Bhineka Tunggal Ika

Written by Anastasya Dwi Tantya (016201200010)

Bhineka Tunggal Ika is the official national motto of Indonesia. Bhineka Tunggal Ika is an old Javanese phrase which means unity in diversity. The phrase was taken from a book written by Sutasoma which is one of the Hindu bibles. For Hindus and Buddhists, the phrase was meant to teach us about tolerance. 

For a country with many different tribes, culture and religion, I think our official motto fits really really well. The only problem is will you make the phrase a part of your daily routines?

I paid a lot of attention to this year's presidential election and I was expecting a fun packed democracy party but what I saw is far from fun. It is heartbreaking to see how people still use SARA (tribes, religion, race and anatomy) as a black campaign material and what's worse is people actually buy that. 

I understand if narrow minded old generation people still holds on to the pride of their tribe and sometimes they judge people because of it. But if the young generations did exactly the same as those narrow minded old generation, it is just pitiful. My pity is not for them, it is for Indonesia. Because Indonesia is a gold mine, but the gold is not in the land, it's in the people. 

You want a strong country? A country that is respected by others? It is not about choosing number 1 or 2. The answer is not Prabowo or Jokowi. The answer is right there all along, engraved in our nation's official symbol. 

We have 5 more days to see the official real count of the presidential election and during that time why don't make sure that in July 22nd, Bhineka Tunggal Ika will win and unity in diversity will no longer be a phrase that students memorize. Unity in diversity should be a way to live, for peaceful and greater Indonesia.