In 2003, we celebrated our 10th OMC. It was truly a watershed moment. In the first 10 OMC, we learnt about Indonesia and ourselves as Indonesian Christians. The last ten OMCs’ focus has been creating direct impact in Indonesia. This short writing shared what we learnt from the first decade of OMC.
First, we learnt that as a nation we are segregated based on SARA but united on KKN. The majority of sectarian conflicts in Indonesia have been caused by differences in ethnic, religion, race, and groupings (Suku, Agama, Ras, Antar Golongan, SARA). In early 2000 to 2003, Indonesia had experienced wave of conflicts in Sampit between Dayak people and Madurese from Madura Island, in Maluku between Christians and Muslims, and in Jakarta between Chinese and paramilitary as well as between business and poor mob. Small things could be used easily to explode the sectarian conflicts. For example, the conflict in Maluku in 1999, that claimed 5000 lives and terrorized more than 2.1 million people, was started by a rumor that a Christian minibus driver injured another bus conductor that happened to be a Muslim.
On the other hand, we all were united in robbing the country through corruption, collusion, and nepotism practices (Korupsi, Kolusi, Nepotism, KKN). The KKN practices were so bad that it was almost impossible for one to obtain any government paper, such as driver license, ID card without paying bribe money in 2003. Nobody would be considered a saint if KKN was the measurement in Indonesia. All presidents were linked to major corruption cases including the current Indonesian president. The infection was so severe that it required a major surgery of the government and political systems in Indonesia.
Second, we learnt that in government every institution has to be held accountable to both the constitutions and the people. Prior to August 12 2002, the MPR (Majelis Permusyawaratan Rakyat) or the people consultative assembly was the highest institution in Indonesia. The MPR elected the president and set the direction of the country. The MPR was not directly accountable to the people because majority of its members were not elected directly by the people. Approximately half of MPR were appointed mainly by the Soeharto’s government. The other half was appointed by the 3 political parties, which were by Soeharto.
Starting August 12 2002, the president has term limit and is elected directly by the people. The legislative members are directly elected by the people every 5 year. The legislative, MPR, cannot remove the president from office, only Constitutional Court (Mahkamah Konstitusi, MK) can do that. The MK has the final say whether the law proposed by the legislative is not against the spirit of the Indonesian constitution. The judges were appointed by the DPR (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat, national legislative body directly elected in national election).
Third, we learnt that we have to serve and engage as leader in public space. We learnt in OMC V that people want to see our action before even listening to our suggestions. We learnt that we needed to show love, compassion, and willing to serve first before we could lead. In OMC VI, the speakers reminded us again that Heaven is not our home, God still has a purpose for us in Indonesia. We had to engage in the daily struggle and suffering of Indonesians.
All these three lessons were really humbling to us. We started to grasp how big the challenge is and how inadequate we are. However, the Bible reminded us in Micah 6:8 when we walked with God as commended in Micah 6, our mind and heart would be transformed. Because we are transformed from selfish to kinder person, we would be more merciful. As we were transformed to be more sensitive toward sins and more righteous, we would be more just and more willing to fight for justice of others. Finally, as we walk and humble ourselves to God, we would not fear even if we have to walk through the valley of the shadow of the death.