(This was obviously some sort of nightmare from which Jakarta would wake from soon so that he could return to his mediocre existence.) He was instructed to prepare his first public speech that he would be expected to deliver after tomorrow’s Zuhr prayer. Jakarta walked confidently to the room to which he was lead. If not a dream, some sort of elaborate prank, thought Jakarta. Once in the room, the door was locked from the outside and Jakarta sat down at the desk and began to write. He wasn’t sure of the reality of his experience but thought it best to get on with things. Jakarta was a lazy fellow but didn’t, on this occasion, want to produce something that was completely pathetic. So he proceeded with drafting the speech, regardless of whether it would be delivered or not. Regardless of whether it was being produced within a dream or a hoax.
The next day, and at the scheduled time, Jakarta delivered the speech. (Shortly before the speech there had been a formal but brief ceremony in which Jakarta was appointed as leader of SA.) A key aspect of his speech was the focus on accountability and transparency. He said that, “In regard to a brilliant, pious leader to bring about good conduct it would be enough that the leader be aware of having to answer to Allah in the Next Life. I am, however, neither brilliant nor particularly pious. Therefore, in order to bring about an increased level of accountability and transparency, every moment of my public life – with only a few exceptions – will be recorded and broadcast live on the state-owned Channel 11. This shall, insha’Allah, continue until I am no longer the leader of SA.” This rather strange method of governmental transparency would be financed by selling advertisement space on Channel 11. If the monies received from advertising revenues exceeded the broadcasting costs then such excess would go directly to the bait-ul-maal.
The next day, and at the scheduled time, Jakarta delivered the speech. (Shortly before the speech there had been a formal but brief ceremony in which Jakarta was appointed as leader of SA.) A key aspect of his speech was the focus on accountability and transparency. He said that, “In regard to a brilliant, pious leader to bring about good conduct it would be enough that the leader be aware of having to answer to Allah in the Next Life. I am, however, neither brilliant nor particularly pious. Therefore, in order to bring about an increased level of accountability and transparency, every moment of my public life – with only a few exceptions – will be recorded and broadcast live on the state-owned Channel 11. This shall, insha’Allah, continue until I am no longer the leader of SA.” This rather strange method of governmental transparency would be financed by selling advertisement space on Channel 11. If the monies received from advertising revenues exceeded the broadcasting costs then such excess would go directly to the bait-ul-maal.
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