"Gotong Royong"

 

Gotong royong was thought to be the quintessence of Pancasila, with the Five Principles of state philosophy being extracted into Ekasila, or the sole principle, by Bung Karno (President Sukarno) in his speech on the birthday of Pancasila. Ever since, the wellknown word is on the rise and has been considered “cool”.

Gotong royong is a social conception of collaborative cooperation, it is “a volunteered sharing of burdens”. Ekasila covers the five precepts. The term of gotong royong is no longer simple, but has become a philosophy that has helped various tribes, local languages, customs, religions, and ideologies throughout Indonesia to live peacefully in diversity. Collaborative cooperation has a deep meaning.

The motto of Unity in Diversity is not empty words but real deeds. It does not imply an amalgam, it means unity based on selfless sincerity within a plural society.

However, along the way, gotong royong has gone through a lot of phases. The concept moves around and has been ridden, yielding a range of meanings. And sometimes too, it passes through a somersault phase that brought “a suicidal” policy. For the sake of togetherness, the personal became forbidden and also suffered.

In modern times, the economic element grows rapidly. Often it grows too fast and forces people to become “economic animals”. Individualism—in the name of independence, freedom, and humanity—has in fact deflated the “bebrayatan” or kinship ties, if not kicking them out altogether. The relationship of patembayan—relationships based on interests, such as businesses—becomes more important than paguyuban—relationships based on emotional bonds. Solidarity, fraternity, and the spirit of camaraderie give way to the glory of the materials.

The meaning of gotong royong has been twisted. It seems that the role model tenet does not get along well with human beings’ efforts to pursue comfort and the continuance of their personal life.