CHARISMA.
The nations in ASEAN were born and shaped by prominent charismatic leaders. Leaders, like the late Lee Kuan Yew and Malaysia’s first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman rallied massive amount of people with their fiery ideas and speeches.
These leaders and their ardent followers became one of the key ingredients in the modern-day nation building process in ASEAN.
Indonesia achieved its independence from the Dutch in August, 1945 following arduous struggle by peace-loving people. One of the last acts before the Independence was to formulate the shape of new Indonesia.
One man’s idea and speech came into prominence.
Soekarno fielded the burning question posed by Dr Radjiman Wedyodiningrat at the Badan Penyelidik Usaha Persiapan Kemerdekaan Indonesia (BPUPKI) conference in June, 1945 on principles of the new Indonesia.
Dr Radjiman posed this question at the beginning of the three-day conference; “What policies will Indonesia make after the independence?” (“Apa dasar Indonesia jika Merdeka kelak?”).
After three days, the head of BPUPKI, Soekarno answered with a rousing call to unite people, from as far as Aceh to Irian, in his grand aspiration to form one united nation.
A nation for all, not just the rich nor the poor, for everyone to live in harmony and prosper. These principles were later worked into what is now known as the Pancasila, the five tenets that forms the basis of the modern Indonesia. (Indonesia celebrates its second Hari Pancasila today).
Soekarno’s clear and persuasive voice was aided by his handsome, imposing figure. Tall and broad-shouldered, he was always impeccably dressed.
This gave the man the aura, that je ne sais quoi, that elevated an individual to a leader.
One of Soekarno’s nine wives, Dewi Sukarno recalled her first meeting with the first President of Indonesia when she was 19 years old. In her own words, during an interview with a news network in Indonesia not too long ago, the regal Dewi Sokarno stressed that she was impressed with his knowledge of Japan.
Soekarno was a worldly man with deep interests in everything. Dewi Sukarno fondly recalled her years with the late president with a twinkle in her eyes, mixed with deepening admiration and reverence.
There were many criticisms towards Soekarno’s ideology and actions during his 22 years in power. But one just cannot deny his oozing charisma, passion and oratory skills that had moved mountains and united the tens of thousands of islands and its many inhabitants.
In 2016, Indonesian President Joko Widodo memorialised the date and declared June 1 as Hari Pancasila or Pancasila Day.
For this episode of Rizal’s ASEAN, I sat down with one of Asia’s most-acclaimed debater, Mifzal Mohammed.
It's not hard to see why he achieved the many successes, his thoughts were very clear, he spoke with eloquence and confidence, and he was calm and composed. From the photos that he shared, Mifzal is also supported by an incredibly energetic team.
I have never seen him debating live, but I have watched countless videos of him tackling various issues like a walk in the park. No qualms, no inhibitions.
Mifzal, a student of Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Shah Alam, was selected as Chief Adjudicator of the 2018 World Championship in Mexico.
This edition is the first of a two-part episode with Mifzal where I prodded him on the ASEAN advantage and how that has shaped his views on global issues.
Mifzal represented an interesting group of young people in ASEAN. These individuals are hardworking, a bright bunch of people who excel in what they do, forming the perception towards Asian and ASEAN.
This and their aspirations, complemented with that earsplitting voice, are waiting to be heard around the globe.
Rizal’s ASEAN is aired on Astro AWANI (Channel 501) on Saturdays at 1.15 pm.
Rizal Zulkapli
Thu Jun 01 2017
Soekarno's clear and persuasive voice complemented his handsome, imposing figure. Tall and broad-shouldered he was always impeccably dressed. - Filepic
Muhammad Hakim Danish naik podium di GP Sepanyol
Pelumba muda negara Muhammad Hakim Danish Ramli mempamerkan peningkatan prestasi apabila menamatkan perlumbaan 2 Grand Prix (GP) Sepanyol bagi saingan Rookies Cup di kedudukan podium hari ini.
10 Berita Pilihan - (28 April 2024)
Antara pelbagai berita dalam dan luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
AWANI Ringkas: Inspektor ditahan kerja
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.
'Dek Wan' terus menyinar di Maghribi
Dek Wan mempamerkan larian bertenaga dengan mencatat masa 12.52 saat (s) untuk meninggalkan Taha Al Harrasi (12.65s) dari Oman.
Piala Thomas: Malaysia tempah slot ke suku akhir
Malaysia berjaya menempah slot ke suku akhir selepas menewaskan Algeria dengan kemenangan 5-0 dalam saingan Piala Thomas di Chengdu, China sebentar tadi.
Thailand: Enam muka baharu sertai Kabinet Srettha
Perdana Menteri Thailand Srettha Thavisin melantik enam menteri kabinet baharu.
Anwar bertemu PM Jordan, tekan kepentingan sokong pengiktirafan negara Palestin di PBB
Pada pertemuan itu, Perdana Menteri turut menekankan kepentingan memastikan Israel dipertanggungjawabkan terhadap kekejamannya di Palestin.
Lebih ramai atlet dijangka layak ke Paris 2024
Kontinjen Malaysia ke Sukan Olimpik Paris 2024 terus diperkuat dengan empat lagi atlet berjaya mengesahkan slot ke temasya terbesar dunia itu minggu ini, menjadikan sejumlah 10 atlet layak setakat ini
AWANI Ringkas: Polis sahkan Chegu Bard direman dua hari
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.
Pegawai kastam maut dalam kemalangan babit tiga kenderaan
Seorang pegawai kastam maut dalam kemalangan membabitkan tiga kenderaan di Kilometer 18.2 Lebuh Raya Utara Selatan arah Utara, semalam.
Negara maju harus tundukkan 'ego' dan bekerjasama dengan ASEAN - Penganalisis
Menurut Faisal, ini kerana negara membangun di ASEAN sedang mencorak ekonomi ke arah lebih mampan yang perlu dimanfaatkan negara maju
PM Vietnam cadang ASEAN jadi model transformasi digital global
Perdana Menteri Vietnam mencadangkan orientasi kejayaan untuk menjadikan ASEAN sebagai model dalam transformasi digital di peringkat global.
Malaysia muncul destinasi utama pengembangan perniagaan di ASEAN - Kajian UOB
Malaysia telah muncul sebagai negara paling penting dalam ASEAN untuk diceburi perniagaan, seperti yang ditunjukkan oleh Kajian Tinjauan Perniagaan UOB 2024 (PKS & Perusahaan Besar).
Malaysia perlu masa untuk teliti cadangan visa bersama enam negara ASEAN
Malaysia memerlukan lebih masa untuk meneliti cadangan Thailand mengenai program visa bersama dengan enam negara ASEAN lain.
Konflik Myanmar: ASEAN tegas kepentingan laksana Konsensus Lima Perkara
ASEAN tegaskan semula komitmen bantu Myanmar cari penyelesaian dengan mewujudkan persekitaran kondusif melalu pelaksanaan Konsensus Lima Perkara.
Ringgit ditutup rendah berbanding dolar AS
Pada 6 petang, ringgit merosot kepada 4.7785/7815 berbanding dolar AS daripada 4.7680/7730 semasa ditutup pada Jumaat.
Malaysia sedia jadi hab pusat untuk Pejabat Keluarga di ASEAN
ASEAN semakin mendapat fokus daripada firma pejabat keluarga berikutan kestabilan ekonomi dan pertumbuhan di rantau ini.
LRT Pulau Pinang: Mobiliti, pemangkin pelancongan dan tidak ancam perkhidmatan feri
Pelaksanaan projek LRT Laluan Mutiara Pulau Pinang, dilihat sebagai pengangkutan alternatif penduduk negeri ini bagi mengatasi masalah trafik.
Jenama “Kuasa Tenaga Boleh Diperbaharui Asia” bakal lonjak Sarawak ke persada global - Abang Jo
Abang Johari Tun Openg berkata, Sarawak berpotensi menjadi hab inisiatif peralihan kepada penggunaan tenaga tanpa karbon ketika dunia bergerak ke arah -net-zero- menjelang 2050.
ASEAN: Saifuddin gesa Malaysia lebih proaktif tangani isu Myanmar
Usaha proaktif akan membolehkan Malaysia membentuk persekitaran yang aman dan inklusif dalam rantau ASEAN.