Pop star president: Indonesia’s leader moonlights as a pop idol _ but not everyone’s a fan

more images

more images

Indonesia’s president moonlights as pop star

JAKARTA, Indonesia — The words of the president of Indonesia boom through the room, and 24-year-old Desy grows quiet, listening to her leader’s message:

“Is there in your heart? Is there in your spirit? The affection that I wait for like dew in my heart?”

Desy, who like many Indonesians goes by one name, leans against the counter of this downtown music store and grins. This is her favorite of the nine ballads President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has penned for his latest album, released last month and entitled “Ku Yakin Sampai Di Sana,” or “I Believe I’ll Get There.”

Though he’s perhaps more readily associated with concerns over terrorism and corruption than love and longing, Yudhoyono’s side career as a pop musician is not all that surprising in a place where the politician as performer is common. Case in point: at the height of Indonesia’s bloody battle against East Timor’s bid for independence in 1999, Indonesia’s former military boss, Gen. Wiranto, took some time out to croon Morris Albert’s hit “Feelings” at a gathering of military veterans.

Strange as it may sound to outsiders, song is a means of communicating with Indonesia’s vast and fragmented population of 235 million. It is a way of connecting with the common people — a skill that has taken on great importance in a country that emerged from a dictatorship in 1998 and now allows the people to elect their leaders.

The president’s songs, which cover everything from love and family to the environment and humanity, are all performed by popular local musicians. And the tune blasting through the music store — “Adakah,” or “Is There?” — is sung by none other than Joy Tobing, the winner of the first season of Indonesian Idol.

Desy, the sales clerk, acknowledges it’s a little weird. “But that’s the way Yudhoyono gets people to listen to more of his words,” she says. “As the president, maybe Yudhoyono likes for people to know more about himself.”

This curious connection between politics and performance is actually a long-standing tradition in Indonesia, where the sultans of old displayed their power in lavish dance dramas, says Barbara Hatley, a professor of Indonesian language, literature and popular culture at the University of Tasmania in Australia.

Today, the country’s leaders benefit from huge media exposure, she says, and their performance skills are very much on show — and in competition.

“It certainly has to do with democratization and the need to sort of sell your party and sell yourself,” she says. “It seemed to be something that local leaders are really supposed to do. When you have a concert or event, they should be up there joining in.”

And join in they do. During the 2004 presidential campaign, Yudhoyono faced off against his opponent, Wiranto … on the stage of Indonesian Idol. Yudhoyono — referred to by most Indonesians by his initials, “SBY” — sported a rockin’ leather jacket, while Wiranto — who has released his own album of love ballads — made sure to reach into the audience and touch the hands of fans.

The reception for the president’s albums has been mixed. He has a modest following; his first album, “Rinduku Padamu,” or “My Longing for You,” sold more than 45,000 copies, says Dharma Oratmangun, chairman of the Indonesian Association of Artists, Singers, Composers and Recording Businessmen.

But not everyone’s buying. Rijalul Imam, who heads KAMMI, an Indonesian student action group, says he is frustrated that the president has time for songs when so many Indonesians are suffering.

There are more pressing matters he should be focusing on, Rijalul says — rampant poverty and government corruption, for starters. “I think most students are very critical,” he says.

Oratmangun, who helped the president with his musical arrangements, says it’s unfair to begrudge Yudhoyono a little fun.

“What’s wrong with a president if his hobby is writing songs and poems?” he says. “Many world leaders have musical hobbies such as Bill Clinton with his saxophone, and other leaders who love the arts … their abilities are the gift of God.”

Other Indonesians just find the whole endeavor silly, says Wimar Witoelar, a political analyst who served as spokesman to late President Abdurrahman Wahid.

“Politically, I support SBY,” he says. “But also I think it would be nice if he behaved in a way which has — let’s say — more class.”

Yet it’s precisely his music that helps him transcend class lines and reach the average person in a country where status counts. Yudhoyono, a 60-year-old former army general, makes the point himself on the CD jacket, writing, “Through this work of art, I hope to communicate my inner feelings to a wider society.”

His efforts to connect through music really began after he was elected in 2004. Staffers in the presidential palace would occasionally spot Yudhoyono — who played bass in his high school band — plucking away at his guitar, said Andi Mallarangeng, Yudhoyono’s former spokesman and current minister for Youth and Sports. Eventually, Yudhoyono invited other palace staff to play with him. Mallarangeng was shocked by what he heard.

“He tried to compose a song — and it was GOOD!” he recalls with a chuckle. More songs followed and eventually the president’s staffers suggested the leader release an album.

Back in the music store, 40-year-old Ade’s eyes flick right past the shelf of Yudhoyono’s album. Ade, who also goes by one name, smiles when told the latest song blasting over the speakers — about how even humble villagers can achieve success — was penned by the president.

So is he a fan?

He tips his head back and laughs.

“I like THIS,” he says, holding out another CD.

The face of pop star Rod Stewart stares back.

Associated Press writers Irwan Firdaus and Niniek Karmini contributed to this report.