Being wise key to nation's success

Being wise key to nation's success

From Suara Karya

Only wise statesmen/women can be credible leaders of a nation and bring prosperity.

With the public's support, a politician can reach the pinnacle of power and enjoy legitimacy as statesman/woman. The moral, intellectual and spiritual consequence of being a leader is that a politician must stop relying on only the legitimacy given by his/her group. He/she must be a statesman/woman.

It is sad that in Indonesia practically no leaders can qualify as statesmen/women. They are leaders of groups and are concerned with their groups' interest. They are but the slaves of power, extorting and acting on behalf of the people and the state.

A statesman/woman is wise because before making a decision he/she will first weigh up a problem morally, emotionally and spiritually.

In the case of Indonesia, what do we witness in this conflict- ridden country? Our leaders act and make up their minds only on the basis of their emotional consideration. They ignore rational and spiritual considerations. As a result, the country slides further into greater misery. Unfortunately, our leaders do not care that while these decisions benefit their groups, they disadvantage others.

Indonesia will face its own destruction if it continues to be led by nonstatesmen/women.

It is not easy to be a statesman/woman, especially in the face of multidimensional problems. However, armed with honesty and sincerity and the three considerations referred to above, we will always be able to do something.

JIWANDONO

Bekasi, West Java