A young schoolboy named Ponari from a small Balongsari village, Jombang regency, East Java had been on the news headlines for more than two months, because he was reported to have a messianic power to heal any disease. This news spread throughout Indonesia in a speed of light. Thousands of people flocked into the little village to obtain a cup of magic water as a medicine, after the boy dipped a magic black stone into the water.
In a few days the medicineboy became a new Indonesian selebrity, the poor villlage turn into a wealthy place because everyone in the village can earn more money to improve their living standards, including the boy and his relatives.
What kind of phenomena is happening in this country? It is caused by the fact that most Indonesian are too poor to afford a normal medication, normal food. Any fast and cheap medication that could heal any disease, such as the one offered by the medicineboy, will attract the attention of many Indonesians.
Relating the above fact of life in Indonesia, the following are tips for candidates to win the Legislative and Presidential election in the coming months:
- Have an emphaty and symphaty for the poor living condition of majority of the people,
- Able to provide a strategic and logical plan to alleviate the living standards of the people through down-to-earth programs, not programs which are not rational and difficult to implement,
- Demonstrate his/her seriousness to improve the poor living condition of the people through real actions, especially during the election campaign period (only one-month left),
- Have a good track record as a leader: honest, just, hardworking for the cause of the people, simple living as a symbol of emphaty for the poor condition of the people, never use his/her position as a leader to make profit for himself/heself, the family and his/her group/party,
- Accept criticism and willing to take suggestions for improving the welfare of the people of Indonesia, not trying to hide facts about the poor condition of the people,
- Open and transparent in making any important decision or policy for the benefit of the people, as shown in practice by the current US President Barrack Obama.
- Never advertise success not based on real facts and figures, because voters know if we are telling the truth or not.
