Obama missing 'rambutan, bakso and nasi goreng'

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Wed, 11/26/2008 10:12 AM  |  National

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono held a telephone conversation with U.S. president-elect Barack Obama during his stopover in Seattle, and invited him to visit Indonesia, tempointeraktif.com reported on Wednesday.

When the presidential flight touched down at Nagoya airport in Japan on Tuesday, Yudhoyono made a statement to reporters over the airplane's intercom.

"He addressed me with, 'Apa Kabar Bapak President?' (How are you Mr. President?), in fluent Indonesian," Yudhoyono said.

Obama said he missed several local delicacies such as nasi goreng (fried rice), rambutan and bakso (meatball soup), he added.

Yudhoyono had congratulated Obama's election as U.S. president and suggested he visit Indonesia after attending the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in Singapore next year.

Yudhoyono said they had both agreed to maintain good relations between the two countries.

"I felt his warmth and friendship in the conversation."

During one of his campaign speeches, Obama said he would visit Indonesia within the first 100 days of his presidency. Obama is due to take office on Jan 20, 2009.

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ProudIndonesian (not verified) — Thu, 11/27/2008 - 12:45pm

People, please put your Indonesian pride in perspective, and look at things subjectively. It is natural for Obama to still remember a few Indonesian words or miss some of our exotic food, he did live here for a few years and does have an Indonesian half-sister (who, btw, has moved to the US a long time ago). If you lived in Argentina as a kid, you too would probably remember a few Spanish words and might miss the Argentinian food.

But please don't get over the heels thinking that suddenly Indonesia would become important in the world's eyes. Obama is not our president, he is a president of another country. And if you guys have taken time to read more about Obama beyond news related to Indonesia, you'd see his views on free trade, human rights, democracy, eco-friendly business-- 4 things that so far Indonesia has always had problems in. So strong are his views on democracy & equal rights that during his campaign he decided to openly cut ties with 2 people who've long been important figures in his adult life, people who clearly have made more impact to him than the 4 years he lived in Menteng 40 yrs ago.

If we want to utilize the possibility that the next American gov't maybe more objective to the world's view, if we want to catch Obama's real attention, then we have to EARN it by making real progresses on our own country, starting with those 4 things above. When we manage to do that, and get a chance to sit down on equal level with Obama as a country that has overcome their obstacles on their own, that's when we should be proud of.

You may consider reading this:
www.thejakartapost.com/news/2008/11/09/by-the-way-on-obama-hopeful-inspi...

Ferdi Farmadi (not verified) — Thu, 11/27/2008 - 10:27am

Mr. Obama is history personified. I am happy to witness such a big change in history of American Presidency and its future relationship with Indonesia and the Moslem world. At least Mr. President-Elect has some sort of view of both.

Solikin (not verified) — Thu, 11/27/2008 - 10:02am

I think it's good for Indonesia, because U.S President want to come to Indonesia again. That's good event for Indonesian. We will be waiting...!!!

Lemi4 (not verified) — Thu, 11/27/2008 - 7:57am

I can't get this image out of my mind: at the presidential palace Obama and SBY listens to Slank performing "Anak Menteng" live...

AnakAmrik (not verified) — Thu, 11/27/2008 - 3:28am

I love Obama, but I dont understand why most Indonesians happy Obama. Just wanna let u know that Obama is liberal and he is pro- Abortion and Gay marriage. And that is the contrary of Indonesian value.

Ajipon (not verified) — Thu, 11/27/2008 - 12:10am

I will be one of the many crazies waiting for his arrival here. I can't pass up the chance to hear the president of the United States speak Indonesian, live!

Webdepeloper (not verified) — Wed, 11/26/2008 - 8:34pm

I like President-Elect Obama because:

1). He is a warm, humble, down to earth person, yet he's a very smart leader

2). He is successful in breaking the recent Republican 2 consecutive-times in a row presidency terms, which by the way, may be dubbed as the worse ever in history, which more likely bring nothing but pain to the world. After all the majority of people won't expect more wars, economic turmoil, more chronic poverty & raising terrorism.

3). He ever lived & grew up in Indonesia for 4 years plus he has a (step) sister from his Indonesian (step) father. This overall more or less will give him a taste of Indonesian culture. He has some ideas as to how it felt to live & grow up in a developing country like Indonesia.

Welcome back to Indonesia Mr. President Elect! Have a sweet memorable visit to Indonesia.

Last but not least, we wish you a successful job as the most powerful person on earth in bringing up peace & prosperity to the world. May God bless you!

Iyen (not verified) — Wed, 11/26/2008 - 7:33pm

Homecoming party will be made for President-elect,Mr.Obama when he will visit Indonesia next year. Mr.Obama has really promoted Our Indonesian food to the world. In Addition, our pride " Bahasa Indonesia " now is spoken by ,the President of United States. Obviously,it is an admiration for the Indonesian.

Hermansyah (not verified) — Wed, 11/26/2008 - 5:38pm

I am also looking forward to Obama come back to his Asian country "Indonesia". Must be exciting, I will shout "HIDUP OBAMA" and "WELCOME BACK HOME"!

Muhammad Iqbal (not verified) — Wed, 11/26/2008 - 1:52pm

I can't wait for Obama's visit to Indonesia as a US President. It's gonna be a big and happy day for Indonesia.

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