Wimar's Discussion 11-06-07

Attended Wimar’s discussion on the future of Indonesian’s new generation in Diemen InHolland, the Netherlands. I came there not expecting much, apart from curiosity and that it was organized by a friend of mine, but I was blown away. As characterized by Indonesian’s habit, the event was late for an hour, but it was intentionally done by the committee in the invitation since they are expecting the audience to be late. We even have a term on this habit, budaya ngaret, a.k.a. rubber culture referring to the custom of stretching the time and hour, hence the rubber. It is expected for people to be half an hour to 2 hours late depending on which part of region you came from, so if you have any social engagement with Indonesians, please be aware. I personally dislike this very tendency, but as he, Mr. Wimar Witoelar, said that it can’t be helped for each individual to have their own quirk, habit, hope, ego, and ambition.

Back to the event, the star himself came from Groningen, quite a long train ride, and he looked haggard. No wonder there with his tight schedule and health condition, I heard that he was not in a good shape these days. If any of you wonder who this guy is, then you can check his perspektif website. In short, he is a famous political-social columnist who has his own communication company and telly show, in addition to being the public spokesman of President Gus Dur (then the 4^th president of Indonesia). He is also a professor of journalism in Australia, pretty illustrious I must say so I was unsure that he will be inclined to be patronising, as most people in his position tend to be. But in the one hour that we had, he was really down to earth, filled with humour, and bursting with energy. He is also very wide-minded, a liberal in a true sense, a champion of pluralism. This trait is rarely found among the people that I had the opportunity to talk to. During the discussion, I thought, “At last! Here he is, a man that is worth his salt! Finally someone with influence but still has the propensity to lower himself and listen to the voice of the younger generation instead of dismissing us as silly idealist.”

We were discussing that what should we, the students that study abroad, do after we graduate from our institution, should we return back to Indonesia or it is our prerogative that we stay overseas. It is a much questioned situation, many accusing those that refuse to return as a non-patriotic coward, but as human with selfish tendency, if we have the opportunity, why should we choose the lesser option (here as in working in Indonesia, with all of its problems of low wages, high corruption, etc.). He answers that such patriotism concept is the idea of the old regime, what we should think is what we can do for our future in Indonesia and in a way makes it a better place too. There is no point of living in Indonesia if all that you do is destroying it or simply fretting around. It is also your personal decision whether you want to return or not, don’t put your personal problem in the whole context of the nation. It is one big nation with 250 million people and its beauty as well as trouble. You don’t have to force somebody to follow your ideal, if you want to stay; please do so, if you want to return, do so too. Everyone has their right to make the decision and we can also contribute to the country by working abroad. Well said! He is putting all my swirling thoughts in a context. I can’t feature all of the discussion in the blog, but if you are intrigued please check in his website here.