Poverty Conscious Leaders

Some days ago, there was this tragic accident in Tuban, East Java. Some 20 people are dead in the struggle to get IDR 40.000 from a wealthy local businessperson. Let us put the site condition at the day of the accident (too many people in such a small space and there was no proper security control or mass control) aside. The tragic accident happened because many people wanted to get IDR 40.000 (please note only IDR 40.000). IDR 40.000 means 6 liters of subsidized gasoline, two cans of subsidized 3 kg LPG, one cheese burger at MacD (hardly make you feel full), 10 times meal with Nasi Kucing standard (in Jogja), or 20 packs of instant noodle. The accident showed that people are at the lowest condition now. There are many poor people living under one US$ per day. With keep rising inflation rate, the life is becoming harder for them.

That is only in Tuban. There are more poor people in many unreported places in Indonesia, especially in rural areas. This condition is a difficult homework for any leaders in any areas in Indonesia. They are, especially the president, are responsible for this bad condition. The government supposes to ensure the life of the citizen is easy. Basic needs such as food, housing, and clothing should be easily got.

Indonesia is now experiencing rather “bad” transformation. Individualistic is becoming more and more popular. One can notice this if s/he pays attention in the urban areas (e.g. Jakarta). High-rise apartments are constructed everywhere. Living in an apartment nurtures individualistic lifestyle. In rural areas, many people are going to urban to work and this educates them to be individualistic because living in urban area is tough. The strong is the winner. This has made many villages lost their “good practices”. I cannot see anymore “village food stock” or we call it Lumbung Desa in the villages in Java. Lumbung Desa keeps crops of the villagers. The crops will be used together when there were hardships in the village (rainy season, failing harvest etc.). Agricultural livelihood cannot support villagers anymore. Traditional fishermen cannot beat the “climate change” that has made the waves bigger and weather unpredictable. Condition is rather grey for villagers and this has made people become poor. The chance to get free money (although very little) has made poor people excited and ignored possible dangers.

Government has to work with those facts. Government has to change those conditions. Leaders are the key. As Indonesians are mostly patriarchal, any examples of the leaders will be followed. Strong, pro-poor leaders are needed. Sometimes leaders are too much carried out with corporate demands instead of people demand. Local independency is important (e.g. energy and food) should be prioritized. Programs to increase the usage of local products, reduce unnecessary imports, reduce economic gaps between urban and rural have to be done. Not to forget battle against corruption is not to be lost.

In Islam, leader or Imam must have higher knowledge than anybody in the religious and also governmental aspects and in other aspects such as economy. Islam does not separate governing a community with religious spirit. Religious content of governing is important to ensure “pure” commitments exist and self-control works. Leaders should be the best of the best because they will answer to God later in the end of the day. Now the condition in Indonesia is not exactly like that. People that have money can come to power despite lack of necessary knowledge. Money driven leaders will not be pro-poor and finally the poor will stay poor (if not poorer) and the rich becomes richer (or less rich if they are not lucky).

Finally let us hope 2009 election (for all leaders including leaders in the parliament) is for pro-poor and high knowledge/skillful leaders. Let us hope the next president has “pure” commitment, pro-poor, and has high spiritual content in each of his decision. Amin.