In an exclusive interview in March with Borderless News Online, Indonesian Trade Minister Thomas Lembong said he worries that political leaders are staying too much inside a sheltered bubble and away from the concerns of ordinary citizens.
“I worry that we bureaucrats, technocrats, political leaders in many ways are at risk of becoming so detached from the people that we’re supposed to be serving. And I worry that around the world, you know, we’re breeding cynicism and disillusionment,” he said.
The interview came just days after the terrorist bombing in Brussels, Belgium, which killed 32 victims and wounded over 300 others.
“And this cynicism and disillusionment in turn feeds populists, demagogues, and even yes, radicals and terrorists. So I think in light of the seemingly more and more frequent attacks in Jakarta, Ankara, this week in Brussels, I do wonder whether it’s timely for us to ask, as bureaucratic leaders, as technocratic leaders, as political leaders, you know, take a long, long and hard look in the mirror. Do we need to change our ways? Are we feeding the beast by not being sufficiently in touch?” he asked rhetorically.
“Since I became minister seven months ago it does feel like you risk being in the middle of a bubble, right. Everywhere you go you’re surrounded by an entourage. They rush you with protocols from airport to airport and meeting room to meeting room and again its good sometimes to get out there and sometimes even on the sly, right, with no bodyguards, no protocols around and just kind of sneak in among the people and regain that feel for what’s actually happening in the field,” he said.
When Borderless jokingly suggested he may have sneaked out in disguise, he noted other leaders who’ve done so.
“The first time I read about it was probably 20 or more years ago. King Hussein of Jordan was famous for doing that. He would actually don a hat and a wig and a false beard and sun glasses and quietly, secretly plop himself down at a…café and listen in on people’s conversations,” he said.
Lembong also noted Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who is known for his more casual style.
“We’re following the lead of President Jokowi who initially became famous for always being in the field, always being in the streets, you know, being among the people, listening closely to what they’re saying,” he said.
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