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Hope in the air for new leader
Giving thanks: Tina Hayari, a former teacher of US President Barack Obama’s at public elementary school SDN Menteng 1, Central Jakarta, feeds US Ambassador Cameron Hume during a thanksgiving party in Jakarta on Wednesday
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Giving thanks: Tina Hayari, a former teacher of US President Barack Obama’s at public elementary school SDN Menteng 1, Central Jakarta, feeds US Ambassador Cameron Hume during a thanksgiving party in Jakarta on Wednesday. The party was held to celebrate Obama’s inauguration as the 44th US president. (JP/J. Adiguna)
As Jakartans celebrated the swearing-in of Barack Obama at events across the city, US Ambassador to Indonesia Cameron R. Hume said Americans had “reason to be grateful” that the President spent time in Indonesia, adding he “hoped and expected that President Obama will be able to come to Indonesia this year”.
The US ambassador attended an inauguration celebration at Obama’s former elementary school, SDN Menteng 01, on Wednesday.
The event, held at the school to celebrate “Barry” Obama’s historic swearing-in as the 44th president of the United States, featured speeches by his ex-classmates and a presentation of letters penned by the school’s students calling for the new president to visit Indonesia and strengthen US-Indonesian relations.
“I hope that [Obama’s inauguration] results in stronger friendship and partnership,” Hume said.
Former Obama classmate Rully Dasaad said their time at the school had taught the president “to respect diversity and accept different religions and races”.
“His story will inspire children in Indonesia and around the world,” Dasaad added.
Current SDN 01 student Alsya Nadine was one of two students who read their letter to the president to the gathered audience.
“We need to have a closer relationship. I hope we can change the world,” she said. “Obama must be missing meatballs and rambutan!”
His ex-classmates expressed their pride said they expected Obama to deliver on his message of “change”.
“I’m so very proud of Barry. I hope there will be better relations with America, with no gaps or differences any more,” former classmate Mira Machmud said.
In nearby Kuningan, more than 800 guests paid up to Rp 2 million (US$180) to watch the inauguration live at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel.
During the event a letter from the president was read to those gathered in which he said how he still carried the memories of his time in Indonesia and the lessons he had learned.
A recorded message from the newly sworn-in president’s Indonesian half-sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng, was also played on the night.
The ball was organized by the Friends of Obama Inaugural Committee, with many Americans now resident in Indonesia attending.
For Joy McKinnon, 40, whose travels read like Obama’s in reverse, having originally lived in Chicago and now in Indonesia, the evening was particularly sweet.
But Americans and Indonesians alike were able to celebrate the event.
“This is a dream come true I hope not only for the Americans but also the citizens of the world, because Obama is a child of the world, so this is also our victory,” said Maya Suharnoko, a designer.
Similar numbers of partygoers attended a free inauguration event held by Democrats Abroad Indonesia at the JW Marriott Hotel.
A business breakfast to celebrate the occasion was also held at the Marriott yesterday morning.
