In a working visit to Australia for five days to attend the invitation of the Australian National University, Canberra, Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court, Moh. Mahfud MD took the time to stop by the Consulate General of Indonesia (Consulate) in Sydney at the invitation of the Consulate General. Arrived at the consulate in Maroubra Road, Saturday afternoon, accompanied by officials Mahfud Consulate General in Sydney, who previously helped direct pick his arrival at Kingsford Smith Airport, greeted the students and the people of Indonesia.

Housed in the Hall of the Consulate General, Mahfud discussed with students and people of Indonesia in Sydney. On that occasion, the Consul General admitted very pleased with this arrival of the Chairman of the Constitutional Court. "Mr. Mahfud as Chairman of the Constitutional Court is a national figure known for bold and clean in upholding law and justice. Hence, we get a very good chance face to face with Mr. Mahfud. Please’ll ask student friends as possible to Mr. Mahfud, any issue, the meeting is special," said Consul General in Sydney happily.

In that event, the approximately 60 people from Sydney and surrounding Indonesia with an average attendance enthusiastically. I Made Andi Arsana, doctoral student University of Wollongong was asked to be the moderator guides the discussion. In rough introduction, former Secretary of Defense under President Gus Dur’s many highlights about the actual condition of Indonesia, which in some ways is quite alarming. Social issues, politics, culture, and particularly the cases presented with a straightforward ongoing.

What happened in Indonesia, Mahfud said, cannot be covered up, because this era of transparency and progress information. People can no longer lie because everything can be monitored from anywhere in the world via the internet. "Therefore, there is no need to be kept secret, especially that are here are the ones who are supposed to know Indonesia take responsibility for thinking about solutions to the problems of the nation," he explained.

Regarding democracy in Indonesia, Mahfud said real democracy has not been achieved. "The issue of our democracy, it is not really a democracy. Democracy should be, by, and for the people has clearly shifted to the people, by and for the ruling elite. This is a portrait drapes Indonesian democracy today," said Mahfud.

Optimistic and Revive

Although it is now plagued with problems, Mahfud assured that behind the weaknesses that exist now, Indonesia is believed to be able to rise. Indonesia will be able to bounce back like it used to be great at the time Bung Karno. That time, Indonesia was known great, and even the inspiration of nations in Asia and Africa to rise up and move forward. Indonesia is advanced the politics of nations at the time. For that, on occasion, Mahfud invites citizens to optimistic and not dissolved into despair, let alone regret this situation.

"At least we have the capital to rise. First, we have ideology Pancasila. Second, our economy is relatively stable, even according to McKinsey, premises in 2030; the economy will go in 7 of the world. Third, social capital is strong. We have an outstanding compactness, for instance when there is a disaster in Aceh and Yogyakarta. Indonesian society torn reached without the need to ask the aid of religion, ethnicity, or any background. Compactness rose reflected in political life when the 1999 elections could be implemented and democratic, despite the political parties tens of election. At first people thought, it would appear the postelection political turmoil. But in fact, it was not proven. There were fights, but generally the conflict is political elite alone," explained Mahfud. "If all that is knitted, surely this nation can rise to be great again," he said optimistically.

In response to the complex problems experienced by the Indonesian nation, Mahfud addresses two key solutions overcome. First, to overcome the crisis of democracy, that democracy is not particularly meaningful from the people, by the elite, and for the authorities, political recruitment needed more clean, fair, and transparent. It is, further Mahfud, a necessity given the political depravity of Indonesia began with the recruitment of an oligarchic even polyarkis politic. Secondly, for effective law enforcement, it’s time to realize strong leadership. "Strong leadership is different from the authoritarian leadership, because of the strong leadership, emerging leaders who are bold and clean as well as the integrity to uphold the law."

After about an hour expose, held discussions held exciting as people and students who attended took turns asking Mahfud feedback about any issues that developed recently in Indonesia. Starting from a law enforcement issue messy, democracy and politics are always rowdy, Lampung case, Hambalang cases, inefficiency Parliament building, decision of the Court of testing oil and gas law which affected the dissolution of BP Migas, and until the issue of his resignation letter from the Chairman of the Constitutional Court Mahfud. (FLS / mh)