NALAR Ep. 105. KRITERIA PEMIMPIN KITA

Summary

The script discusses the upcoming 2024 Indonesian elections, criticizing the superficial focus on candidate names rather than substantive policy debates. It emphasizes the need for a deeper democratic process that evaluates candidates based on their ability to address complex development challenges and their vision for the nation's future. The speaker calls for a consequential leadership approach, where leaders are judged by their impact on citizens' lives and their legacy, urging voters to consider candidates' qualifications and plans for tackling key issues such as social mobility, technological advancement, and environmental sustainability.

Takeaways

• 🗣️ The speaker emphasizes the importance of substance over popularity in political discourse, advocating for a focus on the ideas and plans of candidates rather than just their names.
• 🌐 The script discusses the upcoming 2024 elections and the need for a substantive debate on development agendas to address the complexities of the era and achieve progress.
• 📊 The speaker points out that the current political dynamics seem shallow, lacking new breakthroughs despite the advancing times, and calls for a change in the way power transitions are approached.
• 🏛️ The script mentions various political parties and coalitions, including KIB, Gerindra, PKB, and PDIP, and their strategies for the upcoming elections, highlighting the importance of understanding their visions and priorities.
• 🏆 The speaker stresses that the 2024 elections will be the largest in the history of the republic, with a significant number of positions to be filled, and the importance of making informed choices.
• 🌱 The script outlines four key challenges for the future: improving social mobility and addressing poverty, inequality, and regional disparities; focusing on science, technology, and innovation for national progress; ensuring quality of life through social cohesion and a strong economy; and reforming bureaucracy to prevent oligarchy from undermining national capacity.
• 🔍 The speaker calls for a more sophisticated approach to choosing leaders, based on criteria that reflect the ability to propose and implement ideas for national development in line with the constitution.
• 🌟 The script introduces the concept of 'consequential leadership', which focuses on the impact and legacy left on the people led, rather than just the position or power held.
• 🌱 The speaker argues for leaders who can address the four key challenges and leave a meaningful legacy, emphasizing the importance of science, technology, and innovation in policy-making.
• 🌐 The script concludes by urging the audience to engage in discussions and debates about the criteria for leadership, and the role of election organizers in ensuring that the election process reflects the substance of candidates' visions and plans.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the political year leading up to 2024 as discussed in the transcript?

The main theme is the entry into a political year characterized by party consolidations, coalition movements, and candidate declarations, which are intensifying the public space without necessarily bringing new breakthroughs or substantive debates about the candidates' agendas and development priorities.

Why is the focus on the names of candidates insufficient according to the speaker?

The focus on candidate names is insufficient because it lacks a substantive debate about the candidates' agendas and how they will impact citizens' lives, as well as their plans to address the complex challenges of the era and achieve progress.

What is the importance of discussing criteria when choosing leaders, as emphasized in the transcript?

Discussing criteria is crucial because it ensures that the selection of leaders is not based solely on popularity or charisma but on their ability to propose and implement ideas that align with the nation's constitutional mandate and effectively address development challenges.

What are the key challenges that the speaker identifies for the future leaders of the country?

The key challenges include ensuring social mobility and addressing poverty, inequality, and regional disparities; focusing on the nation's advancement through science, technology, and innovation; maintaining the quality of life by bridging social divides and strengthening the economy; and ensuring good governance and state capacity to counteract the influence of oligarchic power structures.

Why is it important for the upcoming elections in 2024 to be more than just a 'democracy festival'?

The upcoming elections in 2024 should be more than a 'democracy festival' because the choices made will have long-term consequences for the country's future, and the focus should be on selecting leaders who can bring about substantial and realistic changes.

What does the term 'consequential leadership' refer to, as mentioned in the transcript?

Consequential leadership refers to a leadership style that focuses on the impact left on those being led, often referred to as legacy, rather than on the position or power itself. It emphasizes the results and the fundamental changes that affect the lives of the people being led.

How does the speaker suggest improving the quality of political debates and campaigns leading up to the elections?

The speaker suggests that debates and campaigns should be curated to focus on actual development challenges, target groups that are significantly affected by development but often overlooked, and ensure that the format of the contest can clearly display the candidates' visions and plans.

What role do the election organizers and overseers play in ensuring a substantive election process, according to the transcript?

Election organizers and overseers play a key role in ensuring a substantive election process by guaranteeing that the format and substance of the contest reveal the candidates' ideas and their plans for implementation, thus helping voters make informed decisions based on criteria.

Why is it problematic when new leaders negate the achievements and policies of their predecessors?

It is problematic when new leaders negate the achievements and policies of their predecessors because it can lead to a lack of continuity and progress in addressing development challenges. It also reflects a change in policies not based on a thorough understanding of development dynamics but on personal ideologies or sentiments.

What is the significance of the upcoming 2024 elections in the context of the country's history?

The 2024 elections are significant as they will be the largest in the country's history, involving not only the presidential and vice-presidential elections but also the selection of numerous regional leaders and legislative representatives, which underscores the importance of making informed choices for the country's future.

Outlines

00:00

🗳️ Political Dynamics and Election Challenges

The script discusses the political climate leading up to the 2024 elections, highlighting the superficiality of political maneuvers and the lack of substantive debate on development agendas. It emphasizes the need for a deeper engagement with the public on the priorities and ideas of candidates, rather than just focusing on their names. The script also points out the importance of not only choosing a president and vice president but also considering the hundreds of other leadership positions at various levels of government that will be decided in the upcoming elections. The challenge is to select leaders who can address complex issues and deliver on promises, rather than just being charismatic figures.

05:07

🌟 Visionary Leadership for National Progress

This paragraph outlines the key challenges that Indonesia faces and the qualities required in leaders to overcome them. It emphasizes the importance of improving social mobility, reducing poverty and inequality, and enhancing the quality of education and healthcare. The script also stresses the need for a focus on science, technology, and innovation for the country's future prosperity. Moreover, it highlights the importance of maintaining social cohesion, strengthening the economy, and protecting the environment. Effective governance and bureaucratic reform are also identified as crucial for the country's development. The paragraph concludes by urging voters to consider these criteria when choosing leaders.

10:10

💡 Consequential Leadership and Its Impact

The script delves into the concept of 'consequential leadership,' which is leadership that leaves a lasting impact on the lives of the people led. It argues that true leadership is not about holding a position of power but about the legacy created through effective leadership. The paragraph discusses the characteristics of consequential leaders, such as being effective, humane, and holistic in their approach. It also touches on the importance of leaders being able to communicate difficult truths and maintain a balance between addressing current needs and celebrating shared values. The script uses Barack Obama's presidency as an example of consequential leadership and encourages voters to look for similar qualities in their leaders.

15:17

🔍 The Importance of Consistent and Effective Leadership

The final paragraph addresses the issue of inconsistency in leadership and policy, often due to personal likes and dislikes rather than a deep understanding of development challenges. It criticizes the 'cancel culture' phenomenon within the Indonesian government, where new leaders often undo the work of their predecessors. The script calls for future leaders to be consistent and effective, and for the election process to be designed to highlight the candidates' visions and plans for implementation. It emphasizes the role of election organizers in ensuring that debates and campaigns are focused on substantive issues and reach out to groups that are often overlooked in development. The paragraph concludes by urging voters to make informed choices based on criteria, not just names or emotions.

Keywords

💡Politics

Politics refers to the activities associated with the governance of a country or area, especially the debate between parties having power. In the script, politics is a central theme as it discusses the upcoming elections, political maneuvers, and the need for substantial political debate beyond mere names and parties.

💡Coalition

A coalition is a group of people with a shared interest or purpose, often used in politics to describe an alliance of political parties. The script mentions the formation of a coalition as a political maneuver, such as the 'Koalisi Indonesia Bersatu' (KIB), which includes several parties, indicating the strategic partnerships in the political landscape.

💡Democracy

Democracy is a system of government where power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or through elected representatives. The script emphasizes the importance of democratic practices in choosing leaders who can bring about substantial change, suggesting a call for a more meaningful democratic process beyond just voting.

💡Leadership

Leadership is the act of leading a group of people or an organization. The script discusses the qualities and criteria needed for effective leadership, particularly in the context of political leadership, and how it should be guided by a vision for the nation's development.

💡Development

Development refers to the process of growth or advancement, often used in the context of economic and social progress. The script touches on various aspects of development, such as infrastructure, education, and healthcare, as key areas that political candidates should focus on to improve the quality of life for citizens.

💡Polarization

Polarization is the division of a society into opposing groups with strong differences in opinion, which can lead to conflict. The script warns against the use of identity politics that could result in polarization, advocating for a more unified approach to political discourse.

💡Consequential Leadership

Consequential Leadership is a concept that emphasizes the impact and legacy of a leader's actions on the people they lead. The script introduces this term to highlight the importance of choosing leaders who will have a meaningful and positive influence on society, rather than just focusing on their charisma or popularity.

💡Sustainability

Sustainability refers to the ability to maintain a certain process or state in the long term. In the script, sustainability is discussed in the context of economic growth and environmental protection, emphasizing the need for development that is both productive and respectful of the environment.

💡Innovation

Innovation is the process of translating an idea or invention into a good or service that creates value or for which customers will pay. The script mentions innovation as a key driver for a nation's progress, particularly in the context of technology and scientific advancements.

💡Social Cohesion

Social cohesion refers to the degree of social integration and inclusion within society. The script discusses the importance of social cohesion in bridging divides among citizens and fostering a sense of unity and shared values.

💡Governance

Governance is the process of decision-making and the process by which decisions are implemented. The script touches on the importance of good governance and the management of government institutions to ensure effective service delivery and policy implementation.

Highlights

Entering the political year with various political maneuvers intensifying public space.

Coalition movements and candidate nominations are surprising the public.

The political dynamics seem shallow, lacking new breakthroughs despite an advancing era.

The available choices are limited to selecting national leadership candidates without substantial debate on their agendas.

The focus should shift from merely names to daring debates about leadership criteria.

Surveys and political parties are calculating the chances of various candidates and coalitions for power.

Coalitions like KIB and explicit candidate endorsements by Gerindra and PKB are mentioned.

PSI has declared a pair of candidates, while PDIP is still observing the discourse between candidates.

Beyond presidential candidates, there are hundreds of other positions to be elected in 2024.

The 2024 election will be the largest in the republic's history.

Elections should be a festival of democracy, but the real concern is the nation's future.

The choice of leaders should not be based on charm alone but through established criteria.

Leaders should be able to propose and realize ideas on nation-building according to the constitution.

The focus should be on development ideas that address complex challenges and achieve progress.

Four key challenges are identified: upstream development, downstream prosperity, quality of life, and governance.

Leaders must understand the importance of human resources, social mobility, and poverty alleviation.

Indonesia's dream for 2045 cannot be achieved without focusing on science, technology, and innovation.

Socially, leaders should build bridges and unite citizens divided by recent elections.

Economically, leaders must strengthen the productive capacity of all scales of businesses.

Environmental sustainability is crucial, and lifestyles should not overburden the planet.

Democracy should be more substantial, with laws enforced and civil liberties protected.

Reform of bureaucracy is essential to prevent oligarchy from weakening the state's service capacity.

Leadership should focus on the impact on the lives of the people they lead, known as 'consequential leadership'.

In the VUCA era, leadership must provide direction and create a path towards the envisioned goals.

Honesty in leadership is crucial, especially in times of economic slowdown or crisis.

Leadership should listen to all citizens in policy design and implementation.

Examples of consequential leaders include Barack Obama and various regional leaders in Indonesia.

The cancel culture phenomenon is criticized for its impact on policy continuity and development.

The role of election organizers and supervisors is emphasized to ensure the quality of political debates and campaigns.

Debates and campaigns should focus on actual development challenges and target groups that are often overlooked.

Citizens must be encouraged to vote based on criteria, not just names or emotions.

Transcripts

Saudara-saudara, suka atau tidak, kita sudah memasuki tahun politik.

Menuju 2024, safari, konsolidasi, hingga deklarasi sebagai manuver politik makin menyesakkan ruang publik.

Gerak koalisi partai menghasilkan sejumlah kejutan, dan nama-nama calon mulai diajukan.

Sayangnya, dinamika politik ini kelihatan dangkal di akal, tanpa terobosan baru meski zaman sebenarnya makin maju.

Hingga saat ini, yang tersedia hanyalah pilihan tentang siapa calon pemimpin negara.

Bukan ruang debat substansi tentang agenda apa yang mereka bawa yang akan memengaruhi hidup warga.

Apalagi gagasan prioritas pembangunan untuk menghadapi tantangan kompleksitas zaman dan meraih kemajuan.

Tapi, saudara-saudara sekalian barangkali kita sudah terlalu biasa dengan perkara ini, karena dari pemilu-ke-pemilu hal ini selalu terjadi.

Jadi, mungkin ini saatnya kita berubah dan berbenah.

Kalau sungguh mau menata negeri ke depan, maka seluruh praktik pergantian kekuasaan berdasar kaidah demokrasi ini tidak boleh boleh defisit substansi.

Pertanyaannya, dari mana kita mulai?

Mestinya kita tidak hanya ribut soal nama, tetapi berani berdebat tentang kriteria.

Saudara-saudara, saat banyak survei menghitung peluang beberapa nama dan kombinasinya,

partai dan koalisi juga mengincar mereka untuk mendongkrak peluang berkuasa.

Ada yang memang belum menyebut secara terbuka seperti Koalisi Indonesia Bersatu (KIB) yang mempertemukan Partai Golkar, PAN, dan PPP.

Ada yang sudah eksplisit menunjuk jagonya seperti Gerindra dan PKB yang mengusung Prabowo Subianto ataupun Nasdem

–yang berpotensi menggandeng Partai Demokrat dan PKS agar memenuhi threshold— mencalonkan Anies Baswedan.

Meski sendirian, PSI mendeklarasikan pasangan Ganjar Pranowo-Yenny Wahid (Kompas, 5/10/2022).

Sementara, PDIP yang mampu mengusung capres-cawapres tanpa koalisi, masih wait and see di tengah adu wacana antara Puan Maharani dan Ganjar Pranowo.

Saudara-saudara, mereka adalah nama-nama yang sementara ini mendominasi cakrawala politik negeri.

Padahal, selain mereka, ada ratusan nama lain yang akan dipilih di 2024 nanti selain presiden dan wakil presiden:

542 pimpinan provinsi/kabupaten/ kota,

575 anggota DPR,

19.817 DPRD,

dan 136 DPD.

2024 ini akan menjadi pemilu terbesar dalam sejarah republik sampai saat ini.

Tentu pemilu seperti ini bisa disebut pesta demokrasi,

tetapi yang sebenarnya dipertaruhkan adalah masa depan negeri.

Karena, salah memilih nama, panjang konsekuensinya.

Nama memang membawa pesona.

Tapi, lihatlah juga gagasan yang dibawa.

Agar setelah mereka menduduki kursi, janji-janji tidak minim realisasi.

Tentu tak mudah menelisik gagasan karena kontestasi kuasa sering menyederhanakan banyak perkara dan tantangan pembangunan,

yang sebenarnya jauh lebih rumit realitanya.

Apalagi jika menyangkut tata negara.

Itu mengapa, saudara-saudara sekalian, kita mesti naik kelas dalam cara memilih mereka: bukan karena pesona semata, tapi melalui kriteria.

Saudara-saudara, kriteria pokok pemimpin kita adalah yang sanggup mengajukan dan mewujudkan gagasan bagaimana membangun bangsa sesuai mandat konstitusi.

Bukan mendebatkan lagi dasar dan sendi negara yang sudah disepakati: Pancasila dan Pembukaan UUD 1945.

Pemilu harus mampu menyediakan arena adu pemikiran, konsep, dan agenda kerja

untuk menjawab sejumlah tantangan pembangunan agar visi dan prioritas pembangunan yang ditawarkan sungguh berdampak dan dirasakan warga.

Bukan ajang memainkan politik identitas yang hanya akan berujung polarisasi dan melahirkan sakit hati.

Dalam keterbatasan refleksi, setidaknya saya menawarkan dan melihat ada empat tantangan kunci.

Pertama, masalah pembangunan di hulu yang amat terkait dengan kualitas sumber daya manusia.

Pokok soalnya adalah rendahnya mobilitas sosial yang mengakibatkan kemiskinan, ketimpangan, dan rendahnya pemerataan.

Artinya diperlukan strategi yang efektif untuk memastikan pengentasan kemiskinan dan penanganan ketimpangan lewat penataan skema perlindungan sosial,

penyediaan layanan kesehatan berkualitas lewat reformasi sistem kesehatan nasional,

dan peningkatan kualitas pendidikan melalui pembenahan sistem pendidikan nasional.

Mereka yang ingin memimpin negeri mesti memahami hal mendasar menyangkut soal manusia ini.

Kedua, apa yang ingin diraih di hilir nanti: yaitu majunya negeri.

Saat berusia 100 tahun di 2045 nanti, Indonesia ingin menjadi salah satu dari yang paling maju dan sejahtera di dunia.

Mimpi itu tentu tak bisa diwujudkan kecuali bertumpu pada ilmu pengetahuan dan teknologi (iptek) serta inovasi,

yang tidak hanya berperan mengungkit daya saing lewat pertumbuhan ekonomi, tetapi lebih penting lagi menjadi watak bangsa yang berperangai ilmiah.

Tak ada bangsa maju tanpa daulat ilmu.

Calon pemimpin bangsa harus punya visi dan menyandarkan diri pada kekuatan sains,

ilmu pengetahuan dan teknologi, serta inovasi dalam membuat kebijakan pembangunan sejalan kemajuan zaman.

Ketiga, adalah memastikan aspek-aspek kunci yang menentukan kualitas hidup warga terjaga.

Secara sosial membangun jembatan yang menghubungkan dan menyatukan kembali warga yang terbelah dan tercerai-berai

hanya karena pilihan yang berbeda dalam pilkada dan pemilu yang baru lalu.

Selain itu, memperkuat basis ekonomi –formal dan informal, skala besar, menengah, dan kecil— yang lebih produktif,

menciptakan nilai tambah, untuk mendorong pertumbuhan yang lebih merata, adil, dan berkelanjutan (sustainable).

Ini penting karena dengan krisis iklim nyata di depan mata, lingkungan mesti makin dijaga agar alam tidak dieksploitasi secara serampangan

dan cara hidup serta konsumsi-produksi kita tidak makin membebani bumi.

Demokrasi mesti makin substantif, hukum makin ditegakkan,

dan ruang gerak sipil dilindungi agar hidup berpolitik makin beradab dan tidak asal main persekusi tiap menghadapi kritik.

Pemahaman atas aspek-aspek kunci ini menjadi kriteria kecakapan pemimpin masa depan.

Terakhir, yang keempat tata kelola pemerintahan dan kapasitas negara.

Kongkalikong kekuasaan bisnis dan politik –yang kerap disebut dengan oligarki— makin kasat mata merusak berbagai kebijakan pembangunan.

Sementara itu, hari-hari ini mata kita juga dibukakan pada kebobrokan salah satu institusi penegak hukum yaitu polisi.

Dan mari kita jujur mengakui: kebobrokan serupa sebenarnya juga ada di institusi hukum dan pemerintahan lainnya –hanya belum terbuka saja.

Itu mengapa reformasi birokrasi harus menjadi agenda kunci.

Agar oligarki tidak makin melumpuhkan kapasitas negara melayani warga.

Tanpa kemampuan tata kelola dan tata negara ini, siapapun yang memimpin akan kehilangan relevansi.

Lebih mendasar lagi: Indonesia 2045 yang kita cita-citakan hanya akan tinggal mimpi.

Itulah saudara-saudara mengapa bicara masa depan bangsa memang harus berani bicara tentang kriteria pemimpinnya.

Kemampuan menanggapi empat tantangan tadi, menjadi syarat mutlak memegang tongkat komando tertinggi di negeri ini.

Karena, apa yang akan dilakukannya, membawa konsekuensi bagi semua warga dan kehidupannya.

Saudara-saudara, pemimpin yang membawa dampak, disebut dan diteorikan Mac Pier sebagai ‘pemimpin konsekuensial’.

Fokus kepemimpinan konsekuensial (consequential leadership) utamanya bukan pada jabatan dan kekuasaan,

tetapi dampak yang ditinggalkan pada mereka yang dipimpinnya, sering disebut dengan legacy.

Menjabat dan berkuasa tentu penting karena memberi kesempatan untuk mengendalikan, bahkan menciptakan,

struktur dan pranata yang digunakan untuk melahirkan dampak.

Tetapi kepemimpinan konsekuensial tidak berakhir pada jabatan dan struktur, apalagi sekedar fasilitas.

Ia menukik pada hasil yaitu hal-hal yang mempengaruhi hidup orang-orang yang dipimpinnya secara mendasar.

Karena itu, pemikir Blair Sheppard (2021) mempertajam kriteria pemimpin konsekuensial:

tampil efektif sebagai pemimpin dan sebagai pekerja dalam tim, brilian sekaligus wajar-manusiawi, sekaligus utuh secara holistik.

Saudara-saudara, kepemimpinan konsekuensial ini makin dibutuhkan di zaman yang kian kencang berderap dalam perubahan.

Apalagi kini kita hidup di era VUCA: sebuah masa yang bergejolak (volatile), tidak pasti (uncertain), rumit (complex), dan serba mendua (ambiguous).

Dalam situasi ini, kepemimpinan mesti memberi arah dan menciptakan pegangan menuju cita-cita yang dituju.

Itu berarti mampu berbicara dengan pikiran dan hati.

Punya kepekaan untuk mengetahui kapan dan bagaimana menyampaikan kebenaran yang sulit serta harapan yang realistis di depan warganya.

Misalnya saat dunia dihantam resesi dan kita pasti mengalami perlambatan ekonomi:

bagaimana menyampaikan situasi sulit ini, juga kemampuan pemerintah menghadapinya, secara jujur kepada warga tanpa perlu menutup-nutupi.

Kejujuran ini justru akan membantu warga memahami perkara (soal literasi),

dan terlibat mengantisipasi atau malah ikut mencari jalan keluarnya setidaknya di komunitas mereka, ini soal partisipasi.

Pemimpin konsekuensial tidak hanya blak-blakan tentang apa yang kita butuhkan –misalnya upah layak, jaminan kesehatan menyeluruh,

pendidikan inklusif, kesetaraan gender, perlindungan lingkungan— tetapi sekaligus mengingatkan kita tentang apa yang sudah kita miliki bersama:

kebhinekaan, kebersamaan, keberanian, keyakinan, gotong royong, dan berbagai nilai-nilai lainnya.

Kepemimpinan konsekuensial mendengarkan suara semua warga dalam merancang kebijakan dan menjalankannya bagi semua.

Mungkin klise saudara-saudara, contoh pemimpin konsekuensial tingkat dunia yang sering disebut adalah Barack Obama.

Dalam dua periode singkat kepemimpinannya –hanya delapan tahun— ia meninggalkan legacy yang amat bermakna.

Saat disumpah menjadi Presiden AS, ia memberi janji yang sederhana dan kuat:

mengembalikan ilmu pengetahuan ke tempat yang seharusnya.

Dan ia melakukannya.

Pemerintahannya mengembangkan penelitian, inovasi, pendidikan dasar dan terapan

untuk memulihkan integritas kebijakan dan pengambilan keputusan berbasis sains dan bukti, bukan ideologi.

Hasilnya?

Bukan hanya 100 legacy Obama untuk perluasan kapasitas iptek dan inovasi (Impact Report, Whitehouse, 2017),

tetapi juga reformasi sistem asuransi kesehatan ObamaCare,

mendirikan platform pemerintahan inovatif yang bisa ‘bekerja lebih baik, dengan lebih murah’,

dalam Bahasa Inggris platform ini dikenal dengan nama Works Better Costs Less,

ia juga membuka lebih dari 180 ribu dataset pemerintah Federal bagi yang ingin menggunakannya seperti pelajar,

akademisi, pengusaha, dan publik, dan masih banyak lagi.

Apakah kita punya contoh pemimpin konsekuensial di negeri ini?

Jika dilihat dari dampak, selain Presiden Jokowi sendiri, banyak kepala daerah –gubernur, bupati, walikota—

yang dalam kepemimpinannya meninggalkan banyak warisan berdampak bagi warganya.

Demikian juga para menteri.

Tapi, warisan dampak ini sering tidak bertahan lama.

Istilah “Ganti pemimpin ganti kebijakan,” sering kita dengar.

Kepala daerah baru mengabaikan capaian-capaian kepala daerah sebelumnya, menteri baru menegasikan kebijakan menteri sebelumnya,

bahkan presiden baru membatalkan keputusan kunci presiden sebelumnya.

Dan ini terjadi bukan karena kajian ketat dan pemahaman akan dinamika tantangan pembangunan yang dihadapi,

tapi semata karena perbedaan ideologi dan sentimen,

bahkan like-and-dislike pribadi mereka yang memegang kuasa.

Demikian luas menggejalanya, hal ini bahkan bisa disebut cancel culture (budaya membatalkan),

bukan lagi hanya di kalangan fans artis, tapi dalam sistem pemerintahan di Indonesia.

Saudara-saudara, sebisanya, pemimpin masa depan kita mesti se-konsekuensial mungkin.

Itu mengapa kita mesti mulai berdiskusi, bahkan berdebat, soal kriteria.

Di sini peran lembaga penyelenggara dan pengawas pemilu (KPU dan Bawaslu) menjadi kunci:

memastikan format dan substansi kontestasi mampu menunjukkan dengan gamblang

gagasan yang diusung oleh para calon dan bagaimana mereka akan mewujudkannya.

Debat dan kampanye menuju pemilu mesti dikurasi sedemikian rupa,

agar warga makin cerdas menggunakan kriteria dalam memilih mereka yang sedang bertarung, bukan seperti membeli kucing dalam karung.

Topik debat mesti aktual, tajam, menukik langsung pada tantangan pokok pembangunan.

Format kampanye mesti lebih terfokus menyasar pada kelompok-kelompok warga yang selama ini amat terdampak pembangunan tetapi cenderung diabaikan.

Misalnya memaparkan dan mendiskusikan visi politik pembangunan di depan kelompok masyarakat adat,

masyarakat sipil, kaum pekerja, perempuan, anak muda, penyandang disabilitas, dan lain sebagainya.

Ini memang jadi beban dan tanggungjawab penyelenggara pemilu.

Karena, hampir pasti tidak satupun partai politik mau meninggalkan zona nyamannya dalam mengajukan nama jagonya dan menghindar dari bicara soal kriteria.

Tapi beban ini sekaligus menjadi kesempatan untuk menunjukkan bahwa kita mau serius tentang masa depan negeri ini.

Saudara-saudara, kita tidak bisa mempertaruhkan nasib bangsa dengan membiarkan warga memilih hanya berdasarkan nama

apalagi pesona yang terbalut sentimen emosional belaka.

Warga mesti dibuka mata kepala dan hatinya, agar saat berada di bilik suara nanti, dia memilih karena kriteria.

Karena, siapa yang dipilihnya akan turut menentukan tidak hanya nasibnya sendiri, tetapi nasib negeri ini.