UGM cultural expert Professor Aprinus Salam criticized the idea that the Indonesia Emas 2045 (Golden Indonesia) vision is always viewed from political and economic perspectives without considering the cultural vision.
He emphasized that, from a cultural standpoint, striving for Golden Indonesia essentially means fighting for just policies that are supported by the pursuit of a dignified life.
Professor Salam asserted that the cultural vision is about living daily life by prioritizing decency and dignity rather than waiting for 2045 when the future remains unpredictable.
“Living a dignified and decent life today doesn’t require waiting until 2045,” he remarked during the Ramadhan Public Lecture program at the UGM Campus Mosque on Saturday (Mar. 14).
The UGM Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB UGM) lecturer stated that discussions about Golden Indonesia have been ongoing for eight years since it was first introduced in 2017.
He pointed out that the idea is often viewed from political and economic lenses.
“The political and economic formulas have no connection to the cultural vision,” he noted.
Political calculations, such as the push for global competition or raising economic standards, are unrelated to the cultural vision.
He illustrated this with an example of his clothes. While his clothes might appear cheap and only fulfill economic and symbolic prestige, they are still decent.
Professor Salam also highlighted that the burden of achieving Golden Indonesia is being placed on the younger generation.
He said young people are being presented with mere fantasies that trap them into fulfilling the vision over the next twenty years.
“Yet, this idea was created by the previous generation, who currently hold policy-making authority,” he stated.
Professor Salam called on all students to strengthen intellectual communities that promote a dignified life and a better quality of life.
“Let’s encourage all students to strengthen communities that truly uphold their dignity by maintaining decency and a dignified life so they are not constantly trapped,” he urged.
Author: Jelita Agustine
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya