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INCIDENTIALLY, I met an alumnus of Agribusiness Department of Faculty of Agriculture and Husbandry (FPP) University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM) at Sultan Hasanudin Airport, Makassar. I was going to take a flight to Bandung, while he was going to Jakarta.
“Assalamu’alaikum . . .” he greeted me. I thought he was a representative of the Makassar 47th Muhammadiyah Congress. I just finished my job there to handle the media. Well, apparently, he was not. He just arrived from West Papua and was waiting for his next flight.
His name is Hisbullah, rhyming with mine, Nasrullah. It is not hard to recognize typical Papua face. He was well-known as the Commander of UMM Students Regiment for a long period during his time in campus. He had started his study since 1996 until 2007.
“I was so hung-up on being a student”, he said. “I always believe that if I were finished early, I would be no one”.
Hasbullah now is the chairman of General Elections Commission (KPU) of Mimika District, West Papua. His trip to Jakarta is one of the duties of reporting the preparation of regional election.
“Agrobusiness to KPU?” I teased.
He firmly confirmed that agriculture is always his consent. Since 2007, he had been a civil servant in Agriculture Department.
“It’s a worthy calling. As an activist, I can’t stand being a desk-bound guy all the time. I like challenge. That is why I signed on to join KPU,” he said.
He asked me about rector and securities he knows during his study. He laughed a lot recalling the moment when his friends and lecturers asked him about graduation time. He asked me to send his warm regard to those who asked and tell them that he has returned to Mimika and been preoccupied with the development of his homeland as he promised.
According to him, West Papua demands a boatload of bachelors. He himself is eager to contribute towards the prosperity of his homeland. As a Muslim and a member of minority, he wanted to prove that he can play the utmost of his role in society.
“We live in harmony as no one discriminate each other’s faith. We all have one in mind, developing our homeland,” he stated. Wish you luck, Has . . . (nas/t_far)
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