http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/01/18/we-need-a-%E2%80%98new-prophet%E2%80%99.html
We need a 'new prophet'
Hamzah Puadi Ilyas, Jakarta | Tue, 01/18/2011 10:05 AM | Opinion
Witnessing graft suspect Gayus H. Tambunan's behavior recently has been
irritating. I believe, however, his effortless goings in and out of detention
to enjoy a tennis tournament in Bali and sparkling Singapore is not solely
owing to his abundant money as a result of a dirty conspiracy with big
companies wishing to evade taxes, but rather the involvement of the invisible
and invincible hands of strong people.
They might be politicians. When the public finds out about such an scandal and
starts to make a fuss over those implicated, everybody gets busy washing their
hands and putting the blame on someone else.
While at the same time, there is a man living in a village with an abscess on
his leg who has to stay home, and lie on his bed around the clock because he is
flat broke. Medical expenses are so expensive that he sits there as maggots
swarm over his abscess.
"I have no choice but to cover my husband's abscess with a cloth to avoid flies
and the bad smell," his wife said. The man's suffering was unmasked by a
private TV station in Jakarta recently.
I am pretty sure the man is not the only one in this so-called "prosperous"
country rich in natural resources. Many people live - not below the poverty
line - in severely poor conditions. For instance, in some areas people still
consume nasi aking (recycled rice), and there are a lot of people fighting over
zakat (alms) worth only Rp 10,000 (US$1.10). That's very saddening as well as
embarrassing.
Then the question is where does all of the great amount of Indonesia's wealth
go?
Another funny story showing this country's decay is the case of the prisoner
jockey. This, of course, involved the authorities too. Moral depravity is
rampant. Vote-buying is no longer a taboo.
When money talks, any seemingly sincere intention to become a leader is
inevitably merely empty talk. As a result, this kind of leader will focus on
how to enrich themselves and to prepare his wives, sons or daughters to be
their successors rather than spending their energy and thoughts on people's
prosperity during their term in office. What they have promised during the
campaigns will remain a sweet memory for the people.
Regardless of their belief, people know that the prophet was sent by God
Almighty to rectify a sick society. This is clearly written in the holy books
of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. The society into which God sends His
messenger must surely be a morally corrupt society.
Prophet Muhammad, for example, was sent to a jahiliah (uncivilized) society in
Arabia. At that time, people's rights, especially those of the destitute, were
not respected at all. The same conditions are present in this country. The law
is impotent when it comes to well-off people with authority, whereas it is very
powerful toward the poor. The cases of a maid accused of stealing two plates
and an old woman stealing cocoa fruit are two examples. Why should such small
cases proceed to the courts while big corrupt people enjoy luxurious facilities.
With the conditions of this country approaching those of a modern jahiliyah
society, I couldn't agree more with the idea of searching for a "new prophet".
The new prophet is not a person like Lia Eden or Ahmad Mushadeq, but a leader
who is ready to sacrifice everything he has for people's prosperity and justice.
We need a leader of the quality of a prophet, whose presence will set an
example for mankind.
As a matter of fact, there are two main hard tasks the new prophet should do in
this country. The first, as Prophet Muhammad did to the Arabians, is to highly
respect human rights. The country will absolutely collapse and restore absolute
monarchy if only a certain group of people enjoy privileges.
Indeed, this country seems to have turned into an absolute monarchy. We can
find "kings" and "queens" scraping out natural resources greedily. Strangely,
the money doesn't go to people but to the accounts of cronies or political
parties.
Human rights has a broad meaning, including equal distribution of wealth to the
people, but it is only a slogan in this country. That there are still lots of
poor conditions at schools and widespread malnutrition proves that human rights
are not upheld much at all.
The second is equality before the law. Law enforcement has become a promise of
leader candidates and a heated topic among politicians on TV, but it is a fry
cry from its execution. Big corruption convicts and drug dealers get special
treatment while pickpockets are mobbed to death, but law enforcers seem to
close their eyes.
More saddening is the police's inaction in the face of religious groups who
like to attack those they deem as "infidels". Law enforcement should also
guarantee religious freedom.
No wonder God sends catastrophes again and again to this country, as most of
its leaders are not amanah (trustworthy).
Indeed, Indonesia badly needs a new prophet who is able to save this country
from multiple problems. This country needs strong leadership and a leader as
courageous as a prophet. Hopefully we will get this opportunity in 2014.
The writer is a lecturer at the Teacher Training and Education Department
(FKIP) at Muhammadiyah Prof. DR. HAMKA University, Jakarta.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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