L

ook around. See the residents of kampung. See the residents trying to support a family on Rp 20,000 (US$ 1.4) or less a day. Look around at the unsanitary conditions people are forced to live in. Look around at the abuse the poor deal with daily.

Look around at the potholed streets, the unbearable traffic congestion that clogs every street in Jakarta and worsens every day. Look around at the corruption that sullies everyday life, from the self-appointed parking attendants to the highest echelons of law enforcement, the judiciary, industry and the government. Look at your life. Is it good, is it getting any better?

See what wearing blinders does? Narrow-sighted mindlessness. Few disagree that Basuki '€œAhok'€ Tjahaja Purnama is doing good things for Jakarta. Here is a leader that is doing good and just happens to be Christian.

I have never seen him take any action because of his faith, rather the contrary. He takes action for the people. No one should be doing anything political in the name of religion. They should be working for the people and their religion doesn'€™t matter.

As long as they are for the people and do the best they can with the tools available to them, no issue can be taken with them.

There are good Muslims in many political leadership positions. There are many good non-Muslims in political leadership positions.

It'€™s the 21st century and time for the residents of this nation to decide if they want to remain where they are or move forward into a brighter future for themselves and their families. It is time to set religion aside.

Simaging
Jakarta