GETTING TO KNOW URANG AWAK GO UK – NOMINATED NATIONAL YOUTH PIONEER, WITH ONLY PACKED RICE

GETTING TO KNOW URANG AWAK GO UK – NOMINATED NATIONAL YOUTH PIONEER, WITH ONLY PACKED RICE

Jakarta, 8-10-2026 – The story of “Merantau” (migration) is an old tale. Classic and cliché. But it is still pleasant to retell, because the facts and the people keep flowing. Risman K Thomas, a young man from Nagari Sulit Air, Solok Regency, West Sumatra, born in Pekanbaru on 12 July 1958, has been proven as a successful migrant, but not in restaurant business, not successful on the street, let alone as a tailor like most Padang people (Minangkabau) in migration.

> This bespectacled man is a great admirer of Bung Karno and Bung Hatta and Adam Malik, founder of National News Agency LKBN Antara, and he has a national spirit in social community. Risman, or more happily called Mister Thom, is also a journalist of LKBN Antara Jakarta after being registered as member of Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) with member number 04.00.0142 89.T in November 1989, besides also being an employee of Directorate General of Socio-Political Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs.

> There is an interesting and surprising element at that time. He migrated with a principle: “If Others Can, Why Can’t I.” And when first coming to Jakarta as Student of STIA LAN RI in 1991, he was only released by his wife Ermawati with *two packs of rice (dua nasi bungkus), plus transport money of Rp 15,000* given by Regional Secretary of Solok Regency Drs. Rusdi Lubis (when he was still Head of Bappeda). Besides that, his strong ambition, although when in Grade III of Senior High School he once dropped out due to economic crisis.

> And the following year his abandoned school was reviewed again with spirit while praying to God Almighty. His philosophy: *Student today, teacher tomorrow.

> Starting with English language skill, conducting private tutoring from house to house, now this leader of English course Friendly International English School (FIES) Jakarta was taken by DKI Jakarta as delegate for National Youth Pioneer Award 1996 held by Directorate General of Socio-Political Affairs, Department of Home Affairs.

> SON OF VETERAN LVR NPV 3.027.559 – FREEDOM OR DEATH, MESSAGE OF FALLEN HEROES

> Up to the peak of his education Risman achieved Bachelor Degree in Social Politics at STIA LAN RI in 1995 besides being member of PWI, member of Indonesian Photography Association (PFI) and member of Friend of The Zoo (FOZ), international animal lovers chaired by Mrs. Urzula Pangaribuan.

> Risman K Thomas who also admires Thomas Alva Edison “the man who lighted the world” is involved in many community organizations – at least 28 social community organizations have been involved until now, both as founder, board and chairman. “I more often inhabit the field of Public Relations,” said the recipient of British Council Scholarship who followed Post-Graduate program in United States proudly.

> “The smoothness or success of an organization, whether formal or informal, 75% seems to be determined by smooth communication and Public Relations is the key,” said pioneer of establishment of Friendly International English School (FIES) in Batusangkar and Solok, West Sumatra.

> Besides that he is also Founder of Indonesian Fighters Community Movement (GMPI) with Advisory Board General TNI (Ret) AU H. Zulhasymi, http://S.Sos, and Founder of IKM Jabodetabek with Chairman Brigadier General TNI Drs. Adrian Adek, MAP.

> Jakarta now knows devotion once carried out by Papa of Risto Januarman (Guna Darma University Student), Risnitawati (STIA LAN Student), Putri Sundari (Taraju State High School) and Adnan Karto Sulaiman (Santri Miftahul Huda).

> As pioneer of informal English school, which then was strived to become formal school equivalent to Senior High School, like SMEA Kosgoro Solok he founded, Junior High School national exam to Palembang, both when in Solok, Batusangkar and Jakarta itself.

> Ending his conversation with Singgalang Daily on Saturday in Koto Baru Solok, Thomas who once became Honda Employee at Solok Regent Office with salary Rp 75,000/month, poetically said:

> “Don’t then you try hard so you can dream to be successful, because dreams do not come just like that. It is a flower from a tree whose seeds we plant ourselves.”

> How is the understanding? This half-seeking man recipient of many awards and being English teacher in 13 formal/informal skill institutions reveals: how can you dream to achieve success, without you ever falling and rising to lose and win inside it?

> Exactly, how can we dream to become Youth Pioneer like Risman Thomas, without ever learning, struggling and praying. So, please understand words hidden in soul of this pioneer of various English schools:

> STUDENT TODAY, TEACHER TOMORROW.
> MERDEKA ATAU MATI!