F

orging two countries'€™ relations is not only the work of the nations'€™ leaders, ministers and other high-ranking officials, but also lies in the hands of local staff at the embassy. For some, their skills have been crucial to convey a good image of the embassy.

Therefore, their hard work could not be ignored. Japan, like some other countries, has valued their
contributions.

On Thursday, Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia Yasuaki Tanizaki decorated two retired staff of the embassy with the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold and Silver Rays for their long and meritorious
civil service.

Linda Pasaribu and Siswoto Sarkam received the honor and a certificate signed by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe from the hands of the ambassador at a ceremony at the embassy that was also attended by Indonesian Deputy Foreign Minister Abdurrahman Mohammad Fachir.

Pasaribu worked for the Japanese embassy for 37 years before retiring in March. She was a secretary to the minister for the last two years of her career after having worked as a secretary in the coordination section prior to that.

'€œI feel very proud of receiving the Order of the Sacred Treasure decoration. I never thought I will get such an honorary award because I was just a secretary who did the job,'€ she told The Jakarta Post.

'€œI am a bit ashamed to say that, but I can'€™t even recall how many ambassadors I have known during my years of service,'€ she added laughing.

Sarkam entered the embassy in 1985 and retired in July. He worked at the education and information center and was in charge of media relations. Sarkam, who studied law at the University of Indonesia, was tasked with conducting the daily press review for the embassy.

'€œI always tried my best to have a good relationship with the media. I will miss my colleagues who turned into friends and the great atmosphere of the embassy,'€ he said during his acceptance speech.

Both told the audience of their wish that Indonesian-Japanese friendship would improve even more.

In his speech, Tanizaki praised the integrity and honesty of the recipients at work. '€œLinda Pasaribu and Siswoto Sarkam helped considerably to improve the relationship between our two countries by their work. Mrs. Pasaribu always knew how to implement the demands of counselors, while Mr. Sarkam'€™s skills have been crucial to convey a good image of the embassy'€™s actions to the media.'€

'€œDespite their retirement, the good relationship and mutual trust built during more than three decades will continue for sure,'€ Tanizaki said.

Soon after retiring, Pasaribu received training and is now a part-time agent for a health insurance company in Jakarta. '€œI could not imagine to completely stop working and I do feel this work is useful for my fellow Indonesians since health treatment can be very expensive in this country,'€ she said. '€œI will keep on studying the Japanese language.'€

As for Sarkam, he said he will enjoy his new life as an active retiree in Depok, West Java.