Basuri T. Purnama CEO of the People

Basuri T. Purnama walked with a charisma of a leader but also a peer, straight into the elegant lobby of the Jababeka building, where he has long been advisor to the company for its Morotai project.

PT Jababeka Morotai was appointed as the implementing entity of the Morotai development project by the Coordinating Ministry of Economic Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia. Morotai’s development will be focusing on tourism, agricultural and fishing industries, the main aspects of development where Purnama has had extensive experience in developing, during his political years as regent of East Belitung.

Although successful in politics, Purnama’s educational background was Medicine. As a resident and doctor, he had worked at a government owned local hospital. Intrigued, REGISTRY inquired about his upbringing, that influenced him to grow into a man with such broad interest and capacity.

“My father always had a ‘grown-up’ talk with us kids, regarding his job, and corrupt practices,” he answered, “What was deeply imprinted into our conscience was his teaching of ancient Chinese philosophy: the poor should not fight against the rich, and the rich should not fight against government officials. If you want to fight officials, be one yourself. if you want to change the system, be a part of the system. There is no use in complaining from the outside.

From the time he was in the 3rd grade of elementary school, Basuri T. Purnama, had always wanted to become a doctor. when he finished his education, his father charged him to return to his hometown to contribute to the society there, through the advancement of its local government-owned hospital. Little did he know, that returning to Belitung was like a seed planted for his political career.

Basuri T. Purnama first went into politics because he was encouraged and inspired by his brother, former governor of Jakarta, Basuki T. Purnama, also known as Ahok. The two brothers had the same vision to develop their hometown. After big brother stepped down from office he believed that not continuing the work he started, as he had planned, would have been a great loss for the people. He wanted his younger brother to continue grow the flourishing economy. “I had personal experiences that convinced me, helping the people here was my calling,” said Basuri T. Purnama. He reminisced the time when his father taught him how to be leader. he then took upon himself the responsibility the people have entrusted him and called himself ‘the CEO of the people’. He wanted to answer the people ( Setiawan Liu / IM )