Deputy Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs\n(Wamenko Polkam) Lodewijk F. Paulus has stated that politics is not a\npath to wealth or power, but rather a form of service to the nation and\nstate. He made the remarks while speaking on the second day of the 8th\nIndonesian Islamic Congress (KUII) in South Jakarta on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Lodewijk assessed that national political challenges stem not only\nfrom global geopolitical dynamics but also from the quality of domestic\npolitical practices. He argued that the development of Indonesia\u2019s\npolitical system must begin with a correct paradigm regarding the\nessence of politics. \u201cPolitics is an act of worship and service, not a\npath to wealth or power,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He explained that service-oriented politics would produce leadership\nthat prioritises national interests over personal or group interests.\nConversely, if politics is viewed merely as a tool to gain power,\ntransactional politics and various deviations will continue to\nrecur.<\/p>\n
During the session, Lodewijk also highlighted several persistent\nchallenges facing Indonesia, including high-cost transactional politics,\nnegative and black campaigns, oligarchy, political dynasties, and a\ndemocracy that is still considered merely procedural. He noted that\nthese issues are a collective task to build a healthier and fairer\npolitical system.<\/p>\n
He therefore urged all elements of the Islamic community to build a\npolitical paradigm that makes the nation\u2019s interests an inseparable part\nof the community\u2019s interests. \u201cThe awareness that the interests of the\nnation and state are part of the interests of the ummah,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Lodewijk also encouraged political education based on the values of\nIslam Wasathiyah (moderate Islam) and Rahmatan lil \u2019Alamin (a blessing\nto the universe). He stressed that the public must be encouraged to\nchoose leaders based on integrity, capacity, and work programmes, rather\nthan political promises or money politics.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, he called on all components of the nation, particularly\nthe Islamic community, to strengthen synergy between political parties,\nIslamic civil society organisations, community leaders, and state\nadministrators to realise a democracy that brings benefit. Lodewijk\nemphasised that the vision of a Golden Indonesia 2045 can only be\nachieved if the national political system produces a government that is\nmoral, transparent, just, and truly sides with the people\u2019s interests.\nHe reminded the audience that national improvement must begin with\nimproving political quality and community participation in national\nlife. \u201cThere is no political improvement without self-improvement, and\nthere is no national improvement without the active role of the ummah,\u201d\nhe said.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/politics-is-not-a-path-to-wealth-says-deputy-minister-at-islamic-congress-1784980387", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }