Failed Leadership: Who Is at Fault?

    One of the most popular journalists in Indonesia, Najwa Shihab, once said, "Kita sering menuntut mengapa pemimpin kita korup, tidak jujur, tapi mungkin anomali ini adalah refleksi dari kondisi rakyat Indonesia, karena rakyatlah yang memilih pemimpin." If I translate this to English, it becomes, "We often demand why our leaders are corrupt and dishonest, but perhaps this anomaly is a reflection of the condition of the Indonesian people, because it is the people who elect the leaders." This idea has stuck in my mind since I read it about seven years ago.

    We can't deny that leaders reflect the society they come from. Why? Because we, the people, always have a choice in whom we elect. The developed countries we admire today didn’t achieve their status instantly; they went through long histories of collective action. For instance, France became prosperous and developed because its people pushed for change and held their leaders accountable. Similarly, South Korea transformed after its people took an active role in reshaping their political system. Even Indonesia’s democracy today didn’t come about without sacrifice. In 1998, it was the people—especially students—who protested against the Suharto regime, ultimately leading to his resignation and the beginning of the Reformation era. Although problems still exist, and our journey toward true democracy continues, that moment showed the power of collective action

    In Indonesia, we face a similar challenge. Currently, there is growing dissatisfaction with the family of the former president, Joko Widodo. It is particularly concerning because his youngest son, Kaesang Pangarep, will be nominated in the 2024 regional elections. This has caused concern among many who feel that people are voting out of bigotry or misplaced loyalty, rather than objectively evaluating the candidates. It seems that voters are blind to the more extensive implications, prioritizing legacy and emotion over competence and integrity.

    I believe we all have the capacity to discern which politicians genuinely serve the public interest. It stands to reason that there may be no perfect or purely honest politician, but can’t we at least take a closer look to find out who is better compared to others? however, many are swayed by loyalty to certain political figures or their families, making it difficult to see the full picture objectively.

    On the other hand, while we bear the responsibility of electing leaders, we can't forget that cooperation is essential for meaningful change. We won't achieve our goals if only a few people are actively involved. There must be synergy between the people and their leaders. Both sides need to work together with the shared intention of bringing about political and non-political prosperity and stability.

    But here's the thing: change doesn’t happen just because of one moment or one uprising and and results don’t come from one side alone—it requires a collaborative and unified effort from both the electorate and those in power.  It's a continuous process that requires constant courage, attention and perseverance. The question now is, do we, as Indonesians, still have the same wish and willingness to make a change? Are we still as engaged as we were in 1998, or have we become ignorant? It’s a reminder that a healthy democracy depends on the people’s ongoing participation, not just their votes but their voices and actions as well.