Diversity is the fabric of Indonesian society. In fact, the country was founded with the indomitable spirit of diversity.

Our founding fathers came from various religions and ethnicities. They were aware of the diversity that prevailed in the early days when the country was built. They were cognizant of the fact that this diversity could transform the nation into a strong, unique nation. They were also aware that failure to safeguard its diversity would serve as a recipe for the demise of the country that we know today.

Then they agreed on one thing: To build this nation with diversity as its basic foundation. They decided that the country should not be based on one single religion only. They decided that this nation does not belong to certain ethnicities only.

Even 17 years before the proclamation of our independence, several brave youths from various regions across the country gathered and made a pledge to be united in one motherland, one nation, and with one language. The country’s diversity is also reinforced and enshrined in the national motto “Bhinneka Tunggal Ika”, meaning unity in diversity.       

Nonetheless, Indonesia’s diversity has always been put to the test ever since the country was founded. History shows that past incidents occurring in the country were racially motivated, threatening the country’s diversity from time to time. Inter-ethnic and inter-religious conflicts broke out in the past in a number of regions across the archipelago, serving as examples that the country’s diversity has not always been without challenge. In fact, at times it has almost been on a precipice.

The past two months have also seen our pluralist society in great peril with three separate incidents that seem designed to undermine our diversity. 

The first unfolded when a man was caught on video footage tossing and kicking baskets of offerings that were placed on Mount Semeru in East Java. Local Hindu tradition believes that the offerings, known as sesajen, help appease spirits and ward off misfortune from the recently erupted volcano. A short clip then went viral showing the man who took issue with the sesajen as he claimed they were not compatible with his Islamic faith.

Not long after the incident, another commotion made headlines triggered by a lawmaker who demanded that the chief of the West Java Prosecutor’s Office be replaced simply because he spoke in the Sundanese language during a meeting. The lawmaker’s comment instantly drew ire on social media, especially among Sundanese people, who accused him of offending their culture.

The latest incident was brought to us by a politician who sparked uproar with his deeply offensive and derogatory statement about Kalimantan – where the national capital will be relocated. In the wake of his comments, netizens called out the man for his remarks and demanded his apology.

Those three incidents share one thing in common: they are driven by sectarian motives.

They were not just statements that were made in passing. They were not just remarks that were made unintentionally. They were not just actions that were driven by no ulterior motive. They were acts of disrespect for diversity, pure and simple.

As a diverse nation, Indonesia has seen conflicts that were triggered by hatred and hostility based on tribal affiliations, religion, race or societal groups (SARA). These sectarian issues are arguably the nemesis of diversity, which cannot be taken lightly. If we continue to normalize such sentiments, the very existence of Indonesia will in great peril.

We should learn from history that SARA will only bring about destruction. Take the bloodshed in Ambon or Sambas in the late 1990s for instance. The misery and the destruction that those two tragedies left behind have been traumatizing and impossible to forget.

Racism, ethnocentrism and religious fundamentalism are seeds of division and hide a threat to national security. They are more than just a case of ignorant people kicking a sacred object or offending others based on ethnicity. Failure to prevent those acts of intolerance will only allow more cases and conflicts to happen, posing a great threat to the nation’s future. 

The beautiful motto Bhineka Tunggal Ika should also not just be an empty slogan or worse, a platitude. Real efforts involving stakeholders including the government, public figures, religious figures, academics, teachers and the like should be directed toward manifesting the values of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika through actions and policies.

People should be encouraged to get to know each other – not just people of their own faith, ethnicity and region. The government’s policy to improve connectivity in our country is part of efforts to not only remove borders and but also to promote diversity.

Indeed, there should be no room for intolerance in our country. It is too dangerous to ignore. The stakes are too high for intolerance to be given space and to be allowed to grow and flourish in our beautiful, diverse yet fragile Indonesia.

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The writer is a linguist who works for the Cabinet Secretariat. The views expressed are his own.