Four things in Reducing Poverty

By Rahmiana Rahman

There are many problems in many fields that are faced by Indonesia. Poverty becomes one of them. However, Indonesia is famous as a country rich in natural resources. But, some studies show that Indonesia is also a country that has high poverty levels. Therefore, as good citizen, the writer intends to share ideas in reducing poverty.

1.      Tudang Sipulung as one of local Wisdoms

2.       

Many people say that “we are now in modern era, therefore everything must be modern.” But, have we thought that not all modern things are good? Have we thought that not all modern things have a good impact on the people? We do not have good references in modernism. What kind of modern things that must be maintained, must be improved or must be reduced? So, when people ask Indonesia what kind of modernism it needs, I’m afraid we cannot answer it, or we just give a comment that it is an assembling modernity or instant modernity (a term by Buckori Muchtar in his book “Indonesia Mencari Demokrasi”).  Therefore, we need something that becomes basic thing in a society to face many problems. That thing is local wisdom.

Local wisdom becomes one thing that sometimes is forgotten by people. Indonesia, having 37 provinces with many islands, tribes, cultures, has much local wisdom. Actually these local wisdoms can be strengths in reducing poverty. In this essay, the writer would like to tell about tudang sipulung as a local wisdom which is developed in South Sulawesi, a province in Indonesia.

Etymologically, Tudang and Sipulung are Buginese Language. Tudang means “sit”, Sipulung means “gather”. Terminologically, Tudang Sipulung means an activity where more than one person gather to share ideas and to give comments or responses in good way. Good way here means people are gathering without “certain” purpose but they come to overcome a problem or to do some useful thing. Friendliness appears here. Tudang Sipulung is a concrete example of democracy. But, the concept must be clear. When people are gathering, some people will tell problems; some others will give solution. So, there are two main function of tudang sipulung. First one is to broaden the networks. From many people that become the network, people can get information about what job could be got or what job could be created. Second function is to strengthen our togetherness. 

2.    Good Human Resources

Indonesia which has more than 200 million people must become a potential strength by its quantity. In this case, people must be good human resource. They are not only good in knowledge but also in morality. When people have both of these things, automatically they will be useful for others. They will always think good way in creating jobs. Here, good human resources will think how to be useful for others. So, in getting good human resources, a good education (formal and informal) must exist.

3.      Good Governance 

In my point of view, good governance consists of two things; concept and action. Concept is basic reference to describe some vision. Action is a concept that is applied or a thing that can be a concept. Good governance exists when all stakeholders can cooperate well. Government thinks about people in wider scope (society). Government that provides good governance can promote some regulations that are based on people’s needs. So, good regulations are not based on thought but detailed studies and experiences about people’s needs. If people see that government has provided them good regulations, they will think about being good citizens in promoting welfare.

4.    Impartial Development

Significantly, people can see the difference between west and east regions in Indonesia. As I have heard from Governor of Central Sulawesi, in opening ceremony of East Indonesia Region Forum (FKTI) 6, held in Palu, Central Sulawesi on 24^th-25^th September 2012, he stated that in 2010, 183 left-behind regencies in Indonesia, 70 % of those regencies are in East Indonesia Region Forum. The data can be described as partial development in Indonesia. Therefore, the development concept must be comprehensive which can touch all parts of Indonesia.

Therefore as good citizens, I feel we need not think what Indonesia has given to us but also focus on what we can give to Indonesia. So, let us become problem solver and not become a trouble maker.

This writing has been submitted for International Essay Contest for Young People (Organized by GOI Foundation and UNESCO)