National Olympic Committees featuring non-Olympic beach and water sports primarily for the teen to mid-30s cohort. Israel is expected to participate, so unless there’s a policy somersault since the U20 fiasco, it seems the Beach Games will have to be shifted to a location where inclusion is celebrated.
That used to be Indonesia, home to more than 600 ethnicities: As The Jakarta Post editorialised: ‘Our diversity, whether by race or ethnicity, religion, culture or language, and yes, sexual orientation, requires tolerance to ensure peaceful coexistence across the archipelago.’
When mixing sport, entertainment and politics, Indonesian governments are skilled at scoring their own goals. The irony is that last November the Republic’s global reputation soared for the successful G20 economic summit in Bali.
The polity is controlled by the pre-Reformasi oligarchs of last century, but the electorate is dominated by a new generation. With almost 60 per cent of voters aged between 17 and 39, angering the young by banning their sport and fun is not smart politics.
Nor is upsetting big business. Before FIFA yanked the U20 World Cup, the government had spent Rp 322 billion (AUD $32 million) cleaning up six grounds. Hotels and economists rejoiced, anticipating visitors from everywhere.
The disillusioned are likely to be turned off politics by such clumsy decisions and revert to Golput (voting with an unmarked paper). This was the strategy used by activists to protest the 32-year autocracy of second president Soeharto. The government has been trying to stamp out the tactic because it endangers democracy.
Upholding the constitution
The antisemites say they’re upholding a preamble to the 1945 Constitution claiming ‘independence is the inalienable right of every nation, therefore, colonialisation on earth must be abolished’. There’s no evidence that banning Israeli athletes will hasten the end of the occupation of the West Bank.
Australia supported the independence of Indonesia, and along with the US strong-armed the Netherlands into quitting its former colony in 1949. Although ‘colonialism’ has largely disappeared from the lexicons of foreign affairs, in Indonesia it’s been resuscitated by the ultra-religious and morphed into hatred of a nation rather than the policies of its governments.
Pew research claims ‘fully 40 per cent of Israeli Jews say their own government is not making a sincere effort toward peace, and an equal share of Israeli Arabs say the same about Palestinian leaders. The sporty types from the Holy Land may not even be Jews or support the nation’s policies on Palestine. About 40 per cent of Israelis are secular and 14 per cent Muslim.
After the 2019 Indonesian election Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi reaffirmed her nation’s ‘commitment and support for the struggle of Palestinian independence will never diminish.’ But steps to settle the ‘Palestine Question’ can continue with vigour in the UN and other places, unimpeded by Israeli footprints on Bali beaches.
Jokowi’s final visit
The issue may be raised by President Joko ’Jokowi’ Widodo during his visit to Australia early next month, most likely his last before the mandated end of his presidency next year.
The Indonesian Constitution doesn’t authorise the penalising of ordinary citizens because they were born in a particular territory, a factor over which they had no control. Such facts bounce off nervous politicians who dread any display of sufferance will cause an eruption of great wrath across the land, its traditions crushed by lava flows of Western woke.
There are six Islamic political parties in Indonesia. They are too small to succeed alone, so they need to cosy up to the majors by promising voters in return for ministries. The current class of psephologists assume the pious will determine who gets the presidential throne, so best soothe the zealots.
Few dare call out this theory lest a rebuff alienates voters. One who has is Endy Bayuni, former editor of The Jakarta Post, reminding that in the last election, the two biggest Islamic-based parties together drew only 13 per cent of the vote. ‘Fear of Islamism is widely exaggerated,’ he wrote. ‘Islamist parties naturally sought to capitalise on conservatism, but they fooled no one. Voters may share a conservative agenda, but they draw the line at an Islamist agenda.’
What about China?
The late President Gus Dur – who visited Israel six times, braving contrived fury each time he returned, said: ‘I think there is a wrong perception that Islam is in disagreement with Israel. This is caused by Arab propaganda. We have to distinguish between Arabs and Islam. ‘I always say that China and the Soviet Union have or had atheism as part of their Constitution, but we have long-term relationships with both these countries.’
His comments were made almost two decades ago. Since then widespread reports allege that Chinese authorities have been forcibly ‘re-educating’ Islamic minorities, mainly ethnic Uyghur in the Xinjiang region. There are around 11 million Muslims in the northwest of the country. There’s been no campaign to stop Chinese loans funding massive infrastructure projects across the archipelago, with Chinese workers often involved.
Maybe the athletes would be welcome if Israel became a major investor.
Duncan Graham has a Walkley Award, two Human Rights Commission awards and other prizes for his radio, TV and print journalism in Australia. He now lives in Indonesia.