Right or wrong, my conscience

The article by Mochtar Buchori (The Jakarta Post, March 5) on Right or wrong, my party perhaps touches upon a very real problem that exists in Indonesian politics.

History has produced a number of great statesmen and orators, people of real passion, integrity and courage. From the abolition of slavery to great victories in war, politicians and leaders have stood up and expressed their feelings with great distinction, and in doing so, aroused the conscience of many -- but here, such people cannot survive.

To speak out for the people of this nation in a manner that condemns and crucifies the existing corrupt system would be tantamount to committing political suicide, and yet such words are desperately needed. No doubt there are politicians that would dearly love to buck the system and find the courage to express their inner thoughts and beliefs, but when one knows that one's words would be wasted, what is the point?

Vital qualities are missing so much that duty, nationalism, pride, conscience, dignity and morality cannot survive; therefore, the word "statesman" cannot be said in the same breath as the word "politician".

One can only be a true Indonesian statesman if one possesses a genuine desire to create a better country, such that sincere endeavors dictate the course of action. The current mentality (and this has always been the case, but is now getting worse) is clearly focused on money, power and greed -- the three things go together and cannot be separated.

In reality, which is truly all that matters, democracy in Indonesia still remains in a large cardboard box that is covered with cobwebs and sits alongside another one that is labeled "reform", both of which are in a dark room, and with the current trends, will remain there forever undisturbed.

DAVID WALLIS, Medan, North Sumatra