SBY's album and the 'my boss can do no wrong' book

Kornelius Purba, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

I immediately thought of former president B.J. Habibie when a friend of mine told me on Monday that Presidential Spokesman Andi Mallarangeng last week released his "my president can do no wrong" book, shortly after his boss, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono launched his first music album, Rinduku Padamu (My Longing For You).

An American journalist (I think he asked me four questions about the album) sent me an e-mail, asking "How are Indonesians reacting to the CD?" (I guess Indonesians do not get used to seeing their presidents release albums of love songs.)

As a staunch nationalist I replied that for many Indonesians it is good to have a president who loves to sing. But we will not give him more love because of his songs.

But for sure it is much better for him to sing rather than what his predecessors did: Steal the state money! He is a decent man, so far he and the First Family are relatively clean. This is a miracle according to our normal standards. As long as he does not force the people to buy his CD it is OK.

The music album is a collection of love ballads and religious songs written by the President. While Andi's book From Kilometer 0.0 is a compilation of his columns published by Jurnas, a national daily linked to SBY.

Just a few months before he gave up his 17-month tenure in October 1999, Habibie exhibited a collection of photographs he had taken while on board his jet. Most of the pictures, if I am not mistaken, are of clouds.

I remembered one of his senior aides said, "the pictures are very beautiful, and the President is a professional photographer." However when I told the official I could not understand the beauty of the clouds, he smiled and whispered, "I agree with you."

There was a famous joke about one of Soeharto's ministers, who maintained his position for three consecutive terms. According to the joke he became one of Soeharto's golden boys, because every time the iron-fist president asked "How much is six times six?" the minister simply responded, "The answer depends on your guidance of me, Pak."

Will the same thing happen to President Yudhoyono? One of his aides recently said, "Now I must recite the President's favorite songs."

What about Andi Mallarangeng? He is just working to retain his job and ensure that the President will promote him to a higher position when the President wins a second term in the 2009 presidential election. Andi deserves our highest salute for his determination to be consistent in his "my president is always right" motto.

Many people criticized the President for the music album. According to them, the President should focus his attention much on more pressing issues like the skyrocketing oil prices and slow economic growth.

We need to remember however that the President has hired top economists like Boediono and Sri Mulyani Indrawati to revive the dying economy. His deputy, Vice President Jusuf Kalla, is a successful merchant (Kalla has described himself as saudagar or merchant). Kalla knows how to get maximum gain for the country.

And what is wrong with being a composer? At least the President is making early preparations to find a new career when the voters tell him they're not longer in love in 2009.

Anyway, as I am very proud to be asked questions about this by a reporter from a major American media outlet, let me share my excellent and in-depth answer to him. I have italicized his questions, and carefully written my answer. Remember, there is something wrong with you if you do not agree with my smart answers.

What do you think the president is up to? Is he trying to soften/otherwise manage his image or do you think he just felt the urge to be musical?

He is trying to compete with his deputy, Vice President Jusuf Kalla (JK), to attract public attention. JK stole the show during Idul Fitri with his visits to Soeharto and Megawati and other senior politicians and on many occasions JK was smarter in making headlines than SBY. The President, hopefully I am wrong, is just trying to adopt the "soft power" approach. He also plays volley ball (although his real sport is golf), while JK is weak in sports.

What do you think is his target audience for the CD? Young people? Women?

His target is those who have the right to vote in 2009, but probably women are easier to persuade with his love songs. Young people do not like his music.

Have you or anyone you know heard the CD? What do you/they think of SBY's musical talents?

I have never heard the CD (On Sunday I visited a music shop at Plaza Senayan, and the CD is still not available). Indonesian officers were trained not just to kill their own people or abuse human rights but also to play music and dance.

To be fair however I must tell you the bitter truth: One week has already passed, but the journalist has not reacted to my response. Please draw your own conclusions. But one thing is sure: The market will decide whether the President's songs are music to our ears.

The writer can be reached at purba@thejakartapost.com