Prabowo, General of the Reading Field
[Prabowo Subianto in his Library]
Lately there is a lot of news about the arguments, both the pros and cons related to Prabowo's statement that Indonesia has already disbanded 2030. It is quoted from the book of novel by strategist and Intelligence Peter W. Singer.
I am here not going to discuss any further related to the pros and cons. But I would like to share some of what it would be like to be a staff member or a "santri boy" from a Field General of the former Indonesian Special Forces Commander who had a very high reading passion.
Just imagine, as long as I am a personal assistant and also have chance to stay in Mr. Prabowo's house for 5 years. Between 2010 till 2014 I see and feel how Prabowo is very enthusiastic about the book and read it. Of course almost everything he read in the English literature.
Prabowo basically read books with special themes, which according to my knowledge can be divided into several themes, namely:
ECONOMIC, HISTORY, DEFENSE SECURITY, ALUTSISTA MAGAZINE, POLITICAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, OTOBIOGRAPHY STORES, SOME ISLAMIC VIEWS and sometimes also PROPERTY MAGAZINE.
Books with 300 pages can be read in just a few days. Even in the midst of busy busy it is always filled with reading.
Reading can be done in the Car, in the office, in the lounge even in the toilet (there is a special shelf in the toilet that contains many books).
For us, he also did not hesitate to give orders to us to read books books he read. A kind of compulsory book for young cadres.
Sometimes for me a little lazy to read this does not need to read the book, just listen to his reviews about books he read books.
Then where did he buy his book?
As far as I know, Prabowo buys the book at a local bookstore as well as a bookstore overseas.
Saturday Sunday at the time he was free and read books usually he will go to Konikuniya in Plaza Senayan to buy at least at least 10 more books and magazines.
That's where, sometimes I feel obliged to also buy books. How not, the boss bought a book that much is our cook the young man nobody bought?
For the curious please can be asked to staff of Konikuniya Bookstore in Plaza Senayan.
For Prabowo Bookstore is a place of recreation for him. Even on the occasion of overseas visits, with a solid agenda, Prabowo always wanted a special time to buy Books.
KINOKUNIYA for visits to Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
[Books Kinokuniya Main Office]
While in PARIS there is a bookstore JW SMITH is an example of a bookstore that became subscription pack Prabowo Subianto.
Usually in every visit abroad, our entourage always add 1 minimal suitcase containing the books Prabowo bought abroad. Sometimes the book book is so much and the weight has to be divided into a few suitcases of the adjutant and the accompanying staff.
In certain topic topics, Prabowo often purchases the same book with the number of many whose purpose later to be shared or given to some people as READING LIST for young cadres in his neighborhood.
The secret by Ronda Bryne, Warrior of the Light by Paulo Colheo, Water by Steven Solomon, The Swordless Samurai by Masao Kitami, Why the West Has Won by Victor Davis Hanson, Money by Felix Martin, Currency Wars by James Rickards, Gandhi an Autobiography the works of Sissela Bok and many others are examples of books that Prabowo read and we bought the book so we also read it.
Books are the windows of our teacher's word in school - and that's true.
I saw it myself from the figure of Prabowo Subianto. How he always does not feel complacent always read and learn. Learn from history, learn from world's leading experts through his books. Learn from the life story of world leaders.
For me personally, Mr. Prabowo is a great character who inspired my life