"Connect to connect as one, that's Indonesia!". Who remembers the song? Yes, with thousands of islands, tribes, and languages, Indonesia is one of the most culturally rich countries in the world. You are certainly proud, aren't you, being an Indonesian citizen? Well, your pride must be accompanied by efforts to be a good citizen, so that the pride doesn't just stop on the tongue. Are you ready to be a good citizen? Let's apply all the tips below in our daily life.
Step
Method 1 of 3: All Ages
Step 1. Learn to queue
People are patient, the sustenance is wide. When you're about to take a bus - for example the TransJakarta bus (which is bound to get crowded during work hours or after school), pay for groceries at a convenience store, or pick up food at the buffet, queue up in order. Sometimes, you may have to resist the urge to jump in the queue (especially if there's only a small amount of rendang in front of you, for example), but be patient. Good queue habits will train you to be disciplined and make a good impression in front of strangers.
Step 2. Dispose of trash in its proper place
It is common knowledge that several areas in Indonesia become flooded every year (including our beloved capital!). Apart from natural factors, one of the main causes of flooding is the habit of people disposing of waste improperly. You certainly don't want your house to be flooded or attacked by a bad smell from a pile of wild garbage behind the house? Therefore, be a good example and dispose of garbage in its place. It's not a sin to bag up trash until you find a trash can.
Step 3. Apply tolerance in daily life
Imagine, if this world only consisted of black and white, life would be boring. Therefore, colors were created to make life more fun. Differences in ethnicity, race, and religion are the same -- differences exist so that we get to know each other. Have you been quiet during Eid, visiting a close friend's house at Christmas or watching the Lion Dance in town during Chinese New Year? If not, let's give it a try.
Step 4. Help a brother in need
As human beings, we are all brothers, and we should help each other. The spirit of gotong royong has also become the root of social life in Indonesia. So, from now on, roll up your arms if you see a brother in need -- regardless of religion, ethnicity, or race. No matter how small your help, for example helping grandmothers cross the rough streets of Jakarta or donating a few thousand rupiahs to build irrigation in Papua through houses of worship, help is still help, so don't wait until you are "ready" or "established", OK!
You can channel aid by donating or volunteering. Find an organization that fits your conscience, and join it. You might be able to teach street children under bridges, clean city streets, or donate to disaster preparedness programs. Choose a way to help others that is hassle-free and fun for you
Step 5. Use good and correct Indonesian
It's a shame, isn't it, if a language that has hundreds of millions of speakers is destroyed just because it wants to "hang out"? Indonesian is the language of our unity, a young language that is still developing every day. Therefore, as Indonesian citizens, we should use good and correct Indonesian. It's okay to use "slang" every now and then, but do we really want to see Indonesian eAnkZ sPrTii Nii?
However, don't forget the local language. In some areas, such as Bandung, the city government has declared a special day for regional languages. It is important to do this so that there are no more extinct local languages -- Balai Bahasa stated in 2014 that hundreds of local languages had become extinct because they were no longer spoken by the inhabitants of the area of origin of the language. Language is one of the cultural treasures that cannot be replaced, therefore, we must not master our own local language (even if it is only one Kromo, for example). Start learning and using regional languages in everyday life -- regional languages are no less cool than English, really
Step 6. Love domestic products
Did you know that Polygon bicycles, J. Co donuts, Excelso coffee, and Polytron electronic equipment are Indonesian products? These products prove that even Indonesian children can make quality products at affordable prices. In addition, domestic products are usually adapted to the needs and conditions of the Indonesian environment, so that Indonesian products may be more suitable for your needs than foreign products. So, don't rush to put a "fake" stamp on domestic products, OK!
Step 7. Use public transportation if possible
Apart from not having to worry about the cost and parking space, public driving nowadays is quite comfortable, really. Bus Damri in Bandung, for example, offers free WiFi, music, air conditioning, and comfortable seating. Several major cities in Indonesia have also started implementing the "trans-metro" bus system, such as Jakarta, Palembang, Solo, Yogyakarta and Pekanbaru. Apart from buses, you can also use trains which are no less convenient for transportation outside the city -- Economy-only carriages are now equipped with comfortable seats and a power source for recharging your cell phone!
Of course, you can use a private vehicle if the place you are going to is not accessible by public transportation, or if the cost of public transportation is much more expensive than the price of gas and parking fees. However, try to reduce the use of cars or motorbikes as much as possible if the distance you travel can still be reached by foot or by public transportation -- why go to the warung on the next block by motorbike?
Step 8. Save natural resources
Did you know, the remaining oil in Indonesia now only amounts to a few billion barrels and can run out in just a few dozen years?. Yes, now Indonesia is even importing crude oil from abroad at prices that can't be said to be cheap. Now, while waiting for renewable energy innovations, the thing that can be done to save the remaining oil is to save energy, such as electricity and fuel oil. Using public transportation is one way to save natural resources, but what else can be done to save money?
- Save electricity usage. Turn off lights or electronic devices when not in use, and use energy efficient devices whenever possible, such as LED lights. Energy-efficient devices may seem expensive compared to ordinary devices, but the resulting energy savings will have a significant impact on your electricity bill, as well as on the environment.
- Save paper usage. Every year, hundreds of thousands of hectares of forest are cleared for industrial purposes, including the paper industry. Start reducing paper use by recycling newsprint into crafts, using waste paper for doodles, and reducing document printing. You can also now get credit card and telephone bills electronically -- contact your bank or Telkom for more information.
- Save water use. "Now the water source is near!". You must be familiar with the sentence from the ad. Yes, that's right, many areas of this motherland are still struggling with clean water -- to get it, they sometimes have to go up and down hills where water sources are located. Are you still ready to waste water? Let's start saving water use by turning off the faucet when not in use, washing at once for a few days, and pouring water from rice washing on plants -- rice washing water even functions as fertilizer, you know!
Method 2 of 3: Teenagers
Step 1. Study diligently
"Give me 10 youths, then I will shake the world", said the proclaimer, Soekarno. What kind of youth could shake the world? Smart and insightful, of course. Therefore, study diligently and earnestly, both at school and outside of school. The knowledge gained will certainly be applied to advance Indonesia in the future.
- By studying diligently, you have the potential to get a scholarship abroad. You can use this opportunity to introduce Indonesia through a cultural festival that will be held in your destination country in the future. Contact the PPI (Indonesian Student Association) in the scholarship destination countries (eg Japan, Korea, and Germany) for more information about cultural festivals and scholarships.
- Diligent study does not mean forgetting hobbies or taking a break. As long as you've finished all your homework, it's perfectly fine to play music or go out on a Sunday night.
Step 2. Vote in the General Election or Pilkada if you are of age
Novice voters, or voters who are voting for the first time in an election, have a big influence in this five-yearly people's party. Besides the large number, novice voters are also able to invite their friends to vote. Unfortunately, many novice voters choose to be apathetic in the election process, so their votes are not channeled properly. Honey, right? Well, if it's your first time participating in an election, don't forget to use your political rights properly and correctly. Your voice can change Indonesia.
However, you can't just vote right away. Pay attention to the origins of the candidates, cawalkkot, district heads, or presidential candidates you choose before participating. Discussion forums such as Kaskus provide discussion rooms about parties and candidates that you can use to seek information and exchange views regarding your chosen candidate
Step 3. Know the latest political news and its implications
Learn to be critical of the government -- if you find something you don't like or don't comply with, report it! The Indonesian nation can be independent and enjoy democracy because of the voices of critical youth, and of course you can repeat history.
However, do not reject all government policies without good reason. Do not also convey your protest in an anarchic way, such as demonstrations that cost lives or burning tires in the middle of the road. Remember the fourth precept of Pancasila? "Population led by wisdom in deliberation/representation." This means that as much as possible you should express your disagreement in a polite manner, and if your opinion is not approved by a majority vote, you can still agree to disagree
Method 3 of 3: Adult
Step 1. Pay taxes on time
A wise man is tax-abiding, therefore, pay your taxes on time. Your income, house and vehicle taxes are used for the development of various state facilities and infrastructure, such as roads, lighting and schools. So paying them on time is a wise way to ensure that development continues.
You may need to fill out an SPT or register for a TIN before you can pay taxes. Contact the local Tax Office for information on making a NPWP and filling out an SPT
Step 2. Don't be tempted to bribe
Bribing Rp50,000,00 to the police just to make your trip smooth including bribes, as well as Rp100,000 "cigarette money" that you spend when you take care of the paperwork at the kelurahan. Bribery and extortion are among the types of acts that lead to corruption, so you should not give or accept bribes, regardless of their form.
Forced bribes by government agencies? You can submit the report through the national reporting system at [1], or report the action through the local (city/province) reporting system which can be searched on Google. Unlike you imagine, your report will still be processed, really, just not in a short period of time
Tips
- Start small, start with yourself, start now. All of the above tips will be useless if you don't apply them.
- If you like, you can start wearing batik or kebaya on formal occasions.
- Participate in RT or RW level activities, such as the August 17 activity or community service.
