Sunday, January 27, 2008

Goodbyes are never good and always depressing

You never want to say goodbyes to things that you love, cherish and treasure. This week, I bid another farewell to another colleague who will definitely move on to better things. I have really seen and bade farewell to many people and the feeling lingers for a while before routine work and stress come along and eat away that emotion.

To send her off and wish her all the best, we normally would plan a gathering to share laughter, joy, memorable nostalgia, and of course to inscribe the last moments of being colleagues. So, we did have a small group of people and share a great time eating, sharing silly jokes and extracting her plans for the near future. As for once you are no longer colleagues, you are bound to slowly lose contact and maybe lost touch altogether.

Sigh, one goodbye you wouldn't want to say is to our dear ex-Mr. President, Pak Harto. He passed away just a few hours ago. His health was never good in the past few years. Especially for the whole of past month it's deteriorating fast, and despite numerous attempts to keep him alive, we all know that it's only moments before he breathe out his last breath. The loss of this great leader will be sorely felt throughout the country, the region, and possibly the whole world. Yes, he may have been enveloped in greed, and self-indulgence, but nevertheless, he was the forefather of the emergence of Indonesia from the slumps of poverty, chaos and uncertainty towards the future. 30+ years he ruled and Indonesia prospered that much. The financial crisis cannot be entirely blamed on him, but what and how he knew best to control and grow the economy does not work in the modern times. Alas, the nation grew impatient and all the violence and outcry of the people forced him to relinquish his rule to appease the wrath of the people. For close to 10 years now, the economy suffered, bruised and battered under 3 different leaders. None can match his shrewdness and effectiveness, but his tenure was a tad too long and his grip was too tight. He was what Lee Kuan Yew was to Singapore, Mahathir was to Malaysia, Mao Ze Dong was to China. Without these great leaders, Indonesia nor Singapore would be overlooked by the global powers. That's why you see Lee Kuan Yew sharing some sentimental praise for him during his visit to Jakarta when his health was in critical condition.

I'm sure his passing will attract leaders from around the world with sympathetic condolences as well as grief for the loss of a great man. His legacy, both the good and the bad will always be remembered, but let's hope we do not lower him to a stature that he does not deserve.

So long, and goodbye Pak Harto. We will always remember you for what you have contributed and sacrificed for the better of Indonesia. Your act of greed and favoritism may not bid well to the hearts and soul of your countrymen, but I hope they realize that your deeds outweigh your wrong-doings. May you rest in peace and find solace that you no longer have to carry the burden of watching over your comrades, sons, grandsons and the future of Indonesia. We will not shed tears for you, but your tears will be felt in our hearts for a long time to come.