People must trust their leaders during times of conflict, says Jokowi

 The former Indonesian president says understanding the challenges faced by national leaders would help their efforts to achieve peace.

Former Indonesian president Joko Widodo speaking at a Penang Peace Dialogue dinner in George Town tonight. (JonShen Lee pic)

GEORGE TOWN:

People must trust their leaders in times of conflict to help achieve peace, says former Indonesian president Joko Widodo.

Leaders play crucial roles in times of conflict, said Joko at a dinner here hosted by organisers of the inaugural Penang Peace Dialogue, an international forum being held over the weekend.

“A leader is not only someone who understands strategy and power, but also someone who truly understands their people, listens to them, feels their concerns, and works for their future,” he said.

Having good leaders alone was not enough, as they also needed society to understand their struggles and challenges.

“When people understand, passion grows. When people trust, support follows. And when leaders and people truly understand each other, that is where the foundation of peace begins,” he said.

Joko, who is known as Jokowi, said peace also comes from “hearts that are willing to listen, and from the courage to understand”.

The Penang Peace Dialogue is an international forum to discuss conflict reduction through constructive dialogue. It is expected to draw about 200 statesmen, intellectuals, and peace advocates. Among the prominent speakers are Malaysian economist Jomo Kwame Sundaram, former Singaporean ambassador Kishore Mahbubani, Chinese academic Victor Gao and US economist Jeffrey Sachs. - FMT