Trustworthy and Beneficial Leadership
Nearly a century has passed since Indonesia became independent. This means the Indonesian people have begun determining their own fate to realise the ideals, aspirations and hopes enshrined in the Proclamation and the constitution of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI). The NKRI is a nation-state, which in the perspective of constitutional law is a nation-state in modern politics.
A country that adopts a nationalist system has several characteristics. First, a nation that shares a common experience during the colonial period and after independence. Second, a nation that has a shared aspiration to realise and fill independence with comprehensive development, balancing material and moral-spiritual progress. Third, a nation that determines its own fate to achieve its ideals. Fourth, a nation that stands on its own without depending on other nations or being intervened by other countries, except for mutually beneficial cooperation that does not dictate or intervene in our national sovereignty.
This piece is an expression from the nation’s children to appreciate and reflect on what progress the country has made and what setbacks we must evaluate for the advancement of our nation and state. First, the meaning and essence of independence. From a colonial fate to determining one’s own destiny. The proclamation of independence on 17 August 1945 saw the nation’s founders cry out: Merdeka! Independence is not merely liberation from colonialism, such as Dutch and Japanese colonisers. In essence, independence means freedom from poverty, ignorance and fear.
The nation’s hope after 1945 was for a free, united, sovereign, just and prosperous nation. Almost 81 years have passed. We now have toll roads, schools, hospitals, technology and more. But the major task remains the same: what is the fate of ordinary people? Has it improved? Independence means the people determine their own fate, not determined by colonisers, nor by a handful of people or an oligarchy.
Second, the journey of the NKRI and the hopes of the Indonesian people. Since independence, from the early independence period, the Old Order, the New Order and Reformasi, up to today in 2026, the NKRI has weathered many storms. The storm that has never changed is the people’s hope to live justly, prosperously and in welfare. The people’s hopes are simple: full stomachs, affordable basic necessities, available jobs, children attending school, free and quality education that produces an intelligent and prosperous nation, accessible healthcare that is free if possible and not made difficult, and a justice system that is fair rather than sharp downwards and blunt upwards. People want to live safely, comfortably and orderly, without fear of intimidation. In short, the people want justice and prosperity to be truly felt in an independent nation, not a new form of colonisation through politics, economics or other means.
Third, the trustworthiness of leadership in Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution. This country was founded on two pillars: Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution. The fifth principle of Pancasila is Social Justice for All Indonesian People. This means leaders are obliged to distribute justice, not accumulate power and tyranny. Article 1 paragraph 2 of the 1945 Constitution states that sovereignty rests with the people and is exercised according to the Constitution. This means leaders are mandate holders, their positions are entrusted by the people, and the people hold sovereignty in a democratic country.