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