'An ideal woman knows how to treat her man'

Sri Ramadani, Contributor, Jakarta

There are not many young broadcast presenters and emcees who remain a favorite of younger fans as the years creep up on them.

Muhammad Farhan, known to all simply as Farhan, is an exception. The 32-year-old father of two has a popular weekday morning radio show on Hard Rock FM with cohost Indy Barens, a reminder of his first foray into show business while a student at Bandung's Padjajaran University.

His popularity probably has a lot to do with his looks and style. While Farhan still has boy-next-door good looks, it's not the fitness-buffed model type that stares out from glossy magazine pages.

And his playful way of jesting with audience members and guests never crosses over into the offensive -- he is just as likely to make his own foibles the butt of the joke.

He has shown that the host really does make the difference to a show. Evidence is the TV variety show Pesta, which lost its spark when Farhan bid goodbye last year.

Now the host of Trans TV's Tebak Harga, the local version of the U.S. show The Price is Right, Farhan talked to us about his life today, including caring for his autistic son, Rizki, now almost three years old, his plan for early retirement and what he learned from his recent haj pilgrimage.

Do you have a target in your career?

I don't want to have a target as it will halt my achievements if I've already reached it. For example, if I want to be as great as Larry King, and I've reached the target, then it just stops there. What for? I just want to be Farhan.

What is the cost of popularity?

Popularity is like an industrial commodity because its price is expensive. We have to sacrifice our privacy.

Do you have any regrets in your life?

Yes, I have some but I cannot tell you, I'm sorry.

What kind of clothes do you like to wear?

I prefer wearing conservative clothes in regular styles and I like black or natural colored clothes. Red is the lightest color in my clothes collection.

What characteristics do you love in a woman?

If she knows how to treat her partner very well, that is my favorite woman.

Any plans for more children?

I have a plan but it depends on God's will, and I must accept God's decision, mustn't I?

How is Rizki's health today?

He used to have health problems but, thank God, we have already found the right way and method, and we follow that. Certainly, we have taken time to achieve the results but we must be patient to have optimal results.

How good is his condition?

Not bad, thank God! Whatever abilities he has already attained we term achievements and I think his achievements are wonderful because, as a survivor, he has attempted by himself to do many things. I just prepare the facilities and he must be able to use them. If he can pass through a crisis, it's all thanks to God!

What treatment are you providing Rizki?

There are three kind of treatments programmed individually to make him better. The first is interrelationship behavior, the second is supplements to lower the amount of iron in his blood and the last is (boosting) immunity to disease.

Does he need a specific food?

Yes, he does. There are many foods which are forbidden to him and we have to replace them with some specific, uncommon foods. He cannot eat food made from wheat flour, so we make a biscuit from rice flour.

Why do you want to retire at the age of 40?

My sons and wife are always my motivation. They are the reason for me to weak up every morning and to work late every night.

What is your idea of the perfect day off?

I really enjoy it when I could gather with my sons and wife in my bedroom or living room for the whole day long.

What experiences did you have during the pilgrimage?

When I was there, I felt that I became a weak human being and I was only a speck of dust. If there was not God's sanctuary, I would have died. Due to his mercy during the haj, most of us were safe. That is the most memorable experience for me.

Did you have a miraculous experience when you were on the haj?

I didn't have the honor of having a miracle. There were people who could see angels, or the angels of death. They had miraculous experiences but I didn't. I was just a human being who didn't have the chance to get them. That's OK. To have a miracle was not my aim in going there.

What lesson have you drawn from the pilgrimage?

Like I said before, I felt like a feeble person when I considered the might of Allah and I found the right reasons why I had to honor my God and why I must believe Rasullulah, the contents of the Koran, fate, judgment day, satan and the angels.

If the world were going to end in 24 hours, what would you do?

I would repent my sins as much as possible. What more can I do?