'Arrogance is OK as long as you're doing a good job'

Champion of human rights Todung Mulya Lubis, 51, is one of Indonesia's most prominent and flamboyant lawyers. Labeled "an angry young man" in his youth, the Indonesian and American educated co-founder and chairman of the Center for Human Rights Studies is senior partner in Lubis, Santosa & Maulana. Married to Damiyati Sundoro, they have two children and live in Puri Cinere, South Jakarta. He reflects on life with The Jakarta Post's William Furney.

If you had a choice, what would you be doing now?

I'd be part of the comedy troupe Srimulat. I'd make people laugh and forget about the bombs and killings.

What makes you tick?

Being a dreamer and always wanting to do different things.

What characteristics do you like about yourself?

Being a decisive guy and never surrendering; even through the ups and downs, I keep on fighting.

And deplore?

I'm not that warm toward other people and I'm seen as being arrogant. But I think arrogance is OK if you're doing a good job.

Whom do you admire?

Mahatma Ghandi and Nelson Mandela

What kind of clothes do you like to wear?

I'm a neat person and always wear black suits. I guess I'm conservative but sometimes I like to wear radical colors.

What book have you read recently?

A book called War Crimes about Yugoslavia.

Do you ever worry about your weight?

I'm very worried at the moment because I've been eating too much lately. I'm a Batak (indigenous North Sumatran), and we enjoy eating.

What makes you angry?

Greed and corruption.

What characteristics do you dislike in others?

Pretense. People who feign importance, intelligence and wealth.

What makes you laugh?

My children, when they relate their day at school in conversations with their teachers and friends.

And cry?

The killing of innocent people, such as in Atambua recently and the bombing of the Jakarta Stock Exchange building.

What items do you carry with you at all times?

A cell phone and credit cards.

If there were something you could change about your appearance, what would it be?

Nothing really. But I would like to return to my younger days, when I wore jeans and t-shirts and had long hair.

What's your favorite smell?

Jasmine.

What makes life worth living?

My dream of a strong civil society, in which the people are empowered.

Do you have a favorite song?

Don't cry for me Argentina

And movie?

There are so many ... right now, it's The Patriot with Mel Gibson.

Have you had, or would you ever consider, plastic surgery?

No, and I wouldn't.

Do you think we are alone in the Universe?

No. I think God created all the planets for a purpose.

How would you like to be remembered?

I'm not ready to die just yet! But I'd like to be remembered as a fellow citizen who cared about people.