Visions of consistency over 'crazy rice'

Visions of consistency over 'crazy rice'

Kornelius Purba, Jakarta

Father and son were dining on nasi gila (crazy rice, as it is
literally translated) by the Taman Lembang Fountain, in Menteng,
Central Jakarta, when the father seized the moment to demonstrate
his knowledge of politics. He talked as though he were better
than any politician in the country. He told his son that the five
presidential candidates had no vision, and were surrounded by
incompetent people.

Bored with the constant preaching of his father on what a
candidate should ideally offer voters, the son interrupted, "Look
at this food," to the surprise of his father.

"It comprises only baso (meat balls), cheap sausages, kerupuk,
rice, and a slice of boiled egg. But, so many people are crazy
about it. You know why? Because it is affordable yet filling."

The son continued, "Perhaps, bapak will say that lunch at a
hotel is much more delicious. But remember, it is very expensive,
and for many ordinary Indonesians, such luxurious food is too
rich."

The university student then noticed the office of the campaign
team for Gen. (ret) Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Jusuf Kalla,
located just in front of the park.

He said Kalla actually also deserved the presidential seat,
because he was perceived to be the most consistent, along with
incumbent Vice President Hamzah Haz. Kalla is famous for his
pencil-thin mustache, which apparently requires immaculate
trimming.

"The mustache looks funny to many, but I hear that he styled
it like that in his youth -- that's consistency for you."
exclaimed the son.

And how about Hamzah, the United Development Party's (PPP)
presidential candidate? His strong point, according to the son
was that he was "no hypocrite". He has several wives (although
recently he seemed to forgot the exact number...) and is not
ashamed. But, the father avoided his son's gaze.

The moral of this conversation is that the last thing people
want are superfluous promises. They prefer simple programs that
are consistently implemented. People understand that one person
cannot completely eradicate corruption in this country in a short
time. In the words of a senior government official in Aceh on the
implementation of sharia in the province, "If sharia were to be
fully implemented in Aceh, very few officials would have their
hands here." A reference no doubt to one of the harsher forms of
Islamic law that calls for the cutting off of thieve's hands.

Perhaps it would be more convincing if the candidates promised
that, "our ranking as the world's third most corrupt nation will
be improved to the fifth within two years."

The next president would only destroy their own future if they
took drastic measures to punish corruptors, because the
corruptors would work together to oust such a leader. What is
needed now is the creation of hot spots through some "shock
therapy". Incarcerate some of the big-time corruptors within the
first year to send a strong message to others, at least to
refrain from stealing state money during the leader's tenure.

People will feel grateful when their next president succeeds
in fulfilling their promise to prohibit their family or relatives
from entering business.

People will not believe the promise of a candidate to create
12 million jobs within five years. The country's economic
policies had been almost entirely determined by the International
Monetary Fund (IMF) from 1997 to 2003. The current Cabinet's
economic team also comprises well-respected economists. People
are still impatiently awaiting, however, for concrete evidence
that their living conditions are improving under President
Megawati Soekarnoputri's leadership.

They want their leader to restore the country's tarnished
image and restore it as serious player in the world, not just in
terms of population and geography, but also a country which can
contribute to peace in the world. But first this country must fix
the problems here. They want Indonesia to be a real home for all
of its citizens, not just a house where they have to stay because
they have no other place to go.

They fully realize that they probably have to endure many of
the problems for another five years before their leader can
eventually deliver on the promises. What they demand is that the
leaders work hard, intelligently and honestly for the citizens.
They can accept when the leader makes a mistake, as long as it is
an honest mistake, not one because of his or her inability to
maintain control of his or her subordinates.

Nasi gila is simple and affordable and, for ordinary folk, it
always hits the spot. A consistent leader -- the son cites
Kalla's mustache as an example -- who is ready to make public his
real situation -- like Hamzah and his wives -- is necessary.

Will the next president deliver strange, but "real", food to
the people, rather than empty promises, or expensive and
delicious fare, which the hungry will not even come close to
tasting?

Kornelius Purba (purba@thejakartapost.com) is a staff writer
with The Jakarta Post.