April, Makassar, Sulawesi Selatan, Indonesia, Meeting Time Twin #30 Hiyar

Hiyar and I

Hiyar and I, Makassar. Photograph: Stuart Scott/Culturpology

After a week exploring Sulewesi Selatan, today provided the highlight of my trip to this incredible, diverse island.  In my last day in Makassar, the bustling, dynamic capital city of the province, I was honoured to spend the afternoon with local Time Twin, civil engineer and politician Hiyar.

Over lunch at the wonderful Lea Lea fish restaurant,  we discussed everything from cultural identity, to religion, the nature of success to house music. After seeing Hiyar’s name on the ballot paper for the Sulewesi Selatan provincial elections, when I was  in Gowa on April 9th,  it was fascinating to hear Hiyar explain his political beliefs,  his views the issues affecting Gowa and  Makassa, the ideology of the Partai Demokrasi Indonesia Perjuangan and his achievement in establishing three community mosques in Gowa .

I was genuinely touched by Hiyar’s hospitality and his family’s interest in the project and  I  look forward to visiting Makassar again soon. Hopefully the election results, due next week, will announce Hiyar’s success.  Thanks to Hiyar, his friend Ahmad for his invaluable interpretation and to Hiyar’s family

Hiyar's campaign poster
Hiyar’s campaign poster