His Excellency Mr. Bagas Hapsoro – Indonesia

 

The Diafanís Magazine is honored to interview His Excellency Mr. Bagas Hapsoro and talk about remarkable stations and convictions in his life.

 

• Excellency, you occupied many positions in the diplomatic corps, for instance you served your duty in Lebanon, then you moved to Sweden and Latvia. Was there any commonality between Lebanon, Sweden and Latvia? How did you come to choose the diplomacy field that led to you serving as an Ambassador?

 

At first, I joined the Ministry of Research and Technology (BPPT), but decided to pursue a path in diplomacy. I left BPPT after six months and shortly prepared for the civil service examination.

My first posting was in New York from 1987 until 1991. During that period, I took up a master’s programme in law and macro-economic policies at St John’s University. In 1994, I served in the Indonesian Consulate General in Houston for my second posting. Afterwards I was crossposted back to New York at the Indonesian Permanent Mission until 1999. Following that, Geneva became my next post in 2002. I dealt with matters under the purview of the World Trade Organization.

In Houston my responsibilities lied in bilateral issues with a focus on the economic side. I had since extensively dealt with bilateral issues. For three years (2002-2005) I was the Secretary to the Directorate General of ASEAN Cooperation at the Foreign Ministry in Jakarta. Before moving to Stockholm in 2015, I took a position as Special Adviser on Management issues to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. I dealt with human resources, finance and career planning.

In short, each post brought distinctive areas for my diplomatic career. Both multilateral and bilateral diplomacy are critical and require deliberation by every stakeholder involved. To have in-depth understanding of the issues is therefore important.

On the commonality between Lebanon, Sweden and Latvia

Lebanon and Sweden put forward the agenda of international peace and security. For Lebanon, its political and economic situation is heavily influenced by political developments in the Middle Eastern region and its relations with neighboring countries. Today Sweden is a neutral and non-aligned country in regard to foreign and security policy.

Since the United Nations was formed, Sweden has always been active in bringing forward peace and security in various regions, including Lebanon.

At this level, Indonesia has committed to carry out its international duties in maintaining security and order under the United Nations Interim Force for Lebanon (UNIFIL) since 2006.

While residing in Stockholm, I also presided over the Indonesian relations with Latvia. Latvia ranks 39th in the Human Development Index.  It performs favorably in measurements of civil liberties, press freedom, democrativ governance, living standards and peacefulness.  Latvia became a member of the European Union in 2004 and signed the Lisbon Treaty  in 2007.

On another note, Lebanon and Sweden are large coffee-consuming countries. There are plenty of Lebanese fans of Ahwe coffee. Sweden is also known to be the top 3 coffee drinkers in the world. This undeniably offers a good opportunity for coffee-exporting countries, such as Indonesia.

The diplomacy field that led to me serving as an Ambassador

My ambassadorial posts began in 2007 when the Indonesian government assigned me to be posted in Lebanon. After 2 (two) years in Beirut, the Indonesian Minister for Foreign Affairs offered me to apply for a new position in the ASEAN Secretariat; namely as the Deputy Secretary General of ASEAN. This proved to be critical for my professional development, since I was stationed in the capital where ASEAN’s policies were formulated.

I also had the honour to be appointed as Indonesian Ambassador to Sweden, which also covered Latvia. Personally speaking, this journey was enabled by the continued focus and consistent mission to actively participate in creating peace in the world through diplomacy.

 

• Can you tell us about your experiences in “people-to-people relations”, especially when you served as Ambassador of Indonesia to Lebanon whereas a massive earthquake struck Padang, Sumatera in 2009?

 

During my tenure as the Indonesian Ambassador to Lebanon from 2007-2010, there were two specific moments that I’d like to highlight my ‘’people-to-people relations’ experience.

In 2009, an earthquake struck in Padang, the capital city of West SumateraThe disaster led to the loss of over 1,000 lives, and 3,000 injured civilians across the affected regions. It hit me personally, as I’ve lived in Padang during my childhood.

With music as my main hobby, I composed a song to raise awareness of the disaster. The song was performed in a charity event held in Beirut, organized by the Indonesian Embassy. Proceeds from the event were donated to the earthquake victims in Padang.

The lyrics served as a message for the people of Padang that they were not alone in facing these adversaries, that  their brothers and sisters in Lebanon had not forgotten them. The song was titled “Padang don’t lose your hope” and sung by a a Lebanese musician t, Rania Abi Nader, and an Indonesian UNIFIL peacekeeping soldier, Erwin Mursidi.

Furthermore, in November 2009 the delegation of Indonesia attended the Kahlil Gibran International Seminar in Beirut. The seminar was organized by the Lebanese American University (LAU), in collaboration with the Gibran National Committee.

The delegation from Indonesia was the board of the Indonesian Heritage Trust, including Dr. Setyano Santoso and Eka Budianta, a renowned Indonesian artist. From the Gibran National Committee, included Ms. Hoda Zohrob. I am happy with the collaboration, because the Indonesian Heritage Trust brought forward a number of aspects:

1).   Provide input to the Indonesian Government to support the preservation of Indonesian-Heritage,

2).   Assist and strengthen community movements for preservation,

3).   Develop a conservation funding system. The Indonesian Heritage Trust provides an education program, as well as a disaster response program, for heritage rescue (heritage emergency response).

 

• What message you wish to convey to the whole world and what experiences you name to support it?

 

Our world’s challenges are increasingly diverse and complex. A year ago, nobody predicted COVID-19 to be a global pandemic. Whilst at the same time some other pressing issues are still high on the agenda, such as poverty, environmental pollution, transnational crime and international trade. These issues should be addressed on bilateral, regional and multilateral levels.

 

• We know that you are passionate with music. Do you compose and write songs?

 

As a matter of fact, I’m unable to read or write music notes; nor do I understand music theory. I don’t see music as dots on a page. It’s something in my head that goes on. Yet despite my lack of knowledge in musical theory, I have composed music for years.

 

• Do you think music can play a role in swaying people? What values can music add on a personal level and how it can bond people?

 

I believe that music and arts are both very powerful tools of communication. Without realizing it, many countries share similar styles of music. I believe that the feeling of familiarity to another culture can promote a stronger sense of unity. Especially with the ease of exposure to various musical styles brought forward by globalization, we are becoming more connected than we have ever been.

 

• Excellency, you have so many times played music in important events held on different occasions.  Is there any personal or special message you wish to convey each time you participate?

 

It has always been an honor for me to perform music at official events. On occasion I would perform solo, but most of the time I’m accompanied by talented musicians consisting of not only Indonesians and people of all nations, who share a flair and passion for music. Often, we would perform very well-known pop songs with a twist, by adding traditional Indonesian instruments and arrangements.

 

In Beirut and Sweden, I have had the chance to perform with a fantastic Indonesian traditional music ensemble called ‘’Saung Udjo’’. They use traditional instruments such as angklung, which is made of bamboos, and perform modern or classic hits from the country they’re performing in, and that has always been well received by attendees. The message that we always aim to convey during these performances is that, regardless of our language or cultural barriers, we can always connect with one another through music.  

Now, with recording technology, songwriters don’t have to be able to write music on paper to make a record of their work: they simply record audio.

From 2016 to 2019, I spearheaded what has now become the annual Indonesian Festival  showcasing traditional Indonesian musical performance in Stockholm. We entertained them with traditional dances, Indonesian cuisine and beverages.

The Indonesian Embassy was and still remains to be devoted in introducing our music and arts to the world.

We must cooperate in solving all issues. All countries in the world, both large and small, have their share and role to solve it. We only have one planet. Therefore, universal principles must be upheld. And everyone must actively set an example, not just talk. Indonesia vows to be an active member in the international community in upholding peace and security.

 

• Which country among countries you visited you loved most?

 

This is a good question. It is hard to say one country is better than the other. I am grateful that the countries I’ve visited throughout my career made lasting memories. Few countries can even be complemented by the beauty of its neighbouring countries.

One of the most memorable ones is in fact, a small city named Baalbek, located in the wide Bekaa Valley in Lebanon. I had visited the city many times, and fell in love with it every single time.

Baalbek temple is a complex that is built by the Roman in the 2nd century. It has a fabulous architecture.

In fact it is considered as one of the most beautiful archeological sites in Lebanon and it is registered as a site of the UNESCO World Heritage.

According to a myth, it was dominated by Nimrod the legendary, who ruled Lebanon at that era. As for the Temple that is named Bacchus, it is a part of Baalbek complex and one of the best preserved and grandest Roman ruins in Lebanon.

During my posting in Lebanon, I had the honour of hosting the Ramayana Ballet, featuring an Indonesian traditional dance group flown all the way from Yogyakarta in 2008. The show successfully promoted the Indonesian cultural arts and received much appreciation from the Lebanese local community. Aside from the historical site, I also loved the scenic mountains as well as the delicious local delicacies.

The tranquility of the city also brought forward this sense of inner peace; a trait which I was also fortunate to re-experience during my stay in Stockholm, as well as visits to Riga.

Interviewed by Mag. Marisa Avogadro Thomé. Journalist and writer from Mendoza, Argentina.

 

 

ABOUT HIS EXCELLENCY MR BAGAS HAPSORO

 

Ambassador Bagas Hapsoro born in Jogyakarta in 1958, married to Mrs. Sumaningsih Retno Savitri and has two daughters: Mustika Larasati and Lestarini Saraswati.

Education:

Ambassador Bagas Hapsoro graduated from Law for Bachelor Degree at the University of Indonesia in 1984.
He was then pursued his Masters of Arts degree at St. John University in New York and graduated in 1991.

Work Experiences:

– Ambassador to the Kingdom of Sweden and Republic Latvia, 2016 – 2020,
Stockholm, Sweden.
– Member of the General Council of the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation, 2012 – 2015.
– Senior Advisor to the Minister for Management Issues of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2014, Jakarta, Indonesia.
– Deputy Secretary General for Community and Corporate Affairs of the ASEAN Secretariat, at the Indonesian Ministry for Foreign Affairs, 2010 – 2013, Jakarta,
Indonesia.
– Ambassador for the Republic of Lebanon, 2007 – 2010, Beirut, Lebanon.
– Director for the ASEAN Dialogue Partners and Intra-regional Cooperation, at the Indonesian Ministry for Foreign Affairs, 2005 – 2007.
– Head of Economic Department at the Indonesian Permanent Mission to the UN in New York two times in New York, USA.
– Head of Economic Department at the Indonesian Permanent Mission and others International Institutions, Geneva, Switzerland.
– Deputy Director of the International Trade Cooperation, Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2000 – 2001, Jakarta, Indonesia.
– Desk Officer at Directorate of Trade Cooperation between Developing Countries, Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 1999, Jakarta, Indonesia.

Decorations:
1. Honorary member of the Indonesian Contingent to the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL), March 2019.
2. UN Senior Military Leadership Course, Buenos Aires, 2011
3. GATT/World Trade Organization Course, Geneva, 1992

 

PHOTOGRAPHS: COURTESY OF HIS EXCELLENCY MR. BAGAS HAPSORO 

 

In the kindergarten

 

 Students playing music

 

His Excellency surrounded with his beloved students

 

His Excellency with the Lebanese singer Rania Abi Nader

«This is another explanation why I love music, especially playing an instrument, which is  called Oud. While in Lebanon I learned a musical instrument called the Oud. A kind of guitar with a unique shape with a set of strings. The sound of the instrument really touched my heart. So, coming home from Lebanon I bought some Ouds.

I once accompanied a Lebanese singer, Rania Abi Nader with a famous song, called Nassam Alainal Hawa. Originally, this song was sung by the Lebanese singer, Fairuz. I remember when I performed the song Nassam Alanal Hawa, a lot of people joined in the singing and even dance», His Excellency said.