The Characteristics to be a President in Indonesia

Indonesia has held the election in 2014. In this year, the Indonesian people have chosen their new leader. In 2013, several political parties nominated their presidential candidates. However, whether their candidate has fulfilled the characteristics to become a leader of this country? To be a president must be able to bring this country into the affluent country, equitable, and prosperous for the people as listed in the 1945 Constitution.

First, the president should notice his people, especially poor people. According to survey data from www.bps.go.id or the Central Bureau of Statistics, the poverty rate in Indonesia in March reached 28.07 million people (11.37%). The candidate who had be the next president should be capable of reduce poverty. If the poverty rate decreased so Indonesia will be more prosperous country.

Second, a president must be able to preserve the identity of the country. In recent years, some Indonesian cultures were claimed by neighboring countries, Malaysia. Cultures belonging to Indonesia have ever claimed by Malaysia such as Batik, Rasa Sayange song, Reog Ponorogo, Wayang Kulit, Kuda Lumping, Kris, Angklung, Pendet dance, Javanese Gamelan, and Rendang Padang. This is because the president Indonesia is less noticed to the state-owned cultures. In Sindo Trijaya FM, archaeologists from the University of Indonesia Supraktino Raharjo said that the recording of cultural heritage is very important because it will ensure Indonesian cultures so that it will not claimed by another country. For the presidential candidates they should record and preserve the cultural heritage of Indonesia so that it incident will not be repeated.

Third, a president must be capable of eradicate corruption. A year before the election, parties in Indonesia are competing to nominate to become president. To be a president, the parties have to campaign for the candidate to be elected to the presidency in 2014. However, to campaign for candidates, parties require substantial funds. They usually commit corruption to get the funds they need. "The year 2013 will be a year with many cases of corruption" said ICW (Indonesia Corruption Watch) in press conference in Jakarta, Thursday (03/07/2013). Presidential candidates must be capable of reduce the number even eradicate corruption in Indonesia. Countries would be harmed if the corruption still exists in the country. Because corruption will spend the money of the State and it will be getting poorer. If corruption is eradicated, then the money can be used by the State as well as possible like the welfare of the poor, build schools especially in the eastern part of Indonesia, and equitable development in each region.

In 2014, the Indonesian people had chosen their leader. Someone who had elected as the next president of Indonesia should be capable of notice the poor, preserve cultural heritage of Indonesia, and eradicate corruption in Indonesia. If the presidential candidates already have this character, in the future, Indonesia will be the affluent country, equitable, and prosperous for the people as listed in the 1945 Constitution.