The New Lifestyle of Indonesia’s Young Generation

Historically, the younger generation of Indonesia has played an important role in fighting for Indonesia’s independence through their organization of movements, ideas, and ideas. If we remember the history of Dutch colonialism in Indonesia, the birth of the Indonesian youth movement began with ethical political policies that made indigenous people aware of nationalism. This moment became the starting point for the spirit of the youth to unite in fighting for Indonesian independence.

We have felt independence and now we are entering the era of globalization where all information is open and easy to access technology. This creates high mobility and interaction without boundaries of distance, time or country.

Different times, different challenges faced by a generation. In the past, our heroes fought against the invaders and fought for independence, now the challenges faced by the younger generation are very varied. Starting from the rapid flow of scientific information, tight labor competitiveness, to technological advances that can replace humans.

One of the easiest ways to gain knowledge is through reading. Unfortunately, reading culture does not seem to have become a culture for most Indonesians. This is evident from the reading world ranking obtained by Indonesia. Of the 61 countries, Indonesia ranks 60th in The World’s Most Literate Nations (WMLN).

In a study conducted by the President of Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, Jhon W. Miller, the Nordic countries ranked at the top such as Finland, Iceland, Denmark, Sweden and Norway. While in Asia, the top rankings are held by South Korea (22), Japan (32), Singapore (36), China (39), Malaysia (53), Thailand (59), and Indonesia (60).

The younger generation or what is often called Generation Z (the generation born between 1996 and 2010) is known to have a new lifestyle which is often called kepo. Kepo is a slang abbreviation of the term knowing every particular object. This term is indicated for people who are all curious. If this young generation can take advantage of their “kepoke” to become patriots of the nation, then it is not impossible that questions like this will arise in the minds of the younger generation of Indonesia.

“How to become a patriot of this nation?”

“How can a country become a developed country?”

“How can the government manage the country?”

“To do this, you need a very large amount of funds, where do you come from?”

In order to answer that question, we must find out what the current concern is.

Indonesia as a country has lofty ideals such as protecting the entire Indonesian nation and the entire homeland of Indonesia, advancing public welfare, educating the nation’s life, and implementing world order based on independence, eternal peace, and social justice for all Indonesian people. Of course, to realize these goals requires many things, one of which is funds.

One of Indonesia’s sources of income that contributes to raising these funds is taxes. With taxes, many things can be felt by the community. Tax money can be used for infrastructure development for public purposes such as electricity networks, bridges, toll roads, airports, ports, and many more.

In accordance with Law Number 28 of 2007 concerning General Provisions and Tax Procedures (UU KUP), taxes are mandatory contributions to the state owed by individuals or entities that are coercive under the law without receiving direct compensation and are used for state needs for the greatest prosperity of the people. Taxes and other levies that are coercive for the state are regulated by law as well as regulated in the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia.

A total of 82.8% of Indonesia’s state revenue comes from tax revenues. Looking at the 2021 State Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBN), taxes provide the largest contribution to state revenue. It is not surprising that taxes are the first in this regard, considering that from year to year, the state budget scrap says the same thing “Taxes are the backbone of the country”. Without taxes, we will lose 80% of state revenue.

Tax money can also be felt directly for students through the School Operational Assistance (BOS) as well as the construction or repair of school facilities. In addition, in the midst of the current pandemic, taxes also play a role in providing vaccines and carrying out vaccination activities themselves.

If this young generation can apply a new lifestyle to become patriots of the nation, then it is not impossible that they will become the golden generation of Indonesia. This is because the projected productive age will dominate around 60% of the total population of Indonesia in the next 20 to 25 years.

Imagine if 60% of the golden generation pays taxes, our state budget will increase many times. The country’s development will accelerate, the facilities we will experience will be numerous, so our dream of becoming a developed country is not limited to wishful thinking.

Come on, Indonesian Young Generation! It is time for us to grow our sense of patriotism towards this nation. Because of Strong Taxes, Indonesia is Advanced.