Bengkulu, a wish for ‘role-model’ of tolerance in Indonesia

From year to year, Indonesia still faces abundant cases that are actually outdated and no longer relevant for us to discuss, but it still remains as a frightening phantom and potency to divide the unity of this country, namely intolerance. Cases of intolerance exist and even develop in Indonesia which is indeed diverse and plural. Diversity carries risk of fighting and conflict. Whereas in actual conditions, our diversity is a gift and uniqueness of Indonesia. For example religion diversity, religion does not teach evil, but goodness. We may be different in term, ritual and way of worship but the essence we believe in the existence of God, the Creator. By believing in the existence of God, we are reminded to live in peace and to care for Indonesia as gift from the Almighty. There is no developed country without peace. Indeed the differences do not become obstacles to live in harmony, peace and mutual respect with the final ideology of our nation, the ideology of Pancasila.

Bengkulu province which consists of 10 municipals or regencies, is one of the areas that has minimum intolerance conflict. It can be proved by the absence of news or media report on this issue. Bengkulu, who was established on November 18, 1968, has around 2 million population, dominated by Moslems.

Do Bengkulu fit to be a ‘role-model’ of tolerance in Indonesia? Setara Institute noted and examined 10 most tolerant cities in Indonesia, namely: Singkawang (West Kalimantan), Salatiga, Pematang Siantar, Manado, Ambon, Bekasi, Kupang, Tomohon, Binjai, Surabaya. Setara Institute also noted that there were some areas with minimum tolerance, namely: Aceh, Jakarta, Cilegon, Padang, Depok, Bogor, Makassar, Medan, Sabang and Tanjung Balai. Based on the data, Bengkulu was not included both. Is Bengkulu fit to be included in the list of high tolerance areas?

Jonny Simamora, S.H., M.Hum, Lecturer in the Faculty of Law, Bengkulu State University,

Internally, we have not been able to accept each other, including ourselves (read: Christians in Bengkulu) still keep their ego among people, church and religion. Thus, to overcome such condition, understanding each other is a must. Godliness is the parameter for building horizontal relationships between human beings. It is not easy. Let the godliness be our personal affair with God and we implement it in building equality by not treating others as inferior. Next problem is our social interaction is less but the divinity seems to be much more. Our religion is true but that does not mean that other people's religion is wrong. This is what we must understand together, because the only one who knows whether we are right or wrong is only God.

Ps. Pakkat Sitinjak, S.Th., Chairman of the Bengkulu PGIW,

Tolerance has two sides, internal and external. Internal is the relationship among Christians, including relationship between church and its fellowship. The ecumenical movement is still the internal foundation, even though we live among many church denominations.  Churches often enlarge only organizations and not the vision of Christ, eventhough the relationship is still good and we can sit together with these differences.

Externally, our daily life with differences in ethnic, culture and religion is well in the absence of conflict but it needs to be improved with more intense narration and dialoque about unity. In fact, in several places in Bengkulu, churches and mosques stand side by side. Freedom of worship has not been banned. However, several places of worship have not yet received the building lisence because they do not meet the requirements. But this is not a major obstacle, we are lack of communication in our environment.

Cak Komarudin, Head of RT 3/07, the community leader, in Rear area of UNIB,

We live in rear Bengkulu University area, with a motto of Unity in Diversity. This makes conflict or cases of intolerance not exist in this environment. Among the large number of people living in, it is about 1000 people and 900 of them are students coming from various regions in Indonesia. There are no differences from ethnicity and religion that make me do overlap or act unfairly. All are in accordance with our regulation and our national ideology. We also make rules to regulate life together and people in this area must obey it without inequality. But we should admit that there are still many of us who have not fulfilled the rules to accept and appreciate differences.

Furthermore, it still needs a further research related to intolerance in Bengkulu so that it can answer the question whether Bengkulu is deserved as a role-model of tolerance in Indonesia. Because there are several variables of condition to be tolerant areas in Indonesia. However, based on the writer’s opinion, Bengkulu province has fulfilled these criterias, such as Rama Agung village, Argamakmur, North Bengkulu regency. This is proved by its plural society, multi-cultural, multi-religious, multi-religious places, even at the center of the village was built a monument of worship places of all religions in Indonesia to respect diversity.

We hope that tolerance in Bengkulu continues to be maintained and nurtured to promote unity among differences, with one hope that Bengkulu will be one of the regions as a role-model of tolerance in Indonesia. (YDJ)