[From an oped piece in Kompas.id by Jember University lecturer Andang Subaharianto titled “Explaining Jokowi's Apology”.]
The state of the nation address in the courtyard of the Merdeka Palace on August 1 was marked by a apology by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) for his shortcomings in leading Indonesia. Jokowi realised, as an ordinary human being, it was impossible to please all parties.
Various comments appeared in the communication media. Some praised him, some criticised. I tried to read it in terms of culture.
Widodo's apology, which was made towards the end of his term in office (because he felt unable to fulfill the expectations of all parties), is common in our culture. There was nothing strange about it. No need for it to be praised, no need to be denounced.
In general, officials in Indonesia will apologise at the end of their terms in office, both political and administrative or bureaucratic officials. With their overly big hearts, the public usually accepts the apology. That's our culture.
Apologies of this model do not mention which parts they "realise" are unpleasing to some people. In the context of Widodo's apology, for example, was it his actions in supporting his eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, as a vice presidential candidate alongside Prabowo Subianto?
This attracted criticism from many groups. It also injured friends close to Widodo who had backed and defended him since he become the mayor of Solo, the governor of Jakarta and the president for two terms.
Or, was it his actions in revising the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Law and producing the Omnibus Law on Job Creation, which were also opposed by many people? Or, the lighthouse project of the Nusantara capital city (IKN) in East Kalimantan, which seems to mimic the mythological figure of Bandung Bondowoso who built the Prambanan Temple (1,000 temples) in one night?
The thing that is not (yet) part of our culture is an apology (while still serving) for actions and or decisions that are considered wrong, then taking responsibility for the mistakes. Taking responsibility, for example, by resigning from their position, or undoing the actions and or decisions that are considered wrong.
This type of apology is followed by changes in reality, has the power of cultural change (to awaken).
Mentality
The reluctance to take responsibility for actions and or decisions was strongly criticized by Mochtar Lubis in a speech at the Taman Ismail Marzuki arts and cultural centre in 1977. The speech was recorded by the Indonesian Torch Foundation with the title Indonesian Humans.
Lubis criticised the mentality of Indonesian people. The writer, who is also a journalist, outlined six Indonesian human traits that are generally negative.
The six traits are: hypocrisy, reluctant take responsibility for actions and decisions, having a feudal character or behaviour, superstitious beliefs, being artistic and a weak (character) mentality.
Long before Lubis's criticisms, in 1956 Indonesia's founding president Sukarno (Bung Karno) also warned about a weak mentality. In a speech at the anniversary of the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence in 1956, Bung Karno stated that colonialism and imperialism had formed a loser mentality.
Bung Karno then called for a mental revolution. Without mental wealth, according to Bung Karno, economic development will not bring mutual prosperity.
At that time corruption, collusion and nepotism (KKN) was not yet rampant. Socio-economic inequality and social justice have not yet become the main issue for the public. The Indonesian nation was only confuted by sharp difference in interest and political disputes between groups...
The full article in Bahasa Indonesia can be read here: https://www.kompas.id/baca/opini/2024/08/07/memaknai-permintaan-maaf-jokowi
