Youth must play part in 2014 Achmad Adhitya ;  The writer is winner of the Youth Activism Indonesian Diaspora Award 2012 and founder of International Indonesian Scholars’ Association

JAKARTA POST,  01 Februari 2014

                                                                                                                        

                                                                                         

                                                      

I’ve just returned to Indonesia after 10 years of studying and working in Europe, having decided to come back because I believe it is time for young Indonesians stop complaining, arguing and criticizing and begin to work and serve Indonesia.  It is not that as a diaspora we have done nothing abroad, but I chose to come back to Indonesia as I wanted to see what was really happening and try to make some small changes here.  Some might say that a call to serve one’s country is too mundane and utopist, but young Indonesians have no other choice but to write a new historical chapter.  As former president BJ Habibie once said, his generation passed the burden to a younger generation. We will have to decide the nation’s fate and play our part in whether it flies high or sinks in the deepest ocean. The year 2014 is the country’s political year. There are so many ideas from parties contesting the elections. Their ideas are similar as they try to provide solutions to make Indonesia better.  But what makes this general election more interesting is the fact that Indonesia is predicted to become a major economic player, with a strong economic foundation.  Indonesia has also begun to consolidate its diaspora abroad, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is getting tougher on graft and the country has one of the most vibrant young generations in regard to its use of social media, where online information travels fast.  So how should young Indonesians position themselves in this political year? We definitely don’t want to become mere spectators in this general election.  The Indonesian youth of today is not a floating mass to be targeted by big parties to increase their vote. We definitely don’t want to become cheerleaders — just listening to campaign speeches, music and then going home. The stakes are too high this year for the youth to stay silent. We would miss a big opportunity to make the difference in our nation. The Indonesia of the future is a country where new, vibrant and enthusiastic ideas must be tested, not only nationally but also internationally. It shouldn’t just be a market but it must become an important global economic player.  To make a difference, we first need to speak up on our ideas of Indonesia’s future and make sure our voices are heard, as eventually have these ideas will become part of future government programs.  We have to make the government recognize that the Indonesian youth is not just an ornament. It is not only the energy of this group that is needed, but also its ideas and enthusiasm.  Second, we need to test the ideas campaigned on by legislative candidates through open discussions, so the public can see the feasibility of these ideas and figure out how far candidates understand their constituents.  As we cannot afford to conduct business as usual in this year of elections, the youth also bears the responsibility of ensuring it gets the best leader available for the country.  The youth must realize that it has a lot of power to change the course of Indonesian history. It is very active in online media and can harness the power of that information, which goes beyond government authority. It has ability to distribute that information and raise what it considers national issues. It is about time that we stop being part of the audience and start working for a better Indonesia. ●