How the soon-to-be World Bank Managing Director touched my life

Within the last week, news media headlines in Indonesia, both print and online, were dominated by the blockbuster success of Professor Mari Elka Pangestu, who is recently appointed as Managing Director, Development Policy and Partnerships for the World Bank. With her extensive background as the Minister of Trade Republic of Indonesia (2004—2011), the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Republic of Indonesia (2011—2014), and several prestigious positions at the world’s most reputable social and educational institutions, no one is dubious about her capability. Primarily endorsed by H.E. Joko Widodo, President of Indonesia, for the role, Professor Mari will become the second Indonesian woman to manage the World Bank.

Social media platforms in Indonesia, especially Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts of former and current government officers, economist, and business leaders, were also colorised by plenty of the appointment-related posts, praising Professor Mari for her new milestone. And I am no exception. She is someone I highly respect. Besides, I know her professionally and personally (but not too personal), so I decided to write an article about her.

In January 2015, I started my new job as the Public Outreach Officer at the Indonesia Services Dialogue Council (ISD), the first and the only Services Council in Indonesia. This council consisted of around 40 board members (trustees, advisors, founders, directors) and backed by a small team in the Executive Office. Professor Mari, who has emphasised the importance of services sectors since the day one at the Ministry of Trade, sat as ISD Advisor.

On 20 March 2015, along with ISD Executive Director and ISD Deputy Executive Director, I visited Professor Mari at her house in South Jakarta. It was the first time I meet her in person. The 25-year-old me was so overwhelmed by admiration for this charismatic, yet warm personality, whom I frequently saw on TV before. I was so happy to shake her hand and introduce myself. I was so excited too for having an opportunity to discuss policy-reform initiatives with her. Being in the same room with her made me feel that I was doing something important.

‘Although I have no background in economics, you can call me anytime, even after office hours, if you need an update about ISD. I will be very honored to work together with you,’ I said to her at the end of the meeting.

She didn’t say much. After several months, she contacted me to ask about ISD’s standpoint in various services-related issues. She also asked for the recent report and presentation that ISD made. For sure, I was happy to quickly respond to her in less than one hour. She emailed me at 8pm, and before 9 I have sent her what she asked for.

‘Thank you for your quick response, William,’ she wrote to me.

Actually, it was just me and ISD thing. It was not a special treatment that I give to Professor Mari because she is Professor Mari. At ISD, we were accustomed to respond quickly and correctly to any inquiries, and having this habit really helped us in growing our organisation. Professor Mari contacted me several times afterwards and overall she was happy with how our team worked at ISD.

Fast forward to the end of 2015, in December 2015 I tried my luck to see if I can get a scholarship to pursue a master degree overseas. I applied for the Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP) scholarship under the Ministry of Finance Republic of Indonesia. Too bad, I wasn’t successful at that time. In July 2016, I got the same result from the Australia Awards Scholarships.

Being rejected twice in less than a year didn’t discourage me. I kept doing what I did and applied for LPDP scholarship for the second time. For your information, each applicant is only allowed to apply for LPDP scholarship twice. If I failed, I wouldn’t have the third chance. So, I decided to consult Professor Mari. Surprisingly, she asked me to talk to one of her mentees, who won the LPDP scholarship recently. She was also willing to write me a letter of recommendation. These kind gestures really energised me, both morally and intellectually. If you look at my LinkedIn profile now, you will notice that I am an LPDP Awardee, which means that Professor Mari’s letter of recommendation has somehow opened a pathway for me to obtain a Master of Strategic Communication degree from The University of Western Australia.

I wrote this article on my old laptop in the middle of the night at my humble house in Perth CBD. The silence of the night kept whispering in my ear, reminding me to be grateful for what Professor Mari has contributed to my life. It is not 100% her and it is for sure. There are many people who contributed to making me who I am today. However, I believe that my life would encounter different plots if I hadn’t known her in 2015. To conclude, I am glad that our paths crossed, Professor Mari. All the best for your new journey!