The Ballad of Rocky Gerung

We know how that story goes: Gus Dur's power ended in July 2001, yet his ideas never truly ceased.

Perhaps this is one characteristic of Fordem members. They can enter power, be inside, but never fully become "people of power".

To me, their greatest legacy lies in their consistency in passing on knowledge, wisdom, attitudes, and a "way of seeing and hearing" Indonesia to younger generations.

Upon further reflection, it might not be power that is "hostile" to Fordem individuals.

It could be they who are "unfriendly" to power.

Not in the sense of hostility, but they have never made power something too sacred.

Remember Gus Dur's words? There is no position (power) in this world that needs to be defended at all costs.

Now Rocky

If my thesis is correct, the "DNA of Fordem" resides within Rocky Gerung.

I am not surprised by his position towards Joko Widodo's government.

Nor am I in a rush to read Rocky's decision to accept the position of Wantimpres as a sign of inconsistency.

At this point, I recall Howard Zinn, who once wrote, "you can’t be neutral on a moving train." The world continues to move.

Injustice is never entirely resolved just because someone chooses to be "neutral".

Reflecting on Zinn, I believe the relationship between an intellectual and power is not as simple as being "inside" or "outside". Consistency and loyalty to the values one believes in are far more important.

And if the history of Fordem individuals can serve as a mirror, that relationship is almost always complicated. They are close to power, even have been inside power, but have never become "people of power".

Will Rocky's story follow the same pattern? Or will Rocky Gerung indeed be an outlier from this group?

Whatever it is, good luck with your role, Bung Rocky.