Next president

A date for the general election has been fixed, and we are waiting and praying that we will get a good president, one who can lead us to a better Indonesia. By a good president I mean that he or she should have a good educational as well as religious background.

The criteria for a good president may be summarized as follows:

1. Be responsible to God. A president must remember that his position is only for a certain period, not a lifetime.

2. Must have a low profile. A president should not show off, but should consider himself a public servant i.e. to serve, not to be served.

3. Be open to criticism, be democratic and be willing to accept opponents' opinions. Criticism must be as viewed a social control.

4. Have commitment and be honest. Be ready to apologize after making a mistake.

5. A president must be consistent in keeping his word.

Only if a president meets these criteria will he be acceptable to lead the country and nation toward a promising future.

MUHAMMAD RUSDI

Jakarta