This year has been one filled with disasters and tragedy here in Indonesia, and few people understand that better than Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, the head spokesperson for National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB). He has become renowned in Indonesia and with foreign media for being fast and accurate in delivering the latest updates on disasters like the Central Sulawesi earthquake-tsunami in September and debunking hoaxes about tragedies such as the crash of Lion Air flight JT-610.
Adding to his incredible professional reputation is that he has done all of that while battling stage 4B lung cancer, which he was diagnosed with in January 2018.
On October 2, Sutopo tweeted a caricature of himself and rather randomly included the handle of Indonesian pop diva Raisa Andriana. Apparently, Pak Sutopo is a big fan of the singer.
Meski kanker paru stadium 4B, saya tetap berusaha melayani media dan masyarakat dengan baik. Untuk rekan penyintas kanker. Jangan patah semangat. Tetap sabar, kerja dan berdoa. Hidup itu bukan panjang-pendeknya usia. Tapi seberapa besar kita dapat membantu orang lain.@raisa6690 pic.twitter.com/RZVSnSOTkW
— Sutopo Purwo Nugroho (@Sutopo_PN) October 1, 2018
While battling Stage 4B lung cancer, I’m trying my best to serve the media and the people. To my fellow cancer survivors, don’t give up. Be patient, keep on working, and pray. Life isn’t about how long or short your age is, but how we could help others. @raisa6690
In large part because of Sutopo mentioning Raisa, the tweet above went viral, after which the spokesman received overwhelming support and prayers from Indonesian netizens.
Many then urged Raisa to meet with Sutopo and an online movement to achieve that, bearing the hashtag #RaisaMeetSutopo, was born. Sutopo himself said he was overwhelmed by the support, expressing his gratitude on Twitter using song titles by Raisa.
Masya Allah, saya tidak tahu kalau #RaisaMeetSutopo di medsos sampai trending topic. Raisa adalah inspiratif. Jika bertemu nanti saya malah bisa "Terjebak Nostalgia". Bisa "Serba Salah". Malah sampai "Jatuh Hati" & akhirnya menganggap sebagai "Mantan Terindah" haha.. @raisa6690 pic.twitter.com/AsJoLlvxQl
— Sutopo Purwo Nugroho (@Sutopo_PN) October 2, 2018
Masya Allah, I didn’t know #RaisaMeetSutopo is trending on social media. Raisa is an inspiring person. If we could meet later I could be “Trapped in Nostalgia”, I could also be “Awry’, and I could “Fall In Love’ and in the end I would see her as the “Most Beautiful Ex” haha…
Later that day, Raisa responded through her Twitter account.
Hari ini twitterku ramai dengan #RaisaMeetSutopo, dan ngebaca semua cerita di tweet temen2, bikin aku rasanya udh kenal deket sama Pak Sutopo yang disayang banyak orang. Semangat dan terus menginspirasi ya Pak @Sutopo_PN 🙂
— Raisa Andriana (@raisa6690) October 2, 2018
Today, my Twitter is filled with #RaisaMeetSutopo, stories I read from your tweets made me feel like I already know Pak Sutopo, who’s loved by many people, very well. Keep up your spirit and keep inspiring, Pak @Sutopo_PN.
Then, on Sutopo’s birthday on October 7, Raisa tweeted him a birthday greeting.
Terima kasih Mbak @raisa6690 . Semoga kita senantiasa diberi keselamatan, kesehatan, kebahagiaan dan barokah olehNya. Jaga kesehatan ya Mbak. Jangan lupa untuk selalu bersyukur. pic.twitter.com/hxsCkeRs3b
— Sutopo Purwo Nugroho (@Sutopo_PN) October 7, 2018
Not only that, Raisa also gave Pak Sutopo a video call, to the delight of everyone who pushed for it to happen.
VCS…??😱😱😱 Melting guys…. Jangan baperan ya….
No Buffering…
.
.
.
.
= Video Call Sutopo with Raisa…#RaisaVidcallSutopo#SutopoMeetRaisa https://t.co/JUvqVgYquu— Ganda_nda (@gnda12) October 5, 2018
But the #RaisaMeetSutopo movement finally culminated in a real face-to-face meeting between Pak Sutopo met Raisa yesterday in Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta, where Sutopo had gone for an interview and Raisa was promoting a new song.
Horreee akhirnya bertemu Raisa. Malah Raisa nyanyi di depan saya. Rasanya seperti lihat konser Raisa Pamit. Semoga Raisa sehat dan terus sukses. pic.twitter.com/u8IWj7Fajd
— Sutopo Purwo Nugroho (@Sutopo_PN) November 6, 2018
Hooray, I can finally meet Raisa. She was singing in front of me, it’s like watching the “Raisa Farewell” concert. I hope Raisa stays healthy and successful.
Sutopo was referring to Raisa’s temporary farewell concert planned for November 21 before she goes on hiatus for the rest of her pregnancy before giving birth to her first child with actor Hamish Daud. He was so happy to meet his idol he even joked that he forgot he had cancer.
“But when Raisa left, the disease returned,” Sutopo joked, as quoted by Tribunnews.
Thank you for your service, and keep your spirits high, Pak Sutopo!
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