Guess What? Muhammad A.S. Hikam

State Minister for Research and Technology Muhammad A.S. Hikam, who had never been seen singing in public before, performed alongside the Cisya Kencana Orchestra in Jakarta.

While members of the orchestra had musical instruments in their hands, Hikam clutched a script he read out during the break. He spent 15 minutes calling for reform of the education system to enable the younger generation to compete globally.

Visibly captivated by the quality of music played during the first half of the concert by the Yogyakarta-based orchestra, the portly minister seemed to be at a loss as he started out.

"If only I could have persuaded CSIS, I'd rather not make a speech but continue listening to the music," he said referring to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, which hosted the event.

Armed with data from various sources, the state minister pointed out that Indonesia's human resources were in a sorry state.

The packed-out concert, coincided with May 2 Education Day and its highlights included flutist-cum-economist Anggito Abimanyu, pop singer Trie Utami, vocalists Teddy Sutadhy, six-year old Mega Putri and former Pertamina boss Martiono Hadianto. Works by Indonesian composers dominated the concert. (hbk)