Bambang Soesatyo: The 2024 Election Is Not An Enmity Arena

Bambang Soesatyo (Between)

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Indonesian People's Consultative Assembly Bambang Soesatyo invites all parties not to make the 2024 General Election a hostile arena that results in division, because this difference is a natural thing that is not for hostility.

This was conveyed by Bambang in the commemoration and celebration of the 78th Anniversary of the MPR RI by presenting the story of 'Semar Boyong' last night at the Parliament Complex, Friday (25/8) night.

"Although every time before the election, the political temperature is usually getting hotter, we must not use the 2024 election as an arena for hostility that results in division," said Bamsoet, his nickname in a written statement in Jakarta, Saturday.

According to him, differences of views and political choices are normal. However, it should not injure to the point of damaging national solidity.

Not only that, Bamsoet also conveyed that in the context of the nation's life, people can take lessons from the Semar Boyong play in carrying out the five-year democratic party every five years.

He explained that the play shows that hostilities and disputes have never been the best solution to solve problems.

The chairman of the 20th DPR RI and the former Chairman of Commission III of the DPR RI for Law, Human Rights and Security explained the story of Semar Boyong describing when the world was shaken by riots, peace was torn apart by the lust of broiler, the figure of Semar then surfaced.

Charismatic and modest cemar, seen as a key figure that will bring peace.

"The story of Semar Boyong is a satirical life, how exemplary Semar is, now it is a rare item, so it must be contested," he explained.

The Deputy Chairperson of the Pancasila Youth and the Deputy Chairperson of the FKPPI assessed that with the naked eye, Semar was not a 'beautiful' figure to be seen. Oldmar, penambun and bow.

If you look deeper, it turns out that there are so many philosophical meanings that can be extracted from the depiction of Semar. The hair is thick with gray hair, reflecting maturity and maturity in thought, attitude, and behavior.

Sayu's eyes are a symbol of sensitivity to capture concerns in social reality, as well as empathy for the suffering of others. Sunthi's nose (small round) symbolizes sharpness in kissing signs of the times.

"The red chili flower is in the ear, hinting at the willingness to listen to input, advice, and criticism, even though it feels spicy. The mouth that always smiles, contains the meaning that Semar is a person who always tries to entertain and cheer others," explained Bamsoet.

The chairman of the SOKSI Depinas Board of Trustees and the Head of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Law Enforcement, Defense and Security Agency added that wayang's performance was an actualization of cultural arts which was a condition of meaning. Wayang is also a spectacle that can be used as guidance.

"From the character depiction and narrative of the storyline presented, there are many common threads that can be matched for their relevance and referred to their contextuality," he added.

For this reason, continued Bamsoet, the MPR in carrying out constitutional tasks, especially in building national insight, MPR programs must be more grounded.

The selection of cultural arts, such as wayang, as one of the methods of correctional national values, is not only considered in terms of the wide range of the audience.

However, of the many local wisdom values contained in it are in line with the values of Pancasila as the basis of the state and the views of the nation.

"We are grateful that the government has the same attitude of partiality and concern to preserve the art of shadow puppets. Through Presidential Decree Number 30 of 2018, President Joko Widodo has even set November 7 as National Wayang Day," he said.

Even at the international level, UNESCO since November 7, 2003 has designated shadow puppets as cultural masterpieces in the field of narrative stories, as well as beautiful and highly valuable cultural heritage.