'I want to be in prosperous Indonesia'

Right on his 35th birthday on Dec. 8 this year, Munir, an advisory board member of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras), will receive the Right Livelihood Award 2000 from the Swedish government along with a cash prize worth US$50,000 in recognition of his work. Next week, on Nov. 16, he will receive another award from Unesco. Munir, who lives with his wife Suciati and their son in a simple house belonging to the Indonesian Legal Aid Institute Foundation (YLBHI) on Jl. Bekasi Timur in East Jakarta, talks to The Jakarta Post's Mohammad Yazid.

Question: What did you think when you heard about the cash prize?

Answer: Just business as usual. I didn't consider splashing out like, for example, buying a new motorcycle for myself. I think the money will be useful for Kontras. Kontras deserves it. I don't deserve the money myself, it is the collective work of my colleagues and the victims who ask for Kontras' help. Well, maybe I'll take some, just a little bit. I don't know how much.

Q: Why do you prefer riding a motorcycle instead of driving a car?

A: A motorcycle is more efficient, economical and practical. Maybe one day I will buy a car if I have the money (laughing). But, for me it's normal. I prefer a motorcycle to a car. It makes me healthier. I have riden one since 1982, when I was still a university student in Malang, East Java.

Q: People say one cannot get rich working for the LBH (the Legal Aid Institute). Don't you want to get rich?

A: If I wanted to be rich, I'd quit. No, for me, it's normal.

Q: What characteristic do you like most about yourself?

A: I don't know. Nothing special. But sometimes I hate myself, wondering about what I've done. Wondering whether I've done something good, useful. I feel embarrassed if people consider me a hero... I'm not.

Q: And dislike?

A: I don't know either. Maybe that I'm poorly educated. Maybe if I had enough money or I could get a scholarship, I would take up my studies again.

Q: Whom do you admire?

A: Soultan Alif Allende, he's my son. Alif means my prophet, Muhammad, the number one I admire. Allende is a fighter from Chile. Both are fighters against injustice who didn't resort to violence. Muhammad represents the older generation while Allende represents the new generation.

Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?

A: I like reading, playing table tennis. I collect some ornamental fishes like Arwana, Palmas from Africa, alligators from Toraja (South Sulawesi). I bought all of them in Jatinegara Market in East Jakarta.

Q: What was the last book you read?

A: Ideologi kekerasan (Ideology of Violence), a translated book written by Jenneth Grundhi in 1976. Coincidentally, I was asked to write an introduction. The book is very interesting. It explains about the violence in Chile and elsewhere, theoretically. I think the book was written based on very good research. It was translated by LBH staff coordinated by Robertus Robert.

Q: What was the last movie you watched?

A: The last movie I watched starred Jim Carrey. I forget the title. I saw it when I was on a plane. However, I like watching films on TV or VCDs that I borrow from a rental store. When I was single I liked classical films like Shakespearean dramas. But, after getting married, I now prefer films dealing with the struggles of children such as Life Is beautiful or Empire of The Sun. In my mind, I want my son to be like that.

Q: What makes you angry?

A: When I feel betrayed by the military, politicians, the legislature. I don't understand why they, who call themselves reformists, agreed to the PKB (emergency) law and then signed it.

Q: What makes you laugh?

A: When I see other people happy, especially the victims of violence who come to us seeking help.

Q: And cry?

A: I rarely cry. Maybe when I was dealing with labor cases in Surabaya in 1996. Sometimes I miss their world. Although I'm dealing with other cases now such as kidnappings or Tanjung Priok, their (workers') problems are different. Workers' struggles against injustice are very specific, different from the cases I handle now. One day, I want return to Surabaya.

Q: What would make you ashamed?

A: When I don't speak the truth. Sometimes I do that. For example, I commented on the Gus Dur (President Abdurrahman Wahid) and Ariyanti case in the media. Later on I regretted making comments about something like that. I felt like I knew everything. I don't. I regret that, it wasn't my business....

Q: What makes you frightened?

A: When I fail to handle the mandate entrusted to me, such as from families of violence victims... Maybe, failure does not matter, but, sometimes, I forget because I am dealing with other cases. This forgetfulness thing frightens me more than failure.

Q: If you were stranded on a desert island and were given three wishes, what would they be?

A: Firstly, I would want to be back in Indonesia immediately. Secondly, I would like to be in a prosperous Indonesia. And thirdly, I would like to be in a democratic Indonesia.

Q: Your job involves dealing with missing persons and the victims of violence. What would you do if you were one of the victims?

A: It would depend on the kind of violence involved. But, I, as an Indonesian citizen, would want to do something based on the law....

Q: If there was one thing you could change about yourself, what would it be? Your hair?

A: That's not so important. I always thank God for what I have. I am happy with my red hair.