ID :
29191
Sat, 11/08/2008 - 22:47
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/29191
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FORMER MUHAMMADIYAH LEADER ADVISES PRESIDENTIAL ASPIRANTS TO TEMPER THEIR AMBITION
Magelang, Indonesia, Nov 8 (ANTARA) - National figure Ahmad Syafi'Ma'arif said the country's politicians who have declared their intention to run for president had better temper their ambition until after the legislative elections in April next year.
"It is alright (to declare one's readiness to run for president). It is democracy. But in my view, they had better temper their ambition a little," the former Muhammadiyah leader said at the launching of a book titled "Kyai Hamam Dja'far dan Pondok Pabelan," here Satruday.
Ma'arif, winner of the 2008 Ramon Magsaysay Award, said the politicians who were now considered presidential hopefuls, could still see their high ambition come to nought by the outcome of the legislative elections as only political parties that garner more than 20 percent of the votes can put a candidate in the presidential race.
Therefore, he said, the emergence of the names of those politicians as potential presidential candidates was not more than "public entertainment."
According to Ma'arif, the country's future leader must be somebody who was willing to take risks and make self-sacrifices in the people's common interest.
He said the next Indonesian president must be soomeone with a thorough knowledge of the challenges faced by the state and nation as well the country's socio-economic and political maps.
Indonesia was now still in crisis and had even lost its dignity and so it needed a leader who knows its problems, he said.
He said if the country was led by someone who lacked this knowledge, Indonesia would remain in its marginalized position.
In Ma'arif's view, none of the figures who had declared their readiness to run for president so far met the criteria to become the country's next leader.
He said it was difficult to find someone with a profound knowledge of the country's and nation's present challenges.
"However, let us just wait and see. We might not get the best candidate but probably one who approaches the best qualifcations," he said.
He said finding the country's future leader was indeed difficult. He said the country seemed to be still unable to produce statesmen. "The leaders born so far are mere short-sighted politicians," he said.
On the age of candidates, Syafi'ii said it was not a problem if he/she came from the old or younger generation. He declined to say who he thought deserved to become the country's next president. "Let us just wait and see. Not now. I will not mention any name. If I do, it will mean I have chosen somebody who I possibly do not trust yet," he said.
"It is alright (to declare one's readiness to run for president). It is democracy. But in my view, they had better temper their ambition a little," the former Muhammadiyah leader said at the launching of a book titled "Kyai Hamam Dja'far dan Pondok Pabelan," here Satruday.
Ma'arif, winner of the 2008 Ramon Magsaysay Award, said the politicians who were now considered presidential hopefuls, could still see their high ambition come to nought by the outcome of the legislative elections as only political parties that garner more than 20 percent of the votes can put a candidate in the presidential race.
Therefore, he said, the emergence of the names of those politicians as potential presidential candidates was not more than "public entertainment."
According to Ma'arif, the country's future leader must be somebody who was willing to take risks and make self-sacrifices in the people's common interest.
He said the next Indonesian president must be soomeone with a thorough knowledge of the challenges faced by the state and nation as well the country's socio-economic and political maps.
Indonesia was now still in crisis and had even lost its dignity and so it needed a leader who knows its problems, he said.
He said if the country was led by someone who lacked this knowledge, Indonesia would remain in its marginalized position.
In Ma'arif's view, none of the figures who had declared their readiness to run for president so far met the criteria to become the country's next leader.
He said it was difficult to find someone with a profound knowledge of the country's and nation's present challenges.
"However, let us just wait and see. We might not get the best candidate but probably one who approaches the best qualifcations," he said.
He said finding the country's future leader was indeed difficult. He said the country seemed to be still unable to produce statesmen. "The leaders born so far are mere short-sighted politicians," he said.
On the age of candidates, Syafi'ii said it was not a problem if he/she came from the old or younger generation. He declined to say who he thought deserved to become the country's next president. "Let us just wait and see. Not now. I will not mention any name. If I do, it will mean I have chosen somebody who I possibly do not trust yet," he said.
