Man for the Times

The Jakarta Post -- WEEKENDER   |  Thu, 01/29/2009 5:18 PM  |  Editor's Note

From TV shows to gracing the covers of magazines (including ours this month), new U.S. president Barack Obama is everywhere these days. His stunning historic victory in last November’s polls galvanized the world, especially in Indonesia, because of “Barry’s” very personal connections.

I met briefly with a cousin of Maya Soetoro-Ng, Obama’s half-sister, a polite, well-spoken man who spent time with Obama when he was growing up in Jakarta.  He said that, of course, there was no inkling of the great things that lay ahead for his playmate – he was just a normal kid. But the difference, he added, was that Barry was always brave.

It is the adult Obama’s brave and bold message of hope that is inspiring Indonesians, gearing up for elections here this year. Once jaded and frustrated by the established political machinery, some have been inspired by the American president’s shining example of can-do politics, the subject of our cover story.

We also examine finding love over the Internet, the tumultuous year in China and profile one of the most powerful women in local TV news. A personal favorite are the images of Kabul by Indonesian traveler Agustinus Wibowo, who is based in the Afghan capital. Sometimes shocking and occasionally poignant, the photos put a very human face on the headlines about the war-torn land. But there also is hope and inspiration to be found in them – the very same qualities that Mr. Obama is bringing to the world. 

Bruce Emond

Copyright © 2008 The Jakarta Post - PT Bina Media Tenggara. All Rights Reserved.