The Chair of Muhammadiyah Central Leadership, Professor Haedar Nashir, said issues of ethics and morals remain closely linked to the weaknesses in Indonesian society’s character.
Several incidents or cases, as social facts, reflect the moral and ethical crisis or degradation of the nation’s noble values in recent times.
The most prominent cases include the dismissal of the Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court (MK), the Chairperson of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), and the Chairperson of the General Election Commission (KPU), which represent the erosion of moral and ethical standards among state officials or public figures.
The most recent case involves the resignation of a government official who is also a religious leader due to ethical propriety in social interactions.
“Moral and ethical violations by public officials should not be taken lightly or considered ordinary as they concern the nation’s elite, who should serve as role models for the people,” said Professor Nashir during his address for the Hamengku Buwono IX Award from Universitas Gadjah Mada in 2024.
The ceremony was held at the Kagungan Dalem Bangsal Srimanganti of Yogyakarta Palace on Thursday night, Dec. 19.
In his speech titled “Transforming the Mentality and Culture of Indonesia,” Professor Nashir explained that moral and ethical issues within the nation’s mentality are cultural issues relating to humanity’s collective knowledge system in a shared life. Indonesian society has developed new lifestyles that reflect anomie or anomalies, namely behavioral deviations within society.
When corruption, materialism, money politics, the pursuit of worldly pleasures (hedonism), and opportunism (justifying any means to an end) become widespread, uprootedness results.
“We can still enumerate structural problems in the nation, such as corruption, abuse of power, money politics, transactional politics, and other political issues that touch on moral and ethical domains. In everyday life, the problems are just as serious, including online gambling, cyber crime, drug abuse, sexual violence, murders within families or among close acquaintances, the low level of civility among Indonesian netizens in social media, and other sociopathic problems,” he explained.
For Professor Nashir, the dimensions of morality and ethics in a society or nation cannot be underestimated because they concern good and bad values, which inherently represent humanity’s spiritual dignity and intellectual integrity.
These moral and ethical issues cannot be marginalized as mere domestic or private matters. Even in nations known for being advanced and secular-modern, these values are still upheld.
“Many cases demonstrate how high-ranking officials, even prime ministers, resign due to professional and public ethics issues. This is especially important for Indonesia, a nation rooted in religious values, Pancasila, and the noble cultural traditions of its people,” he added.
A transformative cultural approach is necessary to address the nation’s mental weakness. Transformation serves as a middle path for change, guiding Indonesia toward progress while fostering a strong Indonesian character both individually and collectively within a new cultural system.
In this context, Indonesia possesses crystallized virtues that serve as significant social and cultural capital. Among these are resilience, the ability to endure hardship, prioritizing harmony, and mutual cooperation.
These virtues remain relevant but require adaptation and development to align with the dynamics and challenges of the times.
“It is urgent to transform the nation’s character by preserving and enhancing long-established virtues while developing new ones, including openness to the virtues of other advanced nations,” he elaborated.
According to Professor Nashir, transforming Indonesians into intelligent individuals with strong character in today’s context means fostering religiosity, intellectual capacity, and mastery of science and technology, complemented by superior mental qualities such as trustworthiness, sincerity, honesty, courage, decisiveness, resilience, independence, and adherence to principles.
Indonesia’s vision for 2045 can be realized if today’s younger generation embodies these qualities—rather than being weak, submissive, superficial, parasitic, or exploitative of cheap populism without the knowledge, character, and exemplary behavior needed for excellence.
Professor Nashir has been a dedicated figure in Muhammadiyah since 1983. For Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X, Professor Nashir has not only been present in the historical arena but has carved a wealth of meaning into it.
The Sultan highlighted that under Haedar’s leadership, Muhammadiyah has successfully advanced its vision of excellence on both national and global scales.
“The concept of ‘Centre of Excellence’ is not just an empty idea but a way of life for Muhammadiyah at the national and global levels,” said the Sultan.
Professor Nashir’s leadership has produced significant milestones, such as the Muhammadiyah Da’wah Center in Cairo, Universiti Muhammadiyah Malaysia (UMAM), and Muhammadiyah Australia College (MAC) in Melbourne.
“Essentially, these projects are not merely about physical development or network expansion but noble efforts to build a robust civilization based on Islamic values that are moderate, inclusive, and progressive,” said the Sultan.
The Sultan acknowledged Professor Nashir’s leadership as a reflection of Muhammadiyah’s philosophy of progress, community development, and spreading benefits to the universe.
“In his thoughts, knowledge is not merely a symbol of information but a guiding light that should lead society amidst the challenges and dynamics of the era,” he explained.
UGM Rector Professor Ova Emilia stated that Professor Haedar Nashir consistently and committedly carries out his duties in education, social, political, and humanitarian fields.
“Congratulations to Professor Haedar Nashir. May he continue to contribute to society and inspire future generations,” she said.
Professor Nashir expressed gratitude and honor for receiving this award, describing it as a pride because it represents the legacy of Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono IX.
“My thanks to the Yogyakarta Palace for approving this award, to the Rector of UGM, and Muhammadiyah for giving me this opportunity. I feel honored to receive the Hamengku Buwono IX Award from UGM,” he stated.
As an alumnus who spent six years completing his master’s and doctoral studies in sociology, Professor Nashir explained that UGM provided him with essential values that he continues to uphold today.
He described UGM as an educational institution and a thought center that equips its students with tools and methodologies to internalize life values.
He outlined five main values he learned during his time at UGM.
- The value of truth based on knowledge: He explained that truth is not limited to academic logic but is also connected to Pancasila, religion, and the nation’s noble culture. “Truth is the main value of scholars,” he emphasized.
- The tradition of scholarship: He described UGM as a “school of thought” fostering critical thinking.
- Unity in diversity: As a miniature Indonesia, UGM provides a space for students of diverse backgrounds to learn to live harmoniously.
- Love for the people: He noted that UGM instills a sense of caring for the people, exemplified by real contributions like the Community Service Program (KKN).
- Global orientation: Professor Nashir encouraged UGM and Muhammadiyah institutions to respond actively to global issues, such as sustainable development goals and climate change, and lauded initiatives like Wanagama in the Nusantara Capital (IKN).
Professor Nashir emphasized the need to integrate education, knowledge, and social concern to build a better nation, urging all to move forward with a global spirit rooted in cultural and humanistic values.
Author: Agung Nugroho
Photographer: Firsto