 |
| Dr. (H.C.) Drs. Cornelis, M.H: Proud of Being Dayak, Proud to Be Indonesian. Photo: Dayak Today. |
PONTIANAK, WEST KALIMANTAN — As Indonesia prepares to celebrate the 81st anniversary of independence, Dr. (H.C.) Drs. Cornelis, M.H., a member of Indonesia’s House of Representatives (DPR RI) and prominent Dayak community leader, is calling on Dayak communities across West Kalimantan to proudly fly the Red and White flag.
Cornelis, who served as President of the National Dayak Customary Council (MADN) from 2015 to 2021, said flying the national flag should mean more than simply following an annual August tradition.
For him, the Red and White is a national symbol and a visible expression of citizens’ responsibility and love for Indonesia.
“Let us fly the Red and White with pride,” Cornelis said.
He urged Dayak communities to celebrate Independence Day by displaying the national flag at homes, in neighborhoods, and at other appropriate places in accordance with national regulations.
A National Symbol Beyond Ceremony
Cornelis said the annual Independence Day celebration should be an opportunity to reaffirm the meaning of being Indonesian.
The Red and White, he emphasized, represents a shared national identity that brings together people from different ethnic, cultural, and regional backgrounds. Flying the flag, therefore, is not merely a ceremonial act but a simple way for citizens to express their commitment to the nation.
He also called on the Dayak community to avoid turning differences in cultural symbols and identities into sources of division.
Indonesia's diversity, he said, should instead become a strength that reinforces solidarity and mutual respect.
Preserving Dayak Culture
Putting the Red and White first as the national symbol does not mean abandoning Dayak identity or traditions.
Cornelis stressed that Dayak culture must continue to be protected, nurtured, and passed on to future generations. Languages, customary traditions, traditional arts, clothing, traditional houses, and other cultural expressions remain important parts of Dayak heritage.
“Dayak culture must continue to be protected and preserved,” he said.
For Cornelis, national identity and cultural identity do not have to compete with each other. A person can take pride in Dayak heritage while, at the same time, standing firmly as an Indonesian citizen.
That balance, he said, is essential in maintaining both cultural continuity and national unity.
Unity Comes First
Indonesia's strength lies in its diversity. Against that backdrop, Cornelis called on Dayak communities to place unity and togetherness among their highest priorities.
The Dayak people, he said, are an integral part of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia. Their cultural identity should therefore grow alongside their commitment to the country.
Maintaining Dayak identity and safeguarding the integrity of Indonesia are not opposing choices. Both can move forward together when rooted in mutual respect, solidarity, and a shared sense of responsibility.
Cornelis also cautioned against allowing differences in cultural symbols to become unnecessary controversies. Cultural diversity, he said, should enrich public life rather than create new divisions.
The Red and White as a Symbol of Togetherness
Cornelis delivered his message ahead of Indonesia's 81st Independence Day, encouraging communities throughout West Kalimantan to make the national celebration visible in their daily surroundings.
A flag flying outside a home may seem like a small gesture. Yet, for Cornelis, it carries a larger meaning: a reminder that the spirit of independence remains alive in the community.
He believes the celebration should bring people together rather than become another arena for debating differences.
For the Dayak community, this means celebrating ancestral heritage while also reaffirming its place within the broader Indonesian nation.
Proud of Being Dayak, Proud to Be Indonesian
At the heart of Cornelis's message is a simple idea: love for Dayak culture and love for Indonesia can grow side by side.
Dayak people can remain proud of their ancestral heritage while standing firmly as part of the Indonesian nation. In the 81st anniversary of independence, the Red and White becomes a symbol that brings together people of different ethnicities, cultures, and backgrounds under one national identity.
“Unity and solidarity as citizens of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia must remain our priority,” Cornelis said.
His message is ultimately a reminder that independence is more than a historical event commemorated once a year. It is an ongoing responsibility—to preserve brotherhood, respect diversity, protect cultural heritage, and strengthen the unity of Indonesia.
For travelers exploring Borneo, this spirit offers an important window into the island's cultural landscape: Borneo's diversity is not only something to see, but something to understand, respect, and celebrate.
-- Rangkaya Bada
