The Chinese thread has a similar thread, so I thought I started a similar thread in the Indonesian forum.

Who are the Indonesians you admire the most ?

My list :

1) Soeharto
2) Soekarno
3) Pramoedya Ananta Toer
4) Christine Hakim
5) Liem Swie King

6) Rudy Hartono
7) H.O.S Tjokro Aminoto
8) Gadjah Mada
9) Hayam Wuruk
10) Raden Saleh

11) Karel Frederick Liem
12) Susi Susanti
13) General Soedirman
14) Tjoet Nyak Dien
15) Eddy Silitonga

16) Bing Slamet
17) Effendy
18) R.A. Kartini
19) Tan Malaka
20) Gatot Subroto

21) Lo Lieh
22) Cun Cun
23) M Hatta

Sukarno, very cunning person. Years in Dutch jails never broke his spirit, successfully use Japanese occupation as opportunity to declare independence, successfully used international public opinion to defend independence from Dutch re-colonisation, successfully end all the rebellions that plagued Indonesia in the 1950s, successfully manipulate Cold War to get West Papua without a war, until he is outmanoevered by Suharto, who turned out to be more cunning than Sukarno.

Pramodya Ananta Toer and Mochtar Lubis for this moment.

for sure my parent

ok who else ?

hakseng

Politicians/Ruler:
Soekarno (Indonesian first president, Indonesian TRUE leader)
Gajah Mada (Majapahit empire prime minister that unify Nusantara)
Raden Wijaya (The founder of Majapahit empire that cunningly use and trick Mongol horde)
Prabu Siliwangi (Wise and benevolent king of Sunda Pajajaran kingdom)
Airlangga (Wise ancient Java King)
Jayabaya (Phsyche, wizard, foreteller, and also king of Kediri kingdom)
Dapunta Hyang (Founder of Sri Vijaya empire)

Heroes:
Diponegoro (Javanese hero that rise against VOC during Java War)
Cut Nyak Dhien (Aceh heroine that fought against Dutch)
General Sudirman (The Godfather of Indonesian Army)
Si Pitung (Betawi local hero)

Writer:
Pramoedya Ananta Toer (The writer of great trilogy novel)
Goenawan Muhammad (The writer of "Catatan Pinggir")

Actor/Actress:
Dian Santro (Promising future shining star of Indonesia)
Christine Hakim (The Godmother of Indonesian film)
Tora Sudiro (Great new actor and really funny in Extravaganza)

Sportsman:
Susi Susanti (Indonesian first gold medalist in Barcelona Olympiad)
Rudy Hartono (Indonesian badminton legend)
Icuk Sugiarto (Also Indonesian badminton legend)
Liem Swie King (Badminton superstar)
Richard Sambera (Indonesian ruling swimming athlete)
Ade Rai (Godfather of Indonesian bodybuilding)

Thinker:
Tan Malaka (Revolutionaire!!!)
Nurcholish Majid (Peaceful Islam)
Moh. Hatta (Economy for Indonesian people)

Religious figure:
A'a Gymnastiar (Bringing up peaceful and understanding face of Islam)
Romo Mangun (Care and benevolent to people in need)

Poet:
Chairil Anwar (Often his words shines, and make me shiver)
W.S. Rendra (His words really the voice of Indonesian soul)

Entertainer
Aming "Extravaganza" (Totaly Funny...!!!!)
Benyamin S. (Betawi's greatest man)
Srimulat Group (Old school, but still can make you laugh...)
P-Project (Cool and funny ideas come from them)

Musician
Iwan Fals (His old albums really awesome...!!)
Anggun (Indonesian true Diva)
Dewa (My Fave)
Koes Plus (Evergreen Indonesian songs)

Good one Majapahitan!

Now, we're finally talking.

I have read the books of 2 successful business men with a true love for indonesia,

- Robbie Djohan (previous CEO to Bank Niaga & Garuda Indonesia)
- Panigoro (Current CEO of medco)

Very strong minded and honest people. Also not afraid to show their charisma even outside of indoneisa *if you know what i mean*. Bukan cuman jagoan kandang. (one of the biggest problems in my opinion)

Seems like most of you guys don't have anyone you admire in Indo, come on... don't be shy...

Here are some suggestions :

Elias Pical
Icuk Sugiarto
Taufik Hidayat
Alan Budikusuma
Ahmad Yani
Gusdur
Megawati Sukarnoputri
BJ Habibie
Pattimura
Kertanegara
Fatahilah
Dr Soetomo
Ismael Marzuki
MH Thamrin
Liem Soe Liong (Soedono Salim)
Agus Sal
Bob Hasan
Ateng
Si Singamangaraja XII
Setiabudi
Jojon
Chrisye
Krisdayanti
Ruth Sahanaya
Bob Tutupoli
General Nasution
Soewandi
Adam Malik
Aldulgani
Mak Wok
Imam Bonjol
Dedi Mizwar
Sailendra
Mpu Tantular
Khoo Ping Ho
Sultan Hassanudin
Ki Hajar Dewantoro
Teuku Oemar
Sutan Syahrir

That's all I can think of for now.

ANGGUN

Only one ?

I admire many people but answering your first question, Anggun is the one I admire the MOST.

Care to share... why?

So many reasons.

Such as ... ?

She’s the one who make us proud before the world through her beautiful voice and unique beauty. She’s the one to show that we actually love music not war.

Nice to know FRNZSK .

Anyway... I guess nobody else is a fan of Soeharto eh ?

Definitely not me......!!!

Why in heaven name you admire that Cleptocrat....?

I certainly don't agree with his methods and ways of governing Indonesia, especially the final impact of his policies over the years, but having put that aside, I certainly cannot deny that he's one of the smartest men in the world who changed the face of a nation.

Despite his shortcomings at the end, he had succeeded on many levels. I admire his thinking, precision, and momentum as an ultra intellegent individual (not as a president or a citizen of Indonesia who took advantage of his people) who seized the moment at the right time with the right strategy.

Why do you admire Eddy Silitonga?

I admire Sabdapalon and Jayabaya (not sure if I spelled their names correct)......

Who are they? Psychics?

Well, one of them was an Indonesian king and the other was an ancient sage.....

Hey..., you admire King Jayabaya too.....!
Cool....!
He's indeed a special human being in Indonesian History.
Wizard, Psycics, and also King of Kediri.

He even predict the fall of his own Kingdom (Kediri).
He also foretell the "Yellow" invasion to Java that happen twice.
First is failed Kubilai Khan's Mongol Armada that came to punish King Kertanegara of Singosari.
Second is Japanese invasion to Nederland Indies (Indonesia) during WWII.

Patih Gadjah Madah

I think Tenjikuronin Prabhu likes another part more . The part were is said the Hindu-Javanese will rise again. I forgot if this was Sabdalon or Jayabaya.

Anyway, Jayabaya also was responsibe for composing the great classic Baratayudda inspired on other old javanese kakawin and sanskritliterature.

Mostly..I admire Moh. Hatta..
he's the only person in our goverment who always "straight"

Mostly..I admire Moh. Hatta..
he's the only person in our goverment who always "straight"

Hey malaccan..., I admire him too....
(that's why I use Majapahitans as my virtual name.....)

He's a great hero and leader.
Got great strategy to conquer and unify Nusantara.....

Btw there is one political accident that make me a little bit deteste him.
The incident of Pasunda Bubat. Writen in Kakawin Kidung Sundayana.

mereka yg pinter bikin makanan paling enak di seluruh dunia... indonesian food.. the best in the world~!