AlaskaDenise
In Memoriam
http://www.thejakartapost.com/detailfeatures.asp?fileid=20060913.W04&irec=3
Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
When officials from the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) asked him to help with their campaign for the prevention of bird flu a few weeks ago, talk-show host Muhammad Farhan, 36, accepted immediately.
He only demanded one thing -- time. Time to sit together, to share views and to prepare for the project.
"We (the Unicef people and I) spent time in discussion. We did not debate the (campaign) schedule, but rather discussed the targets, the platform and other aspects of the project," Farhan told The Jakarta Post recently.
The results of these preparations are obvious.
During a one-hour interview, Farhan clearly explained how the public at large can help prevent the spread of bird flu. He did not use jargon or technical terms but straightforward language understandable to ordinary people.
"Bird flu relates to everybody's lifestyle. If we lead healthy lifestyles, we won't get infected."
"There are two important things. First, we should clean our hands before having meals, drinking or smoking. Second, if we cook chicken or other poultry, we should cook them well. Do not eat half-cooked eggs," he said, referring to the preference of many Indonesians for eggs prepared in this way.
For those who breed chickens or raise singing birds, Farhan suggested they should keep them separate from their own living space. People, he said, sometimes bring chickens into the house when it rains.
"Don't do that because it will increase the risk of bird flu. People should clean their bird cages regularly," he added.
Farhan acknowledged that his decision to get involved in the bird flu campaign has been driven by personal cicumstances. He lives in Tangerang, Banten, an area where there is a high prevalence of bird flu.
Nine out of 14 suspected bird flu patients in Banten have died, according latest data.
"Besides, I have two kids. I want the public at large to share my concerns," he said, adding that, coincidentally, Unicef is promoting the concept that bird flu can be prevented.
Unicef came to him with a method on how to achieve prevention and he has been asked to help with the Be Aware of Bird Flu public awareness campaign organized jointly by the National Committee for Avian Influenza Control and Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (Komnas FBPI) and Unicef Indonesia.
Although the campaign was launched only last Friday, it has already completed the recording of a radio campaign and the filming of a program for television.
"Insya Allah (God willing), we will campaign in the West Java regency of Garut before the start of the fasting month (on Sept. 24)," said Farhan, who has previous experience in similar activities.
Before taking on the job as Unicef ambassador for bird flu prevention, Farhan worked with two foundations -- Yayasan Cinta Anak Bangsa and Yayasan AIDS Indonesia -- on campaigns against drug abuse and HIV/AIDS, respectively.
When asked what is his personal target in the bird flu campaign, Farhan said he wanted to ensure all Indonesians across the country can enjoy a healthy lifestyle.
"The simplest thing is to wash your hands before and after doing something -- that's it," he said.
Born in Bogor on Feb. 25, 1970, Farhan is among few public figures who still devote part of their time to thinking about others. While other celebrities make headlines with family feuds, this rising talk-show host has dreams of establishing a social foundation.
"I believe in what (first vice president) Bung Hatta said that each private entity must fulfill a social function. As a talk-show host and emcee, I consider myself to be a private individual," he said.
He said that he worked hard every day to support his family and sometimes to benefit close friends.
When we talk about social responsibilities, Farhan says, the question is whether, with his fame and fortune, he can be useful to other people -- whom he may not know.
"These activities are part of my social function," he said.
Farhan said that he is not wealthy enough to establish bodies like the Rockefeller or Johns Hopkins foundations.
"So, this is my opportunity to make myself a useful human being," said Farhan, who started his public speaking career in 1983 while in the second grade of junior high school in Bandung, West Java.
It was during those years that Farhan began to realize he had some talent in this field. When he moved on to senior high school, Farhan started to become an emcee.
He made his stage debut with the Padhyangan (a comedy group from Bandung) while a university student. Afterward, he worked for a radio station in the same city as an assistant writer.
Coming to Jakarta as a nobody, Farhan worked for a TV station. "I started my career as a dogsbody, tidying up cables, doing makeup and helping with costumes -- and here I am today," he said.
Now, Farhan is a successful and busy man. He is the person behind some favorite programs on ANTV and Trans TV, some of them highly rated.
Despite his many activities, Farhan endeavors to spend quality time with his family.
"I always try to enjoy breakfast with my family and drive my kids to school. It is they who made me realize I should take on the bird flu campaign," he said.
.
Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
When officials from the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) asked him to help with their campaign for the prevention of bird flu a few weeks ago, talk-show host Muhammad Farhan, 36, accepted immediately.
He only demanded one thing -- time. Time to sit together, to share views and to prepare for the project.
"We (the Unicef people and I) spent time in discussion. We did not debate the (campaign) schedule, but rather discussed the targets, the platform and other aspects of the project," Farhan told The Jakarta Post recently.
The results of these preparations are obvious.
During a one-hour interview, Farhan clearly explained how the public at large can help prevent the spread of bird flu. He did not use jargon or technical terms but straightforward language understandable to ordinary people.
"Bird flu relates to everybody's lifestyle. If we lead healthy lifestyles, we won't get infected."
"There are two important things. First, we should clean our hands before having meals, drinking or smoking. Second, if we cook chicken or other poultry, we should cook them well. Do not eat half-cooked eggs," he said, referring to the preference of many Indonesians for eggs prepared in this way.
For those who breed chickens or raise singing birds, Farhan suggested they should keep them separate from their own living space. People, he said, sometimes bring chickens into the house when it rains.
"Don't do that because it will increase the risk of bird flu. People should clean their bird cages regularly," he added.
Farhan acknowledged that his decision to get involved in the bird flu campaign has been driven by personal cicumstances. He lives in Tangerang, Banten, an area where there is a high prevalence of bird flu.
Nine out of 14 suspected bird flu patients in Banten have died, according latest data.
"Besides, I have two kids. I want the public at large to share my concerns," he said, adding that, coincidentally, Unicef is promoting the concept that bird flu can be prevented.
Unicef came to him with a method on how to achieve prevention and he has been asked to help with the Be Aware of Bird Flu public awareness campaign organized jointly by the National Committee for Avian Influenza Control and Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (Komnas FBPI) and Unicef Indonesia.
Although the campaign was launched only last Friday, it has already completed the recording of a radio campaign and the filming of a program for television.
"Insya Allah (God willing), we will campaign in the West Java regency of Garut before the start of the fasting month (on Sept. 24)," said Farhan, who has previous experience in similar activities.
Before taking on the job as Unicef ambassador for bird flu prevention, Farhan worked with two foundations -- Yayasan Cinta Anak Bangsa and Yayasan AIDS Indonesia -- on campaigns against drug abuse and HIV/AIDS, respectively.
When asked what is his personal target in the bird flu campaign, Farhan said he wanted to ensure all Indonesians across the country can enjoy a healthy lifestyle.
"The simplest thing is to wash your hands before and after doing something -- that's it," he said.
Born in Bogor on Feb. 25, 1970, Farhan is among few public figures who still devote part of their time to thinking about others. While other celebrities make headlines with family feuds, this rising talk-show host has dreams of establishing a social foundation.
"I believe in what (first vice president) Bung Hatta said that each private entity must fulfill a social function. As a talk-show host and emcee, I consider myself to be a private individual," he said.
He said that he worked hard every day to support his family and sometimes to benefit close friends.
When we talk about social responsibilities, Farhan says, the question is whether, with his fame and fortune, he can be useful to other people -- whom he may not know.
"These activities are part of my social function," he said.
Farhan said that he is not wealthy enough to establish bodies like the Rockefeller or Johns Hopkins foundations.
"So, this is my opportunity to make myself a useful human being," said Farhan, who started his public speaking career in 1983 while in the second grade of junior high school in Bandung, West Java.
It was during those years that Farhan began to realize he had some talent in this field. When he moved on to senior high school, Farhan started to become an emcee.
He made his stage debut with the Padhyangan (a comedy group from Bandung) while a university student. Afterward, he worked for a radio station in the same city as an assistant writer.
Coming to Jakarta as a nobody, Farhan worked for a TV station. "I started my career as a dogsbody, tidying up cables, doing makeup and helping with costumes -- and here I am today," he said.
Now, Farhan is a successful and busy man. He is the person behind some favorite programs on ANTV and Trans TV, some of them highly rated.
Despite his many activities, Farhan endeavors to spend quality time with his family.
"I always try to enjoy breakfast with my family and drive my kids to school. It is they who made me realize I should take on the bird flu campaign," he said.
.