WAHYU NUSANTARA AJI: (JP/Panca Nugraha)

Wahyu Nusantara Aji has a special place in Indonesian history -- he is the country's 200 millionth citizen.

The 11-year-old was given a special birth certificate and named a "son of the state" when he was born on Feb. 4, 1997.

When The Jakarta Post visited Aji at his home in Sepapan hamlet, Jerowaru village, Jerowaru district, some 30 kilometers from Selong, the capital of East Lombok, the sixth grader had just returned from school.

He sat with his father Ahmad Riyadi, 38, his mother Rohana, 35 and youngest brother, 8-year-old Andika Arya Wibawa. Four photo frames of particular significance were displayed in the family's modest living room.

Three of the frames contained pictures of the family being received by (the late) former president Suharto at his Cendana residence in Jakarta. The other was Aji's framed "Certificate of Birth of the 200 millionth Citizen of Indonesia", complete with a presidential seal.

"The photos with pak Harto were taken in 2004, when Aji met him for the first time ... also for the last time. This certificate was issued on Aji's birthday. His name was granted by the then president," said Rohana, pointing toward the frames.

Aji, who attends State Primary School 1 of Jerowaru, is among the top three students in his class.

"I want to be a physician so I can help the sick ...," said Aji when asked what he wished to be.

Despite being certified as a citizen of distinction and his name approved by the then president, the public recognition of the status of Wahyu Nusantara Aji and associated government promises came as a fleeting moment of happiness after his birth; followed by a feeling of abandonment.

"Several days after his birth, Aji was visited by three ministers from the office of the Regent of East Lombok. Since then, no other officials have come, even after the election of new West Nusa Tenggara governors and East Lombok regents," Rohana said.

Rohana said she was initially very happy to hear the announcement of her child's ceremonial recognition by the National Family Planning Coordinating Agency (BKKBN).

"It was in the month of Ramadan on the eve of Idul Fitri. I thought it was a great blessing. Aji's father was still in Jakarta applying for employment as a migrant worker in Korea," she recalled.

During the gathering with then minister of health Azwar Anas, minister of population Haryono Suyono and minister of transmigration Siswono Yudho Husodo, they made a government guarantee that Aji would receive free education up to college level.

They also announced that he would receive a Rp 10 million deposit through PT Pos Indonesia, which would accumulate interest to reach around Rp 193 million by the time Aji turned 25.

"It's not the promises that matter. But at least, there should be government attention for Aji. Isn't he the child of the State?" queried Rohana.

In September 2004, Aji and his parents met with former president Suharto; it was of their own initiative.

"It was a school vacation and Aji kept pressing us to visit pak Harto. With our savings we left and managed to visit him after being assisted by pak Haryono Suyono," he said.

During an hour-long meeting, Aji was received like a grandchild.

"He gave me a prayer outfit and mat. He told me to pray and study diligently. When I finish primary school, he suggested I join an Islamic boarding school in Indramayu, West Java and he said he would sell a cow to pay for my school expenses," Aji recounted.

Aji said he always remembered the advice Suharto gave him. But his determination to continue his studies outside West Nusa Tenggara worries his parents.

"We will be pleased if Aji pursues his studies in Java. Educational facilities are limited here so Aji can't take extra courses to boost his talents. But how can we send him there with such a high cost of schooling?" Riyadi said.

Riyadi makes a living running his own small food supplies shop in his village and Rohana works as a relief teacher at the Jerowaru primary school.

When the former president made the suggestion to Aji during the visit, the only other person present was Haryono Suyono.

"When the media reports this news, hopefully mbak Tutut (Suharto's eldest daughter) will read it," Rohana said.

Riyadi and Rohana claim to have visited the provincial BKKBN office to seek government attention and commitment to the declaration of Aji as the 200 millionth citizen.

"I had planned to contact pak Haryono Suyono but I lost track of him. So we went to the provincial BKKBN office to ask about the follow-up status regarding Aji," he said.

Aji himself said he does not expect too much, because in his view the people who have come to visit his family have only made empty promises.

"Aji is now reluctant to talk to (government) visitors, who he says make empty promises," said Rohana.

With three classmates, Aji has formed a band called The Four Eagles. Using biscuit tins as drums and vocal imitations of musical instruments, his group plays the songs of their favorite Indonesian group, Kangen Band.

This avid fan of soccer star Christiano Ronaldo plays football in his school yard almost every afternoon. He hopes to one day have his own leather soccer ball and guitar.

Aji's story may serve to show that the Indonesian government is fond of holding declaration ceremonies without consistent implementation.

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