JAKARTA - Political and legal observer Pieter C Zulkifli reminded that the idea of sovereignty and justice is actually tested by the practice of power itself. In fact, according to him, the future direction of the nation also depends on the courage to correct the system honestly.
"Leadership is tested not by power, but by the courage to hear and uphold justice in the shadow of oligarchy and the legal crisis," said Pieter Zulkifli in a written statement, Monday, April 13.
Pieter assessed that there was an irony that kept repeating itself in the history of this nation, namely the higher the position of a person, the greater the temptation to stop listening. In fact, he said, that is where the quality of leadership is actually tested, whether it remains humble or turns into a tower far from reality.
According to him, in the midst of a legal reality that is often questioned and the shadow of an oligarchy that is strengthening, the public needs leaders who are not only strong, but also humble and loyal.
"We often define a great leader as a strong, firm, and respected figure. However, in the Indonesian local wisdom tradition, from the value of ngayomi to the philosophy of 'rice is getting more and more bowed down', the true leader is the one who wants to listen, embrace, and walk with his people. He is not a peacock that demands respect, but a root that strengthens the tree so that it does not fall down in the storm," he said.
Pieter then quoted Buya Hamka's warning, namely 'A good captain is not the one who is good at driving the ship, but the one who knows the secrets of the ocean'. That is, said Pieter, leadership is not only about control, but the depth of understanding of the reality faced.
Pieter Zulkifli also said that this reflection became increasingly relevant when re-reading the ideas in the book The Indonesian Paradox by Prabowo Subianto. In the book, he said, there was a stern warning that Indonesia could 'go to ruin' if state governance was not improved.
"This statement is not just rhetoric, but the result of reading data on economic inequality, resource leakage, to weak institutions. When the author of the book was at the peak of power, public questions became inevitable: is the direction of today's policy answering the anxiety in the book, or is it confirming the fear that was written?," he explained.
Pieter assessed that in a number of public discussions, including those delivered by Mahfud MD, the problem of Indonesia is not as simple as individual morality. However, the problem is more structural, weak laws and often controlled by oligarchs.
Pieter said that formally, Indonesia is a democratic country. But in practice, economic and political power is often concentrated in a handful of elites.
Not only that, Pieter Zulkifli views data from various institutions shows that economic inequality in Indonesia is still high, with a Gini ratio ranging in the 0.38 range in recent years. Meanwhile, a report from Global Financial Integrity once revealed the potential flow of illegal funds from Indonesia reaching billions of dollars every year.
"This strengthens the thesis that the natural wealth of this country has not been fully enjoyed by the people," he said.
Pieter assessed that what was more worrying was the crisis of confidence in the law. The narrative about the enforcement of the law that can be negotiated, where articles can be 'exchanged' and the legal status can change, is no longer just a marginal issue.
"He became a real experience for some residents. When people start to be more afraid of the police than criminals, that's where the rule of law is at a critical point," he said.
Despite the current situation, Pieter Zulkifli hopes that all parties should not be trapped in pessimism. In fact, according to him, this is where the urgency of humble leadership becomes the key.
"A leader who wants to listen will not be allergic to criticism. He understands that criticism is a mirror, not a threat," he said.
Pieter said that the solution to this paradox is not enough with rhetoric to eradicate corruption or economic sovereignty jargon. According to him, there are three basic steps that must be taken.
"First, comprehensive law enforcement reform. The law must return to being a tool of justice, not an instrument of power. Transparency, accountability, and the independence of law enforcement agencies must be strengthened without compromise," he said.
Second, he continued, the management of natural resources is in favor of the people. Pieter emphasized that the mandate of Article 33 of the 1945 Constitution must be realized in a tangible way, not just a slogan.
"The state must be present to ensure that natural wealth does not leak abroad or is only enjoyed by a few elites," he said.
Third, build a culture of participatory leadership. Pieter emphasized, leaders should not walk alone, they must open up space for dialogue, listen to public voices, and embrace various groups, including critical ones.
"In the end, Indonesia's future is not only determined by who is in power, but by how that power is exercised. Is it a tool of service, or rather a tool of domination," he said.
"Like a tall tree, this country will only be strong if its roots are strong. The roots are the people's trust. And, trust is not born from hard power, but from humility to listen and the courage to change," concluded Pieter Zulkifli.
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