JurnalPost.com Politics is an essential part of state life because it is through the political process that various decisions affecting society are made. The government has a responsibility to manage the country, provide public services, and create prosperity for all citizens. However, in practice, a question frequently arises: is power truly used for the benefit of the people, or is it more often directed toward specific political interests?
In daily life, the public still faces various challenges, ranging from the difficulty of finding employment and rising prices of basic necessities to unequal access to education and the misallocation of social assistance. On the other hand, the government continues to introduce various programs and policies expected to improve public welfare. This condition shows that the success of a government is not measured merely by the number of programs created, but by the extent to which their benefits are truly felt by the community.
This issue became increasingly relevant when observing the development of the Indonesian government in 2026. One issue that garnered attention was forest and land fires, which impacted public health, education, and economic activity. Reuters reported on October 13, 2026, that the Indonesian government was intensifying efforts to handle forest and land fires amid criticism regarding the impact of the haze. This event demonstrates that environmental issues are not only related to nature conservation but also concern the government's responsibility to protect the safety and welfare of the people.
In such situations, the interests of the people should be the primary priority in every political decision-making process. When the public faces challenges, the government needs to demonstrate concrete action rather than just providing statements or promises. The public needs clean air, decent education, adequate job opportunities, and public services that can be accessed fairly. If these needs are not met, the government must conduct open evaluations and improve policies that have not been effective.
In an ANTARA report on October 6, 2026, President Prabowo Subianto emphasized that government policy must be oriented toward the interests of the people and the Indonesian nation.
"Whatever benefits the people and the Indonesian nation, that is what I will do. Nothing else," said Prabowo.
This statement confirms that the interests of the people should be the main foundation in the administration of government. However, this commitment must be proven through the consistent implementation of policies. Good policy is not only attractive when announced but is also capable of providing real solutions to the problems faced by the community.
On the other hand, politics cannot be separated from the interests of power. In a democratic system, every political party and public official has their own goals, views, and interests. Such differences are natural as long as they remain within the bounds of the rules and do not ignore the public interest. Problems arise when positions are used more to maintain power, build an image, or benefit specific groups rather than fighting for the needs of the wider community.
In my view, what needs to be observed is not the existence of political interests themselves, but how those interests are pursued. A leader certainly has strategies and political considerations when making decisions. However, those strategies should still support the goals of development and the improvement of public welfare. The interests of the people should not merely be campaign material during elections, only to be ignored once power is secured.
The public also plays an important role in overseeing the government. Democracy should not end once the people have cast their votes in a general election. After a leader is elected, the public still has the right to criticize policies, express opinions, request explanations regarding budget usage, and evaluate the government's performance. Criticism based on facts and delivered in a responsible manner is part of the effort to improve governance, not merely a form of opposition to the leader.
Furthermore, transparency and honesty must be the foundation of state administration. Every budget derived from public funds must be managed responsibly. Government programs must have clear goals, measurable implementation, and open evaluation mechanisms. In this way, the public can know whether a program truly provides benefits or still requires improvement.
This aligns with the statement made by Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, in a TVR Parlemen report on October 8, 2026.
"The measure of a state policy's success is when every citizen in need of protection truly feels the presence of the state," said Dasco.
This statement serves as a reminder that the government's success should not be measured solely through reports, statistical figures, or achievements announced to the public. Equally important is the experience of the community when dealing directly with government services, especially when they require assistance and protection.
Therefore, the relationship between the interests of the people and political interests must be placed proportionally, with the interests of the people as the primary priority. Power is not the ultimate goal of politics, but a mandate that must be carried out to create a better life for society. The government needs to be open to criticism, willing to correct shortcomings, and ensure that every decision considers its impact on the public.
The people do not just need leaders who are good at speaking, but leaders who are capable of proving their words through concrete actions. Because the success of a government is not determined solely by how strongly power is maintained, but by how much justice, prosperity, and protection can be felt by the community.
Ultimately, the most important question in politics is not who succeeds in obtaining and maintaining power, but for whom that power is used and who truly feels the benefits.
Comments 0
Write a Comment Share your response