Page 3 - Inzist Special Edition

Dreams are My Reality

It was started as a dream, a dream of a young ‘kampong’ boy in rural South
Sumatra. Pondering upon pictures of posters and cassete albums, I dreamt
to go to Texas, Massachusette, Paris and all the places mentioned in the
songs. Places where people are different, mountains are different and
language is different. Long story short, I have been to 100+ cities in five
continents and visiting people from different races and all kind walks of life.
I am living my dream.

In 2017, my dream to represent my country as a diplomat came true. After
serving as a member of parliament for 8 years overseeing ministry for
Foreign Affairs, President Joko Widodo honoured me to be posted as the
ambassador extraordinary and plenipotetiary to New Zealand, Samoa and
Tonga (later in 2020 added with Niue and Cook Islands). It was a dream that I
kept for myself and Allah – the God Almighty – and now I am sharing with you
my kaleidoscope of another dream came true
.
The Indonesian Embassy in Wellington represents the best interest of
Indonesia’s government and its people for the betterment of relationships
in three main areas: politics, economy and culture. We started the
diplomatic relations in 1958 and are enjoying the ups and downs. Being one
of the first countries to recognize Indonesia indepence in 1945, New
Zealand has been a good neighbor and friend of us.
We are glad to have NZ support on Indonesia’s soverignty and integrity
amidst the challenge of local and regional incidents. As long as we provide
swift and factual information to counter balance the hoax, biased and
crooked information, we can rest assured of the positive endorsement to
Indonesia. Our engagement with the parliament, government, academicians
and media has become fruitful in creating a better communication and
understanding.

In the language of trade, Indonesia now enjoys a rising volume of goods and
service traded between parties of both countries under the G-to-G and B-
to-B scheme. We are actively contributing to the economy development of
the region by holding Pacific Exposition 2019 and 2021 – the most
comprehensive trade, tourism and investment exhibition and forums. We
are commited to create a thriving link between the eastern part of
Indonesia to the Pacific and make our region as an economic powerhouse
of the world..

Cultural diplomacy has also benefited from my background as a musician, TV personality and art aficionado. Culture is indeed a soft
power that hit the hardest and stay the longest in the minds and hearts. By focussing on the shared values and cultures of Melanesian
and Polinesian living both in Indonesia – yes, we have 11 million Melanesians living mostly in the eastern part of Indonesia – and the
Pacific, we accomplished so many things in music, dance and art performances. Indonesia is part of the Pacific and soon we will
prosper together as a unified tourism destination for the world to enjoy.

And now, please enjoy my kaleidoscope that I dedicate to Retno Marsudi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, my beloved wife
Dewi and the boys Adjani and Alano who have been very supportive. A special mention to all diplomats and staffs at the Indonesian
Embassy in Wellington who have put their nose to the grindstone with hundreds of activities during my tenure. Last but not least, all
Indonesians in New Zealand who have been so generous to me and my family and accept us as one of their own.

This is not a farewell, this is a see-you-later book.