NIPPON MARU CORNER: WE ARE SOLID D, ARE YOU PY?
In 1989, SOLID D emerged as one of the small yet closely knit groups within the Nippon Maru Program, composed of participants from various Asian countries. After all delegates assembled in Brunei Darussalam as the official meeting point, SOLID D began an intense period of adjustment and formation. They engaged in group discussions on leadership, intercultural cooperation, and the role of youth in fostering regional peace. Among the Indonesian participants, several names surfaced in informal conversations, including 5 PY Bergengsi (distinguished PY – LoL) remembered by some as Ito, Esti, Joni, Sundari and Weno – though their presence, whether clearly documented or softly recalled, was never defined by prominence, but by shared belonging.
During the voyage from Brunei Darussalam to Indonesia, SOLID D followed a disciplined daily rhythm aboard the ship. Mornings were devoted to cleaning duties and deck responsibilities, through which each member learned the value of collective labor and mutual accountability. Afternoons were reserved for reflective sessions and thematic discussions, often centered on social realities in their respective homelands. Within these exchanges, the spirit of SOLID D gradually took shape—nurtured by honest dialogue, differing perspectives, and a willingness to listen.
Beyond formal activities, the members of SOLID D shared quieter, more intimate moments. They rehearsed cultural performances, exchanged songs and folktales, and taught one another fragments of their native languages. Participants from Indonesia frequently introduced traditional games and melodies, infusing the ship with warmth and laughter. Life aboard the Nippon Maru transformed each individual from a representative of a nation into a member of a small, interdependent community bound by trust.
As the ship approached Indonesian waters, a contemplative mood settled over SOLID D. Participants wrote in their journals, reflected on the subtle shifts within themselves, and spoke of how the journey had reshaped their understanding of the world. Whether certain names remain preserved in official records or linger only in shared memory, what endures from the Nippon Maru voyage of 1989 is a collective experience—of friendship, responsibility, and quiet personal growth forged at sea, between Brunei Darussalam and Indonesia.
IPY-89
