Professor Emil Salim

In the last Tuesday, I attended a meeting about the progress of National Action Plan for Global Climate Change coordinated by Ministry of Environment as represent of my big boss, Deputy of Bappenas Chairman for funding affairs. Actually I was boring and tired because I have a lot of datelines, but there was a surprise when the meeting was opened. Yes, Professor Emil Salim (you can see his completed profile in this) opened and led the meeting. If it happened before 1993 or when he were still a minister, there would have not been surprise. Now, he is just an adviser, no more than it, but his charisma is undoubted. Still with his special styles, strike forward, eager, strong and high spirit.

Then, what was happening in the meeting? He controlled the discussion entirely. I was amazed how he conducted the audiences in order to deliver the objective of the meeting. Here is an excerpt:

"This is an action plan. Which one is representative of Ministry of Energy? Do you know what you must do? What must government do in short term, medium term, and long term? Have you had a meeting about this in your ministry? Ok, If you arrange to do this, you become the next minister."

Ha ha ha. Still have a big confidence. One of audiences said that Professor is still a minister, Rahmat Witoelar (the real minister) is just an successor.

Keep the spirit high Prof.