Zulfan Tadjoeddin
Where does your interest in Indonesia stem from?
Probably, the interest is just by default as I am an Indonesian. I was born and raised in the country. However, for long, I have felt that understanding Indonesia is a never-ending process. More you know, more things you don’t know and need to be known. Probably, the most important moment that sparked my interest in Indonesian studies was my stint (1999-2004) as a junior researcher at the United Nations Support Facility for Indonesian Recovery (UNSFIR) in Jakarta. It was not long after the fall of Soeharto and at the beginning of Indonesia’s democratic transition.
What is the nature of your engagement with Indonesia – are you an academic, a professional, an alumni…
I have been an associate professor in Development Studies at Western Sydney University since January 2020. I mainly do research on Indonesia, although I have just started to expand my research outside Indonesia. So far, my books and journal articles are dominated by Indonesia focus. Sometimes, I also write popular articles for newspapers. In addition to researching and publishing on Indonesia’s development issues, I have also led four New Colombo Plan trips to Indonesia for WSU students. I have been regularly invited to speak at seminars and conferences in many Indonesian universities.
Have you ever been to an Indonesia Council Open Conference and if so, what is your fondest memory?
Yes. Prior to taking a role as a co-convenor for the 2023 Indonesia Council Open Conference (ICOC) hosted by University of Sydney and Western Sydney University, for the first time I presented a paper at 2015 ICOC (2-3 July) at Deakin University, Waterfront campus, Geelong. At that time, I realised that how inclusive is ICOC, providing academic engagement on Indonesian studies for young and established academics/scholars, based in Australia, Indonesia and beyond.
How do you think organisations like Indonesia Council can improve Australia-Indonesia relations?
I believe Indonesia Council’s main contribution is fostering people-to-people relations between Australia and Indonesia. This is done at higher education and intellectual levels. And, I believe, this would be much more stable and endure than the more political relations between the two governments.
What are some of the challenges and opportunities in the Indonesia-Australia relationship?
In general, young Australians have more access to experience Indonesia, especially offered by programs such as ACICIS and New Colombo Plan. Young Indonesians also need similar opportunities, something that has not been widely available.
What’s your favourite Indonesian food and why?
I like nearly all Indonesian foods but my favourite one is probably Sate Padang. Interestingly, the best Sate Padang I have ever tasted is the one I find within Minang migrant community in Sydney, not in Padang or other places in Indonesia. I am aware that this kind of assessment is very subjective and is not subject to challenge.
What’s your favourite Indonesian music/song/writer?
When Didi Kempot, a maestro of campur-sari, passed away in 2020 at the beginning of Covid-19 pandemic, I started to realise that he has a huge fan in Indonesia. I started to understand the phrase of Sobat Ambyar and the title bestowed to Didi as ‘The Godfather of Broken Heart.’ I started to browse and enjoy many of his famous songs.
What’s your favourite Indonesian idiom?
Kucing air (water cat). But, I will not explain the meaning here…
[Last month’s PAY IT FORWARD question]:
What would your advice be to young voters in exercising their democratic right in the 2024 elections?
Read a little bit of history. It does not need to be as far as 50 years back, half of it (25-year flashback) would be more than sufficient.
?PAY IT FORWARD: Finally, it’s YOUR turn to ask a question… Please suggest a question we can ask our next member!
How would you compare traveling in Indonesia with traveling in other developing countries outside Southeast Asia?