Rizqi, Santi crowned Jakarta ambassadors
By Edith Hartanto and Emilie Sueur
JAKARTA (JP): She wants to be a lawyer and he wants to be a businessman. But for the next 12 months, they will have to postpone their ambitions and serve as ambassadors of Jakarta.
Rizqi Indrawan and Garnasih Aesanti, alias Santi, were crowned Abang and None Jakarta, or Mr. and Miss Jakarta, at the Jakarta Convention Center, beating 15 other couples, on Friday night.
Rizqi graduated from the Bandung Institute of Technology, majoring in industrial technology, in April. Santi has completed her studies at the School of Law in Trisakti, Jakarta, and is waiting for the graduation ceremony in October.
Governor Surjadi Soedirdja and his wife Sri Soemarsih crowned the winners in the ceremony, which was attended by 2,000 people.
The idea for the contest began in 1968 when then governor Ali Sadikin decided he needed someone to help him in protocol tasks such as greeting guests. An Abang and None have since been elected each year for the task.
"I am surprised and honored," Santi said with tears and black mascara running down her cheeks after receiving her tiara.
Besides being interested in law, Santi also teaches English at the Indonesian American Friendship Association and takes piano lessons.
Yet, for the next 12 months she has promised to give her all in representing the capital and the Betawi (native Jakartans).
"I don't want to do it halfheartedly," she said, revealing that she had been accepted at a leading law firm in Jakarta.
Born in Jakarta on April 30, 1974, Santi lives with her parents in Cidodol, South Jakarta. She is the fourth of five children of Garnawan Dharmaputra, a retired diplomat who served as ambassador in Syria, Lebanon and Jordan.
Santi said she traveled with her father during his active diplomatic service. "I'm lucky because I learned so much about many countries and cultures since I was a baby," she said.
Her family was supportive in her decision to enter the contest.
She listed tae kwon do, roller blading, swimming, reading and playing the piano as being among her favorite pastimes. She is an ardent fan of John Grisham.
Rizqi sees the title as a stepping-stone in his pursuit of a career in business because in the next 12 months he will have plenty of opportunities to meet many people.
Rizqi said he would like to travel more, and one of his dreams is to visit the United States.
But he said he was also ready to play his part in promoting Jakarta as a tourist destination.
Born in Jakarta on Sept. 2, 1974, he is the second of seven children of Nelson Tamin, an employee of a private company.
Rizqi admitted that it was his mother who submitted the application form for him to take part in the contest. "I was surprised when they (the organizers) called me in July," he said.
Rizqi, a resident of Bintaro in South Jakarta, listed reading as one of his main hobbies as well as music and tennis. He said his favorite book was Soeharto's autobiography.
Rizqi and Santi were immediately showered with prizes. And more are bound to follow, not to mention lucrative job offers, usually from the show biz world, further down the road.
Besides each being awarded a trophy, they both won a Timor car, Rp 2 million ($770), a return ticket to Los Angeles, and evening wear from Indonesian top designer Ramli.
Santi made it clear that she intends to pursue a career in law after completing her duty as None Jakarta.
"I don't want to pursue a career in show biz or even dream about becoming a star.
"I really want to become a lawyer. My brother is a lawyer and he inspired me," she said.
Rizqi, however, is keeping his options open and says that any offer in show biz would be considered. "But for now, I want to concentrate on my task (as Abang) for the next 12 months."
Rizqi said he has many girlfriends, but "right now, I'm not seriously attached to anyone".
When asked about a boyfriend, Santi first resisted the question, but eventually gave in. "Yes I have a boyfriend and he is very understanding," she said.