Vania Rossa – Several civil society groups along with farmers from the Kendeng Mountains commemorated the 81st anniversary of Indonesian Independence by holding a People's Ceremony on Selo Montro Hill on Kedumulyo Village, Sukolilo district, Pati regency, Central Java, on Monday August 17.
The ceremony provided a space for residents, farmers, academics, civil society organisations and the Shadow Cabinet to celebrate independence from a community perspective.
The Shadow Cabinet was also present at the ceremony. They were represented by Bhima Yudhistira as Shadow Minister of Finance and Budget Governance, Media Askar as Shadow Minister of Economic Affairs, Nabiyla Risfa Izzati as Shadow Minister of Social Affairs and Basic Services and Isnawati Hidayah as Shadow Minister of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty.
Askar said that the Shadow Cabinet's presence was part of an effort to build relationships between community groups that have been fighting for the interests of the people.
"Our presence is to be part of the cornerstone of the people's movement so that they are connected", said Askar representing the Shadow Cabinet.
The ceremony was led by Gunretno, a leader of the Sedulur Sikep indigenous community in the Kendeng Mountains region. Residents and farmers from the Kendeng Mountains Community Care Network (JMPPK) also participated in the ceremony.
For the Kendeng people, the commemoration of independence holds significant significance because for more than two decades, they have defended the Kendeng Mountains region from karst mining activities, which they consider threatening the environment and residents' living space.
"This ceremony aims to realise [the state ideology] Pancasila so that it becomes more than just a text", said Gunretno in a statement received by Suara.com.
In addition to the Shadow Cabinet, several civil society figures also attended the People's Ceremony. The Republican Conference was represented by Yanuar Nugroho, while the Interdisciplinary Intellectual Forum (FIAD) included academics Zainal Arifin Mochtar and Bivitri Susanti.
Susanti believes that the unity of civil society groups is becoming increasingly important amidst various issues that directly impact the lives of citizens.
"In the midst of a national situation that is extremely difficult for citizens, all groups must unite in every citizen's struggle", she said.
Meanwhile, Nugroho views the involvement of various groups in the People's Ceremony as one way to understand independence in a more substantive way.
"Being involved in citizens' efforts means understanding independence as the courage to imagine and realise their own future", he said.
Mochtar emphasised the importance of presenting the community's perspective in understanding independence. According to him, independence cannot be viewed solely through the perspective of the government or the state.
"It is necessary to bring to life how the people view independence, not just how the state views it", he said.
Dandhy Laksono, author of the book Reset Indonesia, also attended on behalf of the New Indonesia Cooperative. Support for the event also came from the Semarang Legal Aid Institute (LBH) and the management of the Nurul Asri Mosque.
Understanding Independence from the People's Perspective
The People's Ceremony in the Kendeng Mountains not only commemoratec the 81st Anniversary of Indonesian Independence, but also symbolised the gathering of various groups who share aspirations for change and improvement in the lives of the people.
For the participants, independence must be realised through the community's ability to maintain living space, meet basic needs as well having the space to determine their own future.
Several issues that are considered to still burden village communities were also highlighted during the activity. These included the use of up to 70 percent of village funds for the Red and White Village/Sub-district Cooperative (KDMP) program, issues with the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program, the fulfillment of civil servants' rights and salaries and disaster management and environmental damage.
The meeting between residents and civil society groups in Pati also served as a forum for strengthening solidarity in the fight for people's sovereignty.
Participants reaffirmed the view that the government is essentially both the manager and recipient of the people's mandate. Therefore, state governance must continue to be based on the will and interests of the people.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Kabinet Bayangan Bersama Petani Kendeng Gelar Upacara Rakyat Peringati Kemerdekaan".]
