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Obituary: HS Dillon, friend and visionary
Interlinked with corruption, HS Dillon believed that injustice and discrimination are primal causes of poverty. He consistently noted the importance of “people-driven” development, wherein all regulations formulated, institutions established and technology generated and transferred are driven by the needs and capacities of the people to alleviate poverty.
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Harbrinderjit Singh Dillon. (JP/Dhoni Setiawan)
H
arbrinderjit Singh (HS) Dillon was more than just our respected colleague at FIHRRST; he was also our much-loved friend and a continual source of inspiration. He was a man of principles, as we all know, always courageously fighting for the alleviation of poverty as well as battling corruption. It was thus cautionary that his passing on Sept. 16 should come the day before the passage of a bill many believe will wither the nation’s antigraft body, as if reminding us to stand by that august body in continuing the fight to uproot corruption in this country.
Interlinked with corruption, he also believed that injustice and discrimination are primal causes of poverty. He consistently noted the importance of “people-driven” development, wherein all regulations formulated, institutions established and technology generated and transferred are driven by the needs and capacities of the people to alleviate poverty.
This is also what drove him to tirelessly contribute to Indonesia's development, not because he merely aimed for the outcomes, but rather because he saw the wider picture, believing in good governance, human rights and the basic goodness of humanity.
Lali, as those close to Pak Dillon called him, was never short of something to say. It didn’t matter whether it was high-level meetings or regular sessions at our office, he would always talk about his life’s passion, income inequality, plus his concern for the future of this nation that he loved so much. You could see it in his eyes, his empathy for those less fortunate. He religiously stood in the front rank of those vocally supporting human rights protection, good governance and helping farmers and the poor.
As our respected colleague and cofounder of FIHRRST, he was a warmhearted intellectual who would welcome ideas no matter who the source. He greatly appreciated discussions, encouraging all present to have their say. Whether it was the subject “expert” or the youngest female intern, each was never treated as anything less than his equal, while their views were all afforded the same careful scrutiny. This respect toward people from every walk of life was exemplified by his elegant style of addressing everyone he knew with “Excellency”.
Yet as well as a renown activist, Lali was also the great facilitator. One can remember countless high-level meetings that he had arranged with ministers and the like, where after introductions he would often just sit back and defer to us, his colleagues, to introduce the substance of the meeting; the teacher fondly appreciating the lessons his students had learned.
More than just an agricultural expert, political economist or rights activist, Lali was above all else a truly spiritual person. He believed that the most essential values, taught by every religion, are modesty and serving humanity. Humans are mortal, but by giving something back and serving others, we become nobler beings.
