The Figure of a Leader*

By Mh. Sulhanudin**

What is actually expected from a figure of leader? Is it a good performance?
Should he be capable enough? Or perhaps you have your own reason..

These questions apparently appear in our mind when we are to choose a leader. It is our right to decide what kind of leader we want, even though other people may oppose our choice. On the contrary, we may also go up against others’ choices. This is a democracy. In a democratic country, people are free to express their opinion; they are free to determine their choices in choosing a figure of their leader as well.

Indonesia, a novice democratic country—in the opinion of USA, as they assume to be the founder of democracy—has been aware of the importance of democracy. As a matter of fact, in the recent general election, people have voted directly for the legislative and the upcoming presidential election. People are so far supposed only to be object for our politicians, but after the politicians succeed residing in the position, people are then out of their mind. Certainly, by this direct election, people will find a figure of their choice.

People actually have a very simple demand for the figure of their leader. They just expect a figure who can protect them; not an authoritarian or a tyrant who takes over his citizens. Since politicians did not fulfil their promises, people tend to trust them no more. Politicians often think that people are stupid; people can be deceived by providing them any “seductive materials”. Unluckily, their prediction proves to be wrong. Today, people are not the same with people in the “Orde Baru” regime. People can evaluate the politicians’ attitudes now.

But however smart people are, politicians are smarter. They attempt to adopt any ways to “seduce” people. They seem to act as a hero of the nation’s defender. Their corrupt were conjured up as a sublime action. Therefore, they strongly look like a hero for the people.

***

A community, either big or small, certainly needs a leader to give direction to their member. Without a leader the community can not be solid, because each member has his own wish. So, in this case, a figure is required in order to accommodate every aspiration that member have. The figure is then called a Leader.

Change is now on people’s hands. People should therefore be careful to use their right as well as possible. They ought not to be easily persuaded by any “seductions”. In this sense, the candidates of our leader will think twice to do the same action. Now, it is about time to make a change!

**Published in Miracle, magazine of English Department Students of Diponegoro University, June-July 2004
*The Writer is former Chief Editor of Miracle 2003/2004

Mr. Bill Oberlin, MS

“……..I enjoy learning Indonesian language and Cultures”

Bill Oberlin, a guest lecturer from USA, has been teaching in English Department of Faculty of Letters, Diponegoro University since 2001. He thinks that people here are friendly. The students here are respectful, they respect the others. Such condition have made him enjoy teaching in this department.

After teaching for more than a year, he found some students having problems in learning English because of its difficulties in term of pronunciation and its different verb form. In his observation, so far, some students are reluctant and hesitant to use English in their daily communication since they feel uncomfortable to speak English.

In order to encourage the students to use English outside the class –Speaking Class, red–, he always emphasizes on the importance of practicing English to the students. He asks the students to practice it everywhere. He takes himself as a sample. He tries to practice his language of Indonesian frequently. For instance, he used to practice it when he comes home from his work, or when he is somewhere with his children.

He admits that besides learning Indonesian language, lately, he is also enjoying learning Indonesian’s culture as well as Javanese’s culture. In his vacant time of teaching activity, he makes his time for learning Javanese language with his neighbors since the people in Salatiga, a town where he lives, mostly speak in Javanese language.

Hearing on his statement above, crews of Miracle who are interviewing “Mr. Bill”—his nickname- became sour. That day, the small café where we had the interview was very noisy. Yet, his smile appearing from his friendly face made the situation more intimate and chummy. We continue enjoying our meals then continuing our dialogue
Then he told us more about his first experience of visiting Indonesia. The first time coming to Indonesia, he purposed to conduct a construction project in Kalimantan.. At that time, he had never been in Indonesia before.

Because of his first visit in 1998, he really enjoyed his time in Indonesia and studied more about the culture and the people. Then in 2001, he decided to move to Bandung with his family. He and his wife began to study “Bahasa Indonesia” while spending their time to teach English in a Private English Office in Bandung.
Later on, they decided to move to Central Java as his office wanted to open a new office in Salatiga. To know more about Salatiga, he started to try to speak with other teachers, others private English schools and some universities, including Faculty of Letters, Diponegoro University. Finally, he was offered to teach English in English Department.

He remembered his teaching for the first time, a long with the attack of America on Irak, and he is the only American people in this Faculty. Fortunately, the students were so kind and he talked about the issue with the students.

When asked about the condition of English Department in this faculty, he admitted that it is very good. We had worked together in curriculum planning and the teachers whom I work with have a lot of respect for their skill and dedication. He added that good facilities are important for better learning. But the most important thing is the quality of the teaching. The motivation and dedication of the students are no less important . “If I have to choose between being at school with excellent facilities but poor curriculum, the teachers are not skilled or motivated and the students do not care about learning or being at school with poor facilities but it has dedicated teachers and students, I would much better be at the second one”, he added.

He has a plan to go back to US, in 2006, after finishing his contract, to visit relatives and families. “Then, I should make a decision as to staying in US or going back to Indonesia. My feeling said that if God gives permission, we would go back to Indonesia because my children feel comfortable here, they feel like at home here. Our experience here has been a positive thinking in our family”, he replied. (Puspa/Udin).

*Miracle, June-July 2004