Moazzam Malik, British Ambassador to Indonesia are Muslim first and Joy Lotek

Moazzam Malik, British Ambassador to Indonesia are Muslim first and Joy Lotek

British Ambassador to Indonesia Moazzam Malik

British Ambassador to Indonesia Moazzam Malik (Photo: Nograhanya WK)

Jakarta - "Olina," British ambassador friendly greetings for the new RI Moazzam Malik told reporters. The first British ambassador Muslim tells all his impression about Indonesia.

"I am a Muslim. I was the first British Ambassador to Indonesia are Muslim. In other countries, there are 2-3 Islamic my colleagues who served in other countries," said Malik.

It was announced by Malik in a press conference with reporters at his official residence in Jalan Teuku Umar 72-74, Central Jakarta, Friday (12/19/2014). Certainly not merely religion that makes Malik assigned to Indonesia, but because of the ability and profesionalistasnya.

"Not only was I a Muslim, but because I had a long experience in South Asia, the Middle East and East Africa. I have confidence in my capabilities," said Malik.

Before becoming ambassador, Malik had served as Director General While at the Department for International Development, overseeing the British cooperation in the Middle East and Western Asia. Before moving to Jakarta, Malik had sat on the Advisory Board for the UK All Party Parliamentary Group areas of conflict and members of the advisory group on the UN Secretary General for Emergency Funding and had worked for NGOs in eliminating child labor in the carpet industry of South Asia.

In a press conference, Malik much wear fairly fluent Indonesian. Malik admitted that he had learned Indonesian for 6 months before he actually served in the new place on October 20, 2014 last.

"I learned Indonesian for 6 months. 5 Months in London and 1 month in Yogyakarta, in June 2014," added the man who is now smooth the Indonesian language through the novels of Agatha Christie who speak Indonesian.

While studying Indonesian at Yogyakarta during the first month, Malik was a boarder and eat local food.

"I was boarding there. Mrs. boarding my kind," he said.

About local food, Malik admitted selling traditional love-like hodgepodge. "I love selling traditional. Almost every day I eat selling traditional. Because spicy, delicious. That's like selling traditional hodgepodge yes," added the man of Pakistani origin who was born and raised in London.

When asked about the condition of Jakarta, which is identical to a standstill, even Malik said that Jakarta is a city that is comfortable.

"Most of the time I keep an eye on development in South Asia, the Middle East, East Africa. So I think it is the capital city of Jakarta, comfortable and attractive. I see also all Indonesian people smile," said Malik, who also always smiling during this press conference.

According to him, every town and country have always had a problem in itself. However, behind the problems, there are sides of interesting and good opportunities.

"In Jakarta a lot of entertainment, sunny weather, nice, but not too hot. Because I've experienced weather in South Asia are hotter," said the owner of this MoazzamTMalik@@Twitter account.

Certainly when stuck in traffic in Jakarta, Malik had objects 'time killer'.

"I have some reading material in my car, also HP if traffic conditions. But I am happy here, my son loved to school here, even my wife was happy shopping here," said the father of three children who had followed the hubbub of the inauguration of President Jokowi in Indonesia traffic circle to the monument on 20 October 2014.