Research Article
Government Ambiguity: Between Accommodation and Discrimination of Identity in Multicultural Society
@INPROCEEDINGS{10.4108/eai.12-11-2019.2293534, author={Khoirun Nisa}, title={Government Ambiguity: Between Accommodation and Discrimination of Identity in Multicultural Society}, proceedings={Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Social and Political Sciences, ICSPS 2019, 12th November 2019, Jakarta, Indonesia}, publisher={EAI}, proceedings_a={ICSPS}, year={2020}, month={3}, keywords={local government islamic symbol catholics identity politics multiculturalism}, doi={10.4108/eai.12-11-2019.2293534} }- Khoirun Nisa
Year: 2020
Government Ambiguity: Between Accommodation and Discrimination of Identity in Multicultural Society
ICSPS
EAI
DOI: 10.4108/eai.12-11-2019.2293534
Abstract
Indonesia has a concept ‘unity of diversity’ to synthesize a plurality of identities –religions, ethnics, cultures, etc-. In realizing this concept, the government should be an agent to provide harmony within a multicultural society. Unfortunately, this study oppositely illustrates the policy of a local government which tends to result in less tolerant attitudes toward minority religion. This study examined Tangerang City as a case study during Wahidin Halim as a mayor in tenure 2009-2013. The study shows how a local government applied different policies toward majority and minority groups. The government used Islamic symbols in public spaces to convey the local government’s vision, whereas, Santa Bernadet parish (Catholics Church) struggled to fight worship rights. The propensity of intolerance government attitude could be seen when religion intertwined in political interest. The Multiculturalism perspective is used to analyze this case to see how the state appropriately treats plural societies. This study gathered data through interviews of local leaders and representatives from the Catholics group.
