Jakarta, wapresri.go.id – Indonesia has been internationally known as a peaceful, harmonious and tolerant country in the midst of various pluralities. However, sometimes there is an uproar, especially on social media because of the issue of tolerance, so it can give the impression that the Indonesian nation is now starting to be divided and even considered intolerant.

In response to this, the Vice President (VP) K.H. Ma’ruf Amin said that the noise related to the problem of tolerance occurred because of the excessive public reaction. Therefore, to maintain national harmony, he hopes that the public will not be too sensitive in responding to issues of difference and tolerance, especially those that are only crowded on social media.

“Yes, indeed, there is a lot of noise on social media. Then also a lot of this is actually, like I said, too sensitive of us. So (sometimes) things that we argue about, are actually not urgent things,” said the VP during an interview with Radio Elshinta at the Vice President’s Palace, Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan Number 2, Central Jakarta, Thursday (27/10/2022).

Furthermore, the VP emphasized that the Indonesian people are still known internationally as a tolerant society. This is acknowledged by the world ulema assembly, Hukama Al-Muslimin whose representatives recently came to Indonesia to learn about tolerance.

“They came to see me and said, we want to learn from Indonesia about tolerance.

We don’t want to teach, but we want to learn from Indonesia (how to) build society, foster tolerance,” he explained.

Moreover, the VP said that in crowded issues there are usually provocateurs who are able to ignite emotions, causing an overreaction. For this reason, he asked the public not to be easily influenced, especially in responding to issues of difference and tolerance.
“I invite all the good people if there is a difference, just leave it, no need to curse,” he urged.

On the same occasion, the VP also said, the recent uproar regarding the issue of difference and tolerance is temporary because it is influenced by certain factors, such as ahead of the general election.

According to him, in general elections, there are usually differences in choosing parties, presidential/vice presidential candidates, legislative candidates, and others that can become a debate in society.

“Therefore, I often say that regarding differences in views, differences in parties, differences in presidential candidates, it should not be a source of division and hostility,” he stated.

Even in Islam, he continued, it has been taught that to respond to differences in belief, it is enough to say “lakum dinukum waliyadin” which means to you your religion, to me my religion.

“Well, if there are differences in party selection (just say) walana partyyuna (for you your party, for me my party). For presidential candidates, walana capresuna (for you, your presidential candidate, for me my presidential candidate). We should be calm and (keep) walking hand in hand,” he advised.

Then, the VP also asked the public in choosing and supporting parties or candidates not to be excessive.

“Emotional, excessive desire (to) win, or excessive love, this is probably what has to be endured. Just proportional,” he said.

Lastly, the VP revealed that in the field of religion, in Indonesia a Religious Harmony Forum (FKUB) has been formed. The forum, which consists of assemblies of different religions, functions to prevent conflicts and resolve inter-religious problems.

Therefore, he hopes that in the political field, they should be able to take care of each other in the midst of differences, as exemplified by FKUB.

“In politics, we should be the same. We should be able to maintain (harmony),” he concluded.

Accompanying the VP in this interview were Head of the Vice President’s Secretariat Ahmad Erani Yustika, Deputy for Economic Policy Support and Competitiveness Improvement Guntur Iman Nefianto, Special Staff for the VP for Communication and Information Masduki Baidlowi, and the Expert Team of the VP Farhat Brachma. (NN/LHS, BPMI-Setwapres)