`A leader must not let people suffer'<\/p>\n
Some say that the numerous and complex problems faced by
\nIndonesia stem from the country's leaders. They have been accused
\nof incompetence and a lack of goodwill. What then makes a good
\nleader? Three youths respond to the Youth Pledge Day by sharing
\ntheir criteria for an ideal leader with The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
Agung, 24, is a student of the Bogor Institute of Agriculture
\n(IPB). He lives in Bogor:<\/p>\n
It is really difficult to describe the criteria for an ideal
\nleader.<\/p>\n
A leader must not let the people suffer in misery. The leader
\nmust side with the poor, their objective is to boost the people's
\nwelfare.<\/p>\n
However, I'm not sure if there is such person in our country.<\/p>\n
What we see now is highly-ranked officials competing for money
\nand power, instead of accommodating the people's needs.<\/p>\n
I feel hopeless. Next year's direct presidential elections
\nwill not guarantee that we will have an ideal leader.<\/p>\n
It is impossible to expect drastic change in such a chaotic
\nsituation. It will take years to improve it.<\/p>\n
I really hope that things will be improved by the leaders and
\nfrom the grass roots. I guess our chaotic situation is the fault
\nof a selfish government and indifferent people.<\/p>\n
Adi, 20, has been working in his father's company since
\ngraduating from senior high school. He lives in Bonang,
\nTangerang, with his family:<\/p>\n
An ideal leader is one who can stop the conflicts in some
\nareas of this country. They must be able to curb the separatist
\nmovement, terrorist threats and others.<\/p>\n
Most importantly, the leader must be able to improve the
\npeople's welfare to alleviate the gap between the rich and the
\npoor.<\/p>\n
Equality in all aspects of life must also be a consideration.
\nA good leader would erase discrimination.<\/p>\n
I really hope that there is such a figure, who has the
\ncompetency to lead the country.<\/p>\n
General elections are not guaranteed to result in a high-
\nquality leader. I think our chance of a really good leader being
\nelected is only one percent.<\/p>\n
Under the leadership of President Megawati (Soekarnoputri),
\nthe country's problems are only becoming more extreme.<\/p>\n
Eka, 18, is on the administrative staff of a company in Radio
\nDalam, South Jakarta. She resides in Pondok Aren, Tangerang, with
\nher family:<\/p>\n
I think an ideal leader is the one that cracks down on
\ncorruption at all levels. This must be the first priority. They
\nmust also be competent enough to safeguard the country from
\ninternal security problems.<\/p>\n
Above all, whoever the leader is, they must highlight
\neducation as a crucial priority. Today, access to education is
\nstill discriminative as low-income families have no access at all
\nto education. I hope that someday youths here will enjoy free
\neducation.<\/p>\n
Let's hope for a better future leader.<\/p>\n
-- Leo Wahyudi S.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/a-leader-must-not-let-people-suffer-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }