TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A culinary enthusiast, expert, and journalist Bondan Winarno has always been an inspirational public figure. One of his works as a journalist included his investigation in exposing the Bre-X gold mine scandal in Busang, East Kalimantan.

Bondan Winarno was also the person that introduced the jargon “Maknyus” to the Indonesian culinary world. His dynamic and broad social activities could be traced to how he was brought up in school since he was young. He was also a member of the Semarang scout group.

Bondan Winarno passed away at Harapan Kita Hospital in Jakarta on Wednesday, November 29. He was one of 120 public figures that wrote a book titled ‘A letter from and to leaders’ that was published by Tempo Institute back in 2012.

Read: Author, TV Presenter Bondan Winarno Passes Away

Tempo Institute Director Mardiyah Chamim explained how she remembered the enthusiasm shown by Bondan Winarno when he was asked to help write the book. “Pak Bondan was concerned with the younger generations,” said Mardiyah on November 29.

In his letter dubbed ‘Be Your Best’, Bondan wrote: “Youths that will lead the nation, you need to practice this principle: Be Your Best! You do not need to promise anyone but yourself,” he wrote.

Bondan suggested that youths do not need to compare themselves with other people’s achievements and said that the best comparison for us is ourselves.

“If you can only run for 10 kilometers today, did you run with all your heart? Or did you do it half-heartedly and that you can actually run 20 consecutive kilometers,” Bondan wrote in the book.

He also suggested youths to continue practicing self-development, which he believed will lead them to new future achievements. Another important message from Bondan Winarno immortalized in the book is his advice for youths to avoid corruption and precede a common interest before self-interest.

RIANI SANUSI PUTRI