IndonesianTalk.com — “This Nation Is Not Doing Well, But We Must Not Lose Hope”
Temposiana.com Interview with Stephanus Slamet Budi Raharjo
“There are people for every era. And every era produces its own people.”
The phrase surfaced repeatedly during a lengthy conversation between Temposiana.com and Stephanus Slamet Budi Raharjo.
Inside his book-lined office, surrounded by stacks of documents and the fading aroma of cold coffee, the man widely known as Jojo spoke in a calm yet piercing tone.
A senior journalist long associated with integrity, outspoken criticism of misconduct, and a reputation as a “justice warrior,” he believes Indonesia is passing through a difficult chapter.
Public trust is weakening. Role models are becoming scarce. Noise often carries more weight than substance.
Yet amid his sharp criticism, one thing remains intact: optimism.
Below are excerpts from the interview.
Temposiana.com: Recently, you have often quoted the phrase, “There are people for every era. And every era produces its own people.” What does it mean to you?
Stephanus Slamet Budi Raharjo:
It sounds simple, but it carries a deep meaning. Life moves in cycles. Certain people are suited to lead in certain times, while others are born precisely to answer the challenges of their era.
The problem today is that too many people want to appear before they are ready. They want fame before they contribute anything meaningful. Yet this era does not need more image-building. This nation needs people with integrity and moral courage.
Every generation faces its own test. And today, our greatest test is honesty.
Temposiana.com: Do you believe Indonesia is currently in a worrying situation?
Stephanus Slamet Budi Raharjo:
If we are being honest, yes. We are not doing well.
And it is not merely about the economy or politics. The more serious crisis is the loss of exemplary leadership. People speak easily about morality, yet struggle to set an example themselves.
Social media has given everyone a voice, but not everyone is willing to be accountable for what they say. Noise has become louder than wisdom. Popularity rises faster than integrity.
We see many people wanting to go viral, but only a few truly willing to work for society, for the environment, or for the nation.
Temposiana.com: You are known for being uncompromising toward injustice. Where does that attitude come from?
Stephanus Slamet Budi Raharjo:
Because I believe in one thing: silence in the face of injustice is part of the injustice itself.
Journalism taught me from the very beginning that our primary duty is not to please those in power, but to protect public reason and common sense.
To call what is wrong, wrong — and what is right, right. It sounds simple, yet that has become increasingly difficult today.
Many people are afraid of losing their position. Afraid of losing access. Afraid of losing comfort. And so they choose safety over honesty.
But great nations are never built by people who merely seek comfort. Nations are built by those courageous enough to defend values.
Temposiana.com: Is integrity still relevant in today’s era?
Stephanus Slamet Budi Raharjo: It is more relevant than ever.
In a world filled with image manipulation, integrity has become extremely valuable. People can buy popularity, buy branding, even buy opinions. But trust cannot be purchased.
Integrity is not a slogan. It is the alignment between words and actions.
If you speak publicly against corruption, then your private conduct must also be clean. If you speak about morality, your daily life must reflect it.
Society today is actually very intelligent. People may remain silent, but they can sense who is sincere and who is merely performing.
Temposiana.com: In many of your writings, family is described as the nation’s primary foundation. Why?
Stephanus Slamet Budi Raharjo: Because every value begins at home.
A person may hold a high position and be respected publicly, but if they fail to become a role model within their own family, then something essential is missing.
Children do not learn from lectures. They learn from examples. They observe how their parents practice honesty, how they treat other people, and how they face difficulties.
This nation will not improve if families lose their values.
Temposiana.com: Amid current conditions, what keeps you optimistic?
Stephanus Slamet Budi Raharjo: Because I still believe there are many good people in this country.
They may not always appear on television or social media. But they work quietly. Honest teachers. Journalists who maintain their ideals. Police officers who still have a conscience. Small employees who refuse bribes. Young people who care about the environment.
Indonesia always has hope because people like them still exist.
We must not surrender to pessimism. We must not assume everything is already broken. It is not.
History shows that this country has survived difficult periods many times before. And every difficult era has always produced people who preserve hope.
Temposiana.com: What message would you give to younger generations?
Stephanus Slamet Budi Raharjo: Do not become too busy trying to look impressive.
Be useful.
Build your capacity. Protect your honesty. Do not justify every means simply to achieve quick success, because success without integrity rarely lasts.
And one more thing: stay close to God.
No matter how intelligent or powerful human beings become, there will always come a moment when intelligence and power are no longer enough. That is where conscience and spirituality become guides.
People who drift too far from God are often easily intoxicated by power and praise.
Temposiana.com: If you had to describe your hope for Indonesia in one sentence, what would it be?
Stephanus Slamet Budi Raharjo: This nation can still become great, as long as there are people brave enough to remain honest while most choose silence.
The conversation ended that afternoon without heroic rhetoric. There were no grand slogans. No empty optimism.
Only a quiet conviction: that every era will always require people willing to guard their conscience.
And perhaps, as the phrase he often repeats suggests, every generation is still waiting for the right people to protect it.
source: https://temposiana.com/wawancara-temposiana-com-dengan-stephanus-slamet-budi-raharjo/
