The Urgency of Political Ethics in Indonesian Political Life
What would happen if a nation (Indonesia) turned into an immoral nation? Of course, this is an interesting discussion with various arguments in it.
The arguments put forward are not without reason and are even very clear when the national spectacle presents leaders who only display mediocre morality. This is even clearer when corruption is increasingly institutionalized and number one, not only in the government but also in the House of Representatives.
The irony of being a civilized nation but actually becoming a savage and most corrupt nation in the world is hitting Indonesia today. What do we really expect from the Indonesian nation when the journey of civilization is not accompanied by good morals but instead increasingly leaves morality behind? With the foundation currently built by greed, arrogance, injustice, and lies, what are the real ideals of this nation? To answer this, in this book it is necessary to look back at what is meant by morals specifically in relation to nationality.
Morals are the consciousness of the heart of each human soul; conscience awareness to respect and love others, defend the oppressed, be altruistic by prioritizing the interests of the wider community based on humanist values. With this soul awareness, it is certain that there will be conflict with negative attitudes and behavior.
If the behavior of the current elite reflects the attitudes and behavior in the actions referred to above, then the moral order and civilization will practically be destroyed.
That is why there is actually no absurdity when talking about the goodness of moral behavior. Morality is also not reflected in law enforcement that is carried out fairly and consistently, honestly and consistently.
Among a series of national facts that we inevitably experience during the reform era, we need to realize that there is still a glimmer of hope to build the Indonesian nation. One of them is by conveying aspirations and participation through the mass media.
Perhaps this is often considered naivety in the midst of the increasingly heated political hustle and bustle. However, in this doubt there is a belief that the will to spread good values in the form of criticism and suggestions is very much needed by this nation. The behavior and political ethics of the elites who often do not reflect the interests of the majority of society always get comments from the people.
Both in the form of cynical comments, sarcastic criticism to constructive criticism. With the hope that the people, both apathetic and apolitical or otherwise towards the government understand that political behavior and ethics that do not side with the people and prioritize humanist values must be abandoned as soon as possible.
One important question is why has the Indonesian nation become a corrupt nation? None other than because there is no sense of satisfaction in each political elite and weak law enforcement that is colored by favoritism and the law is only intended for the common people. And the political elites seem immune to the laws in Indonesia. The collapse of the New Order regime and government which was replaced by reformation did not seem to change the corrupt behavior that took place in Indonesia.
It can be said that in fact there is no political will to fight corruption as a common enemy of the Indonesian nation. A concrete example of corruption cases in Indonesia is a survey conducted by PERC (Political and Economy Risk Consultancy) of 1000 expatriate entrepreneurs working in 12 countries in Asia.
It was stated that Indonesia was declared the most corrupt nation/country in the Asian region with the highest value. What is even more ironic is when the Indonesian nation is led by a perpetrator of corruption. Whether we realize it or not, this is a confusion when the Indonesian people are led by a convict in a corruption case of public money. And the political elites are only silent about the ongoing situation.
Seeing the reality that is happening in Indonesia, a reflection is needed as a real action on the behavior and political ethics of the elite (government). This cannot be avoided, it must be done if we want this nation to become a better nation. Indeed, they (the elite) want Indonesia to become a great and respected nation, but this ideal is thwarted by the behavior shown by themselves. The other side is that in various problems that occur in society, the political elites often blind their voices and hearts. So that the problems that arise in society are never resolved and even pile up.
The fading of political ethics that occurs in political actors in Indonesia also affects the loss of moral and rational order. One example is the excavation of a cultural site carried out by an official reflecting the increasingly uncontrolled actions and attitudes of officials in Indonesia. Thus it is appropriate to say that the existing officials have lost their rationality and filled their minds with things that smell of myth. With these actions it reflects that the Indonesian nation no longer has self-confidence as a nation.
On the other hand, events that disrupt national stability are also increasingly rampant and occur more frequently in various places in Indonesia. Take for example Legian-Bali which was destroyed by terrorists. This has directly caused the image of the Indonesian nation in the international arena to sink even further. This incident is a reflection that the political elite is not responsive to the global changes that are occurring.
Terrorism is a reflection of the confusion of the elite who only care about themselves. The death of morals and conscience is not only experienced by terrorists but must also be addressed to the political elite who do not uphold national solidarity to fight all forms of crimes against humanity together.
The violence shown by the terrorists seems to have become a characteristic of the Indonesian nation. Which justifies any means and certain paths in order to achieve the interests of groups and individuals whose direction and goals are unclear. The arrogance shown has created modern humans who are no longer moral (including the elite) who become idol worshipers of technology.
It seems that the expression that whoever controls technology will control the world has infected the Indonesian nation, and only humans who are willing to follow the lust of technology are able to respond to social change quickly. However, outside of that, it is not realized that humans have faced a double-edged sword at once, namely: becoming the subject of technology as well as the object (victim) of the technology they themselves created.
The longing for a leader who is truly oriented towards the community seems to be the panacea needed today to improve the moral order and behavior of the political elite in this nation. This is what is the common hope to be able to answer all problems. A leader who has character, responsibility, integrity and is clean is a leader who is expected and desired by all Indonesian people.
A good leader is a leader who truly fights for the aspirations of the common people. Able to answer and overcome all the problems of the nation. Starting from law, social, economic, to designing a moral order for the existing political elite.
The requirement to become a leader is not to like to complain and tend to blame others.
By carrying out these requirements, a person will be able to become a wise leader and be loved by his people. And can be an example and role model. Such a figure is a figure who is truly a hope to be obeyed and heard. The figure of a mother with affection, gentleness, patience and protection is a figure who is worthy of leading this nation. Like raising and educating a child until he becomes an adult and independent, so is the case with the Indonesian nation in the midst of the current multidimensional crisis.
What needs to be done now is to uphold political ethics that are oriented towards humanity that respects one another. And also have good moral values in respecting Indonesian civilization for the sake of Indonesia’s progress and development in a better direction. Political issues are understood as du et des I can get what the consequences are. Politics is understood narrowly, merely to seize power, not to achieve the goal of political parties, which must bring bonum commune, namely general welfare.