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Peggy Melati Sukma: In transition
If there is one thing actress Peggy Melati Sukma will be remembered for, it will most likely be her trademark squeal “Pusiiiiiiiing” (“I’m dizzy”), which she patented eight years ago
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f there is one thing actress Peggy Melati Sukma will be remembered for, it will most likely be her trademark squeal “Pusiiiiiiiing” (“I’m dizzy”), which she patented eight years ago.
Peggy Melati Sukma: JP/Dian Kuswandini
The squeal she made famous when acting in soap opera Gerhana (The Eclipse) will also bring to mind the verbose way she introduced herself in the series: “My name is Peggy Melati Sukma Harum Mewangi Sepanjang Hari” (the all-day-long flowery-scented Peggy).
Ten years have passed since she first played the series’ “drama queen”, and although her popularity has not waned, the 34-year-old Cirebon-born model has decided to stay out of the limelight.
“My focus changed over the last three years, after my marriage,” says Peggy, who in early 2007 tied the knot with Wisnu Tjandra, now vice president director for Bank Artha Graha Internasional. “I decided to concentrate on social activities, because I thought 15 years in the entertainment industry was more than enough for me.”
In the last 15 years, Peggy tried everything from modeling and acting to TV hosting and singing — and received several awards too. She even left her mark on the industry when she became the first celebrity to secure exclusive rights from the Justice and Human Rights Ministry for her distinctive yelp “Pusiiiiiiiing” — a legal move she felt compelled to make after people laid claim to her squeal. So, after experiencing the hustle bustle of the celebrity world, Peggy settled down by getting involved in more socially oriented activities.
“There are times in your life when you want to grow, reach a higher level and be more mature,” says the finalist of Aneka Yess! magazine’s cover-girl contest in 1995. “I went through such times, and tried to rediscover who I really was. After much thought, I decided to move on and pursue my desire to be a social activist.”
As a social activist, Peggy is now busy working for several foundations and organizations.
At the international level, she’s the chairwoman of Arts by Children (ABC) Foundation, a German-based organization focusing on educational and arts projects for children in needs from across the world. Her job, which consists of organizing cultural events in the UK, Indonesia, Bangladesh and African countries, is challenging. Last year in London, her organization held the World Children Congress and a fund-raising concert titled “Voices for a Better World”, which brought together 6,000 children.
Meanwhile, at the local level, Peggy has embraced social work in the field, distributing milk, vitamin tablets and mung beans to children living in slum areas in Greater Jakarta — a weekly activity she carries out collaborating with a food company.
“I don’t think many people pay enough attention to children’s issues,” she says of the motivation behind her involvement in this field.
Peggy is also engaged in campaigns related to cultural heritage. Under Prima Ardian Tana Foundation, where she sits as the program coordinator, fundraiser and spokesperson, Peggy has participated in the restoration of Cirebon palace’s heritage and a campaign on Indonesian traditional masks. This year, the foundation is holding the country’s biggest mask festival, promoting traditional mask art and performances in a three-month-long celebration.
“We’ve been looking for inspiring ways to bring the forgotten traditional masks closer to the public,” says the actress, whose real name is Raden Peggy Melati Purnamadewi Sukma. “Holding a festival is one way of doing that, but of course, in a long run, we aim to include this as a subject in school curriculum, so the younger generation can learn about this heritage.”
The organization has also kick started an archiving project to document traditional masks from across archipelago, and will publish a book to preserve this legacy, she adds.
Social activism isn’t exactly novelty for Peggy. Back in 1998, her and her celebrity friends established Cinta Kita Foundation, which provides informal education classes for children from low-income families.
The work she carried out through this foundation led her to become the Research and Technology Ministry’s envoy in 2002 and the National Education Ministry’s ambassador for non-formal education in 2006.
“If there’s anything I can do for the country, then I will go for it,” says the 1998 graduate from University of Indonesia’s department of communications.
Although Peggy mentions the word “anything”, she makes it clear her commitment to the country doesn’t include political activities.
“Politics? No way,” she laughs. “For the last five years, I’ve been receiving offers from political parties and figures [to get involved in politics], but I have said no to all of them. What can I say? I have absolutely no interest in politics.”
Peggy wants to be known as someone living her life in three arenas.
“My professional life revolves around entertainment, social and business activities,” says Peggy, who’s planning to further her education in intelligence studies. “My priorities might change over one another, but [my professional life] will always be in these three areas.”
