We left Indonesia about 17 years ago. At the time the country was essentially a one-party military-reinforced kleptocracy, run by the self-styled Father of National Development and his family. Progress to democracy hasnt been straightforward - our home town tore itself to pieces in vicious, politically agitated inter-communal violence, which killed thousands - but the transformation has been truly remarkable. Today, as I was waiting in the domestic departures lounge (economy), the new President-elect, Jokowi, sauntered in and sat down opposite me. No entourage, just a few discreet, plain-clothed bodyguards. He then boarded my flight. With everybody else. To the back of the plane. No fuss... Apart from the standing ovation he got from all the passengers. It brought a tear to my eye. Bangga sekali aku.
Posted on: Sun, 31 Aug 2014 14:08:02 +0000
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