The Jakarta Post

More than 56 percent of youths in the Greater Jakarta area support sharia-based bylaws, but almost 80 percent believe in the Pancasila state ideology that protects Indonesia's diversity, a new survey shows.

The survey, designed to capture youths' views of nationalism and pluralism, was conducted between May 6 and May 30 by the Setara Institute for Democracy and Peace in Jakarta, Bekasi, Depok and Tangerang.

The 800 respondents were aged between 17 and 22 years and will be first-time voters in the 2009 legislative and presidential elections.

But Musdah Mulia from Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University questioned the accuracy of the survey results, claiming it used weak methodology.

She told a seminar discussing the survey results Wednesday that the questionnaire did not give respondents enough information about sharia-based bylaws.

"If a person who comes from a Muslim-dominated community is asked whether he/she would support sharia-based bylaws, I think the answer is likely to be 'yes'.

"But if we explain further that sharia-based bylaws would mean the hand of a person found guilty of stealing must be cut off, or persons who have committed adultery must face the death penalty, or every woman must wear a headscarf, the answer might be very different," she said.

However, Musdah said the survey was very important because it showed that radicalism had become a real threat for Indonesia.

Bonar Tigor Naipospos from the Setara Institute said the formalization of a specific religious belief into a government law would be incompatible with the values of Pancasila, which aim to protect Indonesia's diversity, including of religion.

"The survey results imply the teaching of the values of Pancasila in Indonesian schools is ineffective. I think it is because the teaching has never been followed up with further discussion to develop critical and transformative thought about Indonesian nationality, especially its diversity," he said.

"The reinvention of Pancasila is very important to help Indonesia in facing its contemporary challenges. Otherwise, just wait for this country to sink."

The survey also found only 50.4 percent of respondents were proud to be Indonesian.

Bima Arya Sugiarto from Paramadina University said this finding showed Indonesia had failed in its nation-building process.

"It clearly shows signs youths are feeling inferior and pessimistic. The result is quite disgraceful for a country that recently celebrated 100 years of national awakening and 10 years of reform," he said. (uwi)

— JP