'My worst nightmare is being left alone’

It’s impossible to put Wimar Witoelar’s broad range of experiences and interests into a pat, all-accommodating description. Activist, academic, onetime presidential spokesman and business consultant, he also is a newspaper and magazine columnist and talk show host. With his mop of curly hair and roly-poly figure (weight problems have been the bane of his life), the father of two also stands out from the crowd when vociferously cheering on his favorites on the tennis court. Despite difficulty getting around due to a nerve problem in his legs, Wimar, who will be 62 in July, is content with life today. Except, however, as he reveals here, when memories of the schoolyard bullies of his youth come back to haunt him.      

My earliest memory is …
At four years old, sitting in school, drawing pictures and sending out for fried rice, because my mother ran a canteen.

My first crush was …
A girl named Carol in the second grade. She was Indonesian, light-skinned and wore a light pink dress.

Craziest thing you have done?
I don’t really do crazy things, but I do get into crazy situations, like when my sarong fell off at a wedding, and when I accidentally walked into the ladies toilet and made them scream!

My favorite gadget is …
I’m trying to be smart … anything that is the latest.

I’m very bad at …
Dieting, and at accepting loneliness.

At school I was …
The fat guy, who always sticks out from the rest, so he has to learn to be on the defensive. I had to be a smart-ass and respond in a verbal way because I couldn’t fight or run.

My happiest moment was …
It’s now. It just dawned on me that time is limited, not just because of age, but accidents and diseases. I’m now in my car, with two beautiful women in the back, talking to a reporter from The Jakarta Post. I’m happy with that.

What are your best traits?
The ability to be happy. Liking people and having no particular aims in mind.

And worst?
I get too inquisitive, and I tend to dominate the conversation. My colleague just said that I try to be a Wikipedia; I feel like a know-it all although people never say it to my face.

Your favorite journey?
Right now it’s Groningen in the Netherlands, where one of my sons and his wife are studying. But it could be almost anywhere; I’ve never found a place I don’t like. I don’t go for the attractions; I just want to be there, to experience the mood of the place.

Biggest everyday frustration?
Seeing that my obesity has not improved, either in my weight or fat content. And trying to overcome the weakness in my legs. But it’s a small price to pay for the other things I have in life.

Worst nightmare?
Being left all alone, where everybody I know disappears. Faces from the past come back, teachers and bullies from school. So the good people are gone, and the bad ones return.

Who do you love?
My two sons

What makes you laugh?
Basically that I can ride through life with such ease without much effort, and I get credit for it and people like me. I laugh at myself that this guy can be so lucky.

What makes you sad?
Remembering people who are not around me anymore, especially my wife (she died in 2003) and mom.

What makes you bored?
I avoid those occasions now, but it used to be government meetings and speeches.

Favorite corners of your home?
My bedroom and work room.

What was the last good book you read?
A biography written about me called Hell Yeah! by Fira Basuki (laughs). You must read it. I also liked The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Hadden.

Best music?
Two pirated CDs of Haydn and Mozart. They were well done.

Any regrets?
No regrets. Just maybe if I knew I could live like this earlier then I wouldn’t have gone through the pain and boredom of other things I did. But they say you have to go through that to be the person you are.

If I wasn’t me, I would like to be …
Me. That has changed since when I was younger. I really like me now.

What talent do you wish you had?

Playing the piano or singing opera. I love all music, but these two seem to be the supreme accomplishment.

What would you change about yourself?
ake off about 20 kg, to be assured of a long life.

How do you want to die?
Quietly without making a hassle and without making it difficult for people.

Your last meal?
Aha, that is the $64,000 question. I would choose the food with the most fat and cholesterol in the world, either goat or tripe satay.

+ Bruce Emond

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