Dawn of the Second Term
The possibility of Indonesia becoming a ravaged country like Syria is not an illusion.
“Celebrate Unity!” Yes, that is what we are doing now and we chose it as the headline of Kompas daily on Sunday (20/10/22019).
After almost a year, we nearly fell amid the chaos related to the presidential election and its aftermath, with divisions among the people and elites, whose extreme actions had no precedence in the history of the republic. Now, we have no choice but to unite. The possibility of Indonesia becoming a ravaged country like Syria is not an illusion.
The reelection of Joko “Jokowi” Widodo as president, this time with Ma\'ruf Amin as the vice president, on the one hand, gives us hope of continuing the successful development of recent years, such as infrastructure. But on the other hand, Indonesia is facing a series of challenges that have rocked the country. It must be said that from internal and external sides, President Jokowi is leading and becoming the captain of a ship that is setting sail on a stormy ocean.
We cannot help but pray that President Jokowi and Vice President Ma\'ruf Amin be blessed with the ability to overcome the various obstacles. As dawn breaks for the new government, let us reflect and think for a moment to strengthen ourselves.
"In a democratic country, the people get the leaders they deserve." That is a famous remark often spoken by famous figures such as Alexis de Tocqueville and Abraham Lincoln or philosopher Joseph de Maistre. As leaders chosen by the people through an election, Jokowi-Ma\'ruf Amin must be supported to lead the republic for the next five years.
If we mention infrastructure as the milestone of Jokowi\'s first period, we want to appreciate that success. However, when we realize that the Papuan people are still restless and Jokowi did not win a landslide or convincing victory in the second presidential election, this drives us to ponder that infrastructure is not an important element in winning the people\'s hearts and minds. We can say something similar about the spread of dissatisfaction (as an extension of social division) in some communities, both during the May 21-22 riots and the actions in the third week of September.
Jokowi\'s aura of friendliness, warmth and hospitality that has been shown in public is apparently not enough to give birth to the same aura and charisma for Indonesia, which apparently needs a leader who has a tremendum (large, tremendous) aura and is fascinosum (charming). On a full scale, this association refers to God. But the expectation for an Indonesian leader who is able to hold Indonesia firmly and — if necessary — kereng (frightening) still seems necessary.
Just to expand the reflection, Plato once said, "There will be no end to the troubles of states, or of humanity itself, till philosophers become kings" (The Politics Book).
As a reason, it is explained that the role of the authorities is to guarantee that the people live a "good life". Knowing how heavy the demands of a "good life" are, "intellectual skills" are needed and also an understanding of ethics and morality. It is believed that only philosophers have such skills and knowledge.
Indonesia’s has had seven presidents, each with their own greatness and contribution, including intellectual prowess and other skills. But now, a new age seems to demand a new style of leadership.
Is good enough? Is it enough to just sumeh (smile)? Facing a divided society, which sometime also shows its ferocious character, it may cross one’s mind that perhaps, what Indonesia needs right now is "an enlightened despot" or a dictator with enlightenment.
Now, it\'s time to think about how the great ideas of the Indonesian people can be realized by leaders into one concrete action.
However, Indonesia cannot get away from fate, where choice does not exist. So, we welcome President Jokowi as he is. The wise man said, "Make the best of it".
"Now, it\'s time to think about how the great ideas of the Indonesian people can be realized by leaders into one concrete action that can bring the whole nation and country more prosperous and can play a role in building a better human civilization." (Introduction to Dr. Edie T Hendratno for the book Dancing Leader, PBK, 2011).
We underline that, so far, we have formulated big ideas, ranging from Pancasila to the Mental Revolution and Nawacita in the first era of President Jokowi. Now, if not for the past five years, it\'s time to realize that big idea.
The complexity is large, because in the post-truth era, good ideas, good achievements, are often twisted. However, on the other hand, we must also be willing to admit that there are many promises that have not been fulfilled.
"Remember that your promises will be billed," including the promise to achieve 7 percent economic growth.
Especially in the economic field, we are of the view that the (economic) team in the first term was weak, did not show a nationalistic vision and liked to work in a comfort zone. There was rarely any out-of-the-box thinking (which is now updated with no-box thinking).
Read more : New Cabinet Provides Momentum to Restore Public Trust
With imported products still dominant, including the most basic needs of society, such as rice, sugar and soybeans even salt, our exports having little added value and people loving to switch gadgets and have nice cars, it\'s no wonder the Indonesian economy continues to be in a deficit.
It is the job of a leader to divert the nation from a comfortable and complacent zone to a healthy and resilient economy by practicing innovations and loving national products. If you desire the good, the people will be good (Confucius).
We are sure that President Jokowi and Vice President Ma\'ruf Amin have good intentions, so we are sure that the Indonesian people will be good, too. However, we mention once again that the tendency of centrifugalism, where there are parties who want to separate from the republic, is growing and our leaders must be fully present and handle it firmly.
This is the last chance for President Jokowi to fulfill his promise to develop Indonesia\'s human resources.
If necessary, the President must tiwikrama [transforming into a giant, like Krishna in the play Kresna Duta] to crack down on radicalism, anti-Pancasila sentiments and economic practices that are not pro-people. This is the last chance for President Jokowi to fulfill his promise to develop Indonesia\'s human resources, which is showing a low performance in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and disorganized in various spheres, from traffic to bureaucracy. Happy working!