Renaissance is needed
Referring to Mochtar Buchori's article 'Norms in political life', March 26, I consider it a serious indictment on morality which has been prevailing among "our political leaders" for some time. Predictably, however, to the "power hungry and greedy individuals" his observations most likely fall on deaf ears.
Mochtar notes how present-day leaders are lacking noble ideas and virtues such as honesty, open-mindedness and a democratic spirit of tolerance compared to leaders during the preindependent and 1945 era. No wonder many have become "mere talking puppets," he laments.
I also noticed another striking difference. Formerly, our leaders were ashamed if they looked well-to-do in the eyes of the people who faced food shortages and suffered from various diseases. Now, civil servants and political figures feel inferior if they are unable to show their wealth, legally or illegally acquired.
Registering their wealth, therefore, is a futile exercise. The reason is simple: they have forgotten the meaning of sacrifice, an essential characteristic of a true leader. Instead, they distance themselves from the people by setting up (calling themselves) intellectual demarcation lines.
Frankly, I fail to see the difference, in an academic sense, between a Buddhist intellectual and a Christian one. Why create a special class in society unnecessarily? Aloof from others.
Compounding all this is the fact that the people are forced, wittingly or unwittingly, to live under a system of democracy where they have not learned to accept defeat. In other words, this nation has been trained intensively, as it were, to play chess without an opponent. And without a time limit or referee.
National leaders, despite their shortcomings, are expected to engage in concrete actions, not just promise and organize seminars, workshops or invent slogans.
Our rupiah will, one day, stabilize. The economic turbulence will come to an end, but I have no idea when and at what price.
The new team of ministers must first ensure that people have enough food to eat, have jobs and houses to live in, and have access to medical care. To vow to provide free education to all layers of the population until academic level sounds like an utopian cry, considering the persisting crisis of confidence and confusion in society.
Only if the team succeeds in reversing the trend and delivering righteousness may we speak of a raison d'etre. I hope Mochtar Buchori shares my view: "that is, a kind of renaissance is needed."
GANDHI SUKARDI
Jakarta