'The good and the bad are part of my history'

Labor and women's rights activist Dita Indah Sari can rightfully claim to have experienced both the sour and sweet twists of life. In 1997, Dita, a dropout of the University of Indonesia's School of Law, was imprisoned for staging mass labor rallies in Surabaya. Today, in a new era in the country, the commitment of the head of the Front National for Indonesian Labor Struggles (FNBI) has paid off -- she recently received the Ramon Magsaysay award in Manila for her work. She talked this week to The Jakarta Post's Emmy Fitri Hastuti about things close to her.

Question: If you had the choice, what would you be doing right now?

Answer: I don't know what because no one has ever asked me such a question. I also don't think I have too many choices. What I want is not to get married (laughs). I think I would like to live on my own and out of my parents' house and take care of myself.

I have to say that there is no problem in my relationship with my parents, only that I really want to concentrate on my work and my activities, particularly so since I was released from jail I have a bunch of activities and sometimes I have to go home so late. I don't want to disturb my family.

Q: Which trait do you most like about yourself?

A: I am relatively tolerant of a wide range of people's characteristics, principles and ideologies. My tolerance is not in terms that I easily agree or go along with other's characteristics or ideologies, but more that I can respect and appreciate others. And this trait really helps me to get along with other people.

Q: And dislike?

A: I am sometimes too emotional, especially if there are too many pressures and burdens in my job. But this is often triggered by fatigue as I have to deal with many kinds of people, working until late at night, when full concentration is needed. And sometimes people's expectations of me are too high.

Nevertheless, I try to control this trait because it's one of my weaknesses. It's clear to me, and at the same time I only have regrets after I blow up.

Q: Whom do you admire?

A: Nelson Mandela. Mandela is a true representative of a fighter. He took the biggest risk in choosing to fight against the racist government in his country, which was considered to be the greatest crime of subversion, to stand against his government in his country ....

Q: What clothes do you like to wear?

A: I have to wear semiofficial outfits now because every day I can have two to three different kinds of activities, from staging rallies, going to seminars and meeting with people. So I have to wear clothes that are suitable for any occasion. But if I had the choice, I would wear casual clothes.

Q: Do you believe in God?

A: Yes, very much. In jail, I had the chance to strengthen my faith and beliefs. Prison is a cold and quiet place where people get so much time to silently contemplate and think about themselves. I am not saying that I found God when I was jailed but my faith was really felt because He is the one that we really can share everything with when we are alone.

Q: What was the last book you read?

A: Fidel Castro's Neo Liberalism and the IMF. Lucky you asked because I just finished it.

Q: What makes you angry?

A: People who do not want to admit that they are wrong or make mistakes. Imagine that if people were willing to admit their mistakes, apologize, then one word of forgiveness would be enough to heal others. Forgiveness can settle many problems.

Q: What makes you laugh?

A: (Laughs) If I am interviewed and asked personal questions, that makes me laugh a lot. I don't know why but maybe because I am rarely interviewed and asked personal questions.

Q: And cry?

A: Many things. If there are too many burdens in my job because too many targets can't be met, or if I cannot fulfill other people's expectation of me. I cry not because I feel despair or frustration, but mostly because I need to express my emotions.

Q: What three things would you take with you to a desert island?

A: A Walkman, a mobile phone and a novel.

Q: What things do you always bring with you?

A: My Walkman, a mobile phone and a newspaper. I always buy a newspaper every morning and take it along with me the whole day.

Q: Do you have a favorite song?

A: Not in terms of a particular song but I love Enya's songs. Her music creates a different atmosphere, like being inside a peaceful church.

Q: Do you have a favorite movie?

A: American Beauty. The movie is very good, I only watched it once though.

Q: Do you ever worry about your appearance?

A: No, I never worry about any flaws in my appearance or the good side of my appearance. Why? Should I? (laughs)

Q: What would you change about your appearance?

A: Nothing, I think I feel comfortable with the way I look now. And it never crosses my mind to change how I look. I might cut my hair short but not for the sake of changing my appearance, it would have to be for practical reasons.

Q: What makes your life worth living?

A: Because my family and friends support me and have helped make me what I am now, and moreover because I know I can share what is inside me with others ....

Q: Is there anything you regret about your life?

A: Not a single thing. The good and bad are all part of my history. The dark side should not be regretted -- it should be learned as a lesson.

Q: How would you like to be remembered?

A: This is difficult. For the labor movement, I want to be remembered as someone who cared and was sincerely dedicated to the struggle of justice for my worker friends. And, in general, I think everybody wants to be remembered as a good person.