The Roots and Evolution of Nationalism in Indonesia (Asal Usul dan Evolusi Nasionalisme di Indonesia)

Abstract

The emergence of nationalism in Indonesia began at the dawn of the twentieth century, which ultimately led to the birth a new nation-state in 1949. The seeds of national consciousness were sown, and roots of Indonesian nationalism reached its apex during the Revolution (1945-49), manifesting most profoundly in the fight against the oppression of Dutch colonialism. The Revolution was central to the Indonesian republic's perception of itself and has been influential in fostering nationalism during the post-independence period. This article examines the roots and evolution as well as dynamics and manifestations of Indonesian nationalism, throughout the different phases of Indonesia’s modern history. In doing so, it addresses three salient questions, namely i) how the seeds of national consciousness were sown; ii) what were the underlying factors/dynamics shaping the nature and development of nationalism; and iii) how nationalism and nationhood manifested in a geographically divided, ethno-culturally diverse state like Indonesia, whose citizenry has remained strongly attached to their traditional ethnological and adat communities. Emphasis is given to both state-oriented and popular manifestations of Indonesian nationalism, to highlight the state/elite-centric nature, and populist drive behind its discourses, agenda, and manifestations.

Keywords: Indonesia; nationalism; national identity; state nationalism; popular nationalism

Abstrak

Kebangkitan nasionalisme di Indonesia bermula pada awal abad kedua puluh, yang berkesudahan dengan  kelahiran sebuah negara bangsa  pada tahun 1949. Bibit-bibit kesedaran nasional telah disemai dan akar umbi nasionalisme Indonesia mencapai kemuncaknya semasa era Revolusi (1945-49), dalam mana ianya dimanifestasi sepenuhnya dalam perjuangan menentang penjajahan Belanda. Sesungguhnya, Revolusi tersebut merupakan teras kepada pembentukan persepsi diri Republik Indonesia dan amat berpengaruh dalam menyemarakkan nasionalisme semasa era pasca-kemerdekaan. Artikel ini menganalisis asal-usul, evolusi, dinamika dan manifestasi nasionalisme Indonesia dalam pelbagai fasa pentadbiran di sepanjang sejarah moden Indonesia. Ia membincangkan tiga persoalan penting, iaitu i) bagaimana  bibit kesedaran nasional disemai; ii) apakah faktor / dinamika yang membentuk sifat dan perkembangan nasionalisme; dan iii) bagaimana nasionalisme dan  idea kebangsaan dimanifestasikan dalam sebuah negara yang agak terpisah dari segi geografi serta memiliki kerencaman etno-budaya seperti Indonesia, yang mana warganegaranya masih cenderung terikat dengan masyarakat tradisional yang berlandaskan etnologi dan adat. Penekanan diberikan kepada manifestasi nasionalisme Indonesia yang  berbentuk rasmi dan popular, untuk menonjolkan sifat elitis dan pemacu populis di sebalik wacana, agenda, dan manifestasinya.

Kata Kunci: Indonesia; nasionalisme; identiti nasional; nasionalisme rasmi; nasionalisme populis