Blogger Indonesia of the Week (62): Yusuf Asyari

Reaching out to people through Blog

“With this blog, I hope to be able to reach out and get in touch with our people, and
establish good communications by enabling dialogue between the government and its people.” This intro word is what you’ll find when you visit the blog of Yusuf Asy’ari, the Housing Minister of Indonesia.

I made an introductory remark earlier once I knew that another minister of current government had started blogging a few months ago, wishing him well and congratulating him for his courage to blog in between his hectic job activities. Some other respected non-Indonesian blogger like Asia Pundit also announced the emergence of yet another Indonesian minister blogger. I also wrote about Mr Yusuf’s blog [1] on Global Voices Online.

Some other Indonesian bloggers like Budi Putra, Harry Sufehmi and Agusti Anwar also made special mention on it; a strong sign that people love those on the ruling elite who really want to “talk to and communicate with” his people. And as far online communication goes, just tell me what more effective tools to do that other than blogging? Not only does he reach out his own people, by blogging in English his messages will also echo accross continents.Although in other parts of whorld blogging culture among high level establishments and intellectuals is a common phenomenon, in Indonesia it’s still a new trend. Indeed, there are some other prominent figures who have already had a conventional website (usually managed by their assistants), but blogging is still not popular.

That’s why, Indonesian bloggers always celebrate any important Indonesian dignitary who starts blogging. What’s more interesting, so far as Mr Yusuf’s blog goes, is that he’s himself occasionally responding back to any feedback or comment in his blog; a strong indication that he’s really meant what he said: to reach out and get in touch with his people; and on top of it all, it’s a real departure from the culture of feudalism of Suharto’s era towards egalitarianism and populism.***

Note: [1] I deliberately mention Mr Yusuf or Pak Yusuf, using the first name, not his last name (Asyari). This is what Indonesian used to prefer to be called even in formal situation; contrary to that of western custom in calling the last name for formal occasion. When we call president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, we call him Pak Susilo (Mr. Susilo) instead of Mr. Yudhoyono.