Power for the people

Power for the people

From Media Indonesia

The intense struggle between the Nationhood Coalition and the
People's Coalition over the leadership of House of
Representatives commissions makes me feel distraught. I wonder
why legislators are engaged so fiercely in the scramble for power
among them.

The reason put forward by the People's Coalition to secure its
share of power and the argument made by the Nationhood camp to
retain its seats are incomprehensible.

Have the morality and perspective of our politicians already
deteriorated to such a level of absurdity that they play the game
of elimination without shame?

As a nation, we possess doctrines and tenets worthy of
application, such as the principle described by the late Sultan
Hamengkubuwono IX in his book Tahta untuk Rakyat (A throne for
the people). The politicians can follow the Sultan's example by
declaring, "Power for the people".

It seems pointless today to yearn for political leaders who
can serve as role models by practicing the wise teachings of our
founding fathers, including the Yogyakarta Sultan.

FR. TONO MARTONO
Yogyakarta