`A leader must not let people suffer'

Some say that the numerous and complex problems faced by Indonesia stem from the country's leaders. They have been accused of incompetence and a lack of goodwill. What then makes a good leader? Three youths respond to the Youth Pledge Day by sharing their criteria for an ideal leader with The Jakarta Post.

Agung, 24, is a student of the Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB). He lives in Bogor:

It is really difficult to describe the criteria for an ideal leader.

A leader must not let the people suffer in misery. The leader must side with the poor, their objective is to boost the people's welfare.

However, I'm not sure if there is such person in our country.

What we see now is highly-ranked officials competing for money and power, instead of accommodating the people's needs.

I feel hopeless. Next year's direct presidential elections will not guarantee that we will have an ideal leader.

It is impossible to expect drastic change in such a chaotic situation. It will take years to improve it.

I really hope that things will be improved by the leaders and from the grass roots. I guess our chaotic situation is the fault of a selfish government and indifferent people.

Adi, 20, has been working in his father's company since graduating from senior high school. He lives in Bonang, Tangerang, with his family:

An ideal leader is one who can stop the conflicts in some areas of this country. They must be able to curb the separatist movement, terrorist threats and others.

Most importantly, the leader must be able to improve the people's welfare to alleviate the gap between the rich and the poor.

Equality in all aspects of life must also be a consideration. A good leader would erase discrimination.

I really hope that there is such a figure, who has the competency to lead the country.

General elections are not guaranteed to result in a high- quality leader. I think our chance of a really good leader being elected is only one percent.

Under the leadership of President Megawati (Soekarnoputri), the country's problems are only becoming more extreme.

Eka, 18, is on the administrative staff of a company in Radio Dalam, South Jakarta. She resides in Pondok Aren, Tangerang, with her family:

I think an ideal leader is the one that cracks down on corruption at all levels. This must be the first priority. They must also be competent enough to safeguard the country from internal security problems.

Above all, whoever the leader is, they must highlight education as a crucial priority. Today, access to education is still discriminative as low-income families have no access at all to education. I hope that someday youths here will enjoy free education.

Let's hope for a better future leader.

-- Leo Wahyudi S.