Ahok's Life Journey In Autobiographical Book Transforms Indonesia

JAKARTA - Just like Obama, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) tells a lot about the father figure in his book, Changing Indonesia: Not Forever The Poor Are Forgotten (2008).

He described his father as someone who loved the country and had such a high social sensitivity. His father was eager to bring good change to their area in East Belitung. That's why he determined his children's path of study.

At first, the father asked him to become a doctor because no doctor would like to live in a remote area of their village. However, Ahok had no interest in becoming a doctor and preferred to become a geological engineer. While the other siblings obeyed what the father wanted, they became doctors, lawyers, and also tourism entrepreneurs.

Realizing he owes it to his father, Ahok finally decides to return home and start a business there.

Post-reform, Ahok engaged in politics. Hopefully, through politics he can do something to help the people of East Belitung. At first, he started his career by becoming the chairman of a branch of a small party, then he was nominated to be a member of the district parliament. From then on he tasted a fall in the wake of the campaign.

In those days, Ahok witnessed many other parties using dirty money politics in his campaign. He also saw another reality; many people choose a leader simply because of the free T-shirts the party provides. Seeing this fact, Ahok beavers and decides to conduct the campaign in his own way without cheating. He educates the public about the importance of choosing people who are able to change their fate.

Ahok suffered defeat in the election, but because there was a mechanism for remaining seats, he also got a seat in the East Belitung DPRD. That's when ahok's integrity was tested. The people feel their dedication in fighting for their fate through the statements and actions taken by Ahok.

In the end, the community supported him to run for election as the regent of East Belitung. Initially Ahok refused, he reasoned that it was very difficult for him to win, because he was part of the ethnic Chinese minority, while the Muslims in East Belitung made up 98% of the total population. However, due to strong support, Ahok ran for the nomination and was supported by smaller parties.

Unexpectedly, Ahok and his partner managed to win with a vote above 60 percent. That was the beginning of his brilliant career; he was appointed as Regent of East Belitung for the period 2005-2010, and is listed as the first Chinese regent in Indonesian history.

During his tenure, Ahok committed to make his people prosperous by cutting the bupati's travel budget, which was then allocated to the health insurance of all East Belitung residents through PT Askes.

The program also made him the first regent in Indonesia to provide Universal Health Care to its citizens. Ahok also raised the cost of education for the younger generation in East Belitung at that time, ranging from those who were still in school to undergraduate level.

The book is not only an autobiography, but also reviews Ahok's idealism in fighting for the fate of the little people. From his writings and stories in this book, readers will get strong inspiration, especially how to be a human being who dares to decide to serve the community, and also carry out tasks with high integrity.

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