Komunitas 8 (1) (2016): 59-72 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15294/komunitas.v8i1.3669

InternationalKOMUNITAS Journal of Indonesian Society And Culture http://journal.unnes.ac.id/nju/index.php/komunitas

Nationalism of Border Society: Case Study of Sangir People, Sangihe Regency

Cahyo Pamungkas 1

1Regional Resources Research Centre, Indonesia Institute of Science

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15294/komunitas.v8i1.3669

Received : 5 Juny 2015; Accepted: 22 March 2016; Published: 31 March 2016

Abstract

This study aims to describe how the maintenance of nationalism has been conducted by the state toward border communities and how far citizens understand the concept of the Homeland and border, national pride, and apprehending the meaning of nationalism. The main source of data used in this study was the result of interviews, focus group discussions, participant observation, and literature studies conducted in Tahu, and Marore (Sangihe). The findings in this study are as follows. First, the acquisition of knowledge about the Homeland as a political concept, as well as national pride border communities today is increasing due to the development of information technology and the maintenance of nationalism efforts undertaken by the Government. Second, nationalism is defined by the state as measured by people’s understanding toward the concept of nationalism which is less relevant to the socio-economic context of low income border communities. Third, the maintenance of nationalism efforts can be done to accommodate and provide space for cultural identity development of border communities in Indonesia.

Keywords: borders; nationalism; maintenance of nationalism; meaning of nationalism

INTRODUCTION and the border areas become marginal areas Apprehending nationalism in the border area whose legitimacy depend on the policies of is relevant topic of discussion considering the central government. This perspective as- the fact that the state borders established sumes a proposition that might be mistaken by post-colonialism not only split different which states that the level of nationalism in ethnicities, but also same ethnicity because the border areas is lower than in the center. of different nationalities history within the Nationalism in this study is viewed as same ethnicities (Tirtosudarmo 2005; Ara- part of sociological perspective which re- gon 2012; Aspinall 2007; Barker 2008). The fers to the attachment to national in-groups state borders do not always follow the divi- which love and are proud of their Home- ding line between areas of culture, language, land; and perceptions that the country is tribe, nation, or different economic units superior as compared to other countries (cf. Ulaen Lapian 2009, 2012, p.61). This is (Coenders 2001; Béland and Lecours 2005). in contrast to nationalism in Europe which This view is rooted in the concept of Ador- initiated the establishment of some nation no (1950, p.107) who thinks that nationalism states with clear territorial boundaries. Co- can be divided into patriotism and pseudo- lonialism process has been central in sprea- patriotism. According to him, nationalism ding the concept of the nation state like this. is: “Certain blind attachment to national Starting from the reality in Europe, Wadley cultural values, uncritical conformity with views (2002) that state boundary is a line the prevailing group, and the rejection of which separates the different social systems other nations as out-groups” (Ibid.). Many

 Corresponding author : © 2016 Semarang State University. All rights reserved Address: Jalan Karbela Timur 2 Karet Setiabudi p-ISSN 2086 - 5465 | e-ISSN 2460-7320 Jakarta Selatan DKI Jakarta Email : [email protected] UNNES JOURNALS Telp : +31684731207 60 Cahyo Pamungkas, Nationalism Of Border Society: Case Study of Sangir People, Sangihe Regency contemporary nationalism studies in so- seen through the knowledge, feelings, and ciological perspective in Europe have been practices of nationalism maintenance. Ho- done, for example Kleinpenning and Ha- wever, the understanding and social practi- gendoorn (1993), Todosijevik (1998), Co- ces carried out by border residents are often enders (2001) and Lactheva (2010). They different from the nationalism spirit which generally use nationalism to observe the is constructed by the state. Therefore, there phenomenon of romantic nationalism and is still a gap between the alleged national in- chauvinism in European countries. In cont- sight to the meaning of nationalism which rast to these previous studies, this current is represented by social practices in the dai- study will only see nationalism in Indonesia ly life of border area residents. Referring to in the perspective of romantic nationalism, the writings of Ben Anderson (1991), natio- which is owned by the residents in the mari- nalism is defined as an imagined political time border (Mietzner 2006; Trajano 2010). community. Often, nationalism has failed The concept of nationalism in this to find relevance and is misunderstood by study is theoretically defined as knowled- the people when they are presented in the ge, feelings, and social practices of loving context of economic, political, and social the Homeland including the cognitive, af- culture. The concept of nationalism as an at- fective, and behavior aspects. The cognitive tempt to maintain a sense of nationalism is aspect is the knowledge of Indonesia as a not sufficient to instill nationalism; it needs country that has geographical and political more than that, especially dealing with jus- boundaries. The affective aspect is the sense tice, welfare and prosperity. of being citizens of Indonesia. And behavior aspect deals with practices instilling a sense Knowledge about Indonesia and Sea of nationalism in everyday life (Elson 2010). Border The study of nationalism in the bor- The knowledge about Indonesia includes der areas that have been done before (Noor knowledge that Indonesia is a nation state 2013) merely focused on the evaluation and with its territorial boundaries. Referring to maintenance of nationalism that is done by previous studies (Noor 2013), that the four the state. According to the study, the exis- pillars of nationality consists of Pancasila, tence of state sovereignty is examined in the 1945 Constitution, the Republic of In- the context of how far the country is able to donesia and Unity in Diversity which can realize and maintain a sense of nationalism be regarded as the paradigm of the concept within its own people. This study assumes of nationalism. Therefore, public knowled- that the greater independence in the mana- ge about the four pillars is included in the gement of nationalism, the sovereignty of a category of knowledge about Indonesia as a country will be more increasing. As a study nation state. from Noor, this paper also tries to describe In connection with current knowled- on how far nationalism is managed by state ge about Indonesia, almost all of the infor- institutions in the context of safeguarding mants in Sangihe mention that Indonesia is national sovereignty. However, in contrast envisioned as an archipelago of thousands to that study, this paper emphasizes how of islands from Sabang to Merauke, rich in far the border residents know, understand, natural resources and human resources, and feel and interpret the sense of nationalism occupied by various tribes and religions. in their everyday life. Another aspect that we This view is obtained through socializati- want to search in this study is how the sen- on conducted by school institution prima- se of nationalism is understood by the state rily concerned with insight of Indonesia and embodied in rituals and how the extent through Pancasila and Civic Education and of the country’s nationalism finds its mea- Social Sciences (IPS).1 The imagination of ning in the context of border communities. most informants about Indonesia as a count- This study also assumes that natio- 1 The interview of Cahyo Pamungkas with KFY, a nalism which is defined by the state can be student of University of Riau, 3 April 2014 in TBK.

UNNES JOURNALS Komunitas 8 (1) (2016): 59-72 61 ry which is rich in natural resources is based context, the knowledge and confidence that on the reality in Sangihe as a region which Homeland is nonnegotiable price is not di- produces fish and copra has supported this rectly related to the choice in consumption argument (Kreuzer 2006; Menchik 2014). behavior. The knowledge of Indonesia is not new The mastery of the knowledge about for people living in the border. The observa- Indonesia cannot be separated the sea bor- tion at Sangihe in May 2014 showed that stu- der. Based on the interviews with a number dents of fifth graders have gained the kno- of informants, particularly from traditional wledge of Pancasila, the 1945 Constitution, fishermen, they know that Indonesia, Ma- the Republic of Indonesia, Pancasila eagle laysia, and the are geographi- emblem, flag, and Indonesia Raya Anthem. cally bounded by oceans. However, because They are able to distinguish between Jakarta their boat is not equipped with a Global Po- and Manila. Sangihe people have a preferen- sitioning Satellite (GPS), they do not know ce over the Philippine radio to hear because exactly where the international boundary most of them can speak Visayas and Indo- line is. A fisherman from Tanjung Balai Ka- nesian radio cannot reach them. Mastery of rimun in the interview only indicated if the knowledge about Indonesia, according to boat meets with a group of tanker vessels, one informant, has increased compared to then it can be concluded that these water is the 1960s where the residents in the border outside Indonesia. The same response was were more aware of neighboring countries delivered by the Head of Bappeda Sangihe and even traded with the Philippines pesos. that for all this time, the local government According to him, the ignorance of Indone- does not know the clear coordinate between sia at that time was due to lack of access to Indonesia and the Philippines, there are information and communication technolo- only imaginary border but it remains un- gies, so that they knew more about the Phi- clear (Head of Bappeda, FGD Tahuna 2014). lippines that was located closer and reach- The public ignorance in Sangihe on able by sea transportation.2 this international sea border encourages The field finding in Marore Island, illegal activities. The terminology of illegal Sangihe shows that the knowledge and the itself comes from the perspective of modern feeling of owning Indonesia have been im- foreign country in the perspective of local parted to students since they are in primary border communities. Referring to Taglia- school, including the belief that the Home- cozzo (2005), people in Sangir, before the land is a nonnegotiable price. However, it 19th century, did not recognize the concept does not mean that people Sangihe always of international maritime boundaries. Be- choose products from Indonesia because of fore the establishment of the colonial sta- the price of the goods from the Philippines te, people in both areas freely conducted are cheaper with more attractive packaging, shipping activities from their territory to such as: canned food and beverage.3 They the islands in the Philippines. The colonial argue that, for example, the production of government then controlled the border the Philippines sweeter drinks and canned during the post colonial period. Although food taste better, whereas canned food from Indonesia and the Philippines have been Indonesia are often easily damaged because separated politically, residents in these of the long distance during shipping. In this three countries still run the international shipping activities which have been carried 2 In 1945 and 1946, Sangir and people who by their ancestors both legally and illegal- traveled from Sangihe to Mindanao had not under- stood that they entered the different country areas. ly. Knowledge of the modern state and the Just in 1956, Indoneisan and Philippines govern- post-colonial nationalism seems less to find ments managed the sea traffic for traditional shipping relevance. In other words, there has been through Border Crossing Agreement (Aswatini 1995, a gap in knowledge about Indonesia as a p.36). modern country and practices are illegal to 3 Interview of Cahyo Pamungkas with Mauntung, teacher of SD Marore, 24 Mey 2014 in Marore. cross an international border.

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From a number of interviews, people In addition to fishing, as happened in in the order area are not only aware of In- Karimun, fuel, gamecock, weapons, and li- donesia as a nation, but also illegal activi- quor are also smuggled through internatio- ties which occurred in the international sea. nal sea. Fuel smuggling from Indonesia to Some of the informants in Karimun convey the Philippines exists because of the price various smuggling activities through the in- gap in the two countries; smugglers from ternational maritime boundary line (Swas- Indonesia bought it for 6,500 IDR per liter tiwi 2011, p.67). and sell it to people in The Philippines for Reflecting on a variety of illegal acti- 15,000 IDR per liter. Gamecock is sold to vities that have occurred in international because some people have a ha- water territory, the main problems that arise bit of doing cockfights. The smuggling of are not because of the Indonesian political weapons is allegedly done through Marore ignorance, the international boundary line, and Miangas Islands but they have not been or a low level of understanding of the natio- caught because most cases of smuggling is nal vision. The phenomena happen because done through the remote islands that are of the lack fulfillment of people’s basic need uninhabited (RM).6 And liquor is generally by the government. smuggled through the Port Tinakareng, Ta- In the case of sea border in Sangihe, huna Island. some informants, especially from the bure- The knowledge of the sea border aucracy and activists of non-governmental which is more adequate is held by security organizations, suggest that traditional trade officials. Field research also has found that traffic in the waters of Pulau Marore and Mi- as a form of nationalism, officials from the angas after the Treaty of 1974 is limited to Navy, Marine Police, and Customs conduct agricultural products with a maximum pri- patrols in maintaining maritime sovereignty ce of 250 USD. Filipinos who will go to the of Indonesia. Marore Island, Indonesia or Marore people The notion about illegal activities, of who will visit Balut Island, the Philippines, course, is not directly associated with the are obliged to use cross-border pass.4 But ownership of nationalism. However, if it is in practice, especially after the 1998 reform, viewed within the framework of the natio- most Filipinos enter Indonesian water wit- nal ideology, these phenomena can be pla- hout going through the islands which are ced within the framework of nationalism stipulated in the 1974 agreement such as maintenance. The existence of many illegal Marore, Miangas, Balut and is- activities in the territorial waters of Indone- lands. In fact, after 2002, the fishing boats sia as presented by informants exhibits the from the Philippines with Filipinos which individual perpetrators of illegal activities is also one of the tribes in Indonesia are re- and elements of maritime security guards ferred to as SAPI (Sangir-Philippines) or PI- who may have deep enough knowledge SANG (Philippines-Sangir), Sangir to enter about Indonesia, but are obviously lacked Indonesian waters illegally. Indonesian fis- of insight and meaning on nationalism. hermen themselves tend to sell fish to the For the perpetrators who guard the waters, Filipino fishermen who enter Indonesian letting and allowing illegal activity can be water illegally rather than selling them to interpreted as a declining sense of natio- the city of Bitung because the distance to nalism because they do not maintain state the city of Bitung is further and it has lower sovereignty in the waters. However, this ar- fish prices. Illegal fishing is the key issue in gument does not pinpoint if it is imposed to Sangihe; there is violation of the territorial the perpetrators of the illegal activity from sea that has not been declared significantly as a violation by government.5 Saud, vice commander Lantamal Manado 19 May 2014 in Manado. 4 Interview of Cahyo Pamungkas with Rudi 6 Interview of Cahyo Pamungkas with Rudi Mokoginta, Manado, 19 May 2014. Mokoginta, Head of BPPD 19 5 Interview of Cahyo Pamungkas with Letkol May 2014 in Manado

UNNES JOURNALS Komunitas 8 (1) (2016): 59-72 63 the grass-roots level. They perform this ac- Philippines. The trust of Sangir people to tion because the state has not fully asserted the Homeland is forever instilled over ge- sovereignty in the economic field to improve nerations. As the efforts to increase natio- the welfare so they are forced to commit an nalism because of the limited number of illegal act. In this case, if we use the analy- fish traders from Indonesia, he works in sis of Marx (1844), the nationalism is placed the business of trading fish and selling fish in the base material infrastructure as a basis purchased from Sangir People in Marore to for enforcement. the Philippines. According to the statement, the business grew from selling 1 ton of fish Pride as being Part of Indonesia per week to three tons of fish per week. But One aspect of nationalism is the pride for they fleet only to Batuganding in Balut Is- their national identity. This section outli- land and were not allowed to enter Philippi- nes on how far people living in border have ne waters because it does not have shipping a sense of pride as a nation of Indonesia documents. From the fishing business, he which is understood, in terms of Hunting- felt proud that as part of Indonesia, he has ton, as “imagined political community”. contributed in improving the welfare of the National pride of residents in the border majority of Sangir people. area appears as a logical consequence of the Colonialism intervention in the for- success of countries in carrying out natio- mation of the border was also conducted nal development in meeting the needs of in the Sangihe-Talaud. Munster agreement society, especially transportation and com- in 1648 between the Netherlands and Spain munication (Nainggolan 2004, p. 13). Lack makes the Sulawesi Sea become colonial of compliance will result in reduced welfare boundaries. The area of the north belonged and national pride, and in the future could to Spain, with Manila as the center, and the threaten national integration. area of the south belonged to the Dutch, One of custom leaders of Sangir in with Ternate as the center (cf. 2003 Lapian Tahuna, Oka Makagangsa, said that the po- Ulaen et al. 2003, p.46-47). Since that time, litical sovereignty of Indonesia can be seen the status of Sangihe and re- in Sangihe. Sangir indigenous people feel gion switched from commercial trajectory proud to be part of the Homeland, and obey into landstreek van Menado.9 Sangir people the rule of law in Indonesia. Therefore, ver- must obtain a travel permit from the Dutch bally, the loyalty of indigenous people in the controlleur in Tahuna to go to the Philip- border toward the Homeland must not be pines. Those who sail without permission doubted although there are still many eco- will be considered to be a pirate. In 1898, nomic problems encountered by the Sangir the Government of the Netherlands and in general. 7 the United States signed the Treaty of Paris The reality is found in Marore Island, that determines the boundary between the Sangihe. GMIT Marore Head of the Church, with the United States in in the FGD mentioned that nationalism in the Sulawesi Sea. Delimitation of the state Sangir will never fade because they sell fish border is the colonial legacy that separates on the Filipino traders. 8 In contrast to the the cultural community. Talaud people in Miangas Island who rai- se the flag of the Philippines, Sangir peop- Rituals of Nationalism le do not have a political orientation to the Sense of nationalism is not something that is

7 Sangir people in this study are the people liv- 9 Study from Hayase et al. (1999) and Lapian ing in Sangihe archippelago and speaking San- (2009) show that the Kings in Kendahe, Sangihe gir Language which consists of severeal dialects dan Mangindano Islands, The Philippines are such as Kendahe, Tahuna, Manganitu, Tamako, still from the same decendant. Mangindano Tabukan, Siau, and Tagulandang (Parengkuan Kingdom regards Kendahe as part of its teritory, 1984 cf. Zaelany & Agustina 1995, p.22). also, Sultan Buayan regards Tabukan Kingdom 8 FGD in Tahuna 2014. in Sangihe as part of its teritory.

UNNES JOURNALS 64 Cahyo Pamungkas, Nationalism Of Border Society: Case Study of Sangir People, Sangihe Regency taken for granted or graced from the top, but school teacher in Marore, Mauntung, natio- it is something that is socially and political- nalism and citizenship education program ly constructed by state institutions through starts from elementary to high schools to social processes, namely the maintenance require students to perform flag ceremony, of nationalism. Nationalism is instilled by students who do not participate or come ideological state officers who can be called too late will be given quite penalties such as with the rituals of nationalism. The rites in saluting the flag and corporal punishment. traditional societies, referring to Durkheim They must be aware of this and respect na- (1967), aims to promote solidarity and social tional heroes through flag ceremony. The integration done through the creation of spirit and soul of nationalism are instil- specific symbols. As a rite in traditional so- led in the students so that they appreciate cieties, nationalism maintenance efforts are the Homeland, have passion in protecting made and institutionalized repeatedly. NKRI, and to be proud of it. Schools and Most interviews indicate that the- churches are examples of two institutions re are systematic efforts of the institutions that instill nationalism in Marore island. mentioned above to teach the four pillars Through churches, for example, the Sunday of nationalism, namely Pancasila, the 1945 sermon is often filled and inserted the talk Constitution, the Republic of Indonesia, on sovereignty of the Republic of Indone- and Bhinneka Tunggal Ika. Educational in- sia. Through ceremonies and civic educa- stitutions from elementary to high schools tion, students are taught to have a sense of in Gramsci’s perspective can be regarded as nationalism. Approaching the state speech an instrument of the state to instill ideology August 16, students are assigned to hear the toward civilians. On the other hand, these president’s speech, make notes, discuss with practices sociologically can be seen as rites parents and make a summary. of nationalism, which is often defined the- Another attempt to increase the sense oretically as ceremonies by using symbols of nationalism of people living in the border that are held for the purpose in fulfilling the area is through ceremonial events, especially group solidarity and at the same time, main- the anniversary of independence of Indone- taining social integration. The implications sia every August 17th either by means of offi- of such nationalism rites are public know- cial ceremonies and carnival which are held ledge about the teaching of Indonesia which in each village and sub-district in the bor- is understood within political conception on der area. The celebration of Independence the Homeland and its symbols. Day is organized by Sangir people living in Based on the interviews with most Sangihe. The memorial service is held on a of the informants, the maintenance of na- large scale in the District Marore involving tionalism in the border areas of Sangihe is students, government officials, and citizens. done through basic education institutions These elements of people are trained by the such as Civic Education which has been Army of the Village Kabiyo, Matotuan, and taught to students from fourth grade ele- Marore for one month. Camat (the head mentary school. During the New Order, of district) and Koramil (District Military the materials on these subjects were taught Commander) play central role in the ce- through Pancasila Moral Education (PMP) lebrations. Commander of the ceremony is and the Education of National Struggle His- from Koramil and the head of ceremony is tory (PSPB). Camat. According to Camat Marore, he al- The tradition of nationalism socializa- ways tells: “Do not forget that we are citizens tion through schools and churches is done of Indonesia. Although we have many brot- in Sangihe.10 According to one elementary hers of the blood in the Philippines, Jakarta is far from in the eye but close to our heart, 10 Portuguese Missionaries came the first time spreading Catholicsm in 1563 in Siau, Sangihe era, the church provided medical services and Island. Then, Dutch missionaries taught chris- basic education to Sangir people besides reli- tianity since the end of 17th century. Since that gious service (Brilman 2000, p.123).

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Manila is close in the eye and far from our coastal communities are held by the Navy heart.” Camat Marore also urges every citi- because they are the eyes and ears to safe- zen to have sense of patriotism and pride as guard the state sovereignty. Guided village a citizen of Indonesia. The Marore pheno- defined by TNI-AL is a coastal community menon which occurs since the time of the that is difficult to reach by sea transport, reform is that how hard for the people to rai- close to the international boundary line, se the red and white flag, but they prefer to and easily influenced by strangers. raise the flag of the World Cup participating To instill a sense of nationalism, the countries. NKRI expedition which is by raising the red Government in the border area also and white flag in the underwater of Marore plays the role in maintaining nationalism was organized by the Ministry of Home Af- of citizens, although it is still formal, elitist, fairs and Dephankam in 2013. This event is and artificial. The story about instilling pat- referred to as a declaration of proclamation riotism in Sangihe is delivered by the Head in Marore that NKRI also includes the wa- of Kesbangpol, HE Lalinda, who tells about ter area of Marore. Such events s involve a the needs to love Indonesia. The seminar on lot of security personnel and officials of the nationalism and allegiance to Indonesia is Central Government and less useful for San- conducted by Bakesbang with the content of gir people. history of struggle establishing the Home- land and how to love the Homeland.11 The Challenges participants were citizens of Marore Island The important question now is how far the and Miangas as the outer islands. Seminar maintenance of nationalism in the border was conducted by inviting community and area is still relevant and needed by the com- religious leaders, held regularly once a year munity. Maintenance of nationalism is put in the name of national awareness seminars. in the context of welfare states in which so- Speakers in the seminar come from Kes- vereignty of country depends on the efforts bangpol Agency, Regency of Sangihe, Navy, to comply with the welfare of society (Nur- and Army. din, 2011, pp. 21). Almost all informants in Rather different thing is also - con Sangihe answer that sense of nationalism is ducted by the Navy in Sangihe which deve- still needed and should be enhanced by the lops assisted village for the defense function citizens at the border. in Miangas and Marore Islands, where the To instill a sense of nationalism, the two islands are spearheading the develop- central government has established a border ment of nationalism of citizens of border monument on the island Marore indicating communities in everyday life.12 Mechanisms that this island is the outer islands of Indo- in fostering national awareness of fishermen nesia and belongs to the Homeland. The are set in the development program of na- needed nationalism is nationalism which tional maritime power potential. Fishermen accommodates cultural fusion between the are indoctrinated by the Navy not to violate Philippines and Indonesia. The tenden- the international maritime boundary line cy today shows there are massive efforts of (over 12 miles) and to report any violation of the Government of Indonesia to maintain the territorial sea by foreign parties. Anot- sense nationalism in the middle of border her form of guidance is by asking fishermen communities. The observations also show to catch fish when the group establishes that there are many Sangir people who have cooperation. Counseling and approach to been settled down in the Philippines and come back to Indonesia then stayed in Ma- 11 Interview of Cahyo Pamungkas with HE Lalin- rore Island and surrounding islands during da, Head of Organitational Division Kesbangpol the six months prior to the distribution of Sangihe 26 May 2014 in Tahuna. direct cash assistance. They are proposed by 12 Interview of Cahyo Pamungkas with vice commander of TNI AL Manado 19 May 2014 in their family in Indonesia to be incorporated Manado. into the pre-prosperous family. This is so-

UNNES JOURNALS 66 Cahyo Pamungkas, Nationalism Of Border Society: Case Study of Sangir People, Sangihe Regency mething that is not owned by the Sangir in Deputy Commander of the naval base of the Philippines. According to the rules app- Manado, the nationalism of Sangir people at licable in Sangihe, the Sangir or from other the border is still pretty good; the question tribes who have lived on the island entitled that often arises is the outer islands (Marore, to be registered as a citizen of the village and Mattutuang, etc.) economic life is still very obtain their rights as citizens of other villa- dependent on the General Santos. Goods of ges. basic needs on the islands will be fulfilled The maintenance of nationalism is of- from Manado by sea, but residents in the ten faced with the constraints that come from islands buy the goods from The Philippines the security forces and the Government’s because it is cheaper and closer. This issue inability to perform its functions. Several is caused by the Government of Indonesia informants in this study say that sometimes, has not been able to generalize the price the violence occurs between society and the level between regions due to the high cost authorities with border security officers, and lack of transportation problems. Cruise thus eliminating the meaning of nationa- from Tahuna to the island by ship pilot Ma- lism in the midst of society. One informant rore is done once every two weeks by four told us that in 2012 there had been a fight pioneering vessel for 19 hours from Tahuna between individual soldiers with the com- to Marore. By contrast, in Malaysia and the munity.13 One individual soldiers destroyed Philippines, the price level is relatively more several fishing boats on the island of Sangir evenly across regions with maritime tran- people in Marore after these people were in- sport better. volved in a brawl with the residents. Anot- Almost all informants in Sangihe have her story is told by Head Marore about the the same view that the main problem the conflict between the elements of the Army maintenance of nationalism in the border and Navy in 2012. The main problem is the areas is the welfare of the people that live in non-involvement of the army in the super- the outer islands. One journalist from Tahu- vision of cross-border post by Cross Border na tells that political sovereignty in the bor- Agreement of 1974. The trigger of this con- der area becomes worthless when its natural flict is the dancing party which resulted in a resources are looted and the welfare is igno- fight between rogue Army and Navy. red. According to him, the main problem of This kind of misbehavior of the secu- political sovereignty in the border enforce- rity force undermines citizens’ awareness ment is not a security approach; it is prospe- of the need for the Homeland. Ironically, rity of people.14 The attention of the Central they are the symbols of the country and they Government toward the border area is ge- damage it. The informant said: “We do not nerally very low, indicated by low DAU and want any troops sending if their behavior decentralized funds. Treatment of Central hurts the feeling of community. Their pre- Government in funding the construction of sence in here is because the commander’s the border is inversely to meet the needs of orders and not from the needs of society in border communities. Marore. “There is a kind of jealousy towards Poverty is a portrait of the lives of the existence soldiers in Sangir who repre- some Sangir people. Most residents work as sent the Homeland with weapons and re- farmers and traditional fishermen who are ceive a regular salary. Meanwhile, in view of generally subsistence. Food and non food the Sangir, soldiers merely eat and exercise needs must be purchased from the outside without working hard. island with a very high price (Aswtini et al. Another issue is the high level of eco- 1994, p.9). Most Sangir children drop out nomic dependence on the Sangir Marore of school because they do not have the fi- toward the Philippines. According to the nancial security in continuing their higher education, so they are unemployed or wor- 13 Interview of Cahyo Pamungkas with Maun- tung, teacher SD Marore 24 May 2014 in Ma- 14 Interview of Cahyo Pamungkas with Maiko, rore. NGO, 25 May 2014 in Tahuna

UNNES JOURNALS Komunitas 8 (1) (2016): 59-72 67 king as a fisherman to help parents or as they have extensive knowledge, master In- construction laborers in infrastructure de- donesian language, and has closeness with velopment projects. From a small age, the the community. Ironically, as a teacher at children of Sangir people have been taught the school who doubles as the caretaker of to live independently as archery taught how the church, they feel less valued and appre- to fish and trained to catch the sharks by pa- ciated by the Department of Education, but rents or siblings. This depicts a portrait of this task is part of the Homeland enforce- poverty Sangir people who in the future has ment efforts through the development of the potential to reduce the feeling of natio- religion. Churches and schools are institu- nalism in the border area. tions at the border who have contributed in Many local governments have at- supporting the unity of the nation. tempted to improve the economy of the Another obstacle emerged in the Sangir. Camat said that during this time maintenance of nationalism in Sangihe is there was a policy to tolerate Indonesian fis- that there are a lot of Filipino Sangir sett- hermen who want to sell the fish below 1 ton led in Sangihe and in Sarangani, Philippi- from being granted by the customs tax in nes. According to the Head of institutional Batuganding Philippines, Sarangani. Based relations, Kesbangpol Agency Sangihe, HE on Cross Border Agreement in 1974, cross- Lalinda, Sangir people who live in the Phi- border activities in Marore must be only for lippines amounted to 60 thousand people cultural, family and religious visit but given who possess fraternal relations with their the ease of making the transaction fish from counterpart in Indonesia. In the 1970s, Indonesia to the Philippines can take place people Sangir Miangas and Marore Islands through the border crossing Marore to avoid were more familiar with the President Mar- fish smuggling. The regional government cos than President Soeharto for television building Marore fish market on the island, broadcasting Philippines has been around but has not been used by the Sangir. Sales since long time ago. Filipino TV broadcast of fish on the island Marore usually occurs can be captured directly by the people at the through barter in Marore port where the fish border. Indonesian TV Channels just ente- buyers from the Philippines paid with com- red Miangas and Marore in 1980 after TVRI modities such as fishing equipment, paint, transmitter was built, and in 1990, the Indo- beverages, agricultural tools. Buyers of fish nesian television can be captured and enjo- from the Philippines also redeem items of yed by people on the border. daily life from the Philippines with fish, ci- At present, most fishermen in Sangihe garettes, or soap from Indonesia. are the Sangir Philippines where they are re- Discussing the Homeland often shows garded as second-class citizens in the Phi- the unfit picture between the reality and the lippines. Their arrival to Sangihe is just ear- ideals as set forth in the preamble of the 1945 ning a living, working as a fisherman. Most Constitution example the tradition of pat- employers here like employ them as fisher- ron-client politics that are often detrimental men because they are professionals that are to public interest. For example, principals able to stay at sea for many days to catch fish. who often criticize Regents policy because After the employment contract is finished, it is not in accordance with the aspirations they return to the Philippines. However, of the people are easily dismissed from their they are not given an identity card, although post. The salaries of teachers who teach in the card has a temporary residence permit remote areas have not been paid in full, whi- (Permit) for two weeks up to one month. le receiving allowance is difficult to obtain Filipino fishermen or the SAPI / - BA because most teaching hours of teachers in NANA are formally coming through the Marore cannot exceed 24 hours a week for entrance gate of Marore or Nusa Tabukan a single field of study. Most teachers in the guarded by Posad. If the attention of cent- border area concurrently take charge as re- ral government to the border area is lacking, ligious organizations and employer because the value of the Philippines will increase, for

UNNES JOURNALS 68 Cahyo Pamungkas, Nationalism Of Border Society: Case Study of Sangir People, Sangihe Regency example, public facilities in the Philippines be questioned. The next question is how the is much better, then Sangir people will be public at the border understand, interpret, more easily influenced to join the Philippi- and describe the concept of Indonesian na- nes. Based on the rationale to raise national tionalism in their everyday life. Almost all consciousness and a sense of nationalism for informants from civil society have expres- border community, the infrastructures were sed the view that ordinary people, mostly built such as passenger port, ferry ports, educated middle to bottom, interpret the proposals, Posad, Immigration, and roads. essence of nationalism as welfare-related According to the Head of National Unity, in aspects, such as the availability of jobs and the present situation, SAPI fishermen are ta- insufficient daily living needs. Moreover, king our fish. Although there is Navy post in the nature of nationalism also deals with Marore, they can get in when there is chan- the availability of access to education and ge of troops. The average Filipino fishermen health for people living in remote islands. stayed for 3 months before they return to the The gap analysis in this section shows that Philippines. nationalism which is politically understood The debate on the nationality of the will find its meaning if it is implemented in Sangir Philippines has not shown any com- social and economic life. mon ground between the Government of Although there are still obstacles in the Philippines and Indonesia. They are said socio-economic development of border are- as the Philippines but ethnically, they are as, the majority of informants agreed that one of the Sangir tribes, Indonesia. Likewi- national values ​​and national identity should se, when people say Sangir, Indonesia, they remain implanted to the public. Nationa- do not have a clear identity because mostly lism can be interpreted as a harmonious and they stay in the Philippines. The livelihood tolerant life based on national values ​​stret- of the Filipino Sangir is mostly as traditional cher. One informant from the Government fishermen or farmers. There is an effort to of Karimun, Rosmansyah, said that there clarify the status of Indonesian nationality should be an effort to promote nationalism​​ but it is hampered by Law No. 32 of 2008 widely, increasing inter-ethnic cooperati- which requires the provision of ID cards on, and resolve inter-ethnic tensions. The which should be based on the family card. level of inter-ethnic and religious tolerance They have been asked to make a domicile in Karimun is still high despite the majori- certificate from the Indonesian consulate ty of the population (80%) are Malay Mus- general in Davao as a first step to make the lims. National Unity Forum (FPK) has been Indonesian ID card. established as a tool to improve intergroup ethnic assimilation to maintain harmony. The Meaning of Nationalism Within However, the socialization of national iden- Social Perspective tity will not be effective if economic affair As what have been described in the previous has not been completed. When basic needs section of this paper, nationalism that is dis- are met, then people will think of and fight cussed is the meaning defined by the state. their identity. The level of public participati- For example, that nationalism is identical on in major ceremonies such as the carnival with the knowledge and love of the Home- is not about the participation size but more land. The duty of the ideological state offi- as the result of mobilization. Pancasila edu- cers to promote nationalism is conducted cation needs to be held back to inculcate na- through the mobilization of citizen parti- tional values ​​and build character, manners cipation where the understanding of such or national identity. nationality meaning is only superficial. The According to interviews with several government’s inability to deal with prob- informants, it is indicated that the mainte- lems in border areas such as education and nance of nationalism and increasing under- basic health, transportation, availability of standing of the national vision must be follo- fuel makes the discourse of nationalism to wed by efforts to achieve people’s prosperity.

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Border regions are generally areas lagging lane between Indonesia and the Philippines behind in development and prosperity and (non-traditional) can only be done through are still far from expectations. Therefore, Manado, whereas Marore Island is only for nationalism becomes less meaningful when traditional trade flows whose value is below the gap between the ideals of freedom with 250 USD. reality is still quite large. To instill nationalism, government Identity Dualism of the Philippino San- is suggested to focus more on the improve- gir People ment of people’s welfare. In other words, the The Indonesian nationalism is formed by government should give attention so that the diverse border communities. Several in- community’s economical needs are met. terviews reveal the fact that one of the cha- The essence of nationalism is welfare for the racteristics of the sea border is the level of poor. Keeping a sense of nationalism can plurality tribes which is quite high. Anthro- be done by improving welfare. Therefore, pological nature of the beach is often seen the concept of nationalism does not mere- as more open to experience assimilation by ly ring in public, perhaps for those who are immigrants compared to residents who live educated will understand this concept, but in rural areas (Sam 2007, p.105). The rela- for those who have not been prosperous this tionship between the tribes in this context is concept is questionable. viewed in conjunction with efforts to main- Talking about Indonesian nationalism tain national awareness manifested in living for some Sangir people will result in disap- peacefully and side by side. The process of pointment because their condition under identity formation of the Malays or Sangir Indonesia is relatively less autonomous than is done without reducing the attachment to when they were under the State of East In- national identity of Indonesia. The main- donesia (NIT). The romanticism during RIS tenance of nationalism can be done to ac- begins to reappear due to lack of attention commodate and provide space for the de- to the welfare of Sangir people after they velopment of cultural identity of border joined the Homeland. Head of Bappeda in communities in Indonesia (Suparlan 2002). Sangir argued in FGD that Sangir had re- Cultural issue that may affect natio- latively more autonomy both political and nalism is the presence of Sangir Philippines economical sovereignty when they become or Filipinos Sangir who settled in the outer one of the 13 Autonomous Regions under islands of Indonesia and the Philippines. NIT in 1950. Between 1950 and 1970, the re- There is no accurate data on the number of lationship between the Sangir and the Phi- people Sangir in the Philippines. The inter- lippines was set in Border cross Agreement view with the Chairman of the North Sula- 1956 which regulates the cross-border trade wesi BPPD shows that the majority (90%) of between Sangir and Sarangani. As a result, the population in the southern Philippines the exports and imports between the San- Balut Tribe is a Sangir tribe.15 Overall, the gir and the Philippines were increased and number of residents in the southern Philip- relatively more prosperous. This is often pines SAPI is around 30,000 people, but the said that Sangir people enjoyed such pros- registered people at the Indonesian Con- perity in 1960 because of free trade between sul General Davao are only 5,200 residents. Indonesia and the Philippines in this area. They neither have a passport nor ID card. However, after the New Order regime which When they are asked by the Consul Gene- then set the Sangihe area as an area closed to ral in Davao, they only give information of trade, the welfare of the people Sangir was family name and the name of the island declining. The cross-border agreement only they came from. The Philippines recogni- regulates the traffic culture and religion, but zes the existence of citizens who live in the not free trade. This is the one that drives the southern Philippines as undocumented ci- smuggling happens in the area as described 15 Interview with Rudi Mokoginta, Head of in the previous section. Commercial trade BPPD North Sulawesi, 19 May 2014 in Manado.

UNNES JOURNALS 70 Cahyo Pamungkas, Nationalism Of Border Society: Case Study of Sangir People, Sangihe Regency tizens, resulting to the unavailability to ac- restricted and suppressed to the maximum cess in formal sector employment and land by using military force. Since the fall of the ownership. Nevertheless, they still have a New Order regime in 1998, the line ances- high sense of nationalism and regionalism tors is reactivated and illegal border crossers to Sangihe, proven by their expectation to are not scared anymore to go across these return to Indonesia (Widayatun et al. 1997, paths to carry the fish. p.52). These illegal fishermen use Philippi- Almost all interviews in Tahuna and nes boats and pam Fuso with Indonesian- Marore said that people of Sangir living on flagged fishing using permit letter from the island of Matutuang, Kawio, Kawaluso, the Government of Indonesia. They are and Marore have relatives or siblings with anchored in the harbors of Peta and Tahu- the Sangir Philippines living in the sout- na. In 2011, they just stay on the boat, but hern Philippines namely: Balut, Sarangani, now they’ve dared to go ashore and transact General Santos, and Davao Islands. In fact, openly. They are suspected of carrying and Matutuang population is mostly from peop- selling drugs and narcotics, short-barreled le Sangir Philippines who had returned to firearm, in addition to selling fish. Every law Indonesia. They returned in the hope of a enforcement officers came to the beach, ap- better life and clear citizenship in Indonesia. proach it and resolve it peacefully. In fact, People who live in the island Mattuang until when the Philippine boat pam was caught Marore prefer to listen to the Philippines- in Indonesian waters, they allegedly bribed speaking radio using Visayas language. This the security forces and prepare the weapon. phenomenon shows how high the cultural Based on a number of interviews with offi- ties between the sangir people with Sangir- cials of inspection DKP, head of Bappeda, Philippines although it has been separated expert staff regent, and ABK Philippines ob- politically. tained information that the boats pam boat The phenomenon that threatens the Philippines-flagged Indonesia is legal when sense of nationality of Sangir people in the it is seen from the documents cruise, but future is the influx of people Sangir Filipinos the crew could not show their credentials who are working illegally as a fisherman on whether they are citizens of the Philippines a boat fishing vessels in the waters of San- or Indonesia. Thus, the citizenship status of gihe. Based on the information from former the Philippine fishing boat crew is stateless members of the MNLF Sangir, a perspec- and illegally present in Indonesia. They only tive that says there are political and terri- speak in the language Sangir and Visayas, a torial borders between Indonesia and the little English and Indonesian. The professio- Philippines is the perspective from Jakarta. nalism requirement for the knowledge and According to them, there is no boundary skills are met but the requirements of citi- separating the Southern Philippines and zenship are not met at all. Sangihe since hundreds of centuries ago. Even if in Marore and Batugandhing the CONCLUSION Sarangani border crossing is built, but the Based on the explanation, it can be conclu- number of illegal border crossers between ded that the level of knowledge in Indone- the two countries in the hundreds and even sia as a modern country and sea borders, as thousands through a direct path from Tahu- well as an Indonesian national pride is in- na (Map and Tinakareng) to Sarangani. For creasing compared to the 1970 period due them, this path is called the path of the an- to the development of information techno- cestors which is free and open sea trajectory logy and the cultivation of nationalism in since the post-reform. Formerly, in the New the New Order. Nevertheless, there is still a Order since 1970, every illegal boat crossing gap between the knowledge of Indonesia as from the Philippines to Indonesia, if they a modern country that has a certain territo- met with naval patrol, they would be imme- rial boundaries with social praxis that repre- diately shot so smuggling activities could be sents nationalism such as smuggling, illegal

UNNES JOURNALS Komunitas 8 (1) (2016): 59-72 71 activities, etc. It is more because of the li- Utara. PPT LIPI, Jakarta. mitations of their economic life tha are still Barker, J., 2008. Beyond Bandung: developmental na- tionalism and (multi) cultural nationalism lagging behind compared to people living in Indonesia. Third World Quarterly, 29(3), across the border. pp.521-540. The government has created some Brilman. 2000. Kabar baik di bibir Pasifik. Zending di programs to instill the nationalism of bor- Kepulauan Sangihe dan Talaud. Pustaka Sinar der communities through. However, the fin- harapan, Jakarta. Béland, D. and Lecours, A., 2005. Nationalism, public dings of the field indicates that the natio- policy, and institutional development: social nalism is politically defined and constructed security in Belgium. Journal of Public Policy, by the state, as measured by the understan- 25(2), pp.265-285. ding of the concept of nationalism, not Coenders, M., 2001. Nationalistic attitudes and ethnic exclusionism in a comparative perspective: an sounding in reality, or can be less relevant empirical study toward the country and ethnic to the socio-economic context of border immigrants in 22 countries. Doctoral disserta- communities. In other words, maintaining tion, Catholic University Nijmegen, 2001. nationalism through the rites of the country Durkheim, E., 1967. De la Division du Travail Social. has not been followed by the maintenance Paris Les Presses universitaires de France. Elson, R.E., 2010. Nationalism, Islam,‘secularism’and of border community welfare. The mainte- the state in contemporary Indonesia. Austra- nance of a sense of nationalism can be done lian Journal of International Affairs, 64(3), to accommodate and provide space for the pp.328-343. development and cultural identity of border Hayase, S., Non, D. M., dan Ulaen, A. J., 1999. Silsilah/ tarsilas and historical narratives in Sarangani communities in Indonesia. bay and Davao gulf regions, South Mindan- Martinez (1994) classifies the border ao, Philippines, and Sangihe-Talaud Islands, region by its historical context into four ty- North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Center for South- pes: alienated Borderland (no cross-border east Asian Studies, Kyoto University, Kyoto. activity), coexistent Borderland, interde- Kleinpenning, G., & Hagendoorn, L., 1993. Forms of racism and the cumulative dimension of eth- pendent Borderland, and integrated Bor- nic attitudes. Social Psychology Quarterly. derland. Referring to the view of Martinez, 56(1), pp.21-36. the relationship between Indonesia and the Kreuzer, P., 2006. Violent civic nationalism versus civil Philippines can be seen as interdependent ethnic nationalism: Contrasting Indonesia and Malay (si) a. National Identities, 8(1), pp.41-59. Borderland, for example Indonesia provides Lapian, A.B., 2003. Pengantar. in A. J. Ulaen, Nusa abundant aquatic resources and the Philip- Utara: Dari lintasan niaga ke daerah perba- pines provides labor and fishing technology. tasan. Pustaka Sinar Harapan, Jakarta. In this interdependent relationship, natio- Lapian, A.B., 2009. Orang laut, bajak laut, raja laut. nalism in the border area is still politically Sejarah kawasan Laut Sulawesi abad XIX. Ko- munitas Bambu. EFEO, KITLV, ANRI, UGM, strong, but their engagement in economic dan UNPAD, Jakarta. and cultural relation is equally strong. Latcheva, R., 2010. Nationalism versus patriotism, or the floating border? National identification REFERENCES and ethnic exclusion in post-communist Bul- Adorno, T. W., Frenkel-B., E., Levinson, D. J., & San- garia. Journal of Comparative Research in An- ford, R. N. (1950/1969). The authoritarian per- thropology and Sociology. 1(2), pp.187-216. sonality. W.W. Norton Company, New York. Martinez, O. J., 1994. Border people: Life and Society Anderson, B., 1991. Imagined communities: Reflec- in the US-Mexico borderland. University of tion on the origin and spread of nationalism. Arizona Press, Tucson. Verso, London. Marx, K., 1844. On The Jewish Questions. Retrieve Aragon, L.V., 2012. Copyrighting culture for the na- from www.marxist.org diakses pada 30 Juni tion? Intangible property nationalism and the 2008. regional arts of Indonesia. International Jour- Menchik, J., 2014. Productive intolerance: godly nation- nal of Cultural Property, 19(3), pp.269-312. alism in Indonesia. Comparative Studies in So- Aspinall, E., 2007. From Islamism to Nationalism in ciety and History, 56(3), pp.591-621. Aceh, Indonesia. Nations and Nationalism, Mietzner, M., 2006. The politics of military reform 13(2), pp.245-263. in post-Suharto Indonesia: Elite conflict, na- Aswatini, Bandiyono, S., Widayatun, Mujiyani, Se- tionalism, and institutional resistance. Policy tiawan, B., 1994. Mobilitas penduduk wilayah Studies, (23), p.I. perbatasan indonesia-Filipina di Sulawesi Nainggolan, P.P.(eds.). 2004. Batas wilayah dan situasi

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