Youths, experts speak about heroes at present

Indonesia is observing this year's Heroes Day on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2002. In search of today's heroes in the context of present conditions, The Jakarta Post 's Muhammad Nafik and Emmy Fitri speak to youths and experts about this issue.

William T., 15, student at IPKA High School in Puri Indah, West Jakarta.

Heroes are people who are willing to dedicate their service to others. They can be living persons or those who have died. From our school textbooks, yes we know some figures who have been named national heroes or revolutionary heroes, but we don't know more than that. That's already history.

I think members of the younger generation like me still need figures to be called heroes. We need people to look up to as our role model.

My heroes? I don't know, there are too many names, but basically my heroes are not today's living persons. Even figures like Amien Rais or Megawati are not fit to be called heroes, not even a bit.

Roselyn, 15, student of St. Laurencia High School in Serpong:

For me heroes are people who sacrifice their lives and do something useful for the country and other people. That's my heroes.

Now I can't figure out who deserve to be called heroes, though. Is it Osama bin Laden? I don't know. But honestly I admire Pak Harto (former president). He was so smart in everything, including deceiving people and hiding the fact that he was deceiving people. Nobody dared to challenge him during his time. Anybody who were against him would be jailed, that's why the country was so quiet and sound.

I heard bad things about him, but I admire him.

Jane, 15, student of St. Laurencia High School in Serpong.

My hero is my mom because she sacrificed herself, her life when she had me. That's real. Other who disserve that title? I don't know, because people have to want to sincerely sacrifice themselves and give something valuable to other people.

Political figures or well-known artists or athletes cannot be called heroes although we know they work hard to give something to the country. But most of the time we will hear or find out that they still seek personal benefits from their current position. Or may be have to die first so we can judge them whether they deserve to be called heroes or not.

I think I also agree with my friend that we still need heroes. They must be inspiring people and not selfish.

Nisa, 19, a shopkeeper living in Depok.

What is a hero for me? He or she must be someone that fights for the country, dead or living figures.

They must give something for the country. Dedication can be anything, reputation or achievement.

Bung (brother) Hatta (Muhammad Hatta, one of the country's founding fathers) is my hero. First, because he was cute and good looking, and he was also not ambitious and clean, in terms of amassing wealth for himself and his family. Hatta was a genius in his time.

Dena, 23, a shopkeeper living in Jl. Arteri Pondok Indah, South Jakarta.

Today's hero is Aa Gym (cleric Abdullah Gymnastiar). Our country is facing myriad problems, from social to economic. The worst thing is people of different religions are fighting one another. That's sad, but Aa Gym serves everybody, no matter what religion you are. He is bridging the differences and help sooth people in facing the difficult daily lives. He brings us back to God and to surrender our fate to Him.

Soeharto (former president) is not really a bad name actually, considering what he has done to the country. It's used to be so peaceful here. We don't know street rallies or conflicts. Soeharto was a firm figure. During his administration, our rupiah was not so undervalued against the U.S. dollar as it is today.

I don't see other figures, although there are names like Megawati, Abdurrahman Wahid (former president). I don't know, they haven't proven their dedication and determination to lead us.

Frank, 20, student at Maranatha University, Bandung.

Heroes are pioneers and people who are able to make changes for his or her country.

It can be anybody from any backgrounds. It can be athletes or politicians. But now I don't think there are people suitable to be called heroes.

There are many figures in many fields but I don't think they deserve the title hero. I mean, I haven't seen real dedication to our country.

Veronica, 27, a private employee in Central Jakarta.

(Heroes are) those who, with all their heart, are willing to sacrifice for the country and the people.

Is there any now? There is none today because those who want to sacrifice or to dedicate their lives for the country usually seek chances for their own benefits.

My hero is still and will always be Jesus Christ because he gave up everything for those who wronged him and he died for them. Also, we have to say that we have national and revolutionary heroes because they were living in times when they had to really fight without considering their individual interests. If they were living today, I don't think they will do the same thing.

Aryo, 22, a university student, Jakarta.

To quoted Tina Turner, "We don't need another hero."

It's sickening how Indonesian people always want some heroic figure. The hero thing is like the myth of Ratu Adil (Just King/Ruler). It is about Indonesian people getting desperate in waiting for someone to get inspiration from, to get them out of their difficulties.

If I really had to point out who the heroes are, it's the vendors, the people who work at the toll gate, the small workers... Those people who never make a big fuss about their work, who never ask much from government, honest small people who never bother other people but work hard, making money for their family and themselves.. those people who make the wheel of economy run.

Iwan Gardono, a sociologist from the University of Indonesia in Depok.

Who are our heroes at present? It depends on public enemies. To me, our common enemy is corruption, collusion and nepotism (KKN). So, those who are able to fight KKN practices are today's heroes. They could emerge from state agencies and public bodies.

For example, Baharuddin Lopa (the late attorney general) could be named as a national hero for his courage to combat corruption.

The criteria of heroes should be contextual and in tandem with crucial public interests. I think the government's definition for national heroes is still based on an old paradigm that emphasizes on meritorious services connected to the country's independence struggle.

That's why the government's decision to honor national heroes is mainly useful for those persons or the state, but does not touch the main interests of the public at large.

Today's heroes, either in local and national levels, should also be promoted.

Determining national heroes should not be monopolized by the government or state. The people need to be involved in the decision-making process.

Programs like the Man of the Year by magazines and other media publications should be promoted to help encourage today's heroes to come forth.

Budi Matindas, 50, is a lecturer of applied psychology at the University of Indonesia.

Because our common enemy is poverty, our heroes at present are those who strive hard or have meritorious service in lifting Indonesia out of poverty. The moral decadence the nation is suffering now is also part of poverty.

But the problem is that is it difficult to find moments in which poverty is defeated.

Heroes are persons who ignore their personal interests or even sacrifice themselves to win their groups against others. Even struggling for small groups in the regions, they are entitled to the title.

Several legislators who recently resigned from the House of Representatives for moral reasons could be called heroes. Figures like Baharuddin Lopa can also be awarded the title national hero for his courage to uncover KKN cases.

Nani Nurrachman, 50s, a cross-culture and cognition psychologist from the Catholic Atma Jaya University in Jakarta.

Heroes are those who are able to stand in sufferings. They are endowed with knighthood, honesty and moral integrity in their struggle. They have character and struggle for the nation without any interests. Their words always match their deeds. The personalities they display to the public are very extraordinary, but they themselves think it is unexceptional.

True heroes emerge by themselves from the public, not the government.

Former South African president Nelson Mandela is one of the examples of a hero of humanity.

Niniek L. Karim, 53, a psychology lecturer with the University of Indonesia.

Heroes are persons who dare to risk their souls and bodies for the sake of interests of many others. They are never concerned with their own benefits.

Ibu Theresa (a respected nun from Calcutta in India) and Baharuddin Lopa are among the examples.

We should not be trapped with those called heroes who receive much coverage from the media. Many people who have quietly dedicated themselves for the nation's interests must also be considered heroes.

Heroes should not come forth because of nepotism. The title cannot be awarded to those whose brothers or other family members are holding power. It tarnishes the values of heroism.