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Embrace the people, be a part of society: Outgoing envoy
Melba Pria - JP/Jerry AdigunaOutgoing Mexican Ambassador to Indonesia Melba Pria has served for seven years, making her one of the most senior and popular envoys in Jakartaâs diplomatic circle
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Melba Pria - JP/Jerry Adiguna
Outgoing Mexican Ambassador to Indonesia Melba Pria has served for seven years, making her one of the most senior and popular envoys in Jakarta's diplomatic circle.
During her tenure, Pria has carried out relentless efforts to build a good relationship between Mexico and Indonesia. The two countries have signed 17 agreements covering a host of issues, from sports to drugs, climate change to the environment, health to education. 'We are about to sign an agreement on sports and another on fisheries, which will be very beneficial,' she said.
For Pria, the distance between the two countries is no reason why they should not have a close relationship.'Why do you [Indonesians] say that [Mexico is] far away? People go to LA and never complain.' You can walk from LA to Mexico, and no one thinks that the US is far.'
For her, cooperation with airlines, with direct flights from Jakarta to Mexico City through Tokyo with Garuda and Aero Mexico, is one way of bridging the gap.
She expressed her pleasure at witnessing two visits from the Mexican president during her time in Jakarta, as well as a 30 percent increase in mutual trade. Having served in Israel and China, the seasoned diplomat will now take over the reins in India.
'Don't go to the Indonesian Embassy, come to our embassy,' she joked, to illustrate how Indonesians should feel at home at the Mexican Embassy in New Delhi.
Asked whether it was the longevity of her tenure or her character that had shaped her achievements, she replied 'It's for you to judge, not me. I see myself as a hardworking person.'
Her passion for life has certainly contributed to her willingness to engage in many activities of the society she lives in, not only in her home country but also abroad.
'I am of course the Mexican ambassador, but I cannot leave my causes back home. I am defined by my causes ['¦] I throw myself into these causes wherever I go. I'm curious about the culture of the country, and that you can only really recognize when you go around barefoot without the glitter and the 'far away-ness' that sometimes being too
formal will give you.'
Her formal diplomatic duties have been accompanied by her involvement in an organization called 'women build for women', in which the participants build houses for widows and single mothers, as well as volunteering in orphanages.
'I work as an ambassador and I live in society. Therefore I have to know the society I live in, and you can only do so by becoming part of society. So you are part of the many layers of society,' she said.
The true nature of a society could only be seen, she said, from outside the comfort of an air-conditioned office.
Giving a brief account of her years in Jakarta during her visit to The Jakarta Post on Thursday, she said she fully endorsed Indonesia's reputation as 'a smiling country', and that she had also been surprised by people's capacity to endure. 'Daily things like traffic, no one honks, no one curses, almost no one. I've only once seen someone get out of his car and hit the car of somebody else,' she said.
She also impressed with the diversity of the country, as visible, for example, at the airport. 'You sort of recognize some of the features of the people of Indonesia and you see all of the features of the world.'
The light of the Jakarta sunset, street vendors, views of sugarcane, vegetable patches and rice paddies while driving from Solo to Madiun; these are the memories she said she would take with her when she leaves the country on Monday.
The flavors of Indonesia are also among the oleh-oleh, or souvenirs, in her luggage. A "survival kit" was given by a friend, including a package of beef rendang and soto ayam (chicken soup) spices. She is also taking kecap manis (sweet soy sauce) and sambal (a chili-based condiment). 'It's like going to mom's house and having lunch.'
One final piece of advice she would give to her successor,'Learn much as you can, go out and meet the people and don't stay in your office.'
