Xanana Gusmão: The freedom fighter who fist-bumped his way into Asean history
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 28 — World leaders generally shy away from showing their expressive side in the corridors of global diplomacy.
Timor-Leste Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, however, has no such reservations.
The 79-year-old leader showed a full display of emotions at the ongoing Asean Summit — from tearing up on stage to joking with reporters, and even making a playful curtsy-like gesture.
While other leaders walked the red carpet with reserved smiles, Xanana Gusmão was seen fist-bumping reporters and photographers covering the Asean Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) on Sunday.
Across both days of the summit, he was also seen distributing sweets to members of the media while engaging in light-hearted banter.
At first glance, Xanana Gusmão bears an uncanny resemblance to President Coriolanus Snow — the antagonist portrayed by Donald Sutherland in The Hunger Games franchise.
But the two could not be more different.
While Snow crushed resistance against the Capitol, Xanana Gusmão led the Timorese resistance — first against Portuguese rule, and later against Indonesian occupation.
A former civil servant and journalist, Xanana Gusmão spent 17 years waging a guerrilla war before being captured by the Indonesian military in 1991 and imprisoned in 1993.
Xanana Gusmão spent his time behind bars drafting strategies for the Timorese resistance, while studying Indonesian, English and law.
Occasionally, he indulged in painting and poetry too.
Later, while serving house arrest in 1999, the Timorese people voted in a UN-backed referendum, paving the way for their independence from Indonesia.
In April 2002, Xanana Gusmão was elected as Timor-Leste’s first president, serving until May 2007. He now holds office as the nation’s tenth prime minister.
At Sunday’s summit, his easy-going nature shone through when he playfully performed a curtsy-like gesture and kissed the hand of Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
Takaichi appeared amused by his antics, which also drew laughter from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and other dignitaries in the room.
For the freedom fighter turned national icon, Timor-Leste’s entry into Asean marked a historic milestone after a decade-long wait.
The veteran statesman broke into tears on stage after Timor-Leste formally joined the Asean fold on Sunday, saying it was a “dream realised” for the island nation of some 1.4 million people.
Amid dozens of leaders gathered at the largest Asean Summit in history, Xanana Gusmão’s simplicity won hearts — and who knows, his charming gestures may even become part of a new “Asean Way” in the years to come.
[Source: Malay Mail]
