I respect your decision on who to choose
The beautiful golden voice of the famous legendary singer Dewi Yul on the viral TikTok platform invites us to think again and consider carefully before choosing.
Excerpts from the song's lyrics make our hearts, feelings and minds calmer and at the same time try to understand what the true nature of democracy is.
This understanding is important, so that we realize that politics based on common sense always upholds equality, togetherness to carry out promises and foster hope with an attitude of mutual respect, sincerity, openness without having to speak ill of others. That is the substance of a democratic civilization that we want to build in the future so that it can be inherited by our children and grandchildren.
In another part of the lyrics there is the line "it's all up to you who you choose". This is where we reflect to learn to understand the essence of democracy, because everyone has the same rights and freedom to express their choices even though they are different.
Moreover, each voter certainly has their own way of expressing differences in political choices. Therefore, it is legal and natural, it should not be surprising that anyone is strictly prohibited from imposing someone else's will without a clear reason to follow their wishes.
Except in authoritarian countries, people's rights and freedoms are often suppressed to protect those in power. Therefore, the opposition is considered very disruptive, and will even threaten national security stability and economic growth. So that if necessary the opposition movement must be removed, one way or another.
In fact, in modern countries where political democracy is mature, it actually provides opportunities for opposition forces to carry out checks and balances on development implementation. Especially in criticizing government policies if they are deemed not to be pro-people's interests.
It's just that sometimes we are too flirtatious and sensitive in responding to different political issues. Today's elections are an instrument or means of democracy for the people to channel their political aspirations.
So that differences in choice do not need to be addressed with a style of language that is too over-acting or over-acting to the point where you unknowingly have to interfere and forcefully influence the most basic rights of every child of the nation. Because, conscience has a mystery that is difficult to predict or predict with certainty, because only God has the power to turn everyone's heart upside down.
Moreover, the national consensus is that we have chosen Indonesia as the only country in the world that adheres to Pancasila democracy, even though we admit that our Democracy Index (ID) continues to decline every year. (read; EIU research results).
Behind this Democracy Index crisis, we are forced to re-learn the meaning of the etymology of democracy which is produced from the Greek, Demos means people and Kratos means power. So, the literal meaning of the word democracy shows power in the hands of the people. So power is vested in the rights of the people, not the government.
Therefore, the government is given the mandate and trust of the people to regulate the functioning of democratic mechanisms as a form of realization of the people's sovereign rights. Don't reverse it, it could potentially become an authoritarian government.
Today, November 27, 2024, in the voting box booth, we will witness history as to how this democratic process can run constitutionally, safely and peacefully without riots. So that the people's rights are guaranteed in accordance with the principles of direct, general, free and secret (luber) honest, fair and civilized elections. Today we also recognize that the voice of the people is the voice of God which we must uphold to protect their honor and dignity.
We are also expected to be able to prove that differences in choices are God's gift that we should respect. Make sure that on the tip of the pen and in our hearts we take one breath, "whoever and whatever your choice is", we will respect it. The important thing is "don't make the wrong choice", said Dewi Yul while we enjoyed the soft and serene singing.
On this day, the differences in choices will end, and we will return to our normal activities. Maybe we are required to learn to be more mature in democracy. It is indeed not easy, because we also recognize that efforts to cultivate and maintain differences in the midst of high political tensions are still very difficult to reach a compromise point.
But this is a fact of democracy, which we cannot avoid. Except that it must be done with a clear mind and a sincere heart, to respond to differences in choices, so that the effects of polarization that threaten people's lives can be minimized. Good luck making the right choice according to your conscience. (*)
*By: Ramli Yusuf/Academic of IAIN Ternate
Excerpts from the song's lyrics make our hearts, feelings and minds calmer and at the same time try to understand what the true nature of democracy is.
This understanding is important, so that we realize that politics based on common sense always upholds equality, togetherness to carry out promises and foster hope with an attitude of mutual respect, sincerity, openness without having to speak ill of others. That is the substance of a democratic civilization that we want to build in the future so that it can be inherited by our children and grandchildren.
In another part of the lyrics there is the line "it's all up to you who you choose". This is where we reflect to learn to understand the essence of democracy, because everyone has the same rights and freedom to express their choices even though they are different.
Moreover, each voter certainly has their own way of expressing differences in political choices. Therefore, it is legal and natural, it should not be surprising that anyone is strictly prohibited from imposing someone else's will without a clear reason to follow their wishes.
Except in authoritarian countries, people's rights and freedoms are often suppressed to protect those in power. Therefore, the opposition is considered very disruptive, and will even threaten national security stability and economic growth. So that if necessary the opposition movement must be removed, one way or another.
In fact, in modern countries where political democracy is mature, it actually provides opportunities for opposition forces to carry out checks and balances on development implementation. Especially in criticizing government policies if they are deemed not to be pro-people's interests.
It's just that sometimes we are too flirtatious and sensitive in responding to different political issues. Today's elections are an instrument or means of democracy for the people to channel their political aspirations.
So that differences in choice do not need to be addressed with a style of language that is too over-acting or over-acting to the point where you unknowingly have to interfere and forcefully influence the most basic rights of every child of the nation. Because, conscience has a mystery that is difficult to predict or predict with certainty, because only God has the power to turn everyone's heart upside down.
Moreover, the national consensus is that we have chosen Indonesia as the only country in the world that adheres to Pancasila democracy, even though we admit that our Democracy Index (ID) continues to decline every year. (read; EIU research results).
Behind this Democracy Index crisis, we are forced to re-learn the meaning of the etymology of democracy which is produced from the Greek, Demos means people and Kratos means power. So, the literal meaning of the word democracy shows power in the hands of the people. So power is vested in the rights of the people, not the government.
Therefore, the government is given the mandate and trust of the people to regulate the functioning of democratic mechanisms as a form of realization of the people's sovereign rights. Don't reverse it, it could potentially become an authoritarian government.
Today, November 27, 2024, in the voting box booth, we will witness history as to how this democratic process can run constitutionally, safely and peacefully without riots. So that the people's rights are guaranteed in accordance with the principles of direct, general, free and secret (luber) honest, fair and civilized elections. Today we also recognize that the voice of the people is the voice of God which we must uphold to protect their honor and dignity.
We are also expected to be able to prove that differences in choices are God's gift that we should respect. Make sure that on the tip of the pen and in our hearts we take one breath, "whoever and whatever your choice is", we will respect it. The important thing is "don't make the wrong choice", said Dewi Yul while we enjoyed the soft and serene singing.
On this day, the differences in choices will end, and we will return to our normal activities. Maybe we are required to learn to be more mature in democracy. It is indeed not easy, because we also recognize that efforts to cultivate and maintain differences in the midst of high political tensions are still very difficult to reach a compromise point.
But this is a fact of democracy, which we cannot avoid. Except that it must be done with a clear mind and a sincere heart, to respond to differences in choices, so that the effects of polarization that threaten people's lives can be minimized. Good luck making the right choice according to your conscience. (*)
*By: Ramli Yusuf/Academic of IAIN Ternate
