I

ndonesia is routinely cited in Myanmar as a role model as the latter sets out on its reform path.

This is due to the similarities in political and historical background between the two countries, and because Indonesia once stood on the ground where Myanmar is today, and is seen to be fairly successful in creating a thriving democracy, free press, freedom of information, vibrant civil society and an influential public presence on social media.

Despite having started reforms much earlier than those in the Land of Pagodas, Indonesia continues to struggle with corruption and political factional infighting, among other problems.

Persisting with reform will require some radical ideas, which could include, among others, looking toward countries that may seem implausible.

While it might seem a bit off the beaten path, Myanmar really is a country where one could look for inspiration, especially in light of the recent elections that propelled longtime opposition leader and democratic icon Aung San Suu Kyi to power.

Rightly so, as the country once entangled in decades of repressive authoritarian rule, isolated from its neighbors and the world, is now stepping out into the limelight as a beacon of democracy.

For the people of Myanmar, handing over the helm of government to Suu Kyi'€™s political party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), has brought an end to an era of military-dressed-in-nominally civilian party rule, one said to have been inspired by Indonesia'€™s Golkar Party in the Soeharto era.

For the international community, the victory sends a message of endurance, faith and vision of a democratic society that withstands the test of time. In large part, this is thanks to the courage of its people and a charismatic leadership that seeks not only to guide, but also to serve.

Just days after her political party'€™s sweeping victory, which handed the NLD 77.1 percent of all the parliamentary seats contested, Daw Suu (Aunty Suu), as she is warmly called here in Myanmar, headed to her constituency of Kawhmu, a dirt-poor township located about 30 minutes'€™ drive southwest of Yangon.

The Nobel laureate was there not to give any speech, but to get down on her knees and pick up garbage, literally.

At the same time, in a move said to be a gesture to country'€™s poor, the NLD imposed a 25-percent salary cut on their elected members of parliament, with The Lady herself strongly cautioning them against any wrongdoing.

As a public campaign, it remains to be seen whether her initiatives will have enough support throughout the country and bring real change to a people with lingering economic, health and educational problems.

But for now, it suffices to show the people of Myanmar that they have made the right decision in handing the NLD their votes.

If there'€™s one thing one could take away from seeing a 70-year-old lady unashamedly picking up dirty, discarded trash among poor villagers, it would be a lesson in humility and integrity.

Seeing it somehow brought out a warm feeling that I experienced not too long ago, as I and millions of fellow Indonesians were swept off our feet by the humility and integrity shown by then candidate Joko '€œJokowi'€ Widodo in the 2014 presidential campaign, taken by how inspiring his rags-to-riches life story was, when compared to the well-to-do upbringing of his then rival. The image played strongly at that time, because it reflected the popular ideal characteristics of a leader.

But as the African proverb says, '€œIt takes a village to raise a child.'€ For the country to move forward, those ideals we cling to must materialize into permanence and be validated by those in power, be it in the executive, judicial or legislative branches.

Ironically, in the halls of Indonesia'€™s politics today, it seems humility and integrity have lost their place, as disgraced politicians cum bureaucrats continue to reign and hold on to power, thanks to the help of equally ethically questionable fellow office holders, pursuing a convoluted game of preserving the status quo.

What remains are occasional dramas where villains almost always finish strong, with the rest of us bickering about it on Twitter, creating hashtags and blowing trending topics.

It is especially relevant to send a message to the leadership of this country, and to those currently at the top or vying for leading positions in government, that despicable behavior is unacceptable, that our political system needs to be reshaped, if not contained.

If it is loss of power they fret about, fear not. Take it from someone who spent a total of 15 years under house arrest. In her book Freedom from Fear, Suu Kyi observed, '€œIt is not power that corrupts but fear. Fear of losing power corrupts those who wield it and fear of the scourge of power corrupts those who are subject to it.'€

On the streets of Yangon these days is an air of confidence and determination. Let that spread to the streets of Jakarta and beyond.
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The writer is a journalist currently based in Yangon. She was assistant to the president'€™s spokesman in the second term of former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.