Paradox of Spiritual Leaders and Religious Figures in Indonesian Governance
Author,Jacob Ereste
Freelance Journalist
If political leaders and spiritual leaders are able to make changes, then formal power — politics — to make policies for managing resources and moving the state system so that it does not collide with political interests, bureaucracy or the economic power of businessmen who have controlled the rulers, should work together with spiritual leaders and religious figures whose orientation remains on the side of the welfare and welfare of the people.
Moral strength and social awareness for a spiritual-based society can build ethical and cultural values, although spiritual leaders and religious figures do not have the authority to regulate the state system. But if political leaders and spiritual and religious leaders can be synergized, then moral integrity and socio-political reality can be faced and resolved together for the benefit of the nation and state to advance and develop in accordance with the ideals of the proclamation that have been agreed upon by all elements of the nation through the administration of the state. Therefore, a trusted mediation is needed to integrate the two complementary and fulfilling forces.
Trust in the figure of the nation’s teacher — not just politicians, not just religious leaders — can encourage collective awareness of all parties to play a maximum role in improving, maintaining and continuing to advance and improve the quality of the nation and the capacity of the state to realize equitable prosperity for all people.
The paradox of Indonesia as described by Prabowo Subianto long before he served as the 8th President of Indonesia, is not only marked by the abundant wealth of the Indonesian state that cannot be enjoyed by all people, because Indonesia’s economic power is controlled by a handful of people, but the inequality also occurs in the composition of the President’s advisors who are not included. Although the secular-pluralist government system clearly separates religion from the state structure, it still respects religious values. So that the president’s advisors only come from the fields of politics, economics, law or from academic circles.
This inequality or paradox is the result of economic inequality, weaknesses in state governance, mortgaged sovereignty, which has become a threat to national disintegration. Therefore, the solution requires a strong leader — comprehensive — idealist, nationalist and brave to make unpopular decisions, but willing to reverse paradoxical conditions and situations, not just mere rhetoric and empty talk.***
Pondok Indah, July 7, 2025
—
