By: Prof. Dr. Drs. Ermaya Suradinata, S.H., M.H., M.S.

Editor: Dhania Puspa Purbasari

President-elect Prabowo Subianto’s statement at the closing of the 16th PAN Congress a few days ago naturally attracted public attention because it raised a crucial question about the dynamics of power in Indonesia. Prabowo explicitly mentioned the existence of parties that are too ambitious to maintain power through unethical means.

General TNI (Ret.) Prabowo Subianto highlighted the dangers of unchecked ambition for power in the political sphere. When power becomes the main goal without considering ethics and morality, the political process becomes a power struggle full of intrigue and manipulation. This not only creates instability in the political system, but also undermines public confidence in leaders and government institutions.

Abuse of power often refers to actions taken to strengthen a personal position or that of a particular group without regard to the public interest. This practice creates injustice, undermines state institutions, and reduces public trust in government. When leaders prioritize personal or group interests over those of the people, they not only ignore democratic principles but also jeopardize political and social stability.

There is an urgent need to realize ideal leadership, which is leadership based on morality and integrity. Morality in leadership means exercising power with full responsibility and awareness of the impact of every decision. Integrity, on the other hand, involves consistency between words and actions, and a commitment to always put the interests of the people ahead of personal interests.

At the same time, this vision of statecraft emphasizes the importance of Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution as the foundation of leadership. This reflects a deep commitment to return to the core values that make up Indonesia’s national identity. Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution are not mere symbols, but moral guidelines that must be followed in every political decision. By making these principles the foundation, leaders demonstrate their determination to ensure that power is exercised in a way that respects national values and ethics and does not justify any means for personal or group interests.

As a state ideology, Pancasila contains values that are fundamental to the life of the nation. The five principles of Pancasila – The One True God, Just and Civilized Humanity, Indonesian Unity, Democracy Guided by Wisdom in Consultation and Representation, and Social Justice for All Indonesians – provide the moral and ethical framework that should guide all political policies and actions.

Meanwhile, the 1945 Constitution, as the country’s constitution, regulates the mechanisms of power and the basic rights of citizens. This document serves as a safeguard to ensure that any form of power is not abused. In the context of leadership, the 1945 Constitution provides guidelines on how power should be exercised in a fair and democratic manner.

By prioritizing the Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution, it is emphasized that the ideal leadership is one that adheres to the principles of the Constitution and upholds integrity and morality in every decision made. Therefore, power should not be exercised in a way that harms the public interest or ignores ethics.

In politics, the temptation to justify any means to power is often strong. ¬But the principles of Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution serve as a reminder that every action must always take into account the interests of the nation and the integrity of the individual. Good leadership is not only focused on short-term results, but also on how the decision-making process is conducted with respect for national and moral values.

Thus, it is clear that Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution are the main guidelines for leadership, and this represents a strategic effort to strengthen national unity within the framework of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI) and Unity in Diversity. Therefore, Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution are not only a legal and ideological foundation, but also a basic consensus that must guide all policies and political actions.

It should be noted that politics dominated by personal and group ambitions often undermines the democratic order and ignores the interests of the people. In the Indonesian context, this phenomenon has led to public distrust of leaders who are more concerned with power than with the welfare of society. As a result, conflicts of interest and polarization are exacerbated, threatening national integrity and unity.

When power is gained and maintained at the expense of democratic principles, justice and equality are superseded by the interests of a few political elites. Ending this cycle requires a strong commitment by leaders to prioritize integrity and accountability, and to ensure that every policy and political decision is based on the interests of the nation as a whole.

Therefore, the national consensus, rooted in Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution, must be the main guide in running the government. By basing ourselves on these values, we can prevent the abuse of power and ensure that leadership is exercised with a noble purpose: to strengthen the unity of the nation.

It is also important to remember and realize that Pancasila, as the state ideology, teaches us to always put the common good above personal interests, while the 1945 Constitution provides the legal framework to ensure that power is exercised in a fair and transparent manner.

To achieve national unity, leaders must balance power with moral responsibility. This means resisting the temptation to use any means necessary to maintain power and instead promoting integrity and ethics in every aspect of leadership. In a situation where politics is often filled with pragmatism and short-term interests, this model of leadership based on national values is key to maintaining stability and social cohesion.

Prof. Dr. Drs. Ermaya Suradinata, S.H., M.H., M.S., is the Governor of Lemhannas RI (2001-2005).