A day with a legislator Alvin Lie

Legislator Alvin Lie Ling Pao, 39, is one of several Chinese- Indonesians active in politics -- a realm that was closed to them during the Soeharto regime. He made headlines recently with his strong criticism of President Abdurrahman Wahid in the alleged abuse of funds known as the Bruneigate and Buloggate scandals. Alvin, who is the owner of PT Sarana Sehat, a distributor of traditional medicine producer PT Ny. Meneer, holds a master of international marketing from Stratchclyde University in Glasgow. Alvin, who represents the National Mandate Party (PAN) from the Central Java capital of Semarang, lives by himself in the House of Representatives housing complex in Kalibata, South Jakarta, while his wife and three children live in his hometown. He spoke in his office to The Jakarta Post's A'an Suryana.

JAKARTA (JP): I usually wake up between 6 a.m and 6.30 a.m. After that, I watch the news on television, and read at least four newspapers. That (knowing the news) is an important asset, since I must know what is happening in the country. For a politician who represents my constituents, this knowledge is a must. I must know people's letters sent to the newspapers, which represent their views, and also the perspectives of the country's figures in the latest political situations.

Then, my household matters come up. I wash and iron my clothes by myself in my house.

At 8 a.m., if I don't have any interviews, I go straight to my office in the legislative building.

At my office, I normally attend meetings held by my commission. If there is no session, I do what has been decided by my commission or I attend my faction (the Reform faction) meeting. I usually also receive guests, including regular people off the street, students or journalists. Since last month, however, I have spent most of my time at the Buloggate and Bruneigate Special Committee, investigating whether the President was involved in those scandals. I am the acting deputy chairman of the committee.

I used to return home at 6 p.m., but after I became actively involved in the committee I now usually leave at 10 p.m.

I spend my spare time shopping or making letter drafts. I go to my hometown of Semarang at least twice a week to see my family. But since I've become a member of the committee, I haven't visited them for three weeks.

My family lives in Semarang, and I live alone in Jakarta because I don't want to be uprooted from my life there. If I bring my family to Jakarta, my children will be forced to adapt to the new cultures in Jakarta.

During recess, I usually go to the regions' capitals, including those in remote areas, to find out what is happening to the lives of our people. I meet with local authorities, students, local figures and professional organizations.

I don't have any trouble associating with others in the legislature, or with anyone else, despite the fact that I am of Chinese descent. I have never felt any major discrimination from people of other origins. Certain people shout bad words at me, but that rarely happens. Racial discrimination in the past was devised by the government of the New Order era, and does not represent the true quality of Indonesians. In May 1998, for example, I delivered a speech before thousands of people in Semarang, demanding the Soeharto government to step down, and no one shouted bad words at me like "Chinese...step down...!!" On the contrary, they appreciated my speech. This took place just after the lootings and riots in some parts of the country, which badly affected those of Chinese descent.

I became interested in joining a political party because I like associating with many people, and I like joining public organizations. After I finished my studies in the United Kingdom and returned here in the 1980s, I joined some social and sport clubs. I once became the chairman of a provincial boxing association. By joining public organizations, including political organizations, I think I can contribute something to my country.

I sought a constitutional way to achieve that. I then decided to join a political party, the National Mandate Party. Why the National Mandate Party? First, I felt satisfied with its platform, and the second reason was because of the chairman of the National Mandate Party, Amien Rais.

The party was the first one which dared to transparently declare its platform, despite being only through its website. For 32 years, we never saw big parties like Golkar, the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) or the United Development Party (PPP) declare their platforms to the public, which brought consequences.

Besides that, the party is led by Amien Rais. A devoted Muslim, and even a former chairman of the Muslim organization Muhammdiyah, he chairs a party in which its platform is plural. The party promotes tolerance to race, religion and tribe, upholding the archipelago concept wawasan kebangsaan.

However, I realized that the political realm has its limit. Perhaps I will not be reelected in the next election. Therefore, I am obsessed with being able to contribute something good to my country, writing history while I still have my seat in the legislature.

I don't expect much from my political career, including on becoming a minister. Even being in this legislative office is beyond my expectations. But I am ready (to be a minister) if there is an opportunity.

If my political career is finished, I will continue my business. With several years experience, and also with the networking I built up during my time at the legislature, I am optimistic that I can do better in business. Perhaps I will become a consultant or an advisor at major companies. However, I will still be active in the party, sharing my experience with my junior fellows.