Governor Pastika: Will He or Won't He?

Governor Made Mangku Pastika Comments on the Challenges of Leading Bali and Whether He'll Run for Reelection in 2013.

Bali News: Governor Pastika: Will He or Won't He?

(5/29/2011)

Insights into the future of Bali and its dynamic governor were hinted at in comments made by governor Made Mangku Pastika before his appearance on a televised forum on BaliTV on Friday, May 27, 2011.

When asked if he was prepared to run for a second term as Bali's governor, Pastika said that if he received the support of the people of Bali and is accompanied by a running mate who possessed  vision, spirit and competence he would run for a another five year term as Bali's chief executive.

Quoted in the Bali Post, the governor said: "It all depends on the preparedness of young friends who share the same commitment and have greater potential. But, right now, let's work seriously. We'll see what happens later."

Saying that he was now 60 years of age, Pastika said that if he stood for office in 2013 his age would be 62, an age he suggested was quite advanced for someone who must lead the dynamic island of Bali. He said that at 60 years, a person's physical strength and abilities begin to diminish. "As I get older, I am becoming more forgetful," said Pastika. He said the ideal leader of Bali would come from the younger generation, adding, "not someone 30 years old, but between 30-40 years."

He said that when someone reaches the age of 50, their energy, innovativeness and creativity begin to decline. He claimed this decline is even more pronounced in someone who attains the age of 60.

Pastika also said that anyone who will lead Bali in the future must have a wide perspective and be an individual who has traveled internationally and studied the ways of the world. Bali, he said, as a world tourism destination, needs a leader who can think in global terms. Adding, somewhat cryptically the comment: "Don't have a toothache and then move to the sideline at every meeting."

He warned any future Bali leader that the job of governor is not an easy one in the current era of transparency. Bali's future leaders must be prepared to be held accountable, suffer criticism, received the anger of the public and be the object of public protests. He continued: Don't also become a leader who is only money oriented, but be prepared to accept the situation as it is. If you're not prepared for this, don't even try (to lead)."

Governor Pastika said it was still too early to begin discussing who will succeed him as Bali's leader because the next election isn't until July 2013. But, at the same time, he admitted if young qualified candidates now began to emerge on the scene that would be a good thing. Pastika said, both the young and the old must be bold enough to step forward; it may prove too late later.

The governor also said that now is the time for political cadres to begin preparing for the coming election. When he was pressed on his readiness to run again with the current vice-governor Puspayoga, Pastika diplomatically said he was not prepared to comment in detail, preferring to concentrate on leading Bali until 2013.

Commenting on his philosophy of life, Mangku Pastika recalled the time when he served as the Chief of Police for Bali where he approached his job with great seriousness, patience and tenacity. At that time, the governor revealed, both his wife and children did not want him to retire from active life as a retired senior police officer. At the same time, his friends urged him to move forward and run for governor of Bali. Pastika said that, however, in the end, the decision was his own and he can't fault his friends for taking on the job of Bali's governor.

Pastika said that whether he retired as governor or not, he would continue to take an active role in serving the public. Pastika has been a civil servant since 1974, choosing to take an early retirement from the police in 2008 in order to run for governor. "I have served the nation for a long time and will do so even when I rest in retirement," concluded governor Pastika.

Source: Bali Discovery