'They consider me a father': Indonesian envoy in Hong Kong on life in a 'home territory' with 150,000 domestic helpers
Indonesian diplomat Chalief Akbar is never happier than when he's at 'home' in Causeway Bay, with its huge numbers of domestic helpers
Indonesia's top diplomat in Hong Kong, Chalief Akbar, feels at home walking along the streets of Causeway Bay.
Every Sunday thousands of domestic helpers, mostly from the Philippines and Indonesia, gather at Victoria Park and line the nearby streets of the district in the heart of the city.
They sit on colourful pieces of cloth where they share food, drinks and laughter.
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"In Hong Kong, we can easily find Indonesian food, especially our office here in Causeway Bay," says Akbar, Indonesia's consul general in Hong Kong.
Causeway Bay is almost like "Indonesian territory" to him.
Akbar, 51, took up the post about two years ago. The seasoned diplomat had been posted in Pakistan, East Timor, Singapore and Washington in the United States before landing the top job in Hong Kong.
With about 150,000 Indonesian domestic helpers in Hong Kong making up almost half of the total helper population, Akbar is well aware that he has a huge responsibility.
"As the consul general, they consider me a father," Akbar said after an event last month that marked the end of the holy month of Ramadan, which thousands attended in Victoria Park.
As soon as the event ended, in almost a celebrity meet-and-greet session, Indonesian after Indonesian approached Akbar to take photos with him.
"I always tell them, please consider the consulate your second home," Akbar said in between people asking to shake his hand and take photos with him.
On most days, Akbar arrives at his office at 8am and works for 12 hours. Sometimes he starts earlier, occasionally getting to the airport at 5am to greet guests from Indonesia.
As for weekends: "I don't have weekends like anybody else because we are open on Sunday."
"I have been here for two years. I still have not had enough time or chance to explore Hong Kong fully, especially outside Hong Kong Island," he says.
When he's not working, he finds time for his family and his favourite sport - badminton.
"Just so-so. I just try to hit the [shuttlecock]," he says, when asked if he is a good player.
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When it comes to what Indonesia can learn from Hong Kong, Akbar points to the city's infrastructure and public transport.
"The infrastructure and services in Hong Kong are very good here. In Indonesia, you know, we have 17,000 islands. In terms of infrastructure, the main job for us is on how to connect the dots."
The Indonesian government recently rolled out an infrastructure development road map. It is inviting foreign investment to build 15 airports, 24 ports, 35 power plants, 1,000km of toll roads, 3,258km of railways, eight special economic zones and 14 industrial estates by 2019.
The country's consular official in charge of economic matters in the city, Ratna Lestari, said earlier that she hoped Hong Kong would at least regain the No 4 slot it held in the 1980s in terms of foreign investment in the country.
