A Workshop on Political Education

UKDW Campus Hall, March 16, 2015

  

Local elections is an issue widely discussed in Sleman, Bantul and Gunungkidul. The process of finding a prospective candidate is already underway in these three districts. What role the Christians should have to response these local elections?

This topic encouraged the administrators of Klasis GKI Yogya, Indonesia Christian Society (MKI) and Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM) Universitas Kristen Duta Wacana (UKDW) held a workshop on political education in UKDW campus hall, on Monday (03/16/2015). The workshop was attended by some representatives of churches in Yogyakarta, Christian service agencies and Christian students, Including Stube-HEMAT Yogyakarta which sent Trustha Rembaka.

Bambang Priambada, the chairman revealed that Christian community needs awareness to unite them spiritually for the development of Special Region of Yogyakarta. Then, the rector of UKDW Ir. Henry Feriadi, M.Sc. Ph.D., confirmed that the core-business of UKDW is education, so UKDW supported this workshop. Further he said that we should realize that education is a long-term investment which requires process. Also, education is a kind of transformation process experienced by a person, community and region for a better condition. In fact, many Christians are reluctant to enter politics nowadays. Politics is important to be learned. Actually it is not about anyone but how politics may be able to bring welfare for society.

Yogyakarta Election Commission represented by Guno Tri Tjahjoko, MA., described the regulation of local elections. The elections in Sleman, Bantul and Gunungkidul will be held at the same time on December 9, 2015. Prof. Dr. Nindyo Pramono, SH., a business law experts from Gadjah Mada University reminded that this nation restoration requires Christians’ participation and it begins from ourselves, our character and integrity. While Drs. Katin Subiyantoro from Democration Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) said that Christians tend to avoid politics because they assumme that politics is dirty. It affects the number of Christians in the house of representative. A Christian eager to plunge into politics should be ‘well-managed' either within or having sincere motivation. It becomes a challenge for churches! They cannot keep silent, churches should prepare and empower people into good and decent cadres.

Nationalist political party functionaries like Drs. John S.Keban criticized Christians in Yogyakarta. There are many Christians in this city, but it’s hard to be united. Golkar Party opens an opportunity to be its candidate if there is a qualified Christian cadre as local leaders,  for a vice position. Then Brig. Ret. RM. Noeryanto from Gerindra Party revealed that Special Region of Yogyakarta has good governance, relatively high life-expectancy, comfortable and livable city of tolerance. Unluckily the situation now begins to be less tolerant as there are some incidents indicating intolerant atmosphere. Christians and churches in Yogyakarta should be dare to take roles in politics and make actions. Now, it is the time to start doing something benefit to public. Bertha Cahyani H.A from Democratic Party, elected as an council declared that she got votes not only from Christians.

One criticism for Christians was also launched by Drs. Bambang Praswanto of Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan). Nowadays Christians become very spiritual in church, but then ‘lost’ outside. It should not happen as they must play a role in society. Many Christian cadres plays role as functionaries in PDI Perjuangan. Next, Nasdem Party represented by Cornus Dwisaptha, S. Sos, stated that eventhough the party is still new, it stands firm for its members. Whoever involved in crime, he or she will be fired.

In the discussion moderated by Sri Bayu Selaaji said that the workshop should have some follow up actions, such as, a reinforcement activity for Christians to play role in politics, especially for the next elections. A real action needs to be done together is empowering young Christians in politics, even though a priori grows well among them. Hopefully. (TRU)