The Constitutional Court’s (MK) Ethics Council member Ahmad Syafi’i Ma’arif welcomed members of the Kader Bangsa Fellowship, Thursday (4/10) on the 4th floor of the Constitutional Court building. Photo by Humas MK/Ifa.

A member of the Constitutional Court’s (MK) Ethics Council Ahmad Syafi’i Ma’arif stressed the importance of being a statesman in national life when welcoming thirty members of the Kader Bangsa Fellowship on Thursday (4/10/2018).

The former Chairman of PP (central executive) Muhammadiyah said that Indonesia has many politicians but few statesmen. The difference between the two, he said, is how both thinks and acts. “Statesmen think and act for the country in the long run whereas politicians only think about momentary interests,” he said in the Constitutional Court’s Delegation Room.

Buya Syafi’i explained anyone who wants to enter politics must aspire to become a statesman, especially the Kader Bangsa Fellowship members, who are candidates from various regions. If you become a statesman, he said, it means entering politics as a form of service and not for personal gain. In addition, he also advised to enter politics without any thought of financial gains, otherwise, politics will only be a place to make money. This means that the noble value in politics will be degraded. “With this, at least it can maintain one’s intentions and ideals when entering politics,” he explained.

He also requested that when entering politics, not to forget the intellectual function, meaning to keep cultivating the culture of reading and writing as an effort to educate the public. “Our duty, whatever the profession, is to be educators, enlightening and guiding the community,” he stressed.

The Kader Bangsa Fellowship is an annual training program that started in 2011. This time, the training participants are candidates from the Regency/City DPRD, Provincial DPRD, and the DPR. The visit to the Constitutional Court was to discuss political ethics and efforts to build integrity. (Arif/LA)

Translated by: Yuniar Widiastuti