Leaders and people's welfare

Reading our national newspapers, especially those of the last few days, I have become more and more confused about the attitude of our political leaders.

The question is, are our politicians really trying to work for the welfare of the people, or are they working and fighting for their own benefit -- misusing the people's support and trust and using their own supporters as a ladder to achieve their goal of power?

An example is recently Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid lost his bid for chairmanship of Nahdlatul Ulama's law making body. Just because he lost -- never mind that it was a fair and democratic race -- he is going to create a new organization so that he can stay on top and maintain his political power.

This, instead of accepting his loss with grace as an experienced, mature and wise political and religious leader.

I know that we are a democratic country, and everyone has the full right to do as he thinks fit. But politicians should not forget that losing or winning depends on the trust of their supporters, and they should use their victory -- or loss -- to reciprocate the people's trust and not to satisfy their own ambitions.

In life, happiness is more important than having power. You are happy if you can bring happiness to other people, and for a leader, happiness will come if he can bring happiness to his people, ensuring that the people can live in peace, free from hunger and fear.

Especially in Indonesia, a country based on Pancasila, the welfare of the people should be placed above the interests of individuals or groups.

SOEGIH ARTO
Jakarta