Selo Soemardjan

During the three years I lived in Jakarta, I met many interesting people, people who made a deep impression on me.

None more so that a gentleman by the name of Selo Soemardjan.

I remember that we first met when we were seated next to each other at an official dinner. Although I spoke Bahasa at that time, Selo chose to speak to me in English. I learnt that he was an academic and that he had graduated from Cornell University in the US. He returned to become an academic in the University of Indonesia in the Sociology department. He held various positions, including being Dean, and had continued teaching in the University ever since. He described all the projects that he was planning to do, and the books that he was planning to write. He spoke lucidly, ate heartily and his mind was as sharp as a razor. He was 86 years old.

At the end of dinner, over coffee, I simply had to get it out. I turned to Selo and said, "Bapak, if you don't mind me saying, I think it is simply amazing that you live such an active life even at your age. If I am lucky to reach your age, I wish that I could be half as active as you are. What is your secret?" Selo smiled and said that he has always lived his life with four fundamental beliefs.

Firstly, exercise. He said that when he was young, he would run. At his present age, he satsified himself by spending a whole hour each morning walking with his wife around his estate at Menteng.

Secondly, find peace in 15 min of quiet time a day. He said that he did not care whether you were a Christian, a Muslim or even a free thinker. Pray. Quiet time allows you to search for your priorities.

Thirdly, always have a passion for a cause. This keeps a person going. He told me that he wrote out of passion. During the period that led to the fall of Suharto, he marched on the streets with his students - because he loved his country and believed that the time had come for democracy in Indonesia.

Lastly, always interact with young people. Nothing gave him more joy than to spend time with his young students, listening to their views and their aspirations. He said that the moment you stopped mixing with the young, you became old.

Selo Soemardjan passed away from a heart attack 2 years after we met. The passing of Selo, an Indonesian icon, was widely regarded as a loss to not only Sociology, but the nation of Indonesia. This was written in Kompas, a local newspaper:

"Up to the time of his death, Selo Sumardjan was incredibly active, engaging the younger generation of academics in discussions about the various problems affecting the nation, and pouring out his concern over the condition of the nation state."

Selo was laid to rest in his birthplace and hometown in Yogjakarta. A year after, the Selo Soemardjan Research Centre was established in his honour. May he rest in peace.

Chinese Nationals

Chinese nationals are different from us. Singaporeans recognise that many are frightfully intelligent and hardworking. They pick up English very quickly and they go on to win prizes in our schools and universities. They are good businessmen, and are driven and "hungry".

But we also rank them as the worst tourists. Common complaints: they speak loudly, litter, jostle and do not respect queues. (Also true of Singaporeans 30 years ago.) The growing number of Chinese "students" entertaining in karaoke bars, and "Study Mothers" working in massage parlours breeds distrust amongst Singaporean wives. To them, Chinese women are only interested in silly Singaporean men with lots of CPF money.

I personally found the Chinese people I met in China pleasant. The young people especially were filled with dreams, with feelings for family and friends, and most importantly with an eye for good fun. Their young dress up, they skateboard, and they laugh a lot.

But I did turn to a good Taiwanese friend who has spent four years in Beijing for his thoughts. While there were always nice people around, he told me that the single thing he found lacking in Chinese people was their sense of morals and values. The overwhelming motivation of an average Chinese person was to get ahead by making more money. While this was good in the economic sense, without morals and values, this brought all the negative things that were damaging China today: corruption, the lack of intellectual property protection [the Chinese will imitate anything - Chanel handbags, drugs, milk powder, even eggs] and that loyalty and trust were unknown qualities. "Loyal" staff will leave you for $10 more to work for your competitor.

He was quick to attribute this to recent China's history. Communism had removed religion as a means to build up a strong moral base in the people. Confucianism was swept away in Mao's Cultural Revolution. This severed their links with traditional values. Without both, the Chinese young are today left with one God. Money.

In an uncanny admission of this, Hu Jin Tao, the President recently called on the ruling Communist Party to rid itself of "money worship and hedonism", in a bid to stamp out corruption.

"Happiness" to all of you in the New Year

A very Happy New Year to you all. Thank you Joshua and Andrea for the new year greetings! For the new year, I wish you things that money cannot buy - good health and especially, happiness.

Happiness is ultimately what all of us seek. The latest issue of The Economist attempts to explain why a country that is doing well in economic terms may not actually make its citizens happier.

Firstly, things that once were luxuries become necessities. Frills become essentials and not all can have these items. My example : today, every teenager has a cell phone. Those who cannot afford one can feel deprived and embarassed - even though none of them are actually worse off than when I was a teenager. So they strive doubly hard to get a cell phone.

Secondly, we all desire the finest things. But for the finest things to remain fine, they must by definition be limited in supply. My example, a place in RI, a home in District 10 etc. These are what are called positional goods. The value of these goods are not derived from what they offer per se - there must equally nice places to stay outside District 10. But District 10 is desired because it contributes to status. So, even though HDB flats are probably better than houses of yesteryear, the people may actually not feel happier because it is seen as a low status house.

But if you think about the article carefully, it comes back to the obvious truth : the accumulation of material things can never make anyone truly happy. Because you never know how much is enough.

All religions address this issue. Gautama Buddha's solution to this connundrum of happiness is to eliminate all desires as desires are the root of suffering. The Christian message in contrast is different. It is to search for happiness in the right areas - in the spiritual realm, and in your relationship with your fellow man.

What makes us truly happy is to be loved, respected and appreciated by your fellow man. I can think of no better gift. So truly touch the lives of the people around you. After all, we are known by our friends.

Have a great year ahead.