The bronze statue, inspired by a childhood photograph of a 10-year-old Obama in shorts with a butterfly perched on an outstretched thumb, had been targeted by critics since it was erected in the Jakarta park last December. Detractors argued that an Indonesian hero should have been honored instead, noting that Obama still could pursue policies that hurt Indonesia's interests.
Ron Mullers (an american) living in Jakarta who thought up the statue might inspire the school's students to follow their dreams. (Would this be dreams of running another country?
)Indonesia is home to the world's largest Muslim population and many here believe Obama will improve relations with the West.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100215/ap_ ... ama_statue
