'I don't like people being dishonest'

'I don't like people being dishonest'

Legislator Alvin Lie Ling Pao, 39, is one of few Chinese-
Indonesian politicians. His consistent criticism toward President
Abdurrahman Wahid for his alleged involvement in two financial
scandals known as Bruneigate and Buloggate brings the man, who
holds a master degree in international marketing from
Stratchclyde University in Glasgow, into the media spotlight.

The father of three, owner of PT Sarana Sehat -- a distributor
of traditional medicine PT Ny. Meneer, and the Central Java
representative for the National Mandate Party (PAN) shares his
personal views on life with The Jakarta Post's Emmy Fitri Hastuti
on Friday.

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

Relaxing at home. Taking time to listen to music and reading
news magazines. I enjoy all kinds of music but the choice depends
on my mood. I can even appreciate dangdut music.

What characteristics do you like about yourself?

I think my passion for challenge that gives me the fire to
carry on despite the bitter things in life; my attitude of not
being afraid of failure and to stand up again when I fall.

What characteristics do you dislike about yourself?

Probably my impatience and sometimes my temper, especially
when I get angry. I think I have to learn how to control my
temper, otherwise I will lose more than just my temper.

What makes you angry?

When people are dishonest with me, secondly when my family are
insulted and thirdly when people physically hurt me.

And what makes you cry?

I do cry. I think the last time I cried was when I visited my
brother in San Fransisco to attend his graduation day after being
apart for more than 10 years. The last time I saw him he was just
a kid. At the time I met him, he had already grown up and had a
life of his own. I had just visited him for about a week and I
realized that we had to go our separate ways again and go on with
our own lives. I got carried away by my emotions as I didn't know
when we would be able to reunite again. My younger brother is
very close to me. He was sent to study in Singapore when he was
only five years old.

What would you like to change about your appearance?

That is definitely out of the question. Nothing. I haven't
even changed my hair style for many years. I only trust one
beauty salon in Semarang where I get my hair cut. It is called
New Look. I have been their customer for almost 10 years.

One time I had my hair permed, but it didn't last for long. I
want to be practical. It should be easy for maintenance sake.

Whom do you most admire?

Seriously I have been asked that question many times and the
answer is always the same, not a single person in particular. I
look at every person in a balanced manner with their pluses and
their minuses. Not a single person.

Well, but if we are talking about politicians, I have to
mention Amien Rais (Chairman of the National Mandate Party). If
not for him, his role in the reform movement and his ideas, I
would have not joined this party.

What do you like to wear?

Depends on the occasion, I think. I like casual clothes.

Are you an Internet user?

I am a registered Internet user but I don't open my e-mail
frequently. It has been a month because I find it very time
consuming. You can imagine we have to sort out junk mail and
every time I open the Internet to check my e-mails, 30 minutes
goes by. I cannot afford to lose time for nothing like that.

What is the last book you read?

Do you mean thoroughly -- the entire book? I normally read the
parts which are relevant to my needs. I don't have the luxury of
time to read the whole book. Mine are mostly reference books.
The last one was a book on Law No 31/1991 on Corruption
Eradication.

What is the last movie you watched?

I have not gone to the cinema for many years. I don't even
watch videos or VCDs (Video Compact Discs).

But I remember the last movie I watched, I think it was one of
the James Bond films. I can't remember the title. I am not a
movie fan. I don't remember the title; it was a long time ago.

What is the quality of true friendship?

It is easy to say that a friend in need is a friend indeed. In
real life, it is very difficult to really find friends who will
go through the thick and thin of life with you. True friends are
able to comfort you while at the same time maintain
confidentiality; to give you support and always remind you not to
be overjoyed when you achieve success.

Do you have any true friends now?

Not many. I can say few and mostly from the past. I am very
fortunate to have them.

What is your favorite food?

Tahu Sumedang (Sumedang tofu).

What three things you would take with you if you stranded on a
deserted island?

Number one is probably my underwear, I can't imagine myself
naked on that island. Then, any kind of survival tools like a
knife or whatever because I think we have to survive on the
island.

And a set of stationary with which I can jot down everything
which comes to mind; and the most important thing, people will be
able to read my will if I die on the island. I think that is
realistic.

How do you want to be remembered?

Simple. I want to be known as a sincere and good person.