Page 8 - Inzist Special Edition

GREAT DREAMS

START WITH A
GOOD TEAM

You might be familiar with the saying: teamwork makes the dream work.
And I know exactly what it entails.

When I started my days as the Ambassador of Indonesia to New Zealand, Samoa, and Tonga (and later for Niue and Cook Islands), I
knew I have a long to-do list in my pocket. I have envisaged and carefully planned my agenda and programs, or the road map, in
ensuring the fulfilment of my mandates entrusted by President Joko Widodo. A rather ambitious one, to be honest.

Being a parliamentarian for 8 years, with the main portfolios of overseeing the foreign ministry, I have come up close and personal
with the works of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as the minister themselves and the team. I remembered my days in Senayan,
the place where the House of Representatives of Indonesia resides, when we had long, in-depth discussions, deliberations and even
heated debates over Indonesia’s diplomacy and pertaining issues. In various occasions, I had the liberty to convey my thoughts, ideas
and recommendations on the way forward and how to make our diplomatic machines work more effectively and efficiently. So, with
this ‘little note’ from Senayan that I have, as I stepped into the role as the Ambassador and joining the world of diplomacy, I know I
have ‘to walk the talk’. And it proves to be a long and winding road.

I considered myself lucky as I, since the very beginning, have been supported by many incredible people and wonderful team. A
mélange of professional diplomats, - here in the Embassy of Indonesia in Wellington, Jakarta Headquarters, and other Indonesia’s
representative offices across the globe,- as well as handy staff, colleagues and passionate personalities and communities I
encountered along the way, have helped me achieve my goals. Together with them, I have transformed my working plans and agenda
into concrete actions, realizing my dreams into realities. With passion, wits, and fortitude, we worked hand in hand in conducting
many undertakings. Some of these programs have been not only warmly welcomed by the constituents and public, but are also
successfully sustained and bring together wider counterparts and audiences. Some are even recognized as the Indonesian flagship
programs. Something we all should be proud of.

We learned from one another, shared our know-how and became more than just colleagues at work. We became family.

All the works and achievements that have been done and accomplished to date is indeed the works of the team. They are the labour
of love, stemming from my big dreams to serve the best interests of my beloved country, shared and fathomed with those who, just
like me, want to see Indonesia has a bolder, stronger standing in and valuable contribution to the world.

For that, I am forever grateful.