HONOLULU – While other national leaders play golf or ride horses to relax, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono says he composes songs.
One of his compositions – on the environment – was played just before he spoke to business leaders on Saturday on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Honolulu, Hawaii.
“Every leader anywhere always has a hobby. Some like to ride horses, some like to play golf, some like to go fishing,” the 62-year-old retired general said in response to a question.
“My hobby is to write songs, to compose songs. I don’t always do it but when I receive the inspiration, when the mood is right… I might write a song.”
He said he does this once every three or four months.
“This is my way of communicating to the people. If I use political language, there is always some misinterpretation,” Yudhoyono said through an interpreter.
“But if I use (songs) as a communication it is more easily accepted by anybody…. It is my way of freeing myself from the tension that is excessive as a leader.”
Lyrics of the song played before his speech Saturday reflected his passion to protect the environment:
“Come with me now to save this mother land
From the forest to the oceans to the sky
If we all just believe we could change everything
For the future of our children.”