Makassar, Jubi – Dandhy Dwi Laksono, a journalist who travelled around Indonesia in the Indonesia Biru Expedition in 2015, stated that the doctrine on the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia is Undisputed (NKRI Harga Mati) and nationalism had been instilled in the minds of the young generation from an early age.

Dandhy talked in an online discussion titled "4 travelled journalists talk about 75 years of Indonesia independence and the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia is undisputed" held by Jubi on Monday (17/8/2020), while human right activist Veronica Koman became a moderator to facilitate this panel discussion.

Further, according to Dandhy, there is a sort of knowledge propagated into the young generation from an early age through the national education system. Therefore, this young generation conceived that since Indonesia proclaimed its independence on 17 August 1945 at 10:00 am, the Indonesian territory had covered all regions from Aceh to Papua. Because of the doctrine that had been embedded in their minds since an early age, when some regions in Indonesia such as Aceh, Maluku, Papua and East Timor wanted to be separated from Indonesia, it became a turmoil in their minds.

"However, from time to time and in line with the increase of our educational level, as well as access to readings and information, we recently found out that Papua integrated with Indonesia in 1969 and East Timor in 1975 by many ways. It means there are many things to question," he said.

Moreover, he said those who showed their resistance were always seen as criminals. But it is regarded as natural in the State construction.

"I understand all historical construction in our day comes like that, and the part of the doctrine of the non-negotiable Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia leads to exploitation," he said.

Dandhy then shared his story of doing the Indonesia Biru expedition with Suparta Arz for a year. They saw the diversity of local communities living in different regions during their journey.

"The differences of each region are so intense, from language, accent, culture and other things," he said.

In the same forum, Farid Gaban who travelled around Indonesia with his colleague Ahmad Yunus in the Zamrud Katulistiwa expedition in 2009 argued that the State would never be stagnant.

According to him, the territory of Indonesia had never been stagnant. Instead, it continues to extend since it proclaimed its independence 75 years ago.

"In terms of territory, it is a state, but politically it can be changed. For instance, when Indonesia proclaimed its independence, East Timor and Papua were not included in Indonesian territory" said Farid.

Like Dandhy Laksono and Suparta Arz, Farid Gaban and Ahmad Yunus also had many experiences while travelling around Indonesia.

He said, during his journey, he could see how diverse this country is, while he enjoyed the beautiful landscape of Indonesia.

However, he also saw a problem that we (Indonesians) are still inheriting the New Order's way of thinking; that we are infrastructure development oriented, while economic growth cannot be used to measure welfare.

"Nature and the sea are Indonesian wealth, instead of gold. We also see social inequality, the displacement of indigenous peoples. We should change our way of thinking, namely Jakarta centric and reinforced by slogans. For instance, 'NKRI harga mati (the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia is Undisputed)'," he said. (*)

Source: https://en.jubi.co.id/doctrine-of-nkri-introduced-to-the-youth-papuan-since-an-early-age