Guess What? Mochtar Buchori

Guess What? Mochtar Buchori

Prominent Moslem scholar and writer Mochtar Buchori rallied from his month-long illness just in time to go to Manado, North Sulawesi, last week. He spoke at a seminar held by The Jakarta Post in conjunction with the celebration of the National Press Day.

Thanks in part to the skillful leadership of moderator Sabam Siagian, and to his own skills, Mochtar was able to give a concise, rich and entertaining half hour presentation.

When coffee break rolled around, however, Mochtar was seen limping toward the buffet table. "Oh, poor guy, he's still very sick," a participant was overheard saying.

"What's wrong Pak?" a representative from the Post asked him.

Mochtar paused, smiled and pointed to his right shoe, which was gaping widely from the seams.

"My shoe broke. That's why I'm walking like this," the man who is known for his down-to-earth manner explained.

He later confided that his sickness wasn't bothering him, but the fact that his daughter was never home. His daughter is an activist with a non-governmental organization and travels extensively.

"There are only my wife at me home. We get lonely sometimes," Mochtar shook his head. "I told my daughter, if this goes on like this, she might come home some day and find me dead." (swe)