Kneeling for the Nation
Author: Dr. H. Hardi Selamat Hood
Publisher: Focus Publishing Intermedia
Editor: Muhammad Natsir Tahar
ISBN: 978-602-61219-3-6
Graphic Designer: Mahfut Azhari
Pages: 500
First Edition: March 2019
Author’s Note
Alhamdulillah, all praise be to Allah SWT for the completion of the writing and publication of this book, Kneeling for the Nation (Reflections of a Senator from the Riau Archipelago). In alignment with my previous book, Serving with Heart (A Chronicle from the Senate), this work is dedicated as an accountability record at the conclusion of my second term as a Member of the Regional Representative Council of the Republic of Indonesia (DPD RI).
These reflections serve as both a mapping of thoughts and a guideline for myself and my colleagues in the DPD RI’s Committee III. The five-year period was filled with dynamic challenges, responsibilities, obstacles, and intellectual struggles in our efforts to contribute to the nation’s betterment. However, no single document can fully encapsulate the rich history of Committee III, nor can it serve as a comprehensive legacy for future readers.
Kneeling for the Nation is a metaphorical phrase signifying my sincere efforts to give my best within the authority granted to us. As Chairman of Committee III, I have remained steadfast in my commitment to the advancement of the nation, despite the limitations imposed by law on the scope of the DPD RI’s authority.
Beyond being a compilation of thoughts, this book also incorporates references from the Academic Manuscripts of Bills drafted and proposed by Committee III. These have been carefully curated to fit the book’s purpose, ensuring linguistic aesthetics, updated data, and a selection of more communicative diction. These valuable insights are not merely fleeting moments but are instead preserved as monuments within the pages of this book.
Charles Augustus Lindbergh, the renowned American aviator famous for his solo transatlantic flight in 1927, once said: “From the airplane I love, I see the science I worship destroying the culture I hoped it would serve.”
This book, therefore, finds its purpose in uniting knowledge with Indonesia’s rich culture and profound local wisdom, forging a powerful synergy rather than a contradiction.
Happy reading!
Dr. H. Hardi Selamat Hood
