A country without soul

A country without soul

We are in moral crisis, said Nahdlatul Ulama chairman Hasyim Muzadi. The analogy was, he said, if a state's system and its pillars collapsed once, them its (the state's) morale was broken.

Everything would lose it substance, and the state would no longer exist. In a letter to an international magazine a Singaporean likened Indonesia to a beggar: A humiliating and disgraceful description.

Hasyim said that everybody in the country must start to look inside themselves by repenting of all sins, which have gradually corroded the state's bones.

So who will be the pioneer of this great introspective campaign? Will it be the common people, like the farmers, becak drivers or roadside vendors, who have been suffering more and more each year under a weight of enormous economic burden?

This type of introspection must begin with the national leaders. They are all living, breathing people, but they have no soul, yet they have a mandate to manage the country. They must lead the way. Their voice is louder than that of a becak driver, farmers or roadside vendors.

Hasyim's appeal must be taken seriously by the people amid uncertainties. The appeal deserves to be taken as a moral movement. Just imagine what would happen if there was no more corruption, collusion or nepotism for only one month in the country. Our soul would be back and our dignity as a nation would return.

-- Republika, Jakarta