Titus Jonathan's Stories

Justice For Afriyani And The Victims

2012-01-29T17:45:00.005+07:00

No, I won’t judge Afriyani Susanti, the lady who hit and killed 9 people with her Xenia’s car at nearby the Tugu Tani (Farmer Monument) in Jakarta on 22 January 2012. But I would expect the judge who will preside over that case to apply severe verdict to her by high consciousness to uphold justice. The judge should consider the victims’ humanity aspect, not merely based on Narcotics Law or Traffic and Land Transportation Law.

Several law experts said article 338 of Criminal Code (KUHP) about intentional murder could be considered, because Afriyani drank alcohol and used drugs prior to the crash. “She is educated people, she should know that the alcohol and drugs can make her fly. That’s not negligence but deliberateness,” said Bambang Widodo Umar and Eva Achyani Zulfa, a criminologist from Indonesia University (UI).

The tragic accident has shocked us and has made public outcry, not only because the lady was driving when she was in the alcohol and drugs influence, but moreover, after learned that the victims were innocent people who were in the relax mood, walking and sightseeing on the sidewalk – a “must be” safest place for the pedestrians when suddenly the Xenia car that she’s driving swept their life away in seconds. This was really tragedy and horror.

We don’t know how many years of the punishment which will be demanded by the prosecutor to Afriyani, but we are expecting the presiding judge not only deliver justice based on what is written in the law books, but also considering justness for the victims and the wide society - who might become the next victims in future if such recklessness and attitude not severely punished. The judge should not treat the law books as holy books, because justice not only talk about law articles but also contains wisdom, peace and human right – where in this case, not only the human right of Afriyani but also the victims.

The judge should think all of immaterial losses that experienced by the victims, e.g. Dini Ardiani who is now in 7 months of pregnancy and lost her husband, Firmansyah, the man who just married her for ten months. Firmansyah might be the breadwinner for this new couple, and the beloved man of Dini to whom she put her hope. The judge should also think the prolonged anguish that surely being experienced by Teguh Hadi Priyono, who lost his 2.5 years old son, his mother and his 2 sisters all at once. And when the media published that the number of dead victims was 9, it must be corrected since there was actually 10 because one of the victims was the 3 months’ pregnant mother.

Afriyani might express her apology to the victims, but does it mean anything? Did she ever think and look at Dini, Teguh and other victims including their families afterward? Can she pay to redeem their future? We learn how public so furious and seem not to forgive her, if she will only be charged with maximum six years imprisonment according to the traffic and land transportation law.

Punishment is justice for the unjust, and we may agree that Afriyani is unjust, since she might be in the cheerful, glamorous and mischievous ‘party’ with her friends prior to the accident. We never know perhaps she was in a pleasure when she took ecstasy, laughing and laughing with her friends before she was driving. In radio, a listener said angrily: “If you want to die with your alcohol and drugs, just make it for yourself, and don’t get other people to follow your death!”

“Justice cannot be for one side alone, but must be for both,” said Eleanor Roosevelt. This is the message the judge should keep in mind.

***
Serpong, 29 Jan 2012
Titus J.

Tuhanpun Suka Es Krim

2011-12-29T12:39:00.008+07:00

Ini memang unik sekaligus aneh. Saya diberitahu keponakan saya, Yoas, tentang es krim yang unik, aneh dan tiada duanya. Apa sih unik dan anehnya es krim? Itu hal biasa sekali, bukan? Jika ingin makan es krim, kita dengan mudah menemukannya di toko retail seperti Indomaret atau Alfamart yang bertebaran di mana-mana, atau di food court sebuah mal, atau bahkan dijajakan oleh para penjual es krim keliling, benar kan? Cuma es krim doang, apa istimewanya?

“Tapi ini aneh dan misterius,” kata Yoas.
“Lho, es krim kok misterius?!” tanya saya tak mengerti.
“Orang yang jual es krim nggak ada, tapi es krimnya ada,” katanya.
“Nah, terus kalau mau beli gimana?” tanya saya.
“Ambil sendiri,” jawabnya.
“Benar-benar es krim? Es krim sungguhan?” tanya saya lagi.
“Ya es krim sungguhan-lah, masa bo’ong-bo’ongan?”
“Bagaimana rasanya?”
“Hmm…ueeenaak….!!! Bener deh, aku nggak pernah makan es krim seperti itu.”
“Waduh…, jangan-jangan itu…”
“Nggak usah mikir macam-macam, itu es krim beneran, es krim istimewa.”
“Bagaimana kamu sampai bisa menemukan es krim itu?”

Maka berceritalah Yoas, bahwa hal itu awalnya adalah ketidak-sengajaannya waktu browsing di Google untuk mencari sesuatu. Hasil browsing-nya menggiringnya ke tulisan seseorang tentang es krim istimewa yang ada di kawasan Lippo Karawaci, tepatnya di dalam cluster Taman Diponegoro.

Penasaran ingin tahu aneh dan uniknya es krim tersebut, meluncurlah ia kesana bersama istrinya. Ketika ia sampai di pintu gerbang cluster Taman Diponegoro, ia tak perlu susah-susah mencari alamat rumah es krim itu karena semua satpam yang menjaga perumahan itu langsung menunjukkan tempatnya.

Yoas menjalankan mobilnya pelan-pelan dengan pikiran berkecamuk keanehan, karena tak ada tanda-tanda sama sekali bahwa ada penjual es krim berada di kompleks elit itu. Ia memarkir mobilnya tepat di depan sebuah rumah yang sepi dan tertutup rapat. Hampir-hampir ia pergi lagi karena hatinya tidak yakin bahwa rumah itu benar-benar berjualan es krim. Tetapi rasa penasarannya terlalu kuat sehingga mendorongnya untuk melangkah mendekati pintu.

Sepi. Ia mendorong pelahan daun pintu rumah itu. Ternyata tidak terkunci. Ia mendorong lagi lebih lebar kemudian melongokkan kepalanya ke dalam. Benar, di sebelah kanan ada sebuah freezer. Ia ragu untuk masuk, khawatir nanti disangka maling kan bisa repot? Tapi demi memuaskan rasa penasarannya, ia melangkah masuk. Sepi sekali, tak ada tanda-tanda denyut nadi kehidupan di dalam rumah. Dengan agak berdebar ia membuka freezer itu, sreeett…maka tercenganglah ia, karena melihat banyak es krim dalam wadah-wadah cup kecil teratur rapi di dalamnya. Cup-cup kecil itu berjajar tanpa tulisan, gambar, apalagi merk. Polos. Tetapi tampaknya si pembuat es krim sadar bahwa product harus diberi nama. Maka Yoas melihat di dalam freezer itu tertempel kertas bertuliskan (printed) bermacam-macam nama es krim yang sedang dijajarkan di dalam freezer itu, misalkan: peanut butter, raspberry, balsamic strawberry, cappuccino, macha, olive oil, chocolate, dan sebagainya. Ia menyentuh es krim itu, dan memang itu es krim beneran.

Ketika ia mengambilnya, dalam keadaan masih bingung muncullah seorang anak kecil mengintip dari dalam rumah. “Oh, ternyata ada yang tinggal di dalam rumah,” pikir Yoas. Ketika ia mau bertanya bagaimana aturan beli dan bayar es krimnya, anak kecil itu langsung menghilang ke dalam. “Humm, misterius sekali rumah es krim ini,” pikirnya. Sedang ia masih kebingungan sambil memegang es krim di tangannya, muncullah kepala seorang laki-laki mengintip dari balik tembok: “Taruh aja uangnya di situ, 15 ribu,” katanya sambil menunjuk sebuah kantong plastik di atas meja. Sebuah kantong plastik yang berisi uang memang terletak di atas meja di dekat freezer itu. “Ambil uang kembaliannya sendiri,” kata laki-laki itu kemudian kepalanya menghilang.

Hmm…benar-benar misterius. Yoas mengambil sendok kecil (sendok es krim) yang sudah disediakan di atas meja dekat plastik yang berisi uang, kemudian memasukkan selembar uang 50 ribuan ke dalam plastik itu dan mengambil uang kembaliannya sendiri. Lalu ia mencicipinya. Ketika sendokan pertama menyentuh lidahnya, ia mengulumnya pelahan hingga indra perasanya itu bekerja…astaga!! enak sekali rasa es krim itu. Ia masukkan sendokan kedua dan memberi kesempatan lidahnya mencerna, rasa itu kembali menyeruak dan memberi tahu otaknya bahwa rasa es krim itu sungguh berbeda. Ketika ia masukkan sendokan ketiga, wow…benar-benar lidahnya tidak menipu. Itu es krim peanut butter yang tiada duanya. Istrinyapun merasakan hal yang sama dengan pilihan rasa yang lain.

Ketika ia masih kebingungan di dalam rumah itu, tiba-tiba datanglah serombongan anak-anak remaja dengan masih mengenakan seragam sekolah. Setelah memarkir mobilnya mereka masuk ke dalam rumah. Anak-anak ini dari Sekolah Pelita Harapan. Mereka tampak begitu familiar, dengan riuh-rendahnya mereka membuka freezer dan masing-masing mengambil es krim pilihannya, mengambil sendok kecil, menaruh uang ke dalam plastik dan mengambil uang kembaliannya sendiri. Setelah itu mereka nongkrong di teras rumah sambil bercengkrama dan memakan es krimnya. Beberapa waktu kemudian datanglah 1 mobil rombongan anak-anak muda yang lain dan melakukan hal yang sama. “Oh, jadi begitu aturan mainnya?” pikir Yoas.
Dengan senyum dan perasaan heran Yoaspun pergi meninggalkan rumah itu bersama istrinya.

***

Ketika saya mendengar cerita itu, maka terprovokasilah saya dan ingin melihat sendiri es krim yang misterius itu. Saya benar-benar ingin mengerti siapakah “aktor” di balik kehebatan es krim itu, sehingga menarik anak-anak dari sekolah elit seperti Sekolah Pelita Harapan (SPH) dan mahasiswa-mahasiswa Universitas Pelita Harapan (UPH) untuk selalu datang ke sana hanya demi 1 cup es krim yang bahkan merknya saja tidak ada.

Maka di hari Sabtu berikutnya saya mengajak istri dan anak saya bersama dengan Yoas dan istrinya menuju ke kompleks Taman Diponegoro, Lippo Karawaci.
“Tapi ngomong-omong, bagaimana orang-orang menyebut nama es krim itu?” tanya saya kepada Yoas di dalam mobil.
“Sebut saja Es Krim Om,” jawabnya.
“Es Krim Om? Begitu aja?” tanya saya lagi.
“Ya, begitu aja,” jawabnya.

Ketika kami sampai di pintu gerbang kompleks Taman Diponegoro, benar, satpam perumahan itu langsung menunjukkan rumah es krim itu ketika saya menyebut: “Mau ke Es Krim Om.”
Seperti yang diceritakan oleh Yoas, memang begitulah adanya: Kami mendorong sendiri pintu rumah yang tertutup, masuk ke dalam, menghampiri freezer, mengambil es krim, menghitung, membayar dengan memasukkan uangnya ke dalam plastik, kemudian mengambil uang kembaliannya sendiri. Setelah itu masing-masing mengambil sendok kecil dan mulai mencicipinya.

Saya mengambil olive oil. Ketika sendokan pertama es krim itu mampir di lidah saya, saya langsung setuju terhadap rasa yang diceritakan sebelumnya oleh Yoas. Saya cicipi raspberry punya anak saya, lidah saya menemukan perspektif baru. Tidak usah diceritakan dua kali karena sendok demi sendok es krim yang masuk ke mulut saya sudah mampu menceritakan sendiri.

Sedang kami menikmati keajaiban es krim itu di dalam rumah yang sepi dan misterius itu, tiba-tiba muncullah seorang lelaki dengan dandanan seadanya, mengenakan kaos oblong dan celana pendek dan rambut yang tidak disisir. Tampaknya dialah sang tuan rumah. Saya menyapanya terlebih dahulu karena saya teramat yakin bahwa pria ini pendiam dan low profile sekali. Tidak tahu hal ini terbalik atau tidak karena saya sebagai tamu harusnya mendapat sapaan terlebih dahulu dari tuan rumah. Tetapi tidak mengapa. Saling mendahului dalam menyapa adalah hal yang baik, bukan? Dan yang lebih penting saya sudah berhasil membuat “sang maestro” keluar dari sarangnya!

Maka adrenalin saya ketika bertemu dengan narasumber penting langsung tergugah, dan kesempatan itu langsung saya gunakan untuk mengobrol dan bertanya kepada sang maestro segala macam hal tentang es krimnya. Dengan antusias saya menggali keunikan es krimnya, dan di luar dugaan, sang maestro yang pendiam itu akhirnya jadi begitu antusias menceritakan tentang es krim yang sudah dipelajarinya selama lebih dari 5 tahun. Ia begitu menguasai persoalan es krim, dan ia ceritakan dari A sampai Z.

Dari cerita yang disampaikannya, saya mengerti mengapa es krimnya begitu istimewa dan berhasil memikat pelanggan-pelanggan dari kalangan berada di antaranya anak-anak SPH dan UPH itu.
“Saya tidak pernah memakai artificial flavor. Semua rasa itu original. Kalau raspberry ya dari raspberry beneran yang saya olah,” katanya.
“Cuma itu yang original?” tanya saya.
“Tidak, kebanyakan es krim memakai emulsifiers, saya tidak pakai. Emulsifiers memang menyebabkan texture es krim lebih lembut, tetapi apakah kita mengerti jenis emulsifiers apa yang digunakan oleh pembuat es krim? Sekarang banyak emulsifiers terbuat dari bahan kimia sintetis,” jawabnya.
Selain itu, lanjut sang maestro, “Kebanyakan es krim diberi stabilizers untuk mengontrol pembentukan kristal es terutama terhadap ‘kejutan tiba-tiba’ waktu terjadi perubahan temperatur, misalkan saat es krim ditransport dari satu tempat ke tempat lain. Dengan stabilizers es krim bisa dipertahankan tidak mudah mencair.”

Sang maestro terus bercerita tentang risetnya dalam pembuatan es krim, dan ia perlu waktu 5 tahun untuk mencoba dan mengulangi prakteknya sampai menemukan formula yang pas. Memang tidak mudah karena ia sangat concern terhadap kesehatan para konsumennya dan tidak mau sembarangan membuat es krim yang asal laku. “Beberapa ibu datang ke saya ketika tahu anaknya makan es krim yang saya bikin. Mereka bilang anaknya tidak boleh makan es krim murah karena pasti tenggorokannya sakit atau jadi batuk. Mereka mungkin melihat harga es krim saya hanya 15 ribu rupiah. Tetapi setelah mencoba sekali dua kali, anaknya selalu datang ke sini beli es krim, ibunya terkadang pesan untuk arisan,” katanya.

“Dengan harga 15 ribu rupiah, bagaimana bisa membuat es krim dengan bahan-bahan asli dan bukan artificial flavor?” tanya saya.
“Itulah sebabnya saya tidak berani memberi merk dan mengekspansi bisnis ini, karena sekali saya masuk ke situ perhitungan bisnisnya jadi berbeda, karena parameter cost-nya akan sangat banyak yang tentu akan mengerek harga jual ke atas,” jawabnya.
“Jadi akan terus berjualan di rumah ini saja?”
“Tidak apa-apa, sekarangpun sudah jalan dan saya sudah punya banyak pelanggan yang tahu tempat ini dari mulut ke mulut.”
“Berapa cup sehari produksi es krimnya?”
“Rata-rata 150 cup saja.”
“Berapa jenis rasa yang sudah diproduksi?”
“Kalau dihitung bisa sampai 75 jenis rasa, tetapi akhirnya saya tahu yang jadi favorit pelanggan, itulah yang sering saya bikin, sehingga dalam sehari saya bikin kira-kira 10 rasa, besoknya bikin lagi 10 rasa yang berbeda. Seenak saya aja mau bikin yang mana,” jawab sang maestro kalem.

Perihal nama Es Krim Om itu, menurut sang maestro sambil sedikit tergelak, hal itu karena kebanyakan yang datang adalah anak-anak sekolah dan mahasiswa. Anak-anak muda ini menyapa sang maestro dengan sebutan ‘Om’, maka jadilah trade-mark ‘Es Krim Om’.
Tak terasa lebih dari 1 jam kami habiskan waktu untuk obrolan yang mengasyikkan dengan sang maestro di rumahnya itu. Selama kami mengobrol beberapa kali berdatangan anak-anak muda membeli es krim, datang dan pergi silih berganti. Kesan aneh dan misterius yang dibawa oleh keponakan saya di awal cerita ini jadi pupus sudah, karena memang sang maestro harus bersikap se-low profile mungkin untuk menghindari anggapan rumahnya di kompleks cluster itu digunakan untuk berjualan/bisnis.

Sang maestro hanyalah orang biasa pembuat es krim tetapi bukan es krim biasa, karena setiap ingredient di dalam es krim produksinya dipikirkan benar-benar dengan ketekunan riset dan kesabaran trial bertahun-tahun guna menyediakan es krim yang enak dan sehat.

Dalam perjalanan pulang saya merenungkan keunikan sang maestro, terutama concern-nya dalam tanggung-jawab terhadap kesehatan orang lain. Adakah di antara kita sebagai penyedia makanan mempunyai kepedulian yang sama seperti sang maestro?

Jika kita sebagai pembuat roti, apa saja yang kita campurkan dalam adonan? Jika kita sebagai petani buah dan sayur, berapa banyak pestisida dan racun berbahaya lain kita semprotkan ke tanaman kita? Jika kita sebagai pemilik restoran, apakah yang kita masak adalah makanan yang menyehatkan? Jika kita punya pabrik air minum dalam kemasan, unsur-unsur apa saja yang kita masukkan dalam proses penyulingan air tersebut? Apakah kita jujur kepada pelanggan kita dengan terus-terang menuliskan content produk-produk yang kita jual? Ataukah ada yang sengaja kita sembunyikan, atau sengaja membuat keterangan produk yang tidak terlalu jelas?

John Ruskin, seorang kritikus seni dan pemikir sosial dari Inggris (1819 – 1900) mengatakan: “Taste is the only morality. Tell me what you like and I'll tell you what you are.” Kita adalah apa yang kita sukai. Kita dikenal karena citarasa kita. Citarasa seperti apa yang kita sukai? Di situlah terletak nilai moral kita. Sang maestro membikin es krim yang sehat karena punya citarasa sehat, begitulah tercermin nilai moral sang maestro. Maka Tuhanpun akan suka es krim, asal yang bikin adalah sang maestro. Mengapa? Kita sudah tahu jawabannya.
***

Serpong, Dec 2011
Titus J.

Hotter Literally; Hotter Politically

2011-12-23T22:30:00.005+07:00

(published by The Jakarta Post on 23 Dec 2011 in special pages of Outlook 2012. Click here)

The year 2012 will be very hot. The country, already affected by global warming, will be much hotter politically as we approach 2014.

At least three challenges will be faced by our country; corruption will still have top billing, followed by the Papua issue and then the political rivalry ahead of the 2014 election. Big battles in three big corruption cases are imminent and likely will prey on other big victims (again): the re-opening of the Bank Century bailout case, the graft scandal in the dormitory project for the 2011 SEA Games in Palembang and vote-buying involving the selection of Bank Indonesia (BI) senior deputy governor Miranda S. Goeltom where the key suspect, Nunun Nurbaeti, has just been apprehended after months on the run.

The battles, for sure, will happen, and major political parties will gang up on the bruised Democratic Party while it in turn will fight back. Unfortunately, those who enter the battle will not be able to identify the enemies clearly because they will all be wearing the same uniform, even sitting down at the same table, chatting and enjoying dinner together. This is the most difficult battlefield.

They look like they are fighting corruption, but they are aiming at something else. That’s why, although there is a battle against corruption, the corruption has yet to be defeated. We have been fighting against corruption for years, and many corruptors have been sent to jail, but our Corruption Perception Index (CPI) does not move anywhere.

Previously, many people were optimistic that the root of corruption could be pulled out after chopping down the old generation, but these days we are astonished by the Financial Transactions Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK) findings on large bank accounts belonging to dozens of young and low - ranking civil servants — allegedly as a result of corruption.

So, are we sure that everything we have done with such endeavor to fight corruption has been on the right track? Now the year 2011 is about to end, and we are still the same as yesterday, maybe even worse.

Eduard Shevardnadze, a former Georgia president, might have been correct when he said that eradicating corruption is not enough to sustain a country. The corruption in our country is systemic, so we need to fight it systemically, too. Don’t we see that it is important — apart from sending corruptors to jail — to start campaigning about moral values in schools, in homes, in offices, everywhere to blow away the decaying smells from our environment?

Ahead of entering 2012, this is time for us to have solitude, to contemplate how things are not working in our country.

***
Serpong, 13 Dec 2011
Titus J.

A Papuan Speaks In Palembang

2011-11-22T22:36:00.004+07:00

(published by The Jakarta Post on 22 Nov 2011. Click here)

“Please, never underestimate the Papuan people,” said Franklin Ramses Burumi, the talented young sprinter and Papuan native who has contributed three gold medals to Indonesia’s tally in track and field at the 26th SEA Games in Palembang, South Sumatra.

I believe he did not intend to be arrogant because he also represented his fellow Papuans. His message tried to remind us of these forgotten people. I definitely agree with him. I would say that we should see Papuans as important as other people and treat them with honor and respect.

Papua has been a troubled province over the past few months. Bloodshed occurred following a massive strike at PT Freeport Indonesia. Then, violence reared its head following the third Papuan’s People Congress in Abepura. But Papuan athletes have shone brightly in this sporting competition. They have contributed greatly to promoting the name of Indonesia in sports. During the past decade the country has had almost nothing to be proud of.

“I tried to stay focused on defending the red and white squad. I wanted to help Indonesia win gold,” said Franklin’s fellow Papuan Titus Bonai, who is now a rising star of Indonesia’s soccer squad.We have to be aware of the performance of Papuan athletes. It must be a wake up call for us, especially for Indonesia’s elites, to send a sign that Papua really exists. When our dignity as a nation has dropped to its lowest point because of the disgraceful actions of our elites, sport has often become a savior, serving to unite Indonesians and raise their pride.

During the SEA Games, glittering athletes from Papua have surprised us. Unfortunately, sinful elites look at Papua and the only thing they see that glitters is the province’s gold. Not only have Papuans shown their quality in sport, but they have also proven that they are indeed a black pearl from the east that is still able to shine despite life in the motherland not being as glittering as the gold they own.

Those who love this country must surely also love Papua and will defend it as part of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI). However, we should not forget what happened with Timor Leste, the former 27th province of Indonesia that separated from us in 1999.

Papua bears similarities with Timor Leste in that it has experienced oppression, poverty and injustice, despite it being granted special autonomy status. Do we think that Timor Leste’s déjà vu is an absurdity? Are we overconfident that the snow ball is not already rolling and will not run over us?

Moreover, Papua has more abundant natural resources than Timor Leste, which should boost its confidence. It will make our sleep restless every night before it is settled amicably. And it will never be settled amicably with guns.

To be frank and honest, we need Papua more than Papua needs us. Perhaps if Papua separated it might even become more advanced than Indonesia in the future, with its soccer team enjoying international success, while Indonesia still struggles with corruption, deception and hypocrisy.

***
Serpong, 20 Nov 2011
Titus J.

SBY Is Too Complicated

2011-10-21T15:16:00.005+07:00

(published by The Jakarta Post on 26 Oct 2011. Click here)

So what are we waiting for in Cabinet reshuffle? After Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was elected President in 2004, he conducted a fit and proper test to select his ministers, then offered a work contract and integrity pact to be signed by the minister candidates.

It is not clear to the public what the actual contents of the work contract and integrity pact were. But no matter what they were, we are pretty sure those documents have been kept under the pillow. In the Cabinet reshuffle this time, SBY is doing the same.

Do the work contracts contain key performance indicators (KPI) as are normally included in professional work contracts? Considering the ministerial posts, which are so important that they affect a huge nation like Indonesia, can we imagine what the KPIs looked like? But it does not mean anything for common people because what people expect from the ministers basically is very simple.

People do not care whether or not the ministers sign work contracts and integrity pacts to show their commitment because people always think about very basic and essential things, for example from the agriculture minister: will food be affordable, eliminating rice imports, cheaper fertilizers for farmers? What people expect from the education minister includes can they send their children to quality but affordable schools, are the schools building in proper condition, and does the education curriculum stress out their children?

What people expect from the youth and sport minister: Can our beloved soccer team beat other national teams, become champion in international events such as the SEA Games or participate in the World Cup Finals.What people expect from the law and human rights minister: Simply that the truth be upheld in this country, corrupt judges and prosecutors sent to jail and human rights upheld. Similarly, what people expect from the religious minister: That Indonesia become a land of peace, where religious diversity is maintained in harmony and there is no more persecution against religious minorities.

I mean, what SBY has done in the minister selection process was too little, simply trying to create an impression or “gagah-gagahan” (just for show), but in reality the outcome is too far from the expectations as we can see obviously from the ministers’ performance.Thus, what is the point of doing due diligence if he fails to find quality ministers because he is too complicated and accommodating of parties for the sake of the stability of the coalition? We are seeing how the majority of his ministers selected from coalition parties are nonperformers, and some of them are implicated in corruption, but he appears reluctant to punish them.

All of my friends with whom I have spoken about the reshuffle say they don’t care, and many of them have expressed disappointment as we have seen that the President is not a leader.

A respected leader, former United States secretary of state Colin Powell said, “Great leaders are almost always great simplifiers, who can cut through arguments, debate and doubt, to offer a solution everybody can understand”.

***
Serpong, 18 Oct 2011
Titus J.

Suatu Sore Di Emperan Toko Optik Java

2011-09-30T23:16:00.008+07:00

Hari Sabtu menjelang perayaan Lebaran tahun ini, saya, istri dan anak saya jalan-jalan ke Pasar Pagi Mangga Dua, ditemani oleh keponakan saya dan istrinya yang sudah biasa dan sering mondar-mandir kesana.

Sudah lebih dari 3 tahun saya tak mengunjungi Pasar Pagi Mangga Dua. Terakhir kali yang saya ingat adalah ketika membelikan sepeda untuk anak saya ketika usianya 1,5 atau menjelang 2 tahun-an. Sepeda itu sekarang sudah terlampau kecil untuk anak saya, dan saya belum juga membelikan sepeda baru yang ukurannya ‘memadai’ untuknya. Untung anak saya tidak pernah merengek-rengek dibelikan sepeda. Tetapi hari itu tujuan saya ke Mangga Dua bukan untuk membeli sepeda, saya ingin mengantar istri saya mencari beberapa keperluan, di samping itu saya punya tujuan lain, yaitu memang sengaja ingin memotret keriuhan, hiruk-pikuk dan denyut nadi menjelang Lebaran pasar yang disebut sebagai pusat grosir terbesar di Asia Tengggara itu. Siapa tahu di pasar itu saya bisa menemukan inspirasi untuk jadi pedagang? Hmmm…apakah saya punya potongan untuk jadi pedagang?

Pasar Pagi Mangga Dua tetap ceria dan semarak pada hari itu, meleset dugaan saya bahwa tempat itu bakal sepi karena Lebaran kurang 3 hari lagi dan orang-orang tentunya sudah pada ‘mudik’. Setelah berjalan kian kemari, tak terasa sudah hampir setengah lima sore. Kamipun menyudahi belanja di Pasar Pagi Mangga Dua. Semula kami berniat untuk langsung pulang ke rumah, tetapi keponakan saya mengajak mampir ke Pasar Baru. “Mau beli apa?” tanya saya. “Cuma mau mengudap saja,” jawabnya. “Mengudap apa di sana kok sepertinya spesial?” tanya saya penasaran. “Lihat aja nanti, asyik deh pokoknya, tapi jangan kaget,” jawabnya. Okay-lah, pikir saya. Habis jalan-jalan, perut lapar dan kaki capek, nikmat juga nongkrong sambil makan, lagipula saya memang penasaran ingin tahu makanan spesial apa sih yang dicari keponakan saya ini.

“Ayo buruan,” kata saya.
“Tenang aja, ‘warung’nya tak akan buka sebelum jam 5 sore,” kata keponakan saya.

Kami sampai di Pasar Baru jam 16.40. Setelah memarkir mobil kami berjalan masuk di keramaian. Sampailah kami tiba di sebuah toko bertuliskan “Optik Java”. Saya menoleh kesana kemari tapi tak ada ‘warung’ atau penjual makanan. “Di mana warungnya?” tanya saya. “Di sini,” jawab keponakan saya sambil menunjuk emperan toko Optik Java itu. Saya lihat Optik Java ramai dengan pembeli. Ketika saya masih bingung keponakan saya bilang, “Kalau nggak mau menunggu, muter-muter saja dulu. Jam 5 nanti yang jual datang,” kemudian ia pergi. Saya menunggu duduk di undakan emperan toko bersama anak saya.

Saya mengobrol dengan anak saya sambil mengamati orang-orang lalu-lalang. Tanpa terasa menit demi menit berlalu dan ketika saya melirik ke sebelah kanan, seorang ibu datang membawa satu tampah (nampan bundar besar dari anyaman bambu) diikuti seorang bapak (saya yakin adalah suaminya). Ibu itu kemudian duduk di undakan emperan toko itu, lalu tampah itu dipangkunya. Si bapak yang membawa beberapa kantong kresek hitam penuh dengan muatan itu kemudian membukanya dan menuangkan (lebih tepat istilahnya adalah “menggerojokkan”) ke atas tampah itu seluruh isi kantong kresek hitam yang ternyata adalah segala rupa dan bentuk makanan dari ayam yang telah digoreng, misalkan daging ayam bagian paha dan dada, sate ati, sate ampela, sate usus, sate ginjal, sate jantung, ceker, bahkan kepala ayamnyapun tak ketinggalan. Pokoknya seluruh struktur anatomi ayam komplit tumpah ruah di tampah itu. Saya melirik arloji saya: jam 5 tepat.

Setelah semua rupa-rupa ayam yang jumlahnya pasti berekor-ekor itu digerojokkan sampai ‘munjung’ (penuh seperti gundukan) ke atas tampah, si bapak membuka kantong kresek hitam lainnya dan menggerojokkan serundeng (kelapa tua yang diparut, dibumbui dan digoreng sampai kering sehingga bisa ‘dijumput’ pakai tangan tanpa lengket) ke atas daging ayam goreng dan “teman-temannya” di atas tampah itu.

Setelah itu si bapak membuka lagi satu kantong kresek hitam yang ternyata di dalamnya adalah sambal yang telah diwadahi dalam sebuah toples plastik besar. Ketika tutup toples itu dibuka, sreeng…bau sedap sambalnya menyeruak, membuat air liur mau menetes dan mata seolah berair pedih karena kepedasan. Terakhir, si bapak membuka lagi satu kantong kresek hitam yang berisi bungkusan-bungkusan sebesar kepalan tangan yang ternyata adalah nasi yang dibungkus daun pisang dengan bungkus luarnya adalah kertas koran bekas. Lengkap sudah menu makan sore menjelang petang di emperan toko Optik Java Pasar Baru itu, tambahan pula ternyata (entah dari mana datangnya – saya tidak melihat) tiba-tiba sudah tersedia kursi-kursi plastik berkaki pendek mirip dengan kursi-kursi yang dipakai oleh anak-anak sekolah minggu di kelas kecil.

Yang menarik, ketika mereka baru saja menempelkan pantatnya di undakan emperan toko itu, mendadak sontak orang-orang pada datang dan mengerumuninya seraya memesan makanan dengan suara yang hiruk-pikuk:
“Nasi pakai sate ati dan sate usus,” kata seorang wanita muda yang rupanya kelelahan sehabis belanja.
“Saya pakai ayam, yang paha ya? Serundengnya yang banyak,” kata seorang ibu kemudian langsung duduk di undakan emperan toko itu.
“Bu, dibungkus, ayam dada satu, paha satu, sate ati tiga, sate usus lima, sambelnya dipisah,” kata seorang ibu sambil membuka dompet dan mengeluarkan selembar lima puluh ribuan.

Saya perhatikan beberapa orang langsung mengambil nasi bungkus sendiri, mengambil ayam dan “teman-temannya” itu sendiri, minta sambal kepada si bapak kemudian duduk dan terus makan. Melihat gayanya saya kira orang itu sudah biasa dan menjadi pelanggan tetap. Kalau makan sudah selesai, si bapak minta orang itu menghitung sendiri untuk membayar, karena pelanggan tetap itu sudah tahu berapa harga setiap itemnya. Sayapun langsung hafal harganya walaupun baru pertama kali makan di situ sore itu: daging ayam 9 ribu, sate ati 6 ribu, sate ampela 6 ribu, sate usus 2 ribu, sate ginjal 2 ribu, sate jantung 2 ribu, nasi 2 ribu per bungkus, sambal dan serundeng gratis karena hanya diperhitungkan sebagai “garnish”. Tetapi walaupun hanya berperan sebagai garnish, justru 2 komponen ini yang menjadi faktor terpenting untuk menggugah selera, dan saya yakin karena 2 komponen inilah warung emperan itu punya “daya magis” untuk menarik perhatian orang-orang yang lalu-lalang di situ untuk mendekat dan mencoba rasanya, atau paling sedikit akan menoleh ketika lewat.

Tak lama kemudian istri saya, keponakan saya dan istrinya datang. Kami duduk di kursi plastik kemudian memesan makanan. Tak ketinggalan anak saya, ia ternyata mau juga ketika disuruh memilih. Tak tahu apa yang ada di benaknya ketika ia melihat berbagai rupa makanan yang menggunung di atas tampah itu, lagipula tempat si ibu itu memangku tampahnya tepat di depan hidung anak saya yang duduk di kursi plastik pendek itu.

Sementara itu saya lihat si ibu dan si bapak itu tak henti-hentinya melayani pembeli. Si ibu menyiapkan pesanan, si bapak menghitung dan menerima uang. Saking sibuknya, banyak pembeli yang tak “kepegang”, dan kadang-kadang pembeli yang tak sabar akhirnya mengambil sendiri, makan dan bayar. Kalau si pembeli mau “nakal”, maka ia bisa saja membayar sekenanya, artinya kalau mengambil 2 atau 3 macam bisa saja mengaku cuma ambil 1 macam. Siapa yang tahu? Tapi saya yang sejak jam 5 tet duduk di situ tak melihat kecurangan seperti itu terjadi.

“Bapak ke sini tadi naik apa, Pak?” tanya saya kepada si bapak.
“Naik mobil,” jawabnya di tengah kesibukannya.
“Woi..hebat!” kata saya (dan saya mengira ia benar-benar memakai mobil pribadinya hasil dari jualannya yang laris manis itu). Tapi si bapak buru-buru meneruskan sambil tertawa: “Mobil umum…ya…mobil umum.”
“Ohh..tidak apa-apa,” kata saya. “Kalau tiap hari laris begini pasti nanti bisa beli mobil ya bu?” kata saya sambil melirik si ibu. “Mudah-mudahan..insya Allah..” jawab si ibu sambil tersenyum.
“Nama Bapak siapa?” tanya saya lagi. Tiba-tiba ia merogoh sakunya dan mengeluarkan kartu nama sambil berkata: “Pranata, kalau perlu saya hubungi saya di sini.” Saya terima kartu nama itu, tertera di sebelah atas: “Sate ayam serundeng khas kota Cirebon”, dilengkapi dengan namanya dan text “Terima Pesanan” lengkap dengan nomor handphone-nya. Sambil berdecak kagum saya berpikir, “Uhuiii..ini baru pertama kali saya bertemu dengan pemilik warung emperan toko yang unik dan advanced seperti ini.”

Itulah ‘warung’ rakyat jelata yang santai dan bebas sekali, tak ada aturan, tak ada yang dinamakan ‘table manner’ layaknya sebuah restoran. Jangankan sebuah restoran, warung biasa saja punya aturan walaupun aturannya agak longgar. Tapi di situ bebas merdeka, semua orang duduk mengitari ‘mbok bakul’ (ibu penjual) ayam yang sejak datang tadi terus duduk memangku tampah sehingga kaki dan lututnya itu sekaligus berfungsi sebagai meja. Bahkan saya melirik anak saya yang setelah menghabiskan satu tusuk sate ati kemudian “icip-icip” serundeng yang tertabur di atas tampah yang tepat berada di depan hidungnya pakai tusuk sate bekas mulutnya itu, hahahaha...Tapi semua orang makan dengan nikmat, bahkan kalau boleh saya katakan agak bombastis bahwa mereka merasakan suatu kenikmatan tiada tara tanpa ada sekat-sekat aturan sebuah tempat makan, tanpa ada “jaim-jaiman” dan segala prosedur. (jaim = jaga image).

Maka melihat keunikan seperti itu saya lantas berpikir, apa bedanya nilai kenikmatan saat makan di sebuah warung emperan toko dibanding dengan saat makan di restoran mahal di hotel berbintang atau di mal-mal yang elit? Delia Smith, seorang chef terkemuka dan presenter televisi dari Inggris mengatakan: “Food is for eating, and good food is to be enjoyed... I think food is, actually, very beautiful in itself.”

Harusnya kita setuju dengan Delia Smith, bahwa makanan adalah untuk dimakan, dan makanan enak adalah untuk dinikmati, karena makanan punya keindahan sendiri di dalamnya tak peduli dimana ia ditempatkan dan siapa yang mengolahnya (memasaknya). Jadi jika ayam goreng dan “teman-temannya” itu plus serundeng dan sambalnya buatan Pak Pranata “dipindahkan” tempatnya dari emperan toko itu ke restoran Syailendra di Hotel JW Marriott, atau ke restoran Le Seminyak di Pacific Place atau ke restoran Bungarampai di Teuku Cik Ditiro – Menteng, apakah ia langsung naik kelas walaupun rasanya tetap sama?

Dan jika kita yang selama ini selalu memandang rendah warung emperan semacam itu dan hanya mengijinkan perut kita untuk diisi dengan makanan di restoran mahal (dengan anggapan makanan di sini lebih bergizi, menyehatkan dan bikin otak lebih pintar), jangan-jangan kita malah ketagihan ayam goreng Pak Pranata setelah ia dipindahkan ke restoran mahal favorit kita? (Tentu saja tanpa bilang-bilang dulu). Kita tidak pernah tahu makanan itu dimasak oleh siapa dan darimana asalnya, bukan?

Jadi apa arti “makanan tingkat tinggi”? Apakah ia dihasilkan oleh seorang chef yang hebat dan terkenal? Ataukah ia ditempatkan di atas meja sebuah restoran elit dengan penataan meja kelas dunia, menggunakan piring mahal, didekorasi sedemikian rupa sehingga ada kesan artistik pada makanan itu, dan ditemani oleh anggur Cheval Blanc 1947? Bagi kita yang masih menganut pandangan seperti ini, agaknya lebih baik jika kita menyimak pengakuan Anton Ego, seorang Food Critic (kritikus makanan) di film Ratatouille: “Dunia sering tidak adil terhadap bakat baru dan kreasi baru. Bakat baru butuh pendukung, dan aku baru mengalami hal baru, dimana kutemukan masakan luar biasa dari sumber tak terduga. Hal ini menantang pandangan awalku terhadap masakan tingkat tinggi, dan pengalamanku itu telah mengguncangkan prinsip dasarku perihal nilai sebuah makanan.”

Dalam pergaulan saya dengan banyak teman, saya sering menemukan mereka yang terlalu bangga dengan restoran berkelas, hingga sering saya jumpai mereka aktif sekali mengupdate status Facebook-nya ketika mereka tengah menikmati makan di restoran elit, tetapi mungkin enggan atau malu ketika mereka misalnya, pada suatu waktu merasa sangat lapar dan ternyata hanya menemukan warung pinggir jalan saja.

Bukankah lukisan yang indah lahir dari tangan pelukis hebat, dan lagu yang menjadi “masterpiece” lahir dari jiwa komposer hebat? Demikian pula makanan yang enak dihasilkan oleh racikan koki yang hebat. Maka di sini kita menemukan Pak Pranata dan istrinya yang sederhana, yang “nglesot” di emperan toko dengan “ayam-ayamnya” itu, sesungguhnya adalah koki yang hebat, karena mereka kenyataannya ditunggu-tunggu pelanggan sedangkan restoran-restoran elit lebih sering harus menunggu pelanggan.

Anton Ego akhirnya mengakui: “Di masa lalu, aku terang-terangan menghina motto Chef Gusteau yang terkenal bahwa ‘Anyone can cook’, tapi kini baru kusadari apa yang dimaksudkannya, bahwa ‘Not everyone can become great artist, but great artist can come from anywhere’”.
Seorang koki, siapapun dia dan darimanapun datangnya bisa menghasilkan makanan enak. Dengan kata lain, sekalipun makanan yang enak itu dimasak oleh seekor tikuspun, mengkonfirmasi apa yang dikatakan Delia Smith, makanan enak tetaplah makanan enak, yang punya keindahan sendiri.

Bagaimana? Akankah kita masukkan ‘warung’ emperan Pak Pranata ke daftar wisata kuliner kita? Ataukah kita pindahkan tampah, ayam goreng (plus “teman-temannya”), serundeng dan sambalnya itu ke Hotel Indonesia Kempinski terlebih dahulu?
***

“But if you show servile regard (prejudice, favoritism) for people, you commit sin and are rebuked and convicted by the Law as violators and offenders.” (Tetapi, jikalau kamu memandang muka, kamu berbuat dosa, dan oleh hukum itu menjadi nyata, bahwa kamu melakukan pelanggaran) - Yakobus 2:9

Serpong, Sep 2011
Titus J.

Who Will Catch Real Scoundrels?

2011-08-16T23:29:00.003+07:00

(published by The Jakarta Post on 16 Aug 2011. Click here)

Muhammad Nazaruddin, a graft fugitive who arrived Saturday Aug. 13 from Colombia, South America, after being hunted by Interpol since May 23, is actually an ordinary graft suspect. He is very much the same as fugitive Nunun Nurbaeti, a suspect in a bribery case of the selection of a Bank Indonesia senior deputy governor in 2004.

As time goes on, where during her escape Nunun managed to evade the law and decided to be silent (and therefore successfully managed to fall off the media radar screen), Nazaruddin has contrarily become a unique fugitive who has not only made sensational headlines, but has also dragged President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and important men in the Democratic Party (PD) into the chaotic situation.

Nazaruddin continuously interacted with the media via BlackBerry Messenger and actively launched accusations implicating several party elites in the graft scandal of the construction of the athlete’s dormitory project for the 2011 Sea Games in Palembang, which he is also linked to.

The accusation through the BlackBerry Messenger forced President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to hold a press conference countering the accusations.

Yudhoyono even blamed the press for not being objective by only using the BlackBerry as a source of information. Yudhoyono said that “invisible hands” had spread text messages containing libelous statements and false allegations with the intention of ruining the Democratic Party’s reputation.

However, people were amazed several days later when Nazaruddin suddenly showed up via Skype in an interview with journalist Iwan Piliang from his hideout, where he blatantly accused Democratic Party chairman, Anas Urbaningrum, as the man behind the screen over allegations of many illicit deals, including money politics behind his election as party chairman as well as several government projects.

For his outspoken behavior, Nazaruddin had become Indonesia’s most wanted fugitive, for which the President ordered our National Police to cooperate with Interpol in hunting him down and bringing him back home.

Perhaps we should raise the question about whether the seriousness of the hunt for Nazaruddin was because the government is eager to uphold the law, or because Nazaruddin is a very important person — a man who knows too much.

When he was still active as the party treasurer, he was the one who managed the party cash flow. In politics, money is too hot. It is used to ignite issues. Nazaruddin is a key figure capable of telling stories about the money.

Now Nazaruddin has been captured and handcuffed, but he is still a “wild pitch” whereby no one can predict which direction the ball may roll.

I am sure people will be divided by the separated line: those who believe that he is a complete scoundrel, liar and crooked politician, and those who believe that he will run over the real scoundrels, liars and crooked politicians.

No scoundrel is so stupid as to not find a reason for his vile conduct. Let’s see what will happen in the coming days.

***
Serpong, 14 August 2011
Titus J.

Ketika Tuhan Menemukan KekasihNya

2011-07-30T00:04:00.004+07:00

Awal bulan April yang lalu istri saya tiba-tiba membawa kabar yang mengejutkan. Papa teman anak saya di sekolah (kelas TK-A) meninggal dunia. Kabar itu datang dan langsung menyengat, sampai saya harus mengulang pertanyaan beberapa kali: “Papanya itu? nggak salah? Benar papanya si itu?”

Kabar duka yang langsung bikin nyeri uluhati itu bukan saja karena kematiannya yang mendadak, bukan pula karena almarhum adalah seorang yang masih sangat muda, terlihat sehat, gayanya santai, jauh dari kesan sakit-sakitan atau stress, tetapi, perihal kematiannya yang meninggalkan 2 orang anak yang masih kecil, umur 4,5 tahun dan 2 tahun itulah yang sangat memilukan, membuat hati begitu getir. Sontak saya tanya istri saya: “Istrinya kerja?” Istri saya menjawab: “Tidak.”

Maka teringatlah saya akan anaknya yang masih taman kanak-kanak (seumur anak saya), dan adiknya yang masih di gendongan itu. Dan melayanglah pikiran saya kepada istrinya, yang dalam umur yang semuda itu sudah harus menjadi single parent dan bakal mengasuh serta memelihara 2 anaknya itu seorang diri selama hari-hari kehidupan mereka berputar. “Bagaimana mereka nanti?” itulah pertanyaan yang beberapa saat terus memburu jawaban dalam pikiran saya. Kematian memang tak dapat diduga.

Mengapa harus ada cerita sepilu itu? Mungkin jika kita melihat dari perspektif kita sendiri entah sebagai pribadi atau sebagai keluarga, siapapun kita akan merasa kasihan, empati, dan perasaan-perasaan lain semacamnya. Kita bingung dan tak bisa mengerti bagaimana nanti kehidupan keluarga itu, dan bayangan tentang sebuah babak baru dalam hidup yang penuh perjuangan bagi ibu muda itu tampak jelas di depan mata. Melihat cerita seperti itu, apakah dalam hati kita juga langsung timbul pertanyaan kepada Tuhan, “Tuhan, tidak kasihankah Engkau?” Atau pertanyaan lain, “Tuhan, bagaimana ibu muda itu nanti mengurus 2 anak kecil seorang diri? Bagaimana menyekolahkan mereka?”

Dalam hati sayapun juga sempat terlintas pertanyaan serupa, tetapi pertanyaan yang timbul itu langsung saya tepis, karena saya tidak berani sama sekali untuk “questioning God’s authority” atau sedikit “mencurigai” Tuhan sudah berbuat “tega” kepada mereka, lebih-lebih jika sempat timbul pertanyaan yang bersifat seolah-olah “scrutinizing God” (menginterogasi dengan seksama dan menyeluruh terhadap apa yang dilakukan oleh Tuhan). Mengapa? Karena saya ingat sebuah nasihat bahwa janganlah terburu-buru menarik kesimpulan sebuah buku sebelum membaca sampai habis. Apa yang terjadi terhadap keluarga itu ibarat membaca buku yang belum habis, mungkin masih terbaca beberapa bab saja dan kita sedang membaca bagian bab yang memang pas di episode yang gelap.

Beberapa hari setelah itu ketika istri saya dan teman-temannya melayat, mengobrollah mereka dengan istri almarhum. Berceritalah istri almarhum saat-saat suaminya menjelang ajal, saat-saat suaminya tiba-tiba merasakan sakit yang luar biasa di kepalanya dan saat-saat ia meregang nyawa. Belakangan diketahui bahwa ada pendarahan di batang otak yang membuat suaminya langsung koma saat itu. Berceritalah istrinya hari-hari dalam setahun belakangan ini tentang perilaku aneh suaminya, perubahan-perubahan besar dalam diri suaminya, kegiatan-kegiatan suaminya dan keinginan-keinginan suaminya yang sempat diutarakan.

Sepulang saya dari kantor, sambil menyantap makan malam istri saya bercerita tentang obrolannya di rumah duka itu. “Mereka (suami istri) itu ternyata bukan merupakan keluarga Kristen. Suaminya kasar dan gampang sekali marah,” kata istri saya. “Tetapi heran, tahun lalu ia memutuskan menjadi Kristen, dan dalam setahun terakhir ini tiba-tiba ia mulai banyak mengikuti kegiatan gereja. Ia mengikuti training-training dan ikut sekolah untuk melayani. Sejak saat itu sikapnya berubah. Ia menjadi sabar sekali dan emosinya terkontrol dengan baik,” tambah istri saya.

Saya tekun mendengarkan cerita istri saya sambil mulut saya terus mengunyah makanan. Pikiran saya terus merangkai cerita, berusaha menggabungkan serpihan-serpihan episode yang sedang dibacakan oleh istri saya. Saya tahu sedang masuk ke dalam bab yang sangat menarik. “Apakah almarhum sempat mengajak istrinya untuk ikut Kristen juga?” tanya saya. “Benar, ia mengajak istrinya tetapi istrinya masih belum mau waktu itu,” jawab istri saya.
“Tetapi istrinya merasa bahwa suaminya banyak mengalami perubahan, bukan?” tanya saya. “Benar,” jawab istri saya, “Dan yang paling mengagetkan adalah ketika suaminya mengatakan bahwa ia mau sekolah Alkitab dan mau menjadi hamba Tuhan sepenuhnya.”
“Mau jadi hamba Tuhan?” tanya saya. “Ya, bahkan sudah berjalan 1 bulan ini dia sekolah Alkitab,” jawab istri saya.

Saya berpikir bahwa itu benar-benar surprise, lebih-lebih ketika mendengar keyakinan almarhum bahwa jika ia menjadi hamba Tuhan ia akan mengabdikan hidupnya secara full time dan meninggalkan bisnisnya. Ia ingin membuktikan bahwa anak-istrinya tak akan kekurangan (seperti yang sering dikhawatirkan kebanyakan orang bahwa hidup keluarga pendeta akan selalu pas-pasan). “Hebat benar imannya yang masih muda itu, “ kagum saya.

Dua hari sebelum kematian menjemputnya, almarhum datang ke sebuah KKR (Kebaktian Kebangunan Rohani). Waktu ada altar calling, ia maju ke depan. Di hadapan hamba Tuhan itu ia menangis tersedu-sedu sejadi-jadinya seperti seorang anak kecil tanpa ia tahu apa yang menyebabkan ia bisa menangis seperti itu. Sesampainya di rumah, ia cerita kepada istrinya bahwa malam itu ia merasa amat sangat puaaaassss…., dan legaaaa….sekali. Ia tidak mengerti apa sebenarnya yang tengah terjadi di dalam hidupnya.

Hal inilah yang terus terkenang di kepala istrinya sehingga waktu ia menceritakannyapun sambil terisak dan berkata, “Padahal ia sudah berubah sebaik itu, sudah menyampaikan bahwa ia mau menyerahkan hidupnya untuk menjadi hamba Tuhan, kenapa Tuhan tidak beri kesempatan dulu tetapi malah cepat-cepat diambil?”

Saya katakan kepada istri saya bahwa itulah mistery Tuhan. Kita selalu berpatokan kepada pikiran atau logika kita yang sederhana: “Jika ada orang yang sudah berkomitmen untuk menyerahkan hidupnya untuk melayani Tuhan, harusnya Tuhan menerima dengan senang, bukan?” Sama seperti apa yang dipikirkan oleh istri almarhum: “Harusnya Tuhan beri kesempatan dulu, mungkin ia dapat menjadi hamba Tuhan yang bisa memenangkan banyak orang untuk Tuhan.” Kita mungkin juga berpikir: “Bukankah Tuhan saat ini kekurangan pelayan? Bukankah Tuhan sendiri mengatakan bahwa tuaian banyak tetapi pekerja sedikit?”

Sayapun tidak mengerti jalan pikiran Tuhan saat Dia memutuskan untuk memanggil almarhum cepat-cepat, justru saat komitmen itu muncul. Tetapi saya hanya berkata kepada istri saya, “Tuhan memang kadang-kadang ‘aneh’ di mata kita, tapi itulah romantisme Tuhan. Tuhan sudah menemukan kekasihNya, dan Tuhan tidak mau kehilangan lagi.” Ketika istri saya masih bingung dengan apa yang saya katakan, saya melanjutkan, “Ya, Tuhan sudah menemukan kekasihNya. Mungkin almarhum sudah lama ditungguNya. Sebaliknya mungkin almarhum juga sudah menemukan Tuhan, jatuh cinta kepada Tuhan sehingga ia bertekad mau menyerahkan jiwa-raganya untuk Tuhan, maka jadinya klop, keduanya sudah menjadi sepasang kekasih, maka Tuhan tak mau melepaskannya lagi.”

Mungkin Tuhan “khawatir” jika almarhum dibiarkan dan tidak segera ditangkapNya dan dibawaNya pulang, sewaktu-waktu ia bisa berpaling kepada yang lain, mungkin ia bisa “selingkuh” dan tidak setia, mungkin ia bisa tergoda dan “menyeleweng”. Siapa tahu apa yang bakal terjadi di kemudian hari? Maka saya berkata kepada istri saya bahwa ia sedang membacakan untuk saya sebuah cerita yang sangat romantis, dan romantisme Tuhan mirip dengan romantisme kita jika kita sedang jatuh cinta dan menemukan seorang kekasih. Apakah kita rela kekasih yang kita cintai kemudian terlepas dari genggaman kita?

Itulah waktu Tuhan. Itulah waktu yang Tuhan anggap cukup ketika melihat kekasihNya pada sebuah titik yang dianggapNya “perfect” (walaupun Tuhan hendak menyempurnakannya lagi). Kita tak pernah tahu bagaimana cara Tuhan mengukur kesiapan seseorang, bukan? Kita juga tidak pernah tahu ketulusan seseorang ketika menyatakan bahwa ia mau menyerahkan seluruh hidupnya untuk melayani Tuhan, bukan? Itu adalah komunikasi pribadi, dan hanya mereka (Tuhan dan dia) berdua saja yang tahu.

Sering kita mendengar kabar kematian teman atau kerabat kita, dan sering pula kabar itu mengejutkan kita terlebih jika kabar kematian itu mengenai seseorang yang kita anggap baik. Kita tidak suka mendengarnya, dan kita mengumumkannya sebagai berita dukacita. Kita merasa kehilangan dan hati kita ikut merasa sedih. Tetapi di sisi yang lain, ternyata terjadi sebuah kebalikan perasaan, karena orang baik itu merasa senang karena sudah berada bersama Tuhan, dan Tuhanpun senang karena kekasihNya telah berada bersama denganNya.

Kembali lagi bahwa kehidupan kita masing-masing adalah seperti sebuah buku, dimana setiap halamannya mempunyai episode cerita sendiri. Yang harus dipahami adalah bahwa kesimpulan sebuah cerita tak bisa untuk ditarik lekas-lekas, sebelum tiba pada halaman terakhir atau sampai kita menemukan kata “The End”.

Beberapa teman atau orang yang dalam hidupnya dikenal sebagai orang-orang yang baik, yang ramah, yang rendah hati, yang tidak pernah menyakiti orang lain, meninggal dunia dengan tak disangka-sangka. Hari ini masih bersama dengan kita, mungkin 1 jam yang lalu masih bersama kita, bahkan mungkin 5 menit sebelumnya baru saja ngobrol lewat telepon dengan kita. Tetapi kemudian mereka pergi begitu cepat seperti direnggut dari kehidupan kita dan orang-orang terdekatnya. Mereka pergi seperti sekelebat bayangan saja kemudian hilang, padahal karena ia adalah orang baik, kita tidak mau kehilangan dia.

Maka kita tentu bertanya, apakah orang baik begitu cepat pergi?
***
“Sebab itu TUHAN menanti-nantikan saatnya hendak menunjukkan kasih-Nya kepada kamu; sebab itu Ia bangkit hendak menyayangi kamu.” (Yesaya 30:18a)

Who's The Boss?

2011-06-12T22:34:00.004+07:00

(published by The Jakarta Post on 14 June 2011. Click here)

I am still eager to learn about Nunun Nurbaeti, a suspect in the 2004 case of vote-buying involving the selection of Bank Indonesia (BI) senior deputy governor Miranda S. Goeltom.

My brain just cannot reach an understanding as to how the woman who is reportedly suffering a “severe forgetfulness” can freely tour Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, as widely reported by the media.
If she has severe amnesia, I would think she would not even remember the simplest things, such as her name written in her passport, her flight ticket and schedule, or even her destination.

Another thing I don’t understand is that if Nunun is considered a criminal in those countries, how would they be able to charge Nunun if she has severe amnesia? In Indonesia, that is possible. The late former president Soeharto also did the same where his lawyers stated similar things to evade the charges. Hmm… how lucky.

But my biggest wonder is about our law enforcers, who have many times said that they are still tracking down Nunun’s whereabouts and have yet to discover her after a year of hunting. Is it so difficult to find her? Is Nunun smarter than Jason Bourne in the sequel of the Bourne movies?

It is possible, and if it is happening, the amnesia, in fact, is smarter than our law enforcers, isn’t it? What we are learning is just like what we see in a circus, where a tamer tames elephants or wild lions.
Nunun can drive the game while suffering amnesia, moreover so if her brain is healthy.

Many people perceive Nunun herself actually as just having acted as a cashier in the case, where she, according to the suspected lawmakers, disbursed billions of rupiah in traveler checks to legislators to persuade them to vote for Miranda.

We are still confused over Nunun’s interest in having Miranda win the selection as BI senior deputy governor. We did not know her before and we don’t see any links that Miranda’s position would provide favor to her that might have made her so generous in distributing that much money.

The 2004 vote buying case that implicated Nunun and corrupt legislators is not just solely about bribery; it is about politics and it is everybody’s business. “Politics is not a game. It is an earnest business,” said Winston Churchill. So as long as the business transaction has yet to finish, the business itself is still ongoing. Hence, we will see that the settlement of the corruption case is not to reveal the truth, but to entertain the powerful negotiator. But who is actually the boss of the powerful negotiator?

Never mind. Don’t take it too so serious, folks. We have known our country is compromised. Let Nunun enjoy her amnesia, because after everything is settled with a win-win business approach solution, Nunun will soon recover from her amnesia illness and will proceed with business as usual. Want to bet?
***
Serpong, 12 June 2011
Titus J.

After Play

2011-05-31T23:24:00.005+07:00

Let's see.

What would happen with Democratic Party (PD).

It seems that the fiesta has yet to over.

I believe a lot of things will be revealed following Mohammad Nazaruddin's graft case.

Just wait and see. Recent survey said Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) is stealing sympathy from people. Does it mean PDI-P cleaner than PD? No at all. It is because PDI-P has been taking position on opposition party, thus, there is no opportunity for them to abuse power. PDI-P also the same when they were in power.

Democratic Party is digging its own grave, says analyst commenting party's chief patron Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono who is accusing rivals orchestrating the slanderous ploy.

If not handled carefully, Democratic Party will be soon welcoming their doomsday.

***

Serpong, May 31, 2011.

Titus J.

The Shock To Anti-porn Frontrunner

2011-04-12T23:14:00.004+07:00

(published by The Jakarta Post on 14 Apr 2011. Click here)

Let’s ask ourselves if we sometimes see pornography, intentionally or un-intentionally, and dare to be honest that indeed we have seen it. This is human. Either we love to watch it or just see it “accidentally”, since this is a private domain you don’t need to be so worried. Nobody will intervene. If you believe it will cause you to sin, it’s up to you and you can avoid it quickly. But if you want to do it, just do so in your private time and in your private home, not in a meeting. The law on pornography will not punish you just because you love to watch porn videos or look at pictures. The story is different if you make, produce and circulate it. That’s what the law on pornography says.

We must realize what is happening in our society, unless we pretend not to notice. Pornography is everywhere. The problem is, if someone loves pornography as a hobby but preaches against it.

The public was so noisy commenting on what has just happened in the House of Representatives. Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) lawmaker Arifinto was caught red handed viewing pornographic material on his tablet PC during a plenary session. While he denied doing so and said he unintentionally clicked the link of an email that he received, the photographer who took the photos said Arifinto intentionally opened the porn video and pictures from folders on the tablet.

The incident soon became a hot topic in the media, as well as social networking websites with a lot of mocking comments slamming the lawmaker and his party, PKS. The commotion seems to allow the public to vent to their vengeful feelings toward the PKS, which often claims to be the cleanest party, upholding high values of morality, including on corruption and pornography. One of the party executives even said he felt guilty when he had to extend his hand to shake hands with US First Lady Michele Obama, during US President Obama’s visit to Indonesia several months ago.

“Arifinto is a human being. Please understand that,” some say. OK, but remember that Ariel (Peterpan), recently imprisoned for pornography, is a human being too. We appreciated it when eventually Arifinto resigned from the House after he received sanctions from his party. But now let’s stop judging him, because we may not be any better than him.

Everyone is concerned about the rampant amount of pornography in this country, and most of us intend to prevent pornography from running wild in our society and intruding in our families. However, we don’t have to perceive that we are holier than others, and judge others as sinful.

Now the House of Representatives is slapped by this incident, and in the middle of mounting criticism over its plan to renovate the House building. We are worried the new building will become a haven for similar behavior, especially when the building will also have a swimming pool and massage parlor.

A massage parlor may be good for them to relax when they are exhausted from meetings, and we don’t need to be too worried as long as the massagers are “nenek-nenek” (elderly women). But, with a budget of up to Rp 1.3 trillion, do you believe the massage parlor will hire nenek-nenek to provide services?

***

Serpong, 12 Apr 2011

Titus J.

BIN To Watch Over Us: Why Not?

2011-03-27T21:28:00.008+07:00

(published by The Jakarta Post on 30 Mar 2011. Click here)

The intelligence bill is currently being deliberated by the House of Representatives. The bill, which was drafted in 2003, will grant the National Intelligence Agency (BIN) the authority to arrest, detain, wiretap and monitor media channels including social networking websites such as Facebook and Twitter. The human rights activists are the frontline groups who oppose the articles, since it will make BIN a superbody with the authority to abduct people who are critical of government. This may be based on our traumatic history under an authoritarian regime.

Are we, the Indonesian people, worried about this too? It is not because I am not pro-democracy, but frankly, considering an escalation of the violations, terrorism, and threats to civil society nowadays, these articles in the draft bill deserve to be considered. We should see any threats toward some figures as equal to threats against the state that was founded as a home for all. The last cowardly act was the terrorism whereby bombs were sent in packages disguised as books.

Although the draft bill would allow the intelligence agency to intercept the communications of anyone deemed a threat to the state without a court order, including tapping their telephone cells, text messages, emails and even to monitor social networking websites such as Facebook and Twitter, we don’t need to panic, reactive or quickly accuse the state of violating the freedom of expression.

With everyone now so freely opening their mouths to speak anything and write anything, whereby the people can no longer distinguish the appropriateness of content, any measures to drive our democracy’s journey back to the right line is needed. Some people only take the freedom as one of elements of democracy as the base to speak loudly, harshly and even, if necessary, to threaten others who are not in the same position as them.

Of course, not every criticism or outspoken statement is dangerous, because the healthy democracy breathes checks and balances to achieve the matured democracy. However, to understand any statements containing threats to the state is very tangible.

A conversation on radio recently on the discourse of BIN monitoring on Facebook and Twitter received support for the plan, considering the tendency of netters to use unhealthy and provocative words and statements posted on the social networking media. If a Twitter accountholder has thousands of followers, can we guarantee that these followers are able to filter such provocative words?

Some of us may feel inconvenienced that our account could be watched, or our cellular phones tapped. But, as the radio broadcaster asked, “Who are you to be so worried about being monitored by BIN? Don’t be [fool yourself into thinking BIN would care about you].” It made sense. Why would BIN monitor you if you don’t pose any threat to the state? The public reaction to the plan may too excessive, when usually we only post such comment about our petty daily routine.

BIN surely needs an umbrella law to shelter any measures that deal with threats against the state. Sadly, the democracy and freedom of expression has tightly roped the state apparatus. Several times the government has received threats, but the state always shows indecisiveness. It is not clear whether the government is too weak, or afraid about violating human rights.

Recently, there have been rumors about an alleged movement planned by retired military generals using Islamic hardliner groups to overthrow President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. As reported by Al Jazeera, the group would amass millions of Muslims on May 20 (coinciding with National Awakening Day) in a protest to topple the President.

Whether or not this was just a rumor, one thing is for sure: The weaker the government in upholding law and order, the braver they will be.

***

Serpong, Mar 27, 2011

Titus J.

SBY, Don't Wait For A Third Bullet

2011-02-27T22:09:00.003+07:00

(published by The Jakarta Post on 1 Mar 2011. Click here)

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) should take some advice from Winston Churchill: “In war, you can only be killed once, but in politics, many times.”

“One bullet is enough,” are the right words for SBY to consider in relation to his party’s losses in the Bank Century bailout case last year. The battle itself, where the lawmakers in the House of Representative voted to determine whether the government’s decision to bail out the bank was right or wrong was truly absurd. How can something deemed as the truth be a matter of a vote? They fought for a belief and spent a lot of time and money doing so, and then the outcome was nothing.

Today, everything is clear. After the House banged its gavel and stated that the government was wrong in its handling of the Bank Century bailout, so what? The noisy debate was only a reflection of their arrogance, and it was like they were asserting “who is more powerful than us?”. The winner of the vote was bestowed with Sri Mulyani’s departure to the World Bank, and nothing else.

And now that case seems to have evaporated. Last week, another bullet grazed SBY when the House again aimed at him with the tax graft inquiry proposal. Luckily, it ended in a failure, with 266-264 voting in his favor, after the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) jumped onto the coalition wagon.

We would understand if today we were surrounded by news about the possibility of SBY axing the Golkar Party and Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) from the coalition. Such a move would not just be understandable, but imperative. These two parties have so far demonstrated very confusing movements in the eyes of the public. While we agree that coalition members should not always blindly support every government decision, what the two parties have been doing so far is confusing and unethical. This is not about which one is good and which is bad. This is about political trickery and we have become exhausted with such things. This is not creating a healthy democratic environment. If they want to be opposition parties, why do they keep brooding on the pond and enjoying seats in Cabinet? The people’s logical questions are as simple as that. “If they no longer feel at home, they can voluntarily leave and stay out of government,” a Democratic Party executive said.

We cannot trust such statements as, “While we are in the coalition, we should remain critical of the government because this is a people’s mandate” — as such parties often say. The PKS president said at the end of the three-day meeting in Yogyakarta on Saturday, Feb. 26, that the move should be seen as an implementation of the political contract to create good and clean government. Hmm, true or not? Let people judge.

Political analysts said SBY did not have the courage to expel Golkar considering the party’s power. But one thing is for sure: Golkar would be trembling if they were not in power. Can we remember when a Golkar executive said Golkar was not accustomed to being an opposition party, days after they lost in Presidential election?

We, the people, also see a lot of messiness in the government’s work, and should keep control of it, but we cannot avoid having suspicion that every move the two parties make is undermined by a hidden agenda for further political bargaining. “To uphold the truth and create clean government” is what lawmakers should be aiming at.

Now SBY needs to act quickly to take brave measures and kick these two parties out. Otherwise, they (especially Golkar) will become so conceited that they will fire a third bullet.

***
Serpong, Feb 27, 2011
Titus J.

RI's Transition No Model for Egypt

2011-02-13T18:37:00.004+07:00

(published by The Jakarta Post on 18 Feb 2011. Click here)

After the resignation of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Feb. 11, Egyptians need to realize that the path to democracy that they have dreamed about for so long is still a long journey. If they are expecting democracy immediately after successfully toppling their president, who was in power for 30 years, they will very soon be disappointed.

Mubarak is gone. The people are joyous and euphoric after their victory, but beware! That was just one day. There are hundreds and even thousands of days in the future. Egyptians should move forward but there is no toll road to a democratic destiny. We know that exchanging authoritarian rule with democratic rule is about dealing with chronic illness, and it is painful and everyone needs to understand this.

All the media in the world had headlines about Mubarak’s resignation, underlining the word “freedom”. On Feb. 11, after Vice President Omar Suleiman announced that Mubarak had decided to step down, the media reported Egyptians of all ages jamming the banks of the Nile and the squares of Cairo waving flags, lighting fireworks and shouting “freedom”.

Is that freedom from Hosni Mubarak, or freedom from what?

We, Indonesians, have experienced our country’s transition to democracy. We have had a taste of freedom (from Suharto’s authoritarian rule), but, after more than twelve years, the question remains: “Is democracy in our country true freedom and prosperity for the people?” This is only one question. We still have plenty of questions about whether we have true freedom in the context of religion, human rights, minority protection, law enforcement, bribery, corruption, poverty etc.

Many political analysts compare what’s happening in Egypt with what happened in Indonesia in 1998. Even in the United States the Obama administration used Indonesia as a model for Egypt’s transition. President Obama in a speech on Friday, Feb. 11, compared Egypt’s revolution to Indonesia’s. This is logical because the two countries were very similar in the process of regime substitution.

But, the world should not stop with the revolution and transition similarities. The world should also notice that Indonesia’s journey to democracy has almost failed because democracy in Indonesia has gone too far. Democracy in Indonesia has veered from idealism and, unfortunately, has resulted in a weak government. This weak government has dragged Indonesia into its leadership crisis today.

Several cases, from the Gayus saga to the Ahmadiyah attack in Pandeglang, Banten, to the vandalism of churches in Temanggung, Central Java, recently have shown us that this country is run without strong leadership. Is this democracy? A democracy where people can persecute others freely and the government seems too afraid to take stern action against organized attackers?

erhaps the Egyptians have learned from Indonesia in fighting against dictatorship, but they should also learn how to guard the process of a democratic transition, including how to form not only a democratic government but a strong government. Otherwise, they will follow Indonesia and become a failing nation.

***
Serpong, Feb 13, 2011
Titus J.

Gayus And The President's Dignity

2011-01-25T17:37:00.007+07:00

(published by The Jakarta Post on 26 Jan 2011. Click here)

Referring to Gayus H. Tambunan, people should not simply look at how the “actor” has played his role. He is indeed a real actor who has stolen the show: sometimes smiling, at other times crying, too. He speaks very well and never shows his nervousness when answering the judge. He has been full of confidence. What was his official position? Only that of a low-ranked officer at the tax office!

Most people hate Gayus today. If we ask people about him, he will be named as the No. 1 bad guy in Indonesia. We read all the comments posted on Internet by angry members of the public after the seven years’ imprisonment verdict handed-down by Judge Albertina Ho last week. These enraged letters asked police to hand over Gayus to the “people’s court” because the existing court had so far handed down unjust verdicts to money-rich criminals.

Gayus, who blatantly paid off the tax office, police corps and the Attorney General’s Office, has been striking out haphazardly at anyone and recently employed his drunken master style when he implicated the jailed Antasari Azhar and the Central Intelligence Agency.

But above all, the more serious thing than the criminal plots committed by Gayus is the government’s (read: The President’s) dignity. Two days after President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) laid out 12 orders regarding Gayus’ case on Jan. 17 in a limited Cabinet meeting, a judge at the South Jakarta District Court “awarded” Gayus with the lenient verdict. It was like an uppercut to the President’s authority.

In that meeting, the President called on at least five institutions to bring about a resolution in this mafia-stylecase — the National Police, the Attorney General’s Office, the Law and Human Right Ministry, the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre and the Judicial Mafia Taskforce. However, looking at Gayus’s smile and comments in the court (made either before the judge or before journalists), Gayus has proven that the five institutions are toothless.

Gayus has humiliated the law enforcers and the government. He humiliated the President. He humiliated us. It is his down to his own smarts that he has managed to muss the law and ridicule the government. We don’t want to be bothered with that, but, how come the government (read: The President) fails to show us any dignity? How come a crime committed by a junior tax officer has been making headlines everyday and none of the President’s subordinates has been able to settle this case after more than six months?

We are not talking about Gayus but the President’s dignity. The international community has watched as this case evolved to our nation’s embarrassment. The Wall Street Journal in an op-ed on Jan. 12 titled: “Indonesian superfly: A rogue tax official with a knack for passing through prison walls” commented about our President: “By treating this case as though it were any other bribery trial, his government risks letting the public’s theatrics overshadow the seriousness of Mr. Gayus’ offenses — while turning the graft fight into a bad joke at the Indonesian people’s expense.”

So Indonesian fellows, what can we expect from such a government in upholding our dignity as a nation? I just worry after Gayus has completed his jail term, he will run for president. Why not? We have the best government that money can buy, as Mark Twain said.

***
Serpong, 24 January 2011

Titus J.

RI Facing Leadership Crisis

2011-01-13T22:23:00.007+07:00

(published by The Jakarta Post on 4 Feb 2011. Click here)

We are in an era of a leadership crisis and Indonesian people have to take the matter seriously. The next election in 2014 is three-and-a-half years away, but it will come very soon. According to the constitution, incumbent President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) is not allowed to join the race in 2014 because he has held the position for two terms.

These days we are surrounded by news about presidential candidates who will likely participate in the 2014 presidential election, however, none of those figures are convincing enough. The Democratic Party (PD) has no ideal figures, but first lady Kristiani Herawati Yudhoyono has been mentioned many times as a potential candidate. If she’s ready to take the opportunity, she will follow the track of Hillary Rodham Clinton, the former US first lady who failed to secure presidential nomination from the Democratic Party after being defeated by Barack Obama. If Clinton’s political skills were sharpened while she was senator of New York from 2001 to 2009 after her husband left office, Kristiani has proven nothing except for being the first lady.

The Golkar Party will surely nominate their chairman, Aburizal Bakrie, but many issues surrounding him may hinder his run, including the Lapindo mudflow disaster in Sidoarjo and tax evasion allegations involving several firms owned by his family.

The Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) has no candidate other than Megawati Soekarnoputri herself, but people are not likely interested in her anymore due to the “immature demeanor” she has consistently shown toward SBY. The PDI-P may propose Puan Maharani, Megawati’s daughter, but she is too young and still categorized a political new comer.

The National Mandate Party (PAN) obviously has own candidate in Coordinating Minister for the Economy Hatta Rajasa, but unfortunately his figure lacks charisma. We have to be honest in acknowledging that Indonesian people love charismatic leaders.

The Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) has announced intentions to nominate Lt. Gen. (ret.) Prabowo Subianto, but he may stumble over his connection to the late Soeharto’s family. He was discharged by the Military Honorary Council on Aug. 24, 1998 for his role in the abduction of political activists when he served as commander of the Army’s Special Forces (Kopassus) between 1995 and 1998. I think people are still traumatized by the dark history.

Now all Indonesian people have to think about seeking alternative figures. The 2014 legislative election will likely still be dominated by the three major parties, i.e. Democratic Party, Golkar Party and PDI-P.

Unless we find a breakthrough to discover competent alternative figures, the selection of our next leaders will be limited to very few names.

***
Serpong, January 13, 2011.
Titus J.

If You Don’t Want to Come to The Lost&Found Desk, Try This

2010-12-29T21:51:00.003+07:00

If you have ever encountered of losing your properties such as bag, wallet, handphone (cellular phone) and other gadgets in public place of Jakarta, I believe you would have defenselessly let it go. You would have not expected the stuffs be returned to you, yet you would have taken it as a lesson learned for you to next time being more careful, that’s it.

Losing some properties in public places and not getting it back is common. Just come into the Lost&Found desk in malls, terminals, and other public places, then ask the officer to show the list of “Lost” and the list of “Found” in the log book and you will get the point. That’s why most of us are too reluctant to come to the Lost&Found desk when losing of properties. I am too. But you can try my approach, probably it can work.

One day I went to a bookstore with my wife, daughter as well as my daughter’s babysitter. After hours in the bookstore, my daughter asked to go to toilet and the nanny accompanied her. Minutes later, the nanny came to me hurriedly and said: “Pak, I am losing of my handphone.” I asked: “How come? Where?” She replied: “Just now, in the toilet.”

I then asked my wife to quickly go with her to the toilet for searching it. The handphone just a new one and I believed she had saved money for several months to buy that. Minutes later, they came to me with empty hands. The satpam (security officer) who saw us could do nothing but asked me to leave my name and my contact number. Instead of coming to the Lost&Found desk, I went home. What could I do? It’s almost impossible to get it back, but I still wanted to try something.

I then texted some message and sent it to the number of the lost handphone: “Dear sir/madam, this handphone belongs to my nanny, would you please return it back? Thanks for your kindness.”

That was a Saturday. I told the nanny that the only thing we could do was try but no need to expect too much. I have forgotten the case until the following day my handphone suddenly beep receiving a message (sms): “The handphone is on me. Call me in this number.”

I called the number right away and a man picked up my call over there. I introduced myself and conveyed many thanks for his response. I then explained that he could return the handphone to my nanny if he wanted to do so. “No problem, when do you want to take it?” he asked. “It’s up to you, Pak, I will follow when and where can we meet,” I replied. We made appointment to meet in a hospital in West Jakarta because the location is not too far from his home.

I brought my wife, daughter as well as the nanny to come there. We met with the man - a young man accompanied by his pregnant wife. “Sorry, I got it from my mom,” he said and took the handphone out of his pocket. “She found it at the bookstore’s toilet and didn’t know what to do,” he continued. After minutes of conversation he handed it over to me. I asked my nanny to check if it was really her handphone. The nanny smiled widely and said many thanks to him. I looked at my wife chatted with his wife and wished grace for her pregnancy.

Till today, I sometimes texted an sms to him saying hello and asking his wife’s pregnancy condition. I planned to visit the family when the baby is born, but the due date has yet to come.
I don’t really understand how it’s worked. I was happy not just because we’ve found the lost handphone, but we’ve found someone with such morality in the middle of reckless society nowadays.

Maybe you can try such approach to find your lost properties rather than making a report to the Lost&Found desk.

***
Serpong, 29 Dec 2010
Titus J.

Kartu Natal Di Keranjang Sampah

2010-12-26T10:31:00.003+07:00

Waktu Natal tiba, hal yang selalu kita lakukan adalah saling berkirim salam kepada keluarga, kerabat, teman dan sahabat kita. Namun, apa arti salam Natal itu bagi kita?

Katika saya masih umur belasan tahun, dan masih duduk di bangku SMP atau SMA atau ketika masih di Perguruan Tinggi, berkirim salam Natal selalu dilakukan lewat kartu Natal (Christmas Card). Menjelang Natal, setiap orang ramai mendatangi toko-toko yang menjual kartu Natal, kemudian memilih kartu yang paling bagus. Kadang-kadang kita bisa menghabiskan waktu berjam-jam untuk memilih puluhan kartu dengan design yang berbeda-beda dengan kalimat terindah yang tertulis di dalamnya. Sambil memilih-milih kartu itu, kita membacanya pelahan, menghayati kata demi kata yang tertulis di kartu itu dengan harapan nanti si penerima kartu Natal merasa senang, dan membacanya pelahan, menghayati kata demi kata yang tertulis di situ persis seperti yang kita lakukan.

Dari belasan bahkan puluhan kartu itu, akan ada 1 kartu yang istimewa, yang akan berbeda dengan kartu-kartu lain yang kita pilih, karena kartu itu hendak kita kirimkan kepada seseorang yang istimewa bagi kita. Jika kita tidak pintar mengarang kata-kata, kita cukup mengirimkan kartu yang sudah berisi kata-kata yang puitis itu, kemudian tinggal membubuhkan tanda-tangan kita. Tetapi ada di antara kita yang selalu ingin menulis sendiri ungkapan hati kita, sehingga kita cukup memilih kartu Natal yang polos tanpa kata-kata, tentu dengan design yang bagus.

Kartu itu akan kita tulisi dengan goresan tinta dari tangan kita sendiri, yang kalimatnya kita rancang berjam-jam seindah mungkin. Dan mungkin waktu menulisnyapun tangan kita akan bergetar, karena jantung kita berdetak lebih cepat tidak seperti biasanya lantaran membayangkan bahwa kartu itu benar-benar untuk seseorang yang istimewa dalam hidup kita. Kita seolah ingin meminta kepada kartu itu untuk mewakili kita berbicara dengan si penerima di hari yang khusus itu. Inilah cara tradisional yang indah dan romantis.

Maka ketika tanggal 25 Desember sudah mendekat, hati kita berdebar-debar menunggu tukang pos datang ke rumah kita mengantarkan kartu-kartu Natal. Kita menunggu datangnya kartu Natal dari seseorang yang istimewa itu, dan kitapun berharap dia yang istimewa itu juga tengah duduk menanti di rumahnya akan datangnya kartu Natal yang kita kirimkan kepadanya.

Benar, ketika tukang pos itu mengeluarkan setumpuk kartu Natal dari dalam tasnya, dan menyerahkannya kepada kita, ada 1 kartu Natal yang berbeda dari yang lain. Tak sabar hati kita untuk segera tahu, maka kita sisihkan dulu kartu-kartu yang lain di sebelah kita karena tangan kita hanya mau memegang 1 kartu istimewa itu. Berdebar-debar hati kita membuka amplopnya dan membaca kartu itu. Sembari membaca tulisan di dalamnya, saat itu kaki kita terasa terangkat dan tubuh kita terasa lebih ringan, melayang, melayang jauh terbang tinggi bagai rajawali di atas awan. Sambil tersenyum sendiri di dalam kamar, kita bertanya, apakah dia juga sudah menerima kartu Natal yang kita kirimkan? Dan apakah jantungnya juga berdebar-debar menerima dan membaca kartu yang kita kirimkan?

Saya pernah menerima kartu Natal dari seorang teman ketika saya masih SMP. Begitu kartu itu saya buka, mengalunlah sebuah instrumental lagu Natal yang dibunyikan oleh sebuah komponen kecil elektronika yang ditempelkan di bagian dalam kartu itu. Saya kagum bukan kepalang dan saat itu saya meyakini bahwa kartu Natal itu pasti harganya mahal. Selama bertahun-tahun kartu Natal itu tetap saya simpan karena hati sangat terkesan.

Sadarkah kita bahwa dalam hidup kita ini ada 1 orang istimewa yang selalu menantikan salam Natal kita? Sampai sekarangpun, jika kita mau berdiam diri sejenak, keluar dari rutinitas kesibukan kita, kita akan diingatkan bahwa betapa berartinya salam Natal itu untuk mereka yang menantikan kita. Apakah 1 orang yang istimewa itu istri atau suami kita, ibu atau ayah kita, sahabat kita, kekasih kita, kitalah yang paling tahu dimana seharusnya posisi mereka itu berada dalam kehidupan kita. Tetapi kesibukan kita sering mengaburkan pandangan kita dan menumpulkan sensitifitas hati kita untuk mengingat mereka.

Kalaupun toh kita mengirimkan kartu Natal juga, apakah kita pernah menyadari bahwa di dalam kartu itu seharusnya kita tidak sekedar menaruh kata-kata yang indah, melainkan lebih dari itu kita seharusnya menaruh hati kita untuk orang yang menerima? Kita memilih kartu yang seindah dan sebagus mungkin, mengirimkannya kepada orang lain tetapi sesudah itu lupa. Mengapa? Karena kita hanya terpaku pada symbol, pada gambar atau design yang bagus, pada kalimat yang indah, puitis dan berbunga-bunga. Kita lupa menyertakan ketulusan kita dengan cara yang paling sederhana dalam kartu itu untuk mereka.

Sebuah kartu Natal diberikan oleh seorang ayah kepada anak perempuannya, diselipkan di bawah bantal dan bertuliskan begini: “My daughter, you bring so much goodness and beauty unto the world with your thoughtfulness, kindness and loving heart. And especially at this Christmas holiday, you should know that you make me feel so very proud and thankful. And I love you very much.”

“Betapa engkau sangat berarti bagi dunia karena kebaikanmu dan cintamu membuat dunia menjadi indah. Ayah bangga padamu, nak,” begitulah kira-kira maksud si bapak itu. Tetapi tak seorangpun tahu, anak perempuannya itu selalu menunggu ayahnya untuk diajak bercerita tentang kegiatannya di sekolah, tentang teman-temannya, tentang kejadian-kejadian yang menjengkelkannya atau yang menggembirakannya, tentang perasaannya yang tiba-tiba menjadi lain ketika memandang teman sekelasnya. Tetapi ayahnya jarang punya waktu untuknya semenjak karirnya menanjak, dan ayahnya begitu sibuk dengan teman-teman kantornya dan teman-teman lainnya yang selalu mengajaknya pergi entah kemana.

Dan seorang wanita muda yang mengirimkan kartu Natal kepada mamanya memilih kartu yang berisi kalimat ini: “To my mom who shines so bright in so many hearts. The best things to wish you are all the things you give to others...happiness, laughter, and so much love. Merry Christmas, mom.”

“Engkau menyinari hati dengan cahaya cintamu, dan engkau selalu memberi kebahagiaan dan sukacita. Biarlah engkau rasakan hal yang sama seperti apa yang engkau berikan, mama,” begitulah kira-kira maksud wanita muda itu ketika memilih kartu berkalimat itu. Tetapi tak seorangpun tahu bahwa bertahun-tahun sudah wanita muda itu memupuk kepahitan di hati mamanya karena sikapnya yang menyakitkan di dalam rumah.

Di tempat dan waktu yang berbeda, seorang istri memberikan kartu Natal kepada suaminya dengan menaruh kartu itu di dekat keranjang tempat koran. Suaminya selalu membaca koran setiap pagi di tempat itu, dan si istri memilih kartu Natal bertuliskan begini: “Whatever your heart hopes for, I want to be a part of...Wherever God's plan leads you, I'll be by your side...However many joys today can hold for you, I pray that you will have them all...because I love you and I love sharing life with you...It's a blessing that grows more wonderful every day. Loving you at Christmas.”

“Aku ingin selalu berada di sisimu dan menjadi bagianmu, kemanapun Tuhan membawamu. Doaku untukmu agar engkau memiliki sukacita yang penuh. Aku sayang padamu dan ingin selalu berjalan bersamamu setiap hari dalam berkatNya,” begitulah kira-kira maksud si istri itu kepada suaminya. Tetapi tak seorangpun tahu bahwa suaminya memendam dendam kepadanya karena suaminya tahu jika ia sedang tidak berada di rumah, istrinya betah mengobrol berjam-jam di telepon dengan seorang laki-laki lain entah siapa. Dan suaminyapun tahu, Blackberry istrinya penuh dengan obrolan tidak senonoh dengan teman-teman prianya.

Betapa indah dan menakjubkan kata demi kata dalam sebuah kartu Natal, dan kita suka sekali memilih kalimat yang indah-indah karangan orang lain, bukan ekspresi hati kita yang ingin kita sampaikan kepada orang lain. Kita suka mengobral kata-kata indah yang kita cari berjam-jam waktu memilih kartu Natal, tetapi kita tidak peduli sikap kita sehari-hari kepada orang penerima kartu itu. Bahkan lebih celaka, jika sampai terjadi bahwa tak ada salam Natal secuilpun bagi seseorang yang harusnya menjadi orang yang istimewa bagi kita.

Di jaman sekarang, ketika teknologi telah menjadi raja dalam kehidupan manusia modern, berkirim salam Natal dilakukan lewat e-card di internet atau sms (short message service), dan untuk itupun kita malas mengetikkan huruf demi huruf untuk si penerima. Kita hanya menunggu sms dari teman kita, lalu kita memilih kata-kata yang terindah, kemudian kita mem-forward-nya kepada teman, sahabat dan keluarga kita. Dan mereka yang menerima sms yang indah itu mem-forward-nya kepada teman mereka yang lain. Dan teman mereka yang lain itu kemudian mem-forward-nya ke kita lagi. Betapa salam Natal yang pura-pura!

Saling berkirim salam lewat kartu Natal di saat Natal tiba memang menjadi moment yang indah untuk dikenang, namun sekali lagi, apa arti salam Natal itu bagi kita? Jika kartu-kartu Natal itu kita kirimkan hanya untuk basa-basi dan sopan-santun pergaulan, lebih-lebih jika di dalamnya terkandung kata-kata kemunafikan, bukankah oleh si penerimanya kartu-kartu Natal itu akan segera dibuang ke dalam keranjang sampah?

***
Serpong, Dec 2010
Titus J.

Eight Years of Knocking the Door

2010-11-30T23:03:00.004+07:00

(a testimony)

It is true when a wise man told that for everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: A time to be born and a time to die, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance. One thing that has to be kept in mind is how we can make a peace with the time, because no one can change the time, but time changes everything.

Yes for everything there is a season, but many times we are being so obstinate to get something before the time. We often pretend to know that something should be the best for us, then claim that the time has come. Do we know something after, whether the better or the worse thing will come?

Time always teaches us of patience, but many people failed to pass it. Time always teaches us of perseverance, but many people too fast to surrender. Oh, if we know that time has determined everything in couples: day and night, rain and dry, born and die, weep and laugh, mourn and dance. Please look, time is walking through along the night just to be greeted by a morning, and when there is a weep, a laugh is waiting.

That was a bright morning on July, when a friend of mine sent a blessing words through sms (short message service) to my celular phone congratulated us (me & my wife) for the anniversary of our marriage: “His love shall have no end. They are new every morning. Great and abundant is His stability and faithfulness.”

We were directing our eyes to our only daughter who was still in a very sound asleep. We looked at her innocent face. She was almost four years old, and this month she would go back to school to start her ECY-2 (Early Childhood Year-2) class. How the time flies so fast, bringing my daughter to grow amazingly from the birthdate to present. Reading the sms containing best wishes from the friend has brought me to a reminiscence on particular episode of my life. This is a wonderful life, a wonderful about weep and laugh which I would tell you for awhile.
***

I married in 1998 in Surabaya. After got married I just agreed with my wife to postpone our plan to have a child, at least within a year in order to get opportunity for going around anywhere we wanted to. I realized not giving enough time to her during years of our ‘pacaran’ (dating) because of my business. Enjoy togetherness without anybody else in the early time of marriage would be so happy. Therefore, my wife deliberately avoided pregnancy.

After 1 year passed, and we then aborted the pregnancy postponement, I was bit surprise since my wife never experienced any symptoms of pregnancy. So curious with this, then we decided to check it to doctor.

The doctor recommended my wife to go for blood examination to explore her hormonal composition, while I must go to examine my sperm as well. When the lab result was read by the doctor, we were so shocked after learning that my wife has never experienced ovulation – a condition when ovum discharged from ovary. By this condition, it would be impossible for my wife to get pregnant.

The doctor then decided to handle my wife’s problem at first. Upon heard the doctor’s comment, I just said to myself: “Probably it’s not time for God to give us baby yet.” We just thought positively – perhaps God was waiting for our readiness to give us a child. The statement actually was only a consolation to myself as it was absolutely not a simple thing to imagine how the miserable situation will come.
***

We attempted to follow the therapy that suggested by the doctor. We also came to several doctors to get second opinions. My wife also took Chinese medicines as well as traditional herbal medicines according to suggestion from our friends and families. However, the result was null.

Another endeavor, my wife then decided to quit from her job since some friends said the problem was probably impact of unfit condition because of her tight job. She was jobless within 2000 to 2002 (about 2 years), but still, she had yet to be pregnant. Eventually she decided to go back to work because spending days at home for 2 years without doing anything was so bored.

Then 2003 came. It meant there’s already 5 years of our marriage. We had been getting older. Honestly, we felt fed-up because of no sign of pregnancy came. We wanted to forget it, but it’s not so simple thing. When we met with our friends, certainly they would ask about family especially children. Having children for married couple in our culture was considered very important and deems a “mandatory” thing. So, we, particularly my wife, tried to be strong in mentality when faced such questions.

Fortunately, our parents never demanded anything. Yes our brothers and sisters in our respected family have had children, but they fully understand our situation and conveyed sympathy. “Don’t worry, my son,” said my mother. “I keep praying for you and your wife. God will open His hands and give you strength. Put your hope in Him, and just wait,” she tried to console me.

Friends and relatives often suggested us to adopt a child. “Some people adopted child then they got pregnant shortly after. Perhaps that will works,” they said. But I was adamant. I was afraid to be guilty if I would have failed to show fairness between my adopted child and my biological child. If I could have not love the adopted child wholeheartedly, am I not being sinful to his/her?

We visited another doctor in 2003. After observation, the doctor showed the USG result and confirmed that my wife was suffering PCO (Polycystic Ovary). After some treatment was done, there was even a big cyst with size as big as ping-pong ball had been growing. The doctor decided to operate the cyst and cut it off. After the operation, the same therapy must be followed every month, but till the doctor moved to Australia the pregnancy’s sign was still faraway.

In my pray every morning I said to Him: “Lord, should You do not give us a child, that’s ok. You are my Lord, and You are remain my Lord. I still hold my belief that You are my Savior, but please give us strength, show us Your directives in order to us understand Your will. May Your will be done, because I know everything comes from You is the best.”

I always consoled and ensured my wife that purpose of the marriage was not merely to have a child. A child, I thought, is just a bonus from the Most High, but the essence why couple married actually is for us to keep growing, growing in all aspect of life – how we share each other, fill-in each other, strengthen each other, and to bear fruits for others. In our prayer every night, we asked God to give us happiness, a happiness that not depending on do have or do not have a child.
***

2005. That was our seventh year of our marriage. What should we do after seven years in waiting but gained nothing? As a human being (and probably people commonly also feel the same), I and my wife began to forget about the child. We have prepared to accept anything till any possibility to spend our life in lonely without cheerful days when embracing child.

But one morning, when my wife was residing in a lowest point of her life, in her prayer suddenly she got a beautiful words that saying: “He makes the barren woman to be a homemaker and a joyful mother of children.” My wife stupefied in second. “Is the promise for me?” she asked softly to herself. She affected. Her tears dropped subconsciuously. She was sure that’s not empty words nor a coincidence. We’re sure nothing is coincidence in our life. We’re sure God is not blind, neither He is deaf. The prayers that have been submitted by us, our parents and friends persistently have knocked the Heaven’s door.

After the beautiful surprise, we got new spirit to try again, to re-try what we have started along seven years back. We were sure God has extended His hands to us. We routinely visited the doctor to consult and got therapy.

Several months after the therapy, my wife was able to ovulate. She looked so happy and very optimistic over the progress. Then her menstruation always came several days after the time it supposed to be. It indicated a probable pregnancy was in the making. However when we tested her urine, the result was always negative. The following month she experienced the same, however the test result, again, showed negative status. That happened month by month, but everytime the result was negative, I encouraged her not to surrender, and said: “Probably next month...”

One day, when my wife was at home, in a morning prayer and contemplation, a well known song was humming in her heart saying: “As a father loves his child, so You loves me. You makes me as Your pupil of Your eye. You gives everything that You have…As a father loves his child, so You leads my step. You gives a beautiful outcome. Your plan is the best for me. ” (Seperti bapa sayang anaknya, demikianlah Engkau mengasihiku. Kau jadikan biji mataMu. Kau berikan semua yang ada padaMu…Seperti bapa sayang anaknya, demikianlah Kau menuntun langkahku. Hari depan indah Kau beri. RancanganMu yang terbaik bagiku). The song repeatedly voiced softly in her heart just to be enjoyed by my wife.

Upon listening to the song, my wife prayed and submerged in some dialogue with Lord:
“Lord, You know me very well. Give me Your grace, please,” she said.
“What for? Am I less precious than a child?” the Lord answered.
“No, Lord, You are more precious than anything.”
“Then why did you ask to have a child?
My wife muted. Her tear rolled-down.
“To take care of you in your old age? asked the Lord. “Will I not keep my promise that even to your old age I am He, and even to hair white with age I will carry you? I have made you and will always take care of you, I will carry and will save you,” said the Lord.
“Forgive me, Lord, I asked You a child not to take care of me in my old age, because I truly sure You bear me up on Your hands. I asked You a child to teach me how Your love is - the love that You said as the love of a father who loves his child.”

That’s a very short conversation, but the song in her heart had never faded away.
That day my wife overflowed with an abundant happiness.
***

In our regular visit to doctor, since the pregnancy has yet to be happened despite the hormonal composition has been good, the doctor then suggested to do some treatment to my wife called HSG (Hysterosalpingography – A radiologic procedure to investigate the shape of the uterine cavity and the shape and patency of the fallopian tubes). This action was taken over suspiciousness that something should be wrong to the fallopian tubes. That’s correct, the picture that taken by radiology showed that one of the fallopian tubes was clogged-up. After certain treatment, the blocked fallopian tube was then opened.

A couple months after that, the pregnancy’s sign was still not appears yet, despite the USG stated the ovum has been ovulated and reached the proper dimension. Based on doctor’s analysis, the ovum has indeed matured, but failed to broken-down.
One day after several months of no progress, finally the doctor said: “I will inject with some medicine to break it down. Let’s see what happen after that. If pregnancy still does not happen, you have to be ready for insemination. If it’s also fail, I would give up!”

In February of the eighth year of our marriage, on the 33rd day after menstruation, my wife did a urine test to check whether she was pregnant, but the result was negative. We waited for next 7 days as the menses was still not coming, and then doing urine test. Same thing, the result was negative. My wife sobbed, but I consoled her: “Just relax, we have passed the hardship and we were strong so far, let’s wait for several days.” Then we waited for next 7 days to reach the 47th day. As the menses was still not coming, we did the 3rd urine test with a much expectation that she finally got pregnant. Again same thing, the result was negative. “What happened with my wife?” I thought.

We quickly came to doctor to check my wife’s condition. I asked the doctor why my wife has not got menses, whereas that was the 47th day. The doctor smiled, then took a pregnancy calculator and examined the date in front of us. He then said: “Ok, the baby will be born on October 2nd“. My wife complained: “How come you say that, whereas you don’t even do any observation on me?” The doctor replied: “That’s ok, just relax madam, let’s see.”

My wife laid-down on the bed, the doctor did a USG on her belly then said: “Congratulations! See, it’s already positive!” he showed the monitor screen. We saw a tiny dot as big as peanut laid in my wife’s womb. Is it called an embryo? We both muted, unspoken and only looked at each other. In our way to home, we never stopped to say: “Thank You, Lord….”
***

Finally, the door was opened, after about eight years we knocked untiredly. Was it too long to wait for eight years? Maybe, as a human being we felt it’s too long at that time. But, we knew Him who resides beyond the door is alive and listening to our finger knocking and knocking. He seems deaf, may be pretending not to care, but very truly He is not deaf, and He cares, He really cares. He is deeply moved in spirit and troubled. When our hands have been so tired, the knocking rhytm went slowly and the knocking-sound faded, finally He Himself opened the door. Praise the Lord.

***

My daughter opened her eyes. She has not understood the story yet, but I am sure, when she grows-up and being a young girl some day, she will give thanks and say: “Many, O Lord my God, are the wonderful works which You have done, and Your thoughts toward us; no one can compare with You! If I should declare and speak of them, they are too many to be numbered.”

May this testimony inspires you.

***

Serpong, July 2010
Titus J.

Soeharto, Gus Dur or Munir?

2010-10-26T23:52:00.003+07:00

(published by The Jakarta Post on 1 Nov 2010. Click here)

Ahead of National Heroes Day on Nov. 10, our people are discussing and debating the proposal of the presidential council in charge of designating nominees for honorary titles of heroes. Among the 10 short-listed candidates it has proposed, one much-debated name is that of former president Soeharto.

Does he deserve to be an Indonesian national hero? Some people believe he was indeed a hero, while others say he was a despot. Some people praise him for the development of Indonesia during his 32 years in power, while others point to him as the culprit of our country’s current troubles because of his corruptive mentality and its influence on the nation.

“We were in a better state during Soeharto’s rule than today,” some say. “So we must be grateful to him by honoring him with a national hero’s title”.
But others disagree, saying instead that he should have been dragged into the international tribunal and charged for human rights violations related to 1965 genocide, the invasion and massacre in East Timor (now Timor Leste), kidnapping and persecution of political opponents, etc.

A figure will always have two faces, and to be a hero or not is really subjective. This is the same as Kim Jong-il, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad or Osama bin Laden; their loyal followers adore them as heroes, but America regards them as enemies.

Do we need a hero? Most Jakartans would say perhaps that a hero for them is simply someone who can solve the severe traffic congestion and flood problem. If we ask Suciwati, the widow of the slain human rights campaigner Munir, a hero may be someone who can capture her husband’s murderer, and whoever dares to hand down punishment. And if the same question was addressed to victims of the Lapindo mudflow in Sidoarjo, they would pick someone who could restore their vanished homes.

Everybody can be a hero, but one thing is for sure, as wise men say, a hero is someone we can admire without apology.

Soeharto was not Nelson Mandela, who served 27 years in prison for his anti-apartheid movement. Soeharto was also not Kim Dae-jung, the man who was called the “Nelson Mandela of Asia” for his similar spirit to Mandela, who fought against authoritarian power.

Is Soeharto a hero? Sadly, Soeharto has been rejected by his own people, until now. If today public have been debating whether to bestow or deny him of the hero title, it is the government’s fault, because cases related to Soeharto have continually ended in uncertainty, and verdicts were never handed down.

The four consecutive presidents after him, i.e. B.J. Habibie, Abdurrahman “Gus Dur” Wahid, Megawati Soekarnoputri and now Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono have seemed reluctant to touch him. Thus, it was never stated formally by the courts whether Soeharto was innocent or guilty.

Now the hero title for Soeharto is being discussed and whatever is decided will remain controversial.

***
Serpong, 25 Oct 2010
Titus J.

Our Apathetic Behavior Is Dangerous

2010-10-12T23:12:00.006+07:00

(published by The Jakarta Post on 18 Oct 2010. Click here)

Someone has to fight evil, though evil will never die. These words may be kept in mind by the National Police’s Detachment 88 antiterrorism squad when combating terrorist networks in Indonesia these days.

Some people said the acts of Detachment 88 will only trigger retaliation from Muslims, and the killing of the suspected terrorists will raise other mujahedeens to launch new attacks. The theory, though from some perspectives it is understandable, should not stop our state’s security apparatus from fighting evil. In other words, no matter how large a price to be paid, retaliation by evil should not discourage efforts to uphold the truth and to guard the state.

Now the police are collecting evidence to charge Abu Bakar Ba’asyir for his involvement with the CIMB Niaga bank heist in Medan and the attack on the Hamparan Perak Police station in Deli Serdang, North Sumatra, recently. Dragging Ba’asyir to court — as long as it supported by solid evidence — must get the full support from everyone who wants to protect our country from any movements to destroy democracy and state principals.

Ba’asyir has said in many interviews that he and his followers want to transform Indonesia into an Islamic state by any and all means. His stance to accept criminal acts with a pretext as long as they are done for the cause of Islam — will ignite those who have been indoctrinated by radicalism to copy those acts. In every moment related to the death of the so-called jihadists, Ba’asyir acted as the anointer and said: “May Allah glorify their souls.”

What Ba’asyir has been instigating in Muslims — to wage war on everyone who opposes their plan — is very dangerous. That’s why we have to stop it. He told his followers that if they can no longer do it through sermons then they are obliged to wage war.

A survey conducted nationwide by the Center for the Study of Islam and Society recently about interreligious relationships shows that intolerance among Muslims towards non-Muslims is on the rise. Fifty-seven percent of respondents expressed their objections to non-Muslims building new places of worship. The percentage is the highest ever recorded within the past 10 years. The survey also said that the more intolerant a Muslim is, the more likely it is that the person will support the extremist agenda. We can see this example in what has happened with the HKBP church in Bekasi recently.

We have to encourage the state apparatus to have no doubts in keeping the state of Indonesia unified despite criticism from some scaremongers who often use human rights issues as scarecrows. The police also have no reason to fear accusations of hostility towards Islam, because the majority of Muslims in this country condemn terrorism.

Someone has to fight evil, though evil will never die. Our apathetic behavior basically is as dangerous as evil itself, as Albert Einstein said: “The world is a dangerous place to live, not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don’t do anything about it.”

***
Serpong, 12 Oct 2010
Titus J.

The Faithful Maid and The Good Samaritan

2010-09-25T00:48:00.001+07:00

If housewives are gathering in these post-Idul Fitri holydays, what is the exciting topic being talked among them? The hottest topic, apparently, is house maids (please forgive me, madams). Please don’t ever belittle this topic, because the housewives will always take its matter seriously.

Some maids didn’t return to their employers after Idul Fitri holidays, instead they seek other families who offer a better payment. Some others – like my daughter’s babysitter - even didn’t go for mudik (going home to homeland) but asked two weeks leave to substitute another babysitter in a family whom their babysitter took leave. The family had no objection to pay 150 – 200 thousands rupiahs per day during holidays. This is a common practice among maids or babysitters, so just forget about the faithfulness of maids or babysitters in Jakarta.

The maids - especially in the big cities - have been playing a key role in managing our daily household duties. They are more important than anybody else in our home. A husband and wife sometimes have to fight each other because of maids. Some story says, because of maid, a family’s harmony is in danger when a husband defends his maid against her shrew wife. Some people even say, a faithful maid deserves to replace the position of unfaithful wife (Oh my God!). So absurd, but this is real. No one allowed divorcing husband-wife, but a maid can.

For you who are in your bright career, do you ever realize your maid indirectly contributes your success? You can do your job peacefully because your children are with the trusted keepers at home, right? Some families even rely the “children education” on their maids at home since they are so busy doing their business.

Couple days before Idul Fitri, I met with a colleague and had a lunch together. We supposed to talk about business, but we spent only ten percent of our time to do so, whereas a topic of maids dominated our conversation. “This time is annual chaos at my home. No food, no coffee, terrible housekeeping, and so on..,” he opened the chat.
“Well, how long does your maid leave for mudik?” I asked.
“Two weeks,” he replied.
“Are you sure she will come back to you?”
“Of course, she has been with our family for more than twenty years.”
“Great! She must be so faithful, trustworthy and perfect for your family. That’s not easy to have such maid,” I said.
“Oh, no. Sometimes she made mistakes, too. She’s even illiterate,” he said.

My colleague then explained how he treated his maid. He gave her trust to manage all of household duties. Since she always delivered every job well, my colleague didn’t need to do much intervention. He provided appropriate meals, monthly salary, one-two days monthly leave, and things that made me so surprise: medical checkup and pension insurance!

“You provide medical checkup for your maid? Am I not wrong?” I asked.
“Sure. If she gets serious illness, do I not spend a lot of money for doctors and hospitals?” I rather take preventive action, right?” he answered.
“And pension, too?”
“Why not? She served my family very well for more than twenty years, and dedicated two-third of her age to my family, she deserves it.”

I astonished. I’ve never found such care, a care as shown by this man to someone we consider in a lowest strata of our society. I wanted to give some comments but he continued: “I have told her she can ask to retire whenever she want, return to homeland and bring her money home. Sometimes I show her the amount of her pension’s account from the bank.”

“It must be a lot of money in her pension account so far,” I commented.
“But, she seems not too care about that numbers.”
“Perhaps she just wants to be with your family,” I said.
“I don’t know,” he answered. “I don’t want to throw her away when she’s being old and unable to work,” he continued.

I gazed at him, tried to seek an answer from his eyes why he did that. Then he said: “I just want to offer myself as a neighbor to her, though she’s only a maid.”

***
Serpong, 24 Sep 2010
Titus J.

Obama and The Ground Zero Mosque

2010-08-21T11:01:00.004+07:00

(published by The Jakarta Post on 24 Aug 2010. Click here)

These days, the world is talking vociferously about a plan to build a mosque and Islamic center near Ground Zero, a place where the WTC twin towers in New York were destroyed by the al-Qaeda terrorist organization on Sept. 11, 2001. The sudden attack claimed about 3,000 innocents.

The project plan was initiated by The Cordoba Initiative, which is an organization whose name makes reference to what was, 1,000 years ago, one of the world’s most advanced cities, Cordoba, Al-Andalus (Spain). This was a city that was politically and religiously dominated by Islam, and a city that was conquered by jihad (holy war).The institution has purchased the land near Ground Zero for US$4.85 million in cash, and recently is raising an additional $100 million for the construction. It might be intending to restore some of Islam’s lost glory by making Ground Zero the site of the rebirth of Islam’s holy war in the West.

Unfortunately, the project plan is opposed by the majority of the American people, who perceive the proposed project as insensitive to the Sept. 11 victims and provocative at a time when Muslims are pressing for wider acceptance in the US. Maybe, the American people are still dealing with the trauma, as nine years since the incident is too short a time to erase the anguished memories.

The Ground Zero mosque issue grew into a more heated debate after President Barack Obama made a remark backing the plan. He said, “I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as everyone else in this country. And that includes the right to build a place of worship and a community center on private property in Lower Manhattan, in accordance with local laws and ordinances.”

In the wake of distrust and suspicion between the West (read: America) and the Muslim world, one has to appreciate Obama’s remarks. I see he was not just paying lip service or making a hypocritical statement, but it was from his conscience, to mend the trust and to heal the wounds. It is not just once that he has delivered such a statement, as we remember his speech during his inauguration as the president of the United States on Jan. 20, 2009, saying: “We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus – and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth…To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect”.

The open statement that specifically addressed Muslims, again, was the fulfillment of his promise to make America friends with Muslims in any corner of the world. Whether Obama will successfully implement his dream, we will see later.

Meanwhile, the man who will play the key role to nod or shake his head on the project, is New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. On an official trip to Pennsylvania, he said: “I happen to believe that it is the most important right that we have to say what we want to say, which includes praying to whomever we want in any place we want, in any manner we want”. Referring to the 9/11 incident he continued: “You know, our firefighters and police officers ran into the Twin Towers, they didn’t ask anybody what they believed. They just went in.”

Bloomberg is of Russian Jewish descent. His support of the planned project is surprising, in particular to the Muslim community across the world that has been stigmatizing Jews as the number one enemy.

How did the two leaders dare take a position against the mainstream? Obama was even forced to swallow a bitter pill when his people began to question his faith and accused him of being a Muslim. For this, the White House had to issue a clarification to convince Americans that Obama was a devout Christian. The point that I see in this is — how he did not care about any attempt that could ruin his image for the sake of peace.

There are tough challenges ahead for Obama and Bloomberg, but one day the world will remember their brave stance to promote inter-religious tolerance and appreciation as a basic right of everyone — something which is very hard and almost impossible to achieve in Indonesia, a country where the leader prefers to keep quiet on any issue of minority rights.

***
Serpong, 21 Aug 2010
Titus J.

Discount Dinners for Our Beloved Dads and Moms

2010-07-31T01:44:00.004+07:00

(published by The Jakarta Post on 31 Aug 2010. Click here)

One of the many things we do when we want to make our parents happy is taking them out to dinner at our favorite restaurants, to savor our best culinary discoveries.

My late father always expected me to take him to a warung (vendor) that served soto (chicken or meat soup) or pecel (assorted steamed vegetables dipped in peanut sauce) whenever I returned to my hometown. Taste-wise, for him, this was hardly any different to the food my mother prepared, and there was no particularity in the warung we visited, as long as they served those dishes. The meals were extraordinary because we were dining together. The rare moments we spent together chatting over meals were so special for him.

During my college years in Surabaya, East Java, he always looked forward to the times when I returned home. Each time he knew I would come home during the school break he would keep his stomach empty until I arrived. When we arrived at a warung he would proudly introduce me to the owner.

When I finished my studies and worked in Surabaya, my father sometimes visited me, too. I usually took him to a warung for rujak cingur (vegetable and fruit salad with slices of cow muzzle, served with shrimp paste/petis udang) or soto Madura (meat soup from Madura island, East Java). These were really enjoyable moments with him, which I remember fondly to this day.

I always get the same feeling whenever I come across a family having dinner together with their parents at a restaurant. I praise the sons and daughters for their willingness to share happiness with their loved ones. A story about a family dining, however, bogged my memory a little.

One day, I was chatting with a friend of mine on how little our parents eat in their senior years because of their receding appetites. My friend then started to tell a story about his favorite restaurant that he usually took his wife to for dinner after work. The restaurant applied a unique discount policy, based on the age of its customers. The rule was that you had to show your identity card (KTP) to a waiter before you ordered. One card could be used for a maximum of eight people. After showing the card, you were entitled to order as much as you wanted, but another rule said you could not take the remaining food home.

“So if I was 40 years old?” I asked.
“Then you would get a 40 percent discount,” my friend said.
“Wow, that’s pretty big,” I said. “I should have taken my late father there for dinner,” I said, imagining getting an 80 percent discount — since he was 80 years old.
“But the restaurant doesn’t serve soto, pecel or rujak cingur. Do you think your father would still have been keen to eat there?” he asked.
I thought for a moment. My friend was right. Would I have taken my father to a restaurant to make him happy or just for the discounts?

My friend continued his story. He said he often saw old men and women in their late 70s stepping out of luxury cars in front of the restaurant. Some arrived in wheelchairs, while others had to be supported because they could not walk by themselves. After the families were seated, they would show the KTP of the old men or women to the waiters and begin to order.

“I hope their moms and dads feel happy and enjoy the food,” I told my friend.
“I hope so too,” my friend replied very softly.

***
Serpong, 31 July 2010
Titus J.

The PKS for All? Oh Come On!

2010-06-20T07:49:00.003+07:00

(published by The Jakarta Post on 22 June 2010. Click here)

The new motto of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) that was recently announced at the party’s national congress in Jakarta was a surprise to all of us. The motto states “The PKS for All” and is intended to woo all elements of this nation to join the party. The motto constitutes an advertisement that the party is ready to switch from exclusivity to a more inclusive party.

Interestingly, the congress invited US Ambassador to Indonesia Cameron Hume to speak about “The US view of Islam”. The PKS admitted bilateral relations between Indonesia and the US were strategic and benefited both countries.
This is a rare occasion, but “surprising progress” since the PKS’ political stance is deemed anti-Western.

The party secretary-general, Anis Matta, said the party aimed to reach 2 million members from the current 800,000 members, and to pursue the top three parties in the 2014 election. Apparently, the PKS realized there was no history that parties with Islamic-based ideologies ever won elections. Although Indonesia is the country with the largest Muslim population in the world, nationalist-based parties gained the most votes.

Nevertheless, as the fourth-ranked party in the 2009 election, the PKS has a chance to go one step higher and snatch the third rank in 2014. However, it will not be as simple as flipping the palm because of the conservative principles label that has been stuck on the party. The PKS was known for a long time as the staunch promoter of upholding sharia in Indonesia. The party, since it was established, has several achievements to its credit such as the controversial pornography law, and many other “sharia- nuanced” bylaws in particular regions that are headed by the party’s members.

Another stumbling block that may hamper the “PKS for All” probably are several leaders within the party who are connected to a tendency to religious sentiments. We remember shortly after President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) picked Boediono as his running mate in the 2009 presidential election, the then PKS president Tifatul Sembiring blatantly questioned Boediono’s faith in Islam. Tifatul claimed, at that time, that the fact Boediono regularly attended Friday prayers at Bank Indonesia’s mosque was not enough to consider him a devout Muslim.

The second time, Tifatul (now the Communications and Information Technology Minister) gave a controversial statement was when he compared a sex tape scandal involving Ariel Peterpan, Luna Maya and Cut Tari look-alikes to the theological debate between Christians and Muslims about the death of Jesus Christ.

On Thursday, June 17, during a breakfast meeting at his office on the public debate over the sex tapes featuring people resembling the three national celebrities, Tifatul remarked that it was like the dispute between Muslims, who believe that Jesus Christ was not crucified but rather that someone resembling him was, and Christians, who believe that Jesus Christ was crucified. Although I believe (and hope) the majority of Christians will not feel too offended by Tifatul’s statement, we see such haphazard statements will be an obstacle to the “PKS for All” spirit.

The “PKS for All” motto is a brave move, since it means they will open the door for everyone, including non-Muslims, and as a consequence face challenges from members who want to keep the party “pure” of un-Islamic influences. The party executives even assured it would provide top posts on the central board for non-Muslims, however, what the PKS needs to show are the more essential things, such as how they are going to be more pluralistic as well as how they commit to protecting minorities.

The PKS may have made progress when they launched the “PKS for All” motto, however, if they are still reluctant to do a simple thing like greeting people over Christmas or on other religious occasions, is the party really for all? Oh, come on!

***
Serpong, 20 June 2010
Titus J.

The Celebrity Look-alikes

2010-06-14T01:11:00.003+07:00

(published by The Jakarta Post on 16 June 2010. Click here)

People, including teenagers, were curious to watch the Indonesian sex videos that were circulated on the Internet last week. Although people accused Ariel Peterpan, Luna Maya and Cut Tari of having featured in the videos, the media, experts and police refrained from explicitly mentioning the names, instead they preferred to say the stars of the videos are national “celebrity look-alikes”. The three celebrities have denied all the allegations.

“They are just unlucky,” said a friend of mine referring to the “amateur sex video” stars whose names are suddenly positioned at the top of Internet search topics. The “unlucky” statement may be true, as many similar video tapes probably exist of other public figures but, luckily, have yet to be revealed in public. The latter are either clever in hiding the scandal, or even smarter by not allowing their secret life to be intentionally recorded.

As usual, the unlucky video stars are facing the hypocrisy of our society, as the public noisily condemned it as an immoral act, while, at the same time, searching for the video on the Internet and watching it in the name of curiosity. Housewives in my wife’s arisan (gathering) have been so excited to talk about the hot video and, thanks to BlackBerry technology which helps our gaptek society (gagap teknologi — lack of technological knowledge), easily share the video with each other and gossip about it at every meeting.

No matter whether the real Ariel, Luna or Cut Tari featured in the videos, we don’t know yet — although some experts found an 80 percent similarity after analyzing the tapes. However, suppose it is them, this is not our business but their own personal lives. Doesn’t everyone have the right to record every activity, even the most private ones, their sexual activities (if they want to)? As long as it does not enter the public domain, why bother about it? People do this without considering the risk of tape leakage, then get into trouble when their video is posted on the Internet due to their own stupidity.

The sex video of the national “celebrity look-alikes” became our problem after it had been circulated on the Internet and our children had access to it, and spread it among their friends via cell phone and email. The cell phone raids by police and teachers doing school to school searches recently found that about 80 percent of the students had the videos on their phones. For Indonesia, sex videos involving Indonesian celebrities are indeed more attractive than similar videos featuring foreign actors/actresses.

Instead of questioning the three actor/actresses, it would be better for police to hunt down the one responsible for uploading the videos onto the Internet. The perpetrator is more dangerous than the “celebrity look-alikes” who star in the videos.

So what the three “celebrity look-alikes” have done is considered their private domain, unfortunately, they may have been careless safeguarding the recorded material. Would there be any issue if their videos had not been revealed to the public? We wouldn’t know what they had done and our society would have remained at peace, right? We had better not waste time examining other people’s personal lives, no matter how dirty it is. We have the right to no longer respect them, but don’t be too surprised with the phenomenon of casual sex in our society nowadays.

My friend was correct when he said they were just unlucky. So if you like being naked before a camera or like to record your sexual activity, even with your legal spouse, and keep it in your computer, cell phone, on CD, flash disk or other storage device, you had better destroy it, before you are unlucky too.

***
Serpong, 14 June 2010
Titus J.

A Good Neighbor Should Not Kill The Other's Dog

2010-06-02T13:07:00.002+07:00

(published by The Jakarta Post on 1 June 2010. Click here)

"I will slaughter the dog!" This was a threat written by my neighbor recently through a mailing list consisting of people in our neighborhood.
He expressed his vexation over somebody's dog, which cruises around our residential complex, going to the toilet on his front yard as well as other neighbors'. The dog keeps coming although he has pelted it with rubber slippers or shoes.

"I don't want to confront the owner, but if they cannot keep the dog from making our place dirty, don't blame me if the dog gets killed," he wrote, complaining about the smell. The residential gardeners also complained because they have to clean its excrement every day.

"You love your dog and can enjoy its cuteness, while we have to deal with its poo," the angry neighbor said in his complaint to the owner. Some in the mailing list suggested he trace who owns the dog, or address his complaint to security officers, but he insisted it was not his business to do that as the owner should not let the dog roam.

I can understand his complaint as I also experienced the same inconvenience sometime ago.
The residents in our complex should know and obey the rule, because there is a written rule enacted by the estate management toward all residents prior to the house occupation.
The rule says: "Whoever owns pets, such as birds, cats and dogs, should prevent pets from annoying others. "If someone has dogs, the dogs should be tied and not allowed to walk around inside the residential area freely. If dogs walk with their owner inside residential complexes, owners must clean up after them."

Living in residential areas can be tricky most times. Different lifestyles can spark neighborhood feuds that may last for weeks. It usually begins with small things such as noise from a renovated house, barking dogs, or cars parked in front of other neighbor's yards. Kids quarrel with each other or garbage creates smells, and, of course "naughty" dogs visiting neighbors leave unwanted "gifts".

In some circumstances, it may not cause harm. But in other cases, it causes tension in neighborhoods.

It is important to know our neighbors and be sociable with them. These actions are often forgotten in urban areas, where people easily become involved in their own quotidian affairs.
It is no wonder that anytime trouble arises, people often take shortcuts to the extreme, like in this case, killing the dog without having the will to talk to the owner.

We, urban dwellers, most of the time, only know our neighbors living next door, but we don't know those who are living several houses from our home.
In my community, although some of us actively organize activities to bring residents together, there are still only small numbers of us willing to join.

Since we are mostly busy with our daily jobs, we created a mailing list to keep communication going between us. In fact, a mailing list is a good solution to bridge distance as we rarely can meet physically amid our tight activities respectively.

Let's get back to the complaint about the dog.
If you know the naughty dog is owned by a good neighbor that you know very well, would you still get angry and want to slaughter the dog? I don't think so. It would be simpler to arrive at the dog owner's house and ask them politely to keep the dog tied at home. Unless your neighbor was truly selfish and foolish, you can always excuse the dog even if the dog continues its bad habit.

Or perhaps not?

***
Serpong, 7 May 2010
Titus J.

Orang Tua Renta Kita

2010-05-18T22:27:00.000+07:00

Pada peringatan Parents Day di gereja saya hari Minggu 16 Mei 2010, ada 2 orang tua (kakek/nenek) sedang membacakan ungkapan “kerinduan” hati mereka terhadap anak-anak mereka. Sederet narasi yang dibacakan dengan pelahan oleh mereka diiringi dengan klip video yang menayangkan cuplikan-cuplikan masa lalu yang menggambarkan moment-moment indah waktu mereka mengasuh dan merawat anak-anak mereka dari kecil hingga dewasa memang mengharukan. Saya sendiri merasa tenggorokan saya tercekat dan mata berkaca-kaca tanpa sadar.

Barangkali adegan yang sederhana itu hanya akan lewat begitu saja di depan mata saya tanpa rasa apa-apa jika itu ditayangkan beberapa tahun yang lalu, tetapi hari ini ceritanya menjadi lain. Mengapa? karena saya sekarang sudah mempunyai anak, dan saya sudah menjadi seorang ayah. Saya memang sudah menjadi seorang ayah, tetapi saya sekaligus adalah seorang anak dari seorang ayah dan seorang ibu.

Apakah ayah dan ibu saya dulu juga merawat dan mengasuh saya seperti itu? Memandikan saya, memakaikan baju, mengantar ke sekolah, membantu saya membikin PR, mengajari saya pelajaran sekolah, memeluk saya waktu saya menangis, mendekap saya waktu saya ketakutan, membawa saya ke dokter dan merawat saya waktu sakit, dan ketika saya beranjak besar mereka mengajak saya mengobrol seperti seorang teman atau sahabat?

Mungkin di antara kita ada yang ayah/ibunya tidak seperti itu. Tetapi tidak mengapa, itu adalah ekspresi, karena ada orang tua yang tidak mengerti bagaimana cara mengungkapkan kasihnya kepada anak-anaknya. Ada orang tua yang terlalu sederhana, terlalu polos, bahkan mungkin terlalu “bodoh” untuk mengekspresikan kasih sayangnya, tetapi percayalah, jika hati mereka tidak terbuat dari batu, sesungguhnya mereka tetap menyayangi kita dengan cara mereka sendiri yang sangat sederhana, yang kadang-kadang sulit untuk kita mengerti.

Terhadap ungkapan kerinduan kedua kakek/nenek pada waktu membacakan narasi itu saya sangat memahami, dan apa yang dinyatakan pada waktu itu adalah realita dalam kehidupan kita. Berapa banyak orang tua di masa tuanya akhirnya menjadi bahan cemooh, bahan olok-olok, bahan tertawaan, dianggap sebagai pengganggu, merepotkan, ngabis-abisin uang dan sebagainya?

Orang tua yang sudah tua dan renta itu sering kita marahi, mungkin karena lupa menaruh barang, lupa mematikan kompor, lupa menyiram toilet sehabis kencing, lupa mematikan TV, lupa mematikan AC, dan lupa-lupa yang lain. Kita merasa tidak senang jika mereka suka bertanya sesuatu kepada kita, dan kitapun membentak jika apa yang sudah mereka tanyakan lalu mereka tanyakan lagi. Kita kesal kepada mereka jika mereka sering sakit-sakitan, dan kita harus mengeluarkan uang untuk membelikan mereka obat, membawa ke dokter, dan pada saat mereka dirawat di rumah sakit, kita lebih suka menyerahkan kepada pembantu atau suster untuk menunggui mereka karena kita sibuk dengan urusan kita yang “lebih penting”.

Pada waktu di rumah, kita tidak pernah mengajak mereka mengobrol, bercakap-cakap tentang hal-hal sederhana yang mudah mereka pahami, tetapi kita diamkan mereka sendiri karena mereka kita anggap tidak penting atau bukan lawan bicara yang menarik, sedang kita terus menyibukkan diri kita di kamar, atau menonton televisi, atau pergi ke rumah tetangga, atau sibuk urusan gereja dan pelayanan.

Betapa sepinya dunia orang tua kita yang sudah renta itu.

Tidakkah kita ingat pada waktu kita masih kecil, seberapa seringkah kita mengulang-ulang pertanyaan kepada orang tua kita namun mereka selalu menjawab seberapa-kalipun kita mengulang pertanyaan? Pernahkah kita ingat hal-hal kecil, waktu kita jatuh dari sepeda, waktu kepala kita terbentur meja atau tembok, waktu kaki kita tersandung dan terluka, dan orang tua kita selalu siap mengobati luka kita tanpa marah?

Pernahkah kita ingat pada waktu kita dalam ketakutan ketika hujan lebat disertai petir yang menyambar-nyambar, ketika lampu rumah mati dan kegelapan meliputi kita, ketika kita terbangun di tengah malam karena mimpi buruk? Adakah orang tua cuek dan terlalu sibuk sehingga kita tidak digubris? Dan pernahkah kita sadari bahwa dalam situasi sesulit apapun kita selalu dikirimkan ke sekolah, sampai kita tamat sekolah dan menjadi seperti sekarang? Apakah pernah kita dengar mereka mengeluh: “Nak, papa/mama tidak punya uang untuk menyekolahkan kamu, jadi mulai sekarang tidak usah sekolah lagi.”

Bagi kita yang sudah menjadi ayah atau ibu, coba lihat sejenak wajah anak-anak kita ketika mereka tidur lelap, bukankah yang kita dapati adalah wajah-wajah innocent? Apa yang kita rasakan setelah melihat wajahnya? Demikianlah sama persis apa yang orang tua kita dulu rasakan ketika mereka melihat wajah kita di waktu kecil. Jika kelak kita sudah menjadi renta, dan anak-anak kita sudah dewasa dan membangun keluarga mereka masing-masing, pernahkah kita bayangkan tentang kesepian itu?

***

Ayah saya telah meninggal dunia pada tahun 2004 yang lalu di usianya yang ke-81. Beliau tua dan suntuk umur. Tetapi saya kira sampai hari meninggalnya ayah saya tak pernah merasa kesepian, karena selalu dikelilingi dengan anak-anak dan cucu-cucunya. Harus saya akui bahwa saya memang yang paling jarang bertemu ayah saya dalam 8 tahun terakhir sebelum beliau meninggal, karena sejak saya pindah ke Jakarta di tahun 1996 saya tidak bisa terlalu sering pulang ke kampung. Tetapi saya selalu ingat, di saat-saat saya sempat pulang ke kampung dan bertemu dengan beliau, saya banyak mengobrol santai, tentang cerita-cerita masa lalu, tentang tayangan di televisi, tentang penyanyi keroncong dan berita TVRI waktu itu, dan banyak lelucon-lelucon yang sampai membuat saya terpingkal-pingkal, karena ayah saya termasuk seorang yang suka guyon (bercanda).

Ibu saya di bulan Juni tahun ini akan berumur 77 tahun. Sayapun begitu jarang bertemu dengan beliau karena jarak yang jauh. Tetapi pada waktu-waktu tertentu saya meneleponnya, ngobrol-ngobrol lewat telepon, mendengarkan apapun yang beliau ceritakan bahkan hal-hal yang remeh-temeh sekalipun. Saya tidak bisa lupa perjuangan ibu saya pada waktu saya masih kecil, yaitu untuk menyekolahkan saya (dan ke-6 saudara-saudara saya) di sekolah yang terbaik di kota kami waktu itu, sekalipun uang sekolahnya tidak murah.

Moment-moment peringatan Parents Day seperti ini selalu membuat saya kembali merenung, bahwa saya harus bersyukur masih punya orang tua walaupun tinggal 1 yaitu ibu saya, yang tahun ini akan berusia 77 tahun, dimana saya tidak pernah tahu sampai berapa lama lagi saya bisa mendengar suaranya walau hanya lewat telepon.

Saya teringat ibu saya, yang pendengarannya makin lama makin buruk, sehingga kadang-kadang jika bicara dengan beliau saya harus sering mengulang-ulang. Namun, tak pernah sekalipun saya ingat bahwa saya pernah berkata kasar kepada beliau, karena inilah ibu yang untuk menyekolahkan saya harus mengorbankan gendang telinganya akibat efek radiasi dari panasnya alat pemanggang roti yang dipakai oleh ibu saya berjualan roti waktu saya masih kecil. Maka saya tidak habis pikir, jika melihat ada anak yang berani mencemooh orang tuanya, apalagi berkata-kata dengan nada yang tinggi bahkan membentak, bagaimanapun dan apapun hal yang mungkin menjengkelkan yang dibuat oleh orang tuanya.

Salah satu teman saya hari-hari ini merawat ayahnya yang gagal ginjal. Ibunya sudah meninggal kira-kira 4 tahun yang lalu. Dan selama 4 tahun terakhir ini teman saya pontang-panting harus mengurus ayahnya yang tubuhnya makin mengurus akibat gagal ginjal. Seminggu dua kali ayahnya harus menjalani cuci darah, dan teman saya inilah yang harus mengantar dan menjemput ayahnya dari rumah ke rumah sakit, padahal ia juga harus masuk kantor untuk bekerja. Merepotkan?

Suatu hari teman saya menyampaikan uneg-unegnya kepada saya. Ia merasa sangat lelah, bukan hanya karena harus mengurus ayahnya sehari-hari, tetapi karena ayahnya (menurutnya) adalah seorang yang sangat keras kepala dan tidak pernah mau mendengar anak-anaknya, mau menang sendiri dan menganggap anak-anaknya tidak tahu apa-apa.

Saya mendengarkan teman saya ini terus bicara melampiaskan kekesalannya. Ia seperti frustrasi, otaknya seperti mandeg, tidak bisa berpikir karena jenuh akibat situasi yang ia hadapi. Ia seperti tidak mau lagi mengurus ayahnya. Setelah ia selesai membuang “sampahnya” ke saya, lalu saya hanya bilang: “Kau mau buang ayahmu? Silakan saja. Tuhan akan mengirim orang lain untuk mengurusnya. Tetapi ingat, kau buang ayahmu yang sakit yang kau anggap “tidak berguna” itu berarti kau buang emas, karena inilah kesempatan emas buat kamu untuk berbuat sesuatu baginya, sekalipun hal itu tidak enak. Tak banyak orang yang punya kesempatan seperti ini, karena banyak orang baru menyadari arti kehadiran orang tuanya pada waktu orang tuanya sudah tidak ada.”

***
Serpong, 18 Mei 2010
Titus J.

A Laugh at Our Lawmakers

2010-05-16T15:51:00.004+07:00

(published by The Jakarta Post on 19 May 2010. Click here)

The appointment of Indonesian Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati as one of the managing directors of the World Bank (WB), a prestigious position only one level below World Bank president Robert Zoellick, is interesting enough to be commented on. With all the speculation and analysis of the background to the appointment, finally people were directed to one enigma, i.e. whether she was asked by Zoellick to join the WB in light of his organization’s necessity, or she was offered by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to Zoellick to calm the tension of the political battle that has made the President feels uncomfortable over the past few months.

Whatever her reason for quitting, it’s hard to deny that the departure of our best finance minister has something to do with Bank Century bailout case.
The Bank Century case, indeed, has become a pebble in the shoe for Mulyani as well as for SBY himself. Though only a pebble, one should not belittle a pebble. If SBY fails to handle the matter carefully, it’s not impossible for him to slip up.

This is the point that makes many people laugh about the Bank Century saga, because so much effort, energy and state money have been poured into it for several months, and the settlement was, eventually, very simple.

We will get to know, over the coming period, what will happen to the case, since the political motive was so obvious from the beginning. Let’s just see if the loud voices of our lawmakers in the House of Representatives fade away, then let’s laugh loudly at our lawmakers.

It is truly ironic, when she has been reviled and ridiculed by the elites of this country, Zoellick in the WB press release dated May 4, 2010 gave her such high praise: “I am delighted to announce the appointment of Sri Mulyani Indrawati. She has been an outstanding finance minister with in-depth knowledge of both development issues and the role of the World Bank Group. She has received global recognition for her success in combating corruption and strengthening good governance.”

Zoellick was absolutely correct in his decision to pick Mulyani as one of his confidants. I personally admire her since she publicly appeared on TV talk show in the middle of monetary crisis that hit Indonesia in 1997-1998.

In the talk show aired by SCTV on February 1998, she revealed her view about the Currency Board System (CBS), an idea brought in by Steve Hanke. Speaking among Emil Salim, late Frans Seda, Peter Gontha and the late Ekky Syahruddin, she was not seen as nervous, but delivered her own intelligent opinion.

The global economy downturn in 2008 has put her in the midst of the wake of political interests. When the shares of prominent companies – one of them Bumi Resources owned by Aburizal Bakrie – plunged to their lowest level, the owners of those companies attempted to seek salvation by asking the government to bail them out.
However, Sri Mulyani, as the guardian of state finance said: “I am the finance minister. My job is to protect the state fund. Companies have a job to protect their own financial affairs. If they fail, it is their fault and they deserve to go bust.”

Now, President SBY has to select the next finance minister to replace Sri Mulyani, although it will be a tough job to select a person of her caliber. For the next minister, it is simply not enough to be smart, reform-minded and corruption-free, but also to have a heart as brave as Mulyani has.

***
Serpong, 16 May 2010
Titus J.

related story: The Peeble of Bank Century

More Than Just a Stupid Word

2010-04-24T23:45:00.004+07:00

(published by The Jakarta Post on 27 Apr 2010. Click here)

The riot that erupted at PT Drydocks World Graha’s shipyard in Batam on April 22 did not need to happen. Of course an improper remark was made calling all Indonesians stupid. We are offended by such a statement, but how our brothers at the shipyard answered the haphazard statement with violation was deplorable. Perhaps the story would be different if the remark came from fellow Indonesians. Some Indonesian superiors also often say “stupid” to their employees, right?

Ah, the “stupid” word is common here. But why did the Indian manager of the Drydock shipyard who upset his team by saying “all Indonesians are stupid” trigger a backlash? Pieces of information collected by some mass media tells us that such a racist remark was not the first time the same Indian manager uttered those words.
He once would have been assaulted by the local workers after harshly slamming his team with the same remark but fortunately was prevented by satpam (security officer). But still, the reason was not too strong to ignite anger because most Indonesian workers usually prefer to ensure their job than fight.

When I previously worked for a prominent private bank in Jakarta, my boss was an Indian national. I dealt with many Indian vendors and my boss even asked me to manage special teams which comprised of outsourced Indian expatriates for some projects. They were fine to work with, their knowledge in some particular areas were even better than Indonesians.

Maybe I was lucky because my Indian boss was very professional, rational and logical. She gave me the authority to make decisions in my job even (if necessary) to terminate Indian experts from the outsourcing company which she was recommended to hire. In this regards, the termination was based on performance. Once when a senior fellow Indian ended its working contract, my boss asked me to decide whether to extend or terminate the contract. As a local worker, I won her trust.

We are living in a global world today where many giant investors create projects in Indonesia and create jobs as well. Indian people spread out across the globe leaving their very dense homeland to seek jobs, too. It will be the same as China and Indonesia as the countries, with huge populations, have respective governments unable to provide sufficient job opportunities. Now our world becomes the world of competition.

Many private companies in Indonesia today hire Indian expatriates to head high level managerial positions. Those who head top position will always want to strengthen their organization by taking their trustworthy fellows into the structure. This phenomenon is normal. Let’s go back to professionalism and please don’t let us to be trapped in race sentiment.

In the Drydock incident, it’s not just about a stupid word, although we deplore the Indian manager’s attitude. Some media notes there was a sentiment accumulation between local workers and expatriates workers because of different treatment. It will be easy to understand if the different treatment was merely based on performance, but it is a fatal error if race or ethnicity became consideration in treating workers differently.

Apart from this, we should also check the education level of 10,000 local workers compare to the 200 foreign workers at Drydock. Learning the proportion, there should be less Indonesians with adequate qualification and education to stand at the same level as the expatriates.

The “stupid” word is everywhere including in the working place. I often hear that word, too. Are we Indonesians stupid? Let’s take a mirror and look at our face.

***
Serpong, 24 April 2010
Titus J.

The Wonderful Artalyta

2010-04-12T15:46:00.003+07:00

(published by The Jakarta Post on 15 Apr 2010. Click here)

Artalyta Suryani is wonderful. She is not only a wealthy person, but also widely known as a successful businesswoman who has a close relationship to the influencing figures. In this context, she is a brilliant lobbyist. We don’t need to be doubtful about this. If we listened to the tapped conversation between her and high-profile state officials from the Attorney General’s Office, Urip Tri Gunawan in March 2008 — prior to his arrest — it confirmed everything.

Artalyta was wonderful. Urip Tri Gunawan was disdainful. No matter what! How could have he rejected the USD$660,000? It might make him tremble, but a bunch of dollars has swept his conscience, though. A friend of mine said that he would have mocked him crazy if he did not taken the dollars. As a senior prosecutor, he was also a normal human being, living a normal life in Indonesia and being a state official where money was not a temptation anymore.

After the Corruption Court sentenced Artalyta to five years in jail, the public has forgotten her story. Although many people, especially anticorruption activists, considered the punishment was too lenient, that’s not bad because our court eventually dared to sentence such a caliber briber and sent her to jail. Then, suddenly the media broadcasted shocking news in January 2010 about her luxury jail in Pondok Bambu Penitentiary, East Jakarta. The cell was equipped with a television set, spacious bed, tape player, air condition and karaoke lounge. Great!

Please don’t be too surprised because she was known as bountiful. Her life “behind the bar” never stopped her being generous to others. Being generous is good, right? Do you believe Artalyta did not act generously to the wardens of the penitentiary to get such facilities?

When the Justice and Human Rights Ministry questioned several prisoners including Artalyta regarding the presence of luxury facilities in their cells, they admitted paying wardens to allow them to take in their luxury facilities. They argued the prison was in poor condition.
How hard to shackle Artalyta. Jail for her is nothing because she will be happy wherever she stays. If necessary, she can even transform the jail into a palace.

Last week, the Supreme Court “rewarded” her with six month imprisonment reduction. Great again!

One of five justices who sentenced the reduction, Justice Hatta Ali said: “Five years is maximum punishment for her case, and her role in the case was not serious enough for her to face maximum penalty.” Please make a note that Justice Ali underlined that “her role was not serious enough”. Another reason why the justices granted the reduction was “humanitarian”, because Artalyta has many employees who rely on her companies for their livelihoods.

Humanitarian is a noble word, so touching. However, the five justices except Justice Krisna Harahap apparently forgot that bribery committed by Artalyta has injured humanity. Bribery has corrupted the moral values and today we are at the lowest point of moral degradation because of corruption. We realize that corruption is a cruel beast because it has no compassion, is barbaric and is inhuman because it destroys human sense. It is corruption that disgraces our nation’s dignity in the international community and we are walking to moral bankruptcy as a nation. Now we see the Supreme Court justices concerned with the humanitarian wellbeing of the one who has acted against humanity.

Chief of Judicial Commission (KY) Busyro Muqoddas expressed his disappointment after learning the fact: “I’m deeply saddened. We should be concerned with freeing oppressed people including freeing them from the impact of corruption. Humanitarian issues should be pro-people instead of pro-corrupt officials, but I am not surprised with this. The phenomenon is rampant to the regions level and will continue unless a revolution of thought begins at the Supreme Court.”

Artalyta is wonderful. When I remember Ibu Minah who was initially charged with 45 days jail from the local court in Purwokerto for stealing three cacao pods from a plantation company, I realized that it’s not about Artalyta, but Minah. Why are you poor in this country? (Siapa suruh jadi orang miskin di negeri ini?).

***
Serpong, 12 Apr 2010
Titus J.

The Shameful PSSI

2010-03-31T17:22:00.005+07:00

(published by The Jakarta Post on 3 Apr 2010. Click here)

Try and mention one achievement by our national soccer team that we can be proud of. The team's performance just keeps getting worse. It has happened most drastically within the last decade. The public's growing apathy and distaste for Indonesian soccer is not just because of the national team's poor performance, but also the brutality of soccer fans who always engage in brawls and vandalism in every match. It's ironic, though, that even with soccer as the most popular sport in Indonesian, the game has become something we avoid talk about.

We're willing to stay up from midnight to dawn to watch UEFA Champions League games or the English Premier League, and don't care about our bleary-eyed appearance in the office a few hours later. But we avoid like the plague going anywhere near local stadiums hosting local league games. Last week I was forwarded an email warning of fan violence and suggesting I steer clear of Senayan, where Persija Jakarta hosted Persib Bandung. Ridiculous! Why has soccer become something ominous today?

Are we any less patriotic if we don't tune in to broadcasts of local matches? Or if we're crazier about the Italian Serie A and Spanish Primera Liga than the Indonesian league? Or if we're prouder of wearing the jerseys of Liverpool, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Bayern Munchen, Internazionale and AC Milan more than those of Persebaya, Persija or Persib?

We have a population of more than 200 million, yet no one here can kick a ball correctly. Look how we were embarrassed 2-0 by Laos at the Southeast Asian Games last year. And we failed to qualify for the 2011 Asian Cup for the first time since 1996. Our bid to host the 2022 World Cup was dropped by FIFA because we came up short on the requirements and government backing. And because we were dithering over whether we could really invest billions of dollars to build new stadiums and upgrade existing ones to provide the minimum 10 venues to host the 32-team World Cup.

Indonesia should be ashamed that its national team is ranked 138th worldwide, according to the FIFA list released on March 31, 2010 - far below prominent soccer teams from Africa such as Cameroon (20), Nigeria (22) and the Ivory Coast (25). We're lower than below Bosnia-Herzegovina (47) and Iraq (ranked 81) - war-torn countries that have somehow managed to build up successful teams from the ashes of conflict.

It's so easy for us to name a high-profile scandal, but so hard to name even one soccer player or achievement of which we can be proud. And those bloated officials over at the Indonesian Soccer Association (PSSI) never see it as a failure on their parts. See how it works?

In a radio interview Thursday morning, Sinyo Aliandoe, a former soccer player and national team coach, said the root cause of the decline in our performance was the PSSI itself. Therefore, chairman Nurdin Halid must resign from the PSSI. Only in Indonesia can you find a top sports administrator running things from jail. The man is a convicted criminal, and his presence in the PSSI violates FIFA regulations. When asked if our soccer team still had any hope of retaking past glory, Sinyo said that could only happen if Nurdin was kicked the hell out.

Perhaps the PSSI should have a chairman like Hendri Mulyadi. Remember him? He was the fan that ran out onto the pitch in a game against Qatar and tried to score, frustrated at the team's complete uselessness. I believe our diehard soccer supporters know him better than they do that criminal Nurdin.

***

Serpong, 31 March 2010

Titus J.

Sorry Seems (Not) to be The Hardest Word

2010-03-10T16:51:00.002+07:00

I was in discomfort feeling when last week queued at a cashier counter at a prominent bread store in a mall. I just want to pay my order of some pieces of breads for my daughter. A woman who was standing up in front of me scolded the cashier complaining something. Behind me were several people lining up in the queue awaiting their turn to pay.

I was not sure what the problem exactly, but my ears tried to catch some words that being squawked by the disgruntling woman. On the other hand, I heard the cashier said sorry to the woman but she kept grumbling. I predicted it was about an order that not delivered to the woman as it had to be.

“That’s not professional at all,” the woman said. “I have asked you to ensure numbers of cakes that I order: was it twenty? You said, yes, correct.”
The cashier said sorry again.
“But it was only eighteen, you know? Eighteen!”
“Yes, mom, I am sorry,” the cashier replied softly, “Actually I know nothing, mom, because I just on in my shift couple minutes ago,” the cashier continued.
“You can say sorry, but it did not solve my problem.”
The cashier, still young in her twenty’s, looked abashed after learned many eyes looked at her standing nervously.

“I was ashamed, you know? The cakes were for my best colleague,” the woman continued, “Imagine what would happen if the cakes inside the box only eighteen. That’s supposedly twenty as I promised. You should think about it!” she pointed her finger to the cashier. The woman didn’t care of me (or might be other people standing behind me) who were watching over her and expecting to finish payment soon. I didn’t know what the grumbling woman thought, but she really didn’t care at all and kept scolding the young cashier.

I wanted to mediate between them, but in fact I kept silent. I wanted to suggest the woman that it would have been better if she could come to the store manager – not to the cashier, and conveyed her complaints, but in fact I remained shut my mouth up. I just wanted to help the young cashier explaining to the woman that she was not the one who served her and prepared the order, but in fact I let it go in front of my nose.

After poured her emotional remarks, the woman then left.

A moment later, I handed over the breads in my hand to the cashier who still tried to greet me genially although her face was still blushing. I smiled at her but said nothing as I had no idea how to console her. I thought it was really not her mistake but she got something she’s not deserved. I regretted for my inattentiveness. Am I affected by egocentric style as commonly prevails in the metropolitan city? May be I have right to say that was not my business, but approaching such woman while she lost a temper was not a simple thing.

While driving for my home, I tried to understand why the woman got angry just because of two pieces of cakes. Did she feel being cheated by the bread store? I am not sure. Perhaps that’s only a matter of carelessness of the bread store’s crew, or might be it lost on the way to her colleague as she didn’t recheck the box prior to the delivery. Supposed that’s the fact, it was so sad to look at the incident, not because of the complaints, but the way she complained.

Another scene I found when I had a dinner at a pizza store. Suddenly I heard a loud of voice from a man who was scolding a waiter. The man pointed towards the waiter and scolded him in high tone. After learned the incident for awhile, I then understood that the waiter un-intentionally spilled water on the man’s cloth. The waiter was bent over in shame, or might be also afraid of punishment from his boss. He said sorry to the angry visitor (customer) but only got a loud bang on the table next to him.

I learned something from the scenes. How many times we, as customers, feel disappointed upon the services, or perhaps of mistakes committed by shop keepers, cashiers, waiters, cleaning services, etc. We may demand to get best services because we have paid for it. However, how we express our dissatisfaction reflects ourselves. Sometimes, we even have to be more tolerant in situation that discomforts us, in particular towards such levels of ordinary people who serves us. Let’s pour peace on the already hot earth to make our world cooling off. “Sorry” seems not to be the hardest word to make us smile.

***
Serpong, 10 March 2010

Titus J.

Welcome to the Land of Disrespectful Smokers and Poor Etiquette

2010-02-23T23:38:00.007+07:00

(published by The Jakarta Post on 23 Feb 2010. Click here)

Is it true Indonesians are courteous and respect etiquette when in public? A friend of mine shared her story of riding in a public minivan to her office one morning. As usual, the driver thought he was in a Formula One race, careening through heavy traffic.

At one stop, a man climbed on and promptly squeezed himself into the already-packed minivan. A minute later, he lit up a cigarette. Eyes half closed, he then blew straight into everyone else’s face. Most of the passengers that morning were young women going to work, including my friend.

These young ladies had, of course, spritzed on their finest perfume before leaving home, only to have it drowned in the stench of tobacco. None of the passengers complained, but their frowning faces said it all. The man kept puffing away.

Finally my friend ran out of patience.
“Pak, could you put out your cigarette, please?”
The man looked a bit surprise, smirked, then replied, “Why?”
“Because this is a public minivan, Pak,” my friend answered.
“Oh ya? You’re right, mbak, this is public, so if you don’t want to smoke, get your own car,” he replied, still blowing out smoke.
My friend clammed up then, as did everyone else. What could she do?

The man’s behavior was mind-boggling. Perhaps he was uneducated; after all, he was wearing thread-bare clothes and rubber slippers, riding a public minivan and smoking to boot. But smoking in an inappropriate area is not a matter of education or social status.

I once had a meeting at a luxurious office in Jakarta. Entering the restroom, I was suddenly hit by an olfactory assault from cigarette smoke. In one of the toilet bowls was a cigarette butt. Were the people working in that building uneducated? In another office, I saw a man dressed very dapper, complete with necktie, sitting in an air-conditioned room with a cigarette clamped between his fingers.

Yet another show of our compatriots’ poor manners was evident when I dined with my family at a food court in Jakarta. The place was so crowded we barely managed to get a table. We finally got a table but still lack of one chair. I had to go around asking people for their unoccupied chairs. But hardly any of them would acquiesce, despite the chairs being empty.

Comparing our people to residents of other countries in term of etiquette is useless.
Take Singapore, where I once vacationed with my family. At first, we didn’t understand why every time we entered the MRT (mass rapid transportation), someone sitting by the door would get up to give their seat to my wife, who was carrying on our child.

We thought it was sympathy. But after several trips on the MRT, we read the notice posted up near the door: “Please give up your seat for those who need it.” Below the text were pictures of a person with a crutch, a pregnant woman, and a mother with a child on her lap.

“Perhaps Lee Kuan Yew had it easy managing the country and instilling a culture of respect for etiquette, because Singapore is tiny compared to Indonesia,” my wife suggested. Personally, I don’t agree. I think it’s about the morals that we believe in. That’s probably something most Indonesians don’t have.

***
Serpong, 22 Jan 2010
Titus J.

Antasari: Guilty or Innocent?

2010-02-14T23:32:00.007+07:00

(published by The Jakarta Post on 16 Feb 2010. Click here)

Our justice system again created a mystery when the judges at the South Jakarta District Court sentenced former Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) chairman Antasari Azhar to 18 years in prison. The verdict was handed down to Antasari for his role in the premeditated assassination of Nasruddin Zulkarnaen, a director of state company PT Putra Rajawali Banjaran, in 2009.

From the beginning, when the case that enmeshed Antasari showed up in public, during the trial, and until today when the chief judge banged his gavel, the public have kept asking whether Antasari is guilty or not. A similar case was the assassination of human right activist Munir Said Thalib, when the court acquitted former deputy head of state intelligence (BIN) Muchdi Purwopranjono: the case remains a mystery until today. This proves that our justice system never ends with total finality but mystery that makes us always question our claim as a legal state (rechstaat).

Prosecutors alleged Antasari ordered the murder after Nasruddin attempted to blackmail him when he was caught red-handed with Nasruddin’s third wife, golf caddie Rhani Juliani, in a hotel room. Would a person of the caliber of Antasari, who once headed the Prosecutor’s Office in South Jakarta and later chaired the KPK, take the “hackwork” to kill someone because of a sexual affair with a golf caddie? Was the motive behind the high-profile murder as simple as that? We were disappointed as the court kept concentrating on this as the sole motive behind the murder with Antasari accused of attempting to cover up the extramarital affair.

Suppose the affair was true, what was the difficulty in Antasari covering it up without having to commit such a risky act as that? With his performance and achievements at the time he was KPK chairman, when he was hailed by the public for corruption eradication, wouldn’t it have been easy for him to convince the public that he was being blackmailed by Nasruddin? So, ordering the assassination of Nasruddin just because of a golf caddie did not make any sense for Antasari.

The verdict is more confusing when we learn of Antasari’s 18-year sentence. This was the same verdict handed down to Daniel Daen Sabon, one of the five hit men who were sentenced by Tangerang District Court for pulling the trigger on Nasruddin. How come the mastermind received the same punishment as the field operator in this murder case?

If the judges were really sure Antasari was guilty of masterminding the premeditated murder, moreover as a law enforcer who supposedly upheld the law, the judges should have sentenced him to death as demanded by the prosecutor. Otherwise, Antasari should have been acquitted because the judges should have decided only on those two possibilities, i.e. guilty or innocent. A verdict of guilty would give him the death sentence, innocent would free him totally, as there was no “in-between” verdict on such a high-profile crime involving such a high-profile figure as Antasari.

During Antasari’s trial, there was public suspicion that he was a target of the weakening the KPK, as the powerful institution in the war against corruption. One of co-defendants, senior commissioner Wiliardi Wizard claimed in court he had been set up by his superiors at the National Police headquarters who were trying to bring Antasari down.

Antasari has committed to file an appeal. It will be a long journey for him to seek real justice. He may win, he may lose. No matter what will happen to him, whether he wins or loses, it is not easy to answer this question: Is Antasari the good guy or the bad guy? It remains a mystery.

***
Serpong, 14 February 2010

Titus J.

Habibie And Impeachment

2010-02-04T12:31:00.003+07:00

(published in The Jakarta Post on 8 Feb 2010. Click here)

Former president B.J. Habibie made an interesting statement on Jan. 30, when he was honored by University of Indonesia (UI) with an Honorary Doctorate in Philosophy Technology, when he was asked about the issue of the impeachment of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono or Vice President Boediono over the Bank Century scandal: “People should not jump to the conclusion of impeachment every time they felt disappointed with their leaders. We should consider the financial, social and political costs of taking such a step.”

The statement was interesting because it came from Habibie, who took over the reins from the late president Soeharto in May 1998. He led the country only for the months of transition and preparation for the general election in 1999. His accountability report before the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) was rejected. In fact, the rejection was not addressed to Habibie but to the New Order’s administration.

Habibie knew himself very well. He knew what people wanted at that time. He knew what people wanted was that they did not want him. That time, whoever was considered as Soeharto’s close aides, was considered tainted. Soeharto was deemed the bad guy so everything connected to him was automatically also bad. But Habibie had no option but to show up on the public stage. He inherited a disordered country which had been laid in ruins by his predecessor. He knew people did not want him, so, after he accomplished his job, he left the political stage.

He might have been be very much hated by Soeharto, he was accused of being a Brutus, involved in weakening Soeharto’s legitimacy and stabbing Soeharto in the back. Several times, he was willing to visit his ailing “father” in hospital, but was always rejected, even up to Soeharto’s death. Habibie still respected Soeharto as his guru and father who had made him as he is today.

These days, impeachment is a hot topic. Everyone is talking about impeachment, mostly those who oppose the government. What does impeachment mean? If it means to unseat President SBY and Vice President Boediono, impeachment is not the right word. The Oxford dictionary defines impeachment a calling into question the integrity or validity of a practice.
What we are seeing now in our political arena is actually not an impeachment discourse, but a discourse about the possibility of deposing or dethroning the duo of SBY and Boediono (Bahasa Indonesia is pemakzulan).

A university student, who participated in the demonstration on Jan. 28, was asked by a TV reporter why he was demanding that SBY step down. He answered shortly: “He failed!” When asked which failures SBY had made so he should step down, the student replied haltingly and could not explain at all.

Is there dissatisfaction with his performance: yes, most of us agree on that. Several polls by prominent survey institutions show his reputation has declined. SBY and Boediono’s poor performance is worse, as they are accused of involvement in the Bank Century bailout case. People feel his very slow decision making in many cases confirms him as “Mr. Doubtful”.

As poor performance is not a reason to dismiss the President and Vice President, there is no mechanism by which the President or Vice President can be dismissed, unless through the Bank Century scandal. However, until today the House inquiry committee is only playing around with the erroneous policy and procedures, but is failing to establish if the Rp 6.7 trillion (US$716 million) bailout fund flowed to SBY, Boediono or Finance Minister Sri Mulyani.

The elite should learn from Mr. Habibie, to know what the people want – particularly if people do not want them anymore – and when they must leave the political stage.

***
Serpong, 4 Feb 2010
Titus J.

Honoring Gus Dur's Memory

2010-01-02T20:50:00.006+07:00

(published by The Jakarta Post on 6 Jan 2010. Click here)

The Indonesian people have lost a great man in Abdurrahman “Gus Dur” Wahid, but the minorities groups feel it much more. Indonesians owe a lot to Gus Dur, but whoever loves democracy, pluralism and equality in this country owes much more.

Some people mocked him for his physical disability, as he was almost totally blind for the last decades of his life, but what he did and thought was actually more precious than anything those with 20/20 vision could ever see. For the minorities, the blind man did more than anyone else. Although his physical health was being gnawed away at by illness, he became a true voice for the voiceless, and he never stopped until the end.

He spoke about religious tolerance, democracy, human and minority rights – topics that other people preferred to keep silent about. He countered Islamic radicalism and at the same time promoted a peaceful Islam to the world.

In his column “Tuhan Tidak Perlu Dibela” (God doesn’t need to be defended, 1982), Gus Dur wrote: “Everything that is considered harmful and an attack on Islam does not need to be responded to with anger; it’s better to react positively and constructively, because the truth of God will not degrade from anything apocryphal. If you think God exists because of your thoughts, you are an infidel. God does not need to be defended if someone attacks His existence, because He is great already.”

Gus Dur once criticized an edict from the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) that prohibited Muslims saying “Merry Christmas” to Christians and prohibited them attending non-Islamic religious celebrations. He also proposed replacing the greeting Assallamualaikum with "Selamat pagi" (good morning) because it’s nuance was more Indonesian. When Salman Rushdie wrote The Satanic Verses, Gus Dur opposed the death sentence (in absentia) from Iran, even though he was angered himself by the book, which he called an offence against Islam.

When he became the fourth president of Indonesia, he lifted the ban on Chinese-related celebrations and endorsed the Chinese New Year (Imlek), which, during Soeharto’s rule, had been prohibited. He promised to end discrimination against Chinese-Indonesians. He visited Pramoedya Ananta Toer, a noted novelist who was once imprisoned in Buru Island for his links to communists, in a symbolic apology by the government to communist-related victims. Even when he was no longer president, he offered himself as the defender of the Ahmadiyah, if the government insisted on dissolving the religious belief for going against mainstream Islam.

He was indeed too brave, too crazy, as he once joked: “Our first president was crazy for women, our second president was crazy for money, our third president was just plain crazy and our fourth president makes everyone else crazy.” Gus Dur loved to make controversial statements without thinking about the consequences, as his remark “gitu aja kok repot” (why all the fuss?) always got him out of trouble.

We knew his presidency was actually an unexpected historical accident, but he was still too confident. Perhaps his overconfidence was related to his experience when he chaired Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) for three terms and the influence from an Islamic boarding school culture. Gus Dur managed the country as he managed NU. In NU, a respected cleric can do no wrong. He firmly upheld the truth as he believed, though he knew that someday he could be unseated.

Gus Dur may have been defeated in the political arena. However, as his name at birth, Abdurrahman Addakhil (Addakhil meaning “Conqueror”), shows, he had truly become a conqueror. It may be not for all people, but at least for those who love democracy and pluralism, for minorities who feel treated not as equal as others, and for the oppressed who do not get protection from anybody, even the ruling government.

Now many people have proposed that he be made a national hero. But no, he was not just a hero, he deserves more than that. Gus Dur accomplished his mission, though we honestly still need him. We will not see a man of his caliber afterward, but his spirit and thoughts remain among within us.

***
Serpong, 2 January 2010
Titus J.

Luna Maya and Infotainment

2009-12-27T23:37:00.004+07:00

(published by The Jakarta Post on 30 Dec 2009. Click here)

Two TV programs that never allowed being on in my living room are Indonesian sinetron (soap opera) and infotainment. Webster’s Dictionary defines infotainment as “a television program that presents information (as news) in a manner intended to be entertaining”, while The Oxford Dictionary similarly says “broadcast material which is intended both to entertain and to inform.”

To entertain and to inform, this is the key phrase. Unfortunately, Indonesian infotainment today has gone too far. It does not just intend to inform people about (mainly) celebrities on positive sides (which offers benefits to the public), but has become amateur detective industry, which investigates and intrudes deeply into personal life. They have treated the celebrities unproportionally and do not respect the privacy, even impudently annoying relatives or families who have nothing to do with their “story”. The worst thing is that most cases that infotainment exposes and blatantly airs through television is not far from awkward personalities, sexual affairs, love triangles, divorce or some other rubbish from which we actually take no benefit at all.

If we know an actress does have affairs with an actor, so what? If we know an actor divorced with his wife, so what? If an actress or actor feels like being intimate and walks closely with someone, so what? What is the benefit of knowing other people’s personal lives? We may complain about infotainment but unfortunately there are some actresses and actors who too love being headline infotainment news.

These days we have the hot issue of actress Luna Maya. She was reported to police by infotainment journalists (backed by PWI — Indonesian Journalist Association) who felt offended by her twitter comments, which said infotainment journalists are worse than prostitutes and murderers.

Luna became infuriated with the journalists when she was hounded during a trip to the mall with Peterpan band front man Ariel and his daughter. When Luna was surrounded by the journalists, Ariel’s daughter’s head was accidentally knocked by a journalist’s camera causing the child to cry out. That incident was the reason for the “tweets” that day. However, infotainment media has repeatedly exposed intimacy between Luna and Ariel, and even published several gossip related pieces related to them.

Luna is lucky because this time she is not alone. She has support from the Press Council, Independent Journalist Alliance (AJI), a group of journalists who lambasted the infotainment program, and also the support of the public. Public support today is considered to be a frightening voice. No one should belittle the public’s power, it has proven itself a very important tool in winning battles. We should remember the publics support for the KPK deputies Bibit & Chandra and for Prita Mulyasari against Omni international hospital, Tangerang.

The Muslim community has also reacted to the case. Chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Hasyim Muzadi declared infotainment programs haram (forbidden under Islamic law) because they contain gossip, character assassinations and relishes in family breakups. The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) also echoed the same voice, so did the Religious Affairs Minister Suryadharma Ali who asked the infotainment to be discontinued.

The stance of both NU and MUI is good for society but it seems to be a little too late. The decision should have been made a long time before infotainment became a daily staple in our family rooms. We actually have so many other hazardous programs in television which have no educational value. Programs which contain magic, superstitions, sadism, tacky teenager dating shows and a bunch of sinetron that show a lifestyle full of absurdities have to be reviewed and kicked off our televisions.

Who should be responsible for this? We don’t see any real actions taken by Information and Communications Minister so far. Is the only dangerous thing for our society pornography?

We surely have concerns about television programs since television is the easiest, cheapest and most pervasive media that can reach our families and children in our homes. Most parents cannot control every minute of what their children are watching on television, can they? If we let such programs air on our TVs it is the same as letting rubbish scatter across and pollute our homes. Such dirty “pollution of the mind” is more dangerous than physical rubbish, because it contaminates our mind, our children’s minds, and ultimately damages our nation’s mind.

***
Serpong, 27 Dec 2009
Titus J.

Entering Hazy Days

2009-12-16T17:36:00.003+07:00

(published by The Jakarta Post on 21 Dec 2009. Click here)

People do not have to be skeptic about Indonesia’s economic performance for 2010 as reliable experts expressed their optimism. Vice President Boediono once predicted Indonesia’s economy growth would be 5 percent, economy observer Aviliani said 5.5 percent, IMF predicted 4.5 percent and recently, noted economist Faisal Basri cited 6 percent.

We are optimistic about our track record after passing the worst of the global economic crisis, while developed countries suffered. Thanks to the duet the Boediono-Sri Mulyani, the key figures who managed our economy during that time.

But these days, when both economic stalwarts are in jeopardy over the Bank Century bailout case, our economic future will also be in jeopardy. In other words, the optimism about the 5 to 6 percent of growth in 2010 is now in question. Don’t we have other figures with the same reputation and capacity?

People may not realize the implications of removing the reform icons. In 2010, corruption will continue and much awaited justice will be lost. Justice is just a dream. Corruption is everywhere. So, we should avoid our country being managed by the wrong people.

No, it is not merely about Boediono or Sri Mulyani. Anyone who is considered a reform icon will face challenges from whoever disagrees with the reform agenda, loves corruption and dishonesty.

Our biggest challenge in 2010 is corruption. Transparency International currently issued the Corruption Perception Index 2009 and have Indonesia a 2.8 score out of 10, with 10 being least corrupt. This is shameful for such a large country. We rated worse than Nigeria, Gambia and Gabon with a 2.9 score and Zambia, Tonga and Senegal with a 3.0 score.

Reviewing the recent attempt to disgrace the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), we assume there are “ghosts” who try anything to weaken corruption fighters. Today they failed, but they will try again. Frankly, I doubt we can achieve a better score in 2010 if the reform icons lose the battle.

Apparently, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will not enter 2010 smoothly. His 100-day program is a bitter pill. His speech ahead Dec. 9 on International Anti-Corruption Day revealed he is now under siege. Despite Yudhoyono’s coalition that controls the majority in the House of Representatives, its body is fragile. Do not ever forget about the “roadmap to 2014” project, which has been kicked-off by political parties.

Next year Yudhoyono and his administration cannot do their job as he will be busy with his opponents. Indonesian politics has good and bad guys, but it seems there are more bad guys.

***
Serpong, 15 Dec 2009
Titus J.

Coins to Redeem Prita

2009-12-13T14:06:00.004+07:00

(published by The Jakarta Post on 15 Dec 2009. Click here)

Omni International Hospital at Alam Sutra, Tangerang, has dug its own grave by playing the game of elephant and ant. The elephant can topple a big tree but cannot step on the ant. Just see how the public fiercely defends Prita Mulyasari against the hospital. From the very beginning, the public saw her unjust treatment following her detention by Tangerang Prosecutor Office for a few weeks in May 2009.

Thanks to the media that reported the case attractively: That a woman, a mother of two children – one of whom was still a baby – had been detained she had allegedly defamed an international hospital, that because of the detainment, the mother was separated with her newborn baby who still needed breast-feeding. What a pathetic story.

Perhaps Omni management has forgotten that our people are very sensitive to what we consider “persecution” towards the weak by the strong. We can easily mention such cases where the “weak” always drags attention and sympathy from public. In this particular phenomenon, the public will judge the “weak” always right and the “strong” always pointed as the despot, no matter the actual circumstances and motive.

In Prita’s case, public outcry against Omni is understandable. Moreover, people who have experienced poor services by some hospitals as well as doctors would sing the same song and firmly support Prita. Just ask your neighbors or friends, some will share horrific experiences about illness, hospital, and doctors. This is reality and nobody denies it.

To be fair, though, there are still good doctors who treat patients humanely, sympathetically and responsibly. I have plenty of stories about qualified doctors who respect the code of ethics while doing their jobs.

In Prita’s case, the thing that actually triggered public anger was when Omni sued Prita just because she shared her experience through email to her friends. It’s very simple; therefore, many people denounced Omni’s actions. The public saw it was excessive and tyrannous against the ordinary people. Is sharing experience through email a criminal act? If Omni kept silent, the story would be different, because not all people consider news spread out through email to be a serious matter.

But the story has been going too far today, and in this particular situation, people would not think whether Prita, in her email, was telling the truth or conversely defaming Omni. People would not consider rude sentences used by Prita when she wrote that Omni management was a big liar and made a fool of people’s lives. People did not want to understand Electronic Information and Transaction (ITE) law that was used by prosecutors to charge Prita. And people do not even want to know what’s happening in the legal process because law enforcement is nothing but claptrap to provide justice.

When eventually Banten High Court ordered Prita to pay Rp. 204 million for defaming Omni, people across the country, from trash pickers to students, from housewives to public figures, collected coins to redeem her. As of today, the coins that have been collected reached more than Rp 500 million. When Omni is willing to drop its civil lawsuit against Prita, it will be too late because Prita has already stolen the show. Prita has snatched public sympathy although legally she may be defeated.

Do the abundant coins for Prita reflect justice, or is it just channeling public protest because we don’t know where to seek justice in this country?

***
Serpong, 12 Dec 2009
Titus J.

The Pebble of Bank Century

2009-11-30T00:41:00.007+07:00

(published by The Jakarta Post on 03 Dec 2009. Click here)

Vice President Boediono and Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati are now standing in the brink over the case of Bank Century bailout. Just like the boxer who is cornered in the boxing ring, their position has made their “pro-enemy” supporters cheer and dance in brouhaha. The supporters avidly want them both knocked-out as early as possible.

It is difficult not to say that Boediono and Sri Mulyani obviously are a minimum target by their “enemies”. I said as the “minimum” because if they are out (whether they are pressured to resign from the Cabinet or suspended temporarily), the other target is President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Say Yudhoyono is strong enough to stand in the middle of the storm, tarnishing his reputation is sufficient for his political foes, at least at this time.

The Bank Century debacle, indeed, should be investigated to reveal what has been going on. The scandal should be opened to answer the allegation that there was misappropriation of the bailout process and fraud within the Bank Century, that the Rp. 6.7 trillion of the bailout was saving deposits of several high figure depositors rather than save the entire domestic banking industry and Indonesian economy, that some of the money had flown to the Democratic Party and to fund Yudhoyono’s campaign for legislative and presidential election.

That’s the allegation that has spread among public, where Boediono and Sri Mulyani are mentioned as the most responsible. As usual, pressure is mounting from some elements demanded Boediono and Sri Mulyani be fired, although the allegations have yet to be proved. Additionally, process to follow-up the audit result of the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) is still ongoing. Where is the logic on pressing them to resign?

The House of Representative, pioneered by the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) party formed an inquiry committee to investigate the case. The inquiry committee will have power to summon anyone who is implicated in the scandal including Boediono, Sri Mulyani, and even the President for questioning.

We are keen for this country to handle economic challenges properly and prudently by our leaders to ensure good governance. However, is the spirit of good governance solely what motivated the inquiry committee to form? I wish so, but please forgive me if I personally doubt it, moreover after learned the case was, since the beginning, driven to aim the two most trusted aides of President SBY as the shooting targets.

My doubt over the motivation of the inquiry committee is mostly supported by the fact that Sri Mulyani has created a lot of enemies during her term as the finance minister. Her personality as the decisive, uncompromised, clean, and not afraid to bulldoze the corrupt officials within her institution, has gained praise from many and at the same time also has been cursed, such as her bulldozing characteristic.

Her stance as the guard of state budget also irritated whoever requested to get bailouts for their companies that suffered losses during the global financial crisis recently. Her victory at one sides, is a loss for others at other sides. That is a Pyrrhic victory and now the losers are waiting for her fall.

It is important to know Yudhoyono supported actions to open the scandal. He, through his Democratic Party eventually backed the plan of the House of Representative to form inquiry committee to investigate it.

President Yudhoyono should make everything clear, not only because his name, his family and his party have been accused of receiving the bailout funds, but also to defend the government's reputation.

The great man has not stumbled over a mountain but a pebble. Will the Bank Century fiasco become a pebble for Boediono, Sri Mulyani or even SBY?

***
Serpong, 30 Nov 2009
Titus J.

related stories:
A Laugh at Our Lawmakers
The Iron Lady is Winning the Battle

Who is Trying to Kill The KPK?

2009-11-07T10:11:00.005+07:00

(published by The Jakarta Post on 14 Nov 2009. Click here)

If I were a corrupt official, of course I would want the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to die. If the KPK institutionally cannot be "killed", I would try, at the minimum, to weaken its power and damage its reputation. Losing the public trust will make the KPK equal to a toothless tiger because trust is its lethal weapon. As the public desperately hopes for the KPK to crush the chronic corruption in this country, the KPK has been expected to be an angel who can do no wrong.

The KPK has been becoming a frightening specter that constantly haunts those who are corrupt. This is a very serious menace that ensures that the rats (read: corruptors) never sleep in their nest peacefully. The superpower body has been successfully throwing corrupt officials in jail since the body formed.

However, the success has not been without consequences. The more corrupt officials that are sent to jail, the more enemies the KPK creates, because corrupt officials in Indonesia are countless. All of those, of course, expect the KPK to die.

In opposite, the KPK has become a superhero for those who revolt against corruption, because the long-running practice has damaged the Indonesian country both economically and morally. We saw transparently the so-called morality of high-ranking government officials, the lawmakers and the law enforcers who were meant to uphold the law and justice.

When money can buy everything, law is absolutely nothing. We saw the decay of morality through the wiretapped conversation between someone suspected to be Anggodo Widjojo, the brother of fugitive Anggoro Widjojo, and several high-ranking officials that were publicly revealed in the Constitutional Court (MK). In the hearing, obviously the law was in Anggodo's hands. He was seen as more powerful than those who supposedly upheld the law. He made all arrangements and the officials nodded. That horrific scene was nakedly and publicly published. I am hoping it wasn't true. I am hoping the scene was just a soap opera or a mafia movie.

Suppose the wiretapped conversation was authentic; that it was Anggodo who easily orchestrated the music and asked the elite figures to perform this dirty dancing? The criminal's relative conspired with brokers and the law enforcers to criminalize anti-graft fighters Bibit Samad Rianto and Chandra M. Hamzah. This is a country where we live, where money is power. The corrupt officials let themselves be slaves to serve those who pay. Is it obvious that money is the root of evil? No, but loving money is.

It is okay to charge Bibit and Chandra with abuse of power and bribery. Let's give the police the opportunity to prove it. But the more important thing is, whether Bibit and Chandra are innocent or guilty as accused by the police, that the goal to eradicate corruption is in danger after a series of attempts to damage public trust in the KPK. Indeed, the perfect way to shoot enemies is by using their own bullets. So the perfect way to shoot corruption fighters is by corruption allegations, too.

I am grateful for the massive support that has been shown by the public to save the KPK, regardless of whether Bibit and Chandra are guilty or not. Some people have joined street demonstrations, some others have expressed their protest with hunger strikes, and others have given support via internet campaigns. As of today, the number of Facebookers who have committed to stand by Bibit and Chandra has reached 1 million as targeted by the initiator.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) should thank the KPK and stand on as the vanguard to save the KPK, because one of key reasons people revoted for him was his corruption-eradicating efforts. People expect SBY to show the same commitment today.

Money can buy the law, but not justice.

***
Serpong, 6 Nov 2009
Titus J.

SBY Can Pull Out The Red Card

2009-10-28T12:31:00.003+07:00

(published by The Jakarta Post on 2 Nov 2009. Click here)

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) and Vice President Boediono have completed the selection process of their team. Fairly, the new team should be given sufficient time to work and prove whether they are capable or not. Although we are not very satisfied with the cabinet composition and the "minimum" curriculum vitae of some of them, we should not respond it with cynical comments. How could we say particular ministers are not the right person to hold the position even before they start their works? We better think positive, don't we?

President SBY will be the most responsible one for his minister failures because, using his authority, he selected whoever he thought were the suitable persons to be his team. Of course, that's also based on negotiation and political deals though SBY showed the recruitment process was the same as a professional company treated the job seekers.

At the end of the process, when the list of names was announced, the public collectively raised their eyebrows after learning of several names being put there.

However, I think the public has understood there's consequences to the government forming this grand coalition. It makes sense in politics that nothing is "gratis" (free), isn't it? In simple words, in politics, if I were to support you, how would I benefit? That's why long before SBY and Boediono won the presidential election, public have known that SBY-Boediono administration would be more colorful than before.

Of the 37 team members, 20 ministers are from political parties. Public concern about correlation between the names against the posts they have assigned, since most of them (from the political parties) did not match with their background and track record, lack of experience and competency. So what? My friends, that's the consequences, and let's think positively (again). Otherwise it will be too difficult to explain.

The selected ministers have signed an integrity pact provided by SBY. They have passed the interview, passed the medical checkup as well as the psychological test, and they have been sworn in as ministers in the presidential palace. What else? It is time for them to work, and of course, time for us to watch them do so.

Now the day is running. Let's see what the new ministers will do within first 100 days because the targets have been defined by SBY to the ministers.
We would expect the 100 days program to be closely monitored and evaluated by the President at the end of the 100 days, and if the performance of the ministers is poor, replacement is required. It's fair enough.

But, should the President SBY replace an incompetent minister from one political party with another person from the same political party? I would hope not, because the essence is to recruit the best person for the sake of the country. If initially SBY has offered the political parties to submit their best persons, and their performances donot meet with expectation after some period of time, aren't they entitled to be substituted? How could the political party take President SBY as the hostage to accept whoever candidate that they are proposing no more better resources they have?

Let's remind SBY and Boediono that they won more than 60 percent votes. Frankly, the victory could not automatically creditable to the parties that coalesced and supported the duet. Winning votes as much as sixty percent is not a trivial value in election, because if we compare it to United States presidential election 2008, Barack Obama "only" won 52.9 percent over John McCain. That's not a landslide victory, but we saw that Obama was confident in picking his confidants.

Logically, with the strong support from people, which was as much as 60 percent, there's no reason for SBY to bow down to parties' pressure. SBY should be confident since he has won the direct presidential election, and this time is the second victory for him. It was the people who consciously delivered the mandate to him, not the "king maker" like with previous presidents.

So Mr. President, I agree with you when you said to your ministers that in regards to the jobs, their loyalty should only be to the President and not to the party. You should encourage yourself to act decisively towards your ministers for serving people and perform all the best. If they failed, people would appreciate if they stepped down voluntarily. If they don't, you have to pull out a red card.

***
Serpong, 27 Oct 2009
Titus J.

Earthquake: Time for Introspection

2009-10-07T16:17:00.004+07:00

(published by The Jakarta Post on 14 Oct 2009. Click here)

As usual, every time natural disaster strikes Indonesia, some people will relate the disaster to something divine. That’s okay, because religious people believe there is God who orchestrates everything that happens in nature. Others perceive the disaster is merely a natural phenomenon, because nature lives and tectonic plates move, so natural disasters are not an act of God. Maybe the argument is not completely wrong, because science teaches us how and why all of those things happen. Scientists will explain the earthquake that struck West Sumatra recently with logical theory.
Indonesia seems to be religious nation, so it is hard to deny that every disaster stands alone without God’s involvement. However, as a religious nation, some of us like to contradict religious beliefs with superstition. Some people who love numerology immediately analyze the date, month and year when a disaster occurs. They claim spiritual numbers can tell us what will happen in future.

Besides seeing the world through numbers, others blame natural disasters on leaders casting jinxes, because during the last term, a series of disasters occurred in Indonesia. They said it was bad luck. This is so absurd.

While some people like to be superstitious, other people believe the earthquake that claimed thousands of lives was a curse and punishment from God. The wise man says if we do not care when God is speaking, God will use the nature to speak.

Whether or not the earthquake has anything to do with God’s punishment, this is a time for us to do some introspection. We should not become too busy to make connections between the disaster and punishment from God, because we are human being with many weaknesses. Do we think people who live in Jakarta and other regions are better than those living in Padang?

Let us think positively and put negative thoughts aside. Those who always think negatively will respond the disaster by judging others, but positive thinkers will respond to it by introspecting and confessing, that we are too small, and have nothing to be proud of. The pessimists will say the disaster was a curse, a punishment and bad luck, but the optimists will see that disasters raise our consciousness and bring us back to God.

Indonesian people have been losing their original identity for a long time. We have forgotten our pride, our nation’s solidarity that was established by our founding fathers, and prefer to be proud of our own group. With the disaster, we can see that all people, regardless of social background, religion, ethnicity and culture, have come together in display of solidarity to our brothers and sisters in the afflicted area. Disaster, in fact, has made people unify and come together. Just take the example of Aceh after the tsunami 2004.

Please don’t behave as if we are the only truthful nation and consider other nations (read: Western nations) as infidels anymore, because in every disaster that has struck our country, they are the ones who quickly responded with sympathy, financial aid, modern equipments, food and even volunteers to provide relief efforts on site.

We appreciate members of the international community who do not hold our past experiences against us, such as some of their citizens dying in terrorists acts committed in Indonesia. Faced with disasters, aren’t we just meaningless human being in the middle of the vast nature?

Please don’t proclaim proudly that we are the religious nation anymore, if our country is at the top list as most corrupt countries in the world. We walk around as dignified nation, yet corruption is still rife. We know corruption destroys our moral principles and damages our country, but instead of avoiding it, we befriend corrupt individuals and try to prevent anti-graft institutions from doing their job.

Let’s reinvigorate our nation’s sense of solidarity regardless of background or attributes. Let’s remove our differences and strengthen our spirit of togetherness, not only among our fellow Indonesians, but also with members of the international community. We cannot live alone.

Our country sits on the “ring of fire” where about 90 percent of world’s earthquakes occur. If we don’t experience an earthquake today, it doesn’t mean it will not happen to us tomorrow. Natural phenomena are unavoidable but we don’t need to worry too much as long as we have many friends.

God will not handily punish humankind, because He will always send us sign before. It might be through a natural phenomenon. Actually if we’re not too busy, and want to be more humble, we can learn from what nature tells us. The problem is, He has spoken to us but we did not listen to Him, did not care, or pretending to be deaf.

***
Serpong, 6 Oct 2009
Titus J.

Experiencing a 'Kopi Item' at Starbucks Coffee

2009-09-24T15:49:00.007+07:00

My 80 years old father in law is a coffee lover. A cup of coffee is his mandatory daily menu in the morning that makes his face brighter every day. It’s no problem with his stomach though he drinks coffee without eats anything in the morning. Thanks God for blessing him with incredible health in his 80s.

Please don’t get a wrong perception. A coffee for him is just a coffee a la ‘kopi tubruk’. I don’t know where the terminology of ‘kopi tubruk’ came from, but, as we’ve known it is an opposite from a modern coffee that usually served in contemporary coffee shops or cafes such as espresso, cappuccino, lattes, etc. Towards those coffee varieties, my father in law definitely does not know at all. So, coffee for him is just as simple as two spoons of ground coffee plus two spoons of sugar mixed with hot water in a cup. Three of those then be stirred-up to make it ready to drink.

A pack of ground coffee with 250 gram can make about twenty cup of coffee for my father in law. The price per pack is less than Rp. 20,000,- to get a good local brand. So, with a simple calculation, we knew the price per cup of coffee.

Since I had a coffee maker, my father in law said goodbye to his favorite ‘kopi tubruk’. Now he can drink coffee without lees in the cup because the smart machine automatically proceed coffee bean to become coffee liquid directly while the lees is separated.

One day, my father in law joined us to accompany his wife (my mother in law) see a doctor in a prominent hospital in Tangerang. That day we forgot to serve his favorite coffee at home. While waiting for my mom being treated by the doctor, he walked in the lobby area and found a small coffee shop over there. Hmm…that’s Starbucks Coffee. He did not know what Starbucks was, but by smelling the aroma that always entices everyone who passes by, my father knew a ‘kedai kopi’ (a coffee shop) was sitting there.

The smiling barista greeted my father in law politely and offered him the menu. As all of the items mentioned by the barista were so strange in his ear, he just shook his head till the list completely read.
“Just give me a ‘kopi item’ please,” my father in law said expecting his favorite one. The barista understood that my father in law asked him the black coffee.
“How much?” asked my father.
“Twenty thousand rupiahs, opa (grandpa),” the barista replied.
My father in law stupefied. He groped his pocket and paid for the coffee. After received the coffee in a beautiful paper cup, he then left the smiling barista slowly. Hmm…the shocking price.

The following day, in the morning as usual, I brewed and served a ‘kopi item’ to my father in law. While he was stirring-up the coffee, suddenly he giggled when remembered the ‘kopi item’ a la Starbucks the day before. I knew what was in his mind. It’s nothing else than the shocking price because twenty thousand Rupiahs for him means twenty cups of his previous favorite ‘kopi tubruk’. Happily, he still enjoyed the morning with his lovely ‘kopi item’ that I served.

Another day, again, my father in law had to go to the hospital to accompany my mother in law to see a doctor. Apparently, the ‘kopi item’ a la Starbucks has made him little bit addicted. The aroma has tantalized him and dragged him closer and closer to the coffee shop. The same young boy barista greeted him politely.
“Good morning, opa, a black coffee again?” he asked.
“Yes, kopi item. But can I get a smaller size, please?” my father replied (actually he expected to get a cheaper coffee).
“I am sorry, opa, there is no smaller size for your kopi item”
“Uhm…no smaller size ya? Uhm…I cancel my order then,” said my father while he’s searching various cakes and breads inside the glass shop display. The barista waited hospitably, starred down my father’s face.
“How much is this one?” he pinpointed to some pastry.
“That’s twenty thousand Rupiahs, opa,” said the barista.
“Allright, I take this one,” my father said and handed over Rp. 20,000,- of banknote.

After some minutes, the barista came and served the pastry.
“Opa, here is your pastry,” he said. “And, this is your favorite kopi item.”
My father in law dazed for seconds.
“But I did not order the coffee,” my father replied. “I only ordered this pastry,” my father said confusedly.
“Don’t worry, opa, the coffee is free for you,” the barista said nicely while handing over the coffee to him.

That day was a wonderful day for my father in law. That was not just because of getting his favorite ‘kopi item’ with free of charge in Starbucks, but the ‘touch of tenderness’ by the Starbucks through the young boy barista in its small outlet at the hospital. My father in law was so impressed with his experience that day. He told everyone the story. In the middle of difficult time to deal with his wife sickness, a simple care and sympathy for an old man like him was so meaningful.

What the barista did was a confirmation toward a tenet of Starbucks that drive it to its phenomenal success, because the strength of Starbucks is not just merely a coffee business, but a relationship building between the barista and the customer. The barista who in charge at the hospital has carved the natural touch on my father’s deep of heart. “Leave your mark” is one of the five principles of Starbucks business according to Joseph A. Michelli in his book “Starbucks Experience”, and the barista did it very well.

A shocking price for ‘kopi item’ or black coffee in Starbucks? Just ask my father in law. I am sure he would come back to the hospital and come to Starbucks – whether to order his favorite ‘kopi item’ or just a pastry (expecting to get a bonus again?).

***
Serpong, 22 Sept 2009
Titus J.

Just Continue to Make Movies

2009-09-14T14:29:00.002+07:00

I would like to praise Indonesian film industry for the achievement within past ten years. Honestly, I have no appetite at all to watch Indonesian movie before. Indonesian movie, to me, at that time was like a coffin that slowly going down to grave. Indonesian movie was dead. But, then Garin Nugroho, Riri Reza, Mira Lesmana, Nia Dinata, Rudi Soedjarwo, Joko Anwar and other potential film directors came and breathed the breath of life into the nostrils of the film industry. The film industry became alive and milestone has been piled ever since.

In term of quality, Indonesian movie is doing a quantum leap. Compare to 1980’s era, when the Indonesian movies dominated with vulgar sex exploitation and mystical content, today we look at different face of the Indonesian movies which deserves our two thumbs up. The appearance of those film directors that coloring the film industry with a better quality and creativity has made Indonesian movies are able to speak proudly in international competition arena.

Several films directed by Garin Nugroho won international award as the best film such as Cinta Dalam Sepotong Roti (Love in a piece of bread) in Berlin International Film Festival (1991), Daun di Atas Bantal (A leaf on the Pillow) in Asia Pacific Film Festival (1998), Puisi Tak Terkuburkan (Unburied Poetry) in Singapore International Film Festival (2000) and Opera Jawa (Javanese Opera) in Independent International Film Festival of Bruxelles - Brussel (2008).

Rudi Soedjarwo snatched the best director in Bali International Film Festival 2004 with his film Mengejar Matahari (Chasing the Sun). Riri Reza gained a spectacular successful with his film Laskar Pelangi (Rainbow Warrior) where people and film critics labeled it as “A must see Indonesian movie” in 2009. Since the release of this film on 25 September 2008 till March 2009, the film has been watched by 4.6 million moviegoers. The film was selected to perform in Berlin International Film Festival 2009, and even played in CineStar Cubix Alexanderplatz, Berlin. Pintu Terlarang (Forbidden Door) that directed by Joko Anwar awarded as the best film in Puchon International Fantastic Festival (South Korea) in 2009.

No doubt. The Indonesian film makers today are fantastic. They are talented and incredible. They are not just dilettantes. Yes everybody can make film, but making a good film is not just a matter of talent, capital (money) and idealism. The important thing that can make it happen is the wide-opened of freedom of expression that boost creativity in the film industry.

It is clear, the wind of change has blown. We can see resurrection of good movies since reformation history in 1998. Surprisingly, this art industry filled by majority young talented people with various formal education background, not just a cinematography background. They have been creating an advanced progress so far, and I believe it because of freedom that has made them doing good jobs. Like John F. Kennedy said: “The best road to progress is freedom's road,” so the progress of the Indonesian film industry clearly boosted by the freedom of expression.

The enactment of the new film law on 8 September by the House of Representatives has made people raise eyebrow. Is there anything wrong with our movie industry today? Film producers, directors and actors condemned several articles in the new law and commented as set back. “Neither government nor lawmakers contribute to the progress of film industry so far, and now they want to shackle our creativity,” they said.

It is hard to be understood that the new law requires movie producers to get permit from several ministries and local administration. They should report plan, title and scenario to the government before making movie. From the bureaucracy perspective, it’s obviously a complicated rule because we all knew how the government official doing their works. The negative image shown by the bureaucrats has made people reluctant to get in touch with them. We knew the reason.

Mira Lesmana and Slamet Rahardjo, two of prominent film directors also condemned article 6 as it would suspect the film makers as criminals. Although it is good that our society should avoid violation, gambling, drugs, pornography, and provocation related to ethnicity, race, and religion in our daily life, I believe we don’t need to stipulate it to the film law. In particular case, a film needs to take some of those scenes for the sake of a lesson learned, for example: A film about social riot in May 1998, East Timor following the referendum 1999, murder of human right activist Munir, conflict in Poso, etc. This is to remind us that our nation, long time ago, had ever passed the dark tunnel in our history. It would be important for us today and our next generation for lesson learned to avoid the repeated history in future.

Finally, I support Mira Lesmana, Slamet Rahardjo and other film makers to submit judicial review to Constitutional Court (MK), but I would more suggest them to forget the existence of the new law and continue making movies without fear. Indonesian lawmakers and government like to regulate everything in all aspect of our life, but too easy to forget after that. They like making law, but too hard to implement the law enforcement towards those who break the law. Why? We knew the answer.

***
Serpong, 14 Sept 2009
Titus J.

Ramadan With a Smile

2009-08-24T19:10:00.005+07:00

(published in The Jakarta Post on 26 August 2009. Click here)

Ramadan is not only a holy month but also a beautiful month for Muslims. It is beautiful because Ramadan offers peace and smiles. Imagine if we could see smiles everywhere, every day, every moment and on everyone, what more could we hope for in our lives today?

During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to dusk. This is one of the five compulsory principles of Islam. Fasting is not only abstaining from food and drink, because the poor do that in their daily lives. "We don't need to wait until Ramadan, because fasting is our life. We have no option but to eat only once a day," they say. Fasting is not only to refrain from lust either, because lust can be controlled without fasting.

Ramadan, the holy and beautiful month, brings values into focus. Ramadan makes people wise and unselfish, because Ramadan teaches them to share with others. Share a part of their possessions, share happiness, share sympathy and share love and kindness.

Non-Muslims also respect this month and convey cordial greetings to Muslims in a spirit of goodwill and religious tolerance. This is demonstrated by the Manahan Javanese Christian Church (GKJ Manahan) in Surakarta (Solo) every year. This church sets us an example of how to live in harmony with people with different religions. This church provides meals as well as a place (in the church) for Muslims to break their fast - every day for the 30 days of Ramadan. Blessed are those who take care of the humble, because they will see the Kingdom of God.

Ramadan is a time of contemplation, of introspection, to think and look at ourselves. Muslims believe this month is when heaven opens the door of forgiveness and mercy. Muslims do not let this happen in vain. That's why, for those who ask forgiveness from God in order to accept the blessings of this fasting month, should forgive others too, because those who forgive their neighbors will be forgiven by God.

People are blessed if they are given the ability to fast in Ramadan. However, those who fast should not despise Muslims who are still unable to practice it, moreover should not judge them, as just because they do not understand the purpose of fasting, does not mean they are not devoted Muslims.

A friend of mine confessed he was not a good Muslim, because he only fasts twice during Ramadan, i.e. the first day and the last day. He could not explain why, but he did say he would try to do it some day - if he is enlightened by a deeper understanding from his religious teaching. However, he feels uncomfortable when his friends make insinuations about his lack of fasting during Ramadan. They comment on the fact he only fasts for two days and stigmatize him as not a real Muslim. Although he is not a good Muslim, as he himself confesses, he is a friend who never hurts others.

Ramadan is a month of struggle, to fight against our lust and egoism, not to fight against our neighbors. Ramadan should create peace among people, including those who still live in the dark, and not create fear, by threatening those whom we judge as sinners just because they work in nightclubs.

There was parable about some people who believed they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: Two men came before God to pray, one a scribe and the other a tax collector (read: the usurer). The scribe, standing alone, was praying: "God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week. I donate some of my possessions to the poor." But the tax collector, standing far away, could not even look up to heaven, but was beating his chest and saying: "God, be merciful to me, a sinner." The tax collector went home forgiven rather than the other way around, because all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.

Ramadan will be a beautiful month if people offer each other a smile. Let the smile become our home where we are able to be kind to one another, not only for a month, but for eleven months' onward. If there are smiles everywhere in Ramadan, everyone will miss Ramadan and look forward to it coming again soon.

Happy Ramadan, with smiles everywhere.

***
Serpong, 24 August 2009
Titus J.

Catch Me If You Can

2009-08-15T11:13:00.006+07:00

(a message from Noordin M. Top)

I just imagine that Noordin M. Top watched TV when Densus-88 ambushed the house in Temanggung and Jatiasih Bekasi on 8 August 2009. He then sent a message to his accomplices said:

My fellow jihadists,

Just lay your face downward on the ground where you stand on right now. These days are tough days for us as we are now hunted with the utmost endeavor from the security forces. Be vigilant! Don’t let your eyes closed.

Some of our confidants had been killed and arrested within past few days, others are scattered. Don’t take risk by showing up yourselves in public. You see the ambush in Temanggung that ended with the killing of Ibrohim and raid in Jatiasih Bekasi last week? That’s because of carelessness. You knew that carelessness is unforgiven matter in this game. A bit of carelessness would crush our plan and kill us – one by one!

Don’t ever underestimate the Densus-88. They, the damned smart and brilliant counterterrorism squad of Indonesian police have improved their skills extraordinarily which surprising many people including me. Their skills in sniffing and tracking-down our trace are incredible within past four years. We are even not able to get any chance to take a deep breath after our bomb guru – Dr. Azahari killed by them during the raid in Malang in November 2005.

But, a bit glad for me. Some of Indonesian elites criticized their efforts, some said a mockery statements toward the Densus-88. They even accused the ambush in Temanggung and Jatiasih Bekasi just a cheap scenario to switch public attention from presidential election disputes. That’s a reality, you see? Indonesian elites like speaking talkatively. They are too difficult to appreciate achievement of their fellows whereas by contrast, I do appreciate them although they are our most dangerous threat. I hope such Indonesian elites continue to make negative comments on Densus-88 because it would make them frustrated.

Temporarily, the play of hide and seek is the only thing we can do to wait their inattentiveness. Putting our cadres as insiders in the target was proven very well. People would not know their close friends as well as their neighbors are enemies. This is how the terror works, and we’ve gained success in the last attack in JW Marriott and Ritz Carlton hotels using our insider.

Now you should stay in still. Don’t move everywhere. Don’t be too aggressive. Just wait and see because our space is now narrowed. We would be difficult to contact each other during these days, but I trust you, my men. You have already known what you should do. When they are inattentive, just be quick to launch a counter attack then go into a hiding place. Thanks to some of our sympathizers for providing us safe houses and making themselves as shields to protect us. Thanks also to God for giving me a handsome face and elegant speaking to persuade people.

We’ve suffered a big loss of our several operative men less than a week. But I would encourage you, we will obtain others as substitution easily. Remember a method that I have taught you to recruit volunteers? Use a patriotic jargon says that we are in a holy war against the infidels. Offer a great reward for those who dare to die for the sake of jihad. Reminisce repeatedly about the three Bali bombers and how they were so brave to face the death execution. And for the suicide bombers, don’t forget to remember that they are chosen to be a bridegroom in heaven.

You think I do the jihad here without any reason? or just for amusement? You think I landed my feet in Indonesia without a smart consideration? It’s only here, in Indonesia, I can easily find out candidates to become suicide bombers. And you knew the last bombing in Mega Kuningan last month perfectly done by young boy, still 18 years old, my men! And I still have so many young boys in my pocket right now that already line-up to receive orders.

Luckily, we can get explosive materials without much difficulties in this country. Does anybody care who sell and who buy the explosive materials for that much volume? If we want, we can detonate bomb everyday in malls. You see how the satpam in malls works? They just perform the security check as a routine task halfheartedly, you know? Do they check precisely every car that entering mall? We can intrude malls easily with a bunch of bombs.

How the wonderful day. Our men’s bodies, Air Setyawan and Eko Joko Sarjono got a hero’s welcome from our supporters in their village few days ago. Allahu Akbar! Our respected spiritual hero, Abubakar Ba’asyir led the funeral ceremony and labeled the two men as martyr because they fought for Islamic sharia. He said he did not reject using bombs for Muslims to wage jihad. My country, Malaysia would definitely say no way for such ceremony as well as let such cleric to provoke radicalism sentiment.

Once again, that’s a favorable thing to us because Indonesian government so afraid to be condemned for human right violation. It is the same thing with what happened to our fellow three Bali bombers ahead of their execution. Only in Indonesia the convicted bombers allowed to receive extensive media coverage by which they could have proclaimed being “dizolimi” (persecuted) unjustly. Thanks to all of those things since it would raise deep sympathy, fanaticism and retaliation. This is Indonesia and I so love being here rather than play this game in my own country.

Finally, be prepare, my fellow jihadists! Densus-88 are now hunting us intensively to crack us down. They would not allow a failure anymore. But, I would say to all of my hunters “Catch me if you can!”

***
Serpong, 15 August 2009
Titus J.

Without Love, We Are Nothing

2009-07-23T13:39:00.008+07:00

(published in The Jakarta Post on 25 July 2009. Click here)

The bombers of the Marriott and Ritz Carlton hotel at Jakarta last week made the ultimate sacrifice for the sake of their faith.

Talking about faith will always bring us to two different perspectives. We could say what the bombers did was wrong, evil, brutal, ferocious and against humanity. We could condemn the attack as well as curse the bombers infuriatingly. But, should the bombers still be alive and we could ask them why they did it, they would firmly say that they did it as exalted act.

They dedicated their whole life to religion or even to God Almighty. They let themselves be killed as martyr because it was a stairway to heaven. Why? Because they believed their faith demanded it as a holy duty.

Who could have told them they followed a deviated path and why they should have turned to the right path, such as ours? Who could have convinced them that what they believed was wrong, and conversely our beliefs were right?

We could have opened any religious books and shared our principles with them, then convinced them that terror was against all religions principles, but believe me that they also had their own principles to which they were wholeheartedly devoted. We could have asked them for repentance but they would have defended their faith at any cost because faith is the highest entity of any religions and people are willing to die for it.

We may have enough faith to move mountains, but if we do not have love, we are nothing. We could give away all of our possessions, even hand over our body to be burned, but without love, we actually gain nothing. These advice came from a man who was initially so vicious but then repented due to the touch of love.

We can practice our faith without love, but love will never be practiced at the same time as hatred. We can practice our faith with selfishness, but love rejects selfishness since love always gives sincerely. We often practice our faith while judging others, but Mother Teresa said: “If you judge people, you have no time to love them.”

The bombers breached the two hotels’ tight security perfectly. They accomplished their holy duty according to their faith for which they deserved a martyrdom status, but was their devoted militancy inspired by love?

They never knew the bomb they detonated would create such deep misery for all the victims. They never knew a baby-boy was born fatherless because his father, Evert Mocodompis, the banquet chef of JW Marriott hotel, had been killed by the bomb at that day.

So whatever we do, whatever our faith requires us to do, should it contradict with principle of love? How could we claim to be practicing the faith while doing violence at the same time? “Non-violence is the article of faith,” said Mohandas Gandhi. It means if faith walks together with violence, it is doubted as the true faith because true faith and love springs from one source, i.e. God who is also love.

Faith, again, can always be seen from two different perspectives, but love only seen from a single perspective because love is universal. We, regardless our religion, will agree that love heals and does not injure, love forgives and does not punish, love revives and does not kill, love creates peace and does not detonate a bomb.

Now the bombers had already gone, gone where we will never know, but the mastermind may be watching TV today with smile and pride because they succeeded in breaching security and killing those who they judged as infidels. Although they continue to spread fears among people, we don’t need to bow down to the terror and being paranoid. Life should go on as usual because our paranoia will grant them victory.

The bombers gained praise as martyrs from their supporters, the victims gained love as ordinary people from their families, relatives and sympathizers. If I could, I would choose to have a love rather than praise, although I am only an ordinary man today, and would die someday still an ordinary man. Why? Because love lasts forever, while praise only until death.

***
Serpong, 22 July 2009
Titus J.

Trust That Leads to SBY Victory

2009-07-14T14:38:00.006+07:00

(published in The Jakarta Post on 16 July 2009. Click here)

Deng Xiaoping, the prominent reform leader of China once said: "It doesn't matter if a cat is black or white, so long as it catches mice."

These days, our people seem to be applying Deng's principle. It doesn't matter if Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY)-Boediono pair carry a neo-liberal economic policies, so long as the people's welfare is improved, poverty is alleviated, unemployment is mitigated, political and security stability is guaranteed, business runs well and the economy remains to grow amid the global economic downturn.

The neo-liberalism accusation itself, made by their rivals to reduce their electability still creates pros and cons and debate about whether it really exists in Indonesia. Particularly, whether SBY-Boediono is supporters of this principle remains debatable. I (and may be most other people) are wondering if the neo-liberalism is like rapacious devil that we have to curse. But, again, referring to Deng, does it really matter?

In regard to the presidential election, far before voting day, each individual actually had a preferred choice. It was what I found whenever I chatted with friends or listened to other people while they were nongkrong (hanging-out) at a warung (street-food stall). Campaign, advertisements and debates are just common tools in every election. But, could all of those things change what people already had in their mind? Several surveys told us that the numbers of people that had switched their choice to another candidate after those tools materialized was not significant.

People were being motionless on their stance to vote for SBY-Boediono despite any attempts to disgrace their reputation. In fact, the majority of voters admitted they voted for SBY-Boediono because of Indonesia's economic sustainability, stabilization on national security, achievement in corruption eradication, total reform in taxation and their clean images.

The two rivals kept attacking him during their campaigns and the televised debates, even till the last minute where they complained about the problematic electoral roll to the General Election Commission (KPU) and the Constitutional Court (MK).

The aggressiveness of SBY's rivals in accusing him of conspiring with the KPU for organizing an unfair election only created the public impression that SBY was being persecuted. Since Indonesians are such sentimental people they would show their tenderness to SBY. Wow, so melancholic.

Mega-Prabowo's harsh criticism toward SBY's economy policy vanished in the air because people saw nothing but a rhetorical voice without a concrete policy proposal to tackle the economy. It was the same thing with the "change" slogan bombastically promoted by Prabowo where they were only accepted by people with skepticism.

The Jusuf Kalla (JK)-Wiranto pair that promoted the slogan "the faster the better" was also not sellable. It was the same thing with their promotion to be a mandiri (autonomous) country and archipelagic pair (pasangan nusantara - where JK is Bugis and Wiranto is Javanese).

It was so clear then, that the election is more than just strategy. All three pairs had sophisticated strategies. They were each supported by a campaign team that consisted of prominent experts that designed strategies to win the battle. But the most important thing is that the people voted someone because of their trust.

As the old saying goes; past behavior will predict future, it can be applied to the last presidential election, too. The key factors that led SBY-Boediono to victory could be simplified by one word: trust.

***

Serpong, 13 July 2009
Titus J.

We Are Proud as Indonesians

2009-07-08T17:31:00.007+07:00

(published in The Jakarta Post on 10 July 2009. Click here)

I should be proud of my country, Indonesia, as a Southeast Asian country that is advancing its democracy progressively, despite its economy trailing behind other more developed countries such as Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.

Yes, while it is true the elite and ordinary people sometimes display craziness that exasperates us, and rampant corruption is still an obstacle embarrassing us as a nation, in terms of democracy, Indonesia is more mature.
This we should defend at any cost.

I remember when I visited Kuala Lumpur two years ago, my guide (who was a native Malaysian) told me he was amazed by Indonesia's democracy and press freedom, and in particular by how Indonesians were brave enough to open the gates of democracy while many people living in the country were still struggling against poverty.
In other words, other countries are surprised to see how Indonesians were determined to hurry in a wind of change after Soeharto's dictatorship collapsed in 1998. He admitted his government was not as brave as Indonesia's. In terms of press freedom, he said his government had no choice but to control the press as the fourth pillar of democracy.

One of indicators proving democracy in Indonesia has grown and worked is the fact that campaigns ran relatively smoothly and peacefully, and people could choose their representatives and leaders freely at the three general elections during the reformation era, 1999, 2004 and 2009.

The most historic event that shows Indonesia is leading the countries mentioned above is the direct presidential election conducted in 2004.

The decline of the military's dominance after Suharto stepped down in 1998 is another leap for our democracy. Military and police institutions are no longer involved in Indonesian politics since civilian rule has been promoted. The way the government runs the country is more transparent as many watchdog organizations have been established to monitor authority.

According to a World Audit 1) (an international not-for-profit organization that provides a truly global geopolitical perspective on democracy, political rights, civil liberties, press freedom, human rights and corruption) report released in October 2008, Indonesia's democracy scored 70 - the range goes from 1 to 150, with lower scores preferable - far better than Philippines (88), Thailand (86), Malaysia (82) and Singapore (74).
Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar had the worse scores, with 126, 141 and 150 respectively.

The report confirmed that Indonesia, the country with the world's largest Muslim population, has done a quantum leap in establishing democracy within the last 10 years.
It also refutes the theory that democracy can only be established in developed countries where people are free from poverty and well educated.

In term of press freedom, Indonesia leads the pack with a score of 86, ahead of Malaysia and Singapore that scored in 104 and 111 respectively.
The press has grown even stronger with the implementation of tools to control government officials as well as lawmakers in the House of Representatives, which have dragged many elite figures to jail on corruption-related charges.

We experienced our second direct presidential election. As many as 170 million eligible voters enthusiastically exercised their right to vote for their preferred pair of candidates. It is a beautiful day for Indonesian people because our right to choose whomever we wish to become our next president/vice president has been guaranteed.

It is not a simple thing to organize elections considering our geographic situation - a huge area separated into thousands of islands - and the various education backgrounds and social/economic status of Indonesian people across the country. However, we have proved we could do it today!

We should celebrate not who might be the winner, but our growing democracy that makes us a great nation where mature people live proudly.

***

Note:
1. World Audit Organization (http://www.worldaudit.org/) brings together statistics and reports from highly respected agencies such as Freedom House, Transparency International, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and The International Commission of Jurists.

***
Serpong, 8 July 2009
Titus J.

Using Religious Symbols Will Hamper People Trust

2009-06-30T14:14:00.003+07:00

The current presidential race actually much interesting compared to the 2004 election. The General Election Commission (KPU) is more creative by organizing 5 rounds of presidential/vice presidential televised debates, the event that gives the candidates chance to act their best performances in front of public. Like the Indonesian Idol – a singing contest among the teenagers across the country whom the winner is picked by the voters through sms (short message service), the presidential/vice presidential candidates polish their images for the best endeavor in order to be voted by the audiences.

Unfortunately, the attractive race nowadays has been tainted by several sentiments using religious symbols which supposedly out from practical politics.

Firstly, after all three candidates announced their readiness for the race, the deputy secretary general of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) Zulkieflimansyah said that popularity of JK-Wiranto duet has been increasing due to their wives wearing the jilbab (headscarf). The mass media then cover both Jusuf Kalla and Wiranto wives who always appear in public wearing a jilbab. Internal survey by PKS confirmed that such attire potentially lures the Muslims to vote for them.

Perhaps JK and Wiranto have no intention to use such strategy to gain popularity, because there is nothing wrong with wearing a jilbab for Muslims despite the jilbab indeed is visually very attractive for conventional Muslim women. However, it has been making biased when it’s used as a campaign theme suggested the candidates whose the wives wearing jilbab are definitely better than those who are not – referring to the SBY-Boediono and Megawati-Prabowo pairs.

Secondly, at a recent Golkar campaign in Medan, there was a rumors spread by unidentified source that Boediono’s wife is a Catholic. The garbage rumors were clear used by those who intended to tell public that it’s no way to have leader with the non Muslim background. I don’t know what the smear campaign based on, but Boediono’s wife is a truly Muslim. Boediono himself asked his supporters not to react anything on this matter.

Is there no other way to win the race respectfully than using religious symbols as a campaign strategy? Why such thing always re-occurring in every election? We should remember in 2004 the similar rumors also occurred to SBY when his wife accused as a Christian just because her name is Kristiani Herawati – the sound which tends to Christianity nuance in her first name.

Such campaign strategies definitely are a set back and contra-productive if applied in our multi-cultures society. Such strategies are not sellable anymore. And I am personally not sure it is effective to influence the voters to switch their preferred candidates, because people today are more mature and not so easy to be driven only by religious symbols. The political elites who still have a narrow mind should wake-up and open eyes widely that our people today are not stupid. They should stop politicizing religion because Indonesia is a pluralistic state.

In the first vice presidential debate that moderated by Komaruddin Hidayat on 23 June, the three VP candidates agreed to put religion out of politics, even on the higher position than politics considering it is a sacral entity for all human being. However, as Boediono remarked that words so often to be different with deeds, which candidates will the people put the trust on?

S.K. Zainuddin in the July edition of GLOBEAsia magazine wrote: “After all the campaign stops and televised debates, after political and economic analysts have dissected the platforms of the respective candidates, it all boils down to one factor. Trust.”

It is not without a strong reason if the key factor for all the candidates to win the race is merely a trust. And the trust itself born from honesty and sincerity, because it will be so naïve if the people lay their trust just on religious symbols. “The defining factor that will differentiate the winner from the losers will be how voters perceive the candidates not in terms of substance of their platforms but in the way they govern,” said Zainuddin.

Probably the debates for most of the people is just a show. It is enjoyable watching the excited, attractive, and argumentative debates, and how the candidates speaking articulately in describing the own view or debating the rivals view. Then the questions are: Does the candidate who steals the attention of the audience in the debates also succeed stealing the people trust? Does the candidate who gains plenty of claps from the audience also succeed gaining the people confidence to be the next five years leaders?

***
Serpong, 30 June 2009

Titus J.

It Was Not The Real Debate!

2009-06-21T22:01:00.007+07:00

(published in The Jakarta Post on 23 June 2009. Click here)

The rare show is now coming to our home. Let's finish our work earlier and come home soon, sit down in front of the TV and enjoy it as within two coming weeks we will be entertained by a much-awaited show ahead of the presidential election that is scheduled on July 8.

The show, titled "Presidential debate" is considered as a historic event for Indonesia since it will present all of the presidential/vice presidential candidates by face to face, and aired by several TV stations as a live event.

People, regardless of their status and profession, enthusiastically watched the first debate on June 18 that presented Megawati Soekarnoputri, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Jusuf Kalla.

Although the event is quite interesting, we didn't see the real debate as expected since the three candidates tended to be bold and underline the rival's view, no challenges toward the description that was presented by each. The nuance was so different with the "war of claims" or "war of criticism" during their campaign or as shown in their advertisements in mass media.

People actually expected it would become a hot debate particularly between the incumbent SBY and the challenger Mega because public knew the two candidates always attack each other since SBY in reign till today. But if the debate was expected to face-off between the incumbent versus the challenger, where should JK stand?

I think the General Election Commission (KPU) who determined such format of the debate intended to avoid open clashes among the candidates in front of public. The debate will likely only try to capture the "high level" views from the three candidates upon the selected issues, thus, we saw the explanation presented by them only touch on the normative level. For me, it will be much better and exciting to watch if the moderator put the real hot topics on the table then dug deeply for each candidate's thoughts over the topics.

For example, when raising the past human rights violation issue, the moderator could directly offer the Munir case: How the law and justice goes so far, why there is so many awkwardness in the law processing, why the mastermind is not captured yet and how to solve it. When raised about protection of the TKW (women migrant workers), the moderator could take Nirmala Bonat or Siti Hajar as examples of TKW who were tortured by their employer as the real case occurred recently.

The next debates hopefully would raise other topics that I believe will very much attract public attention such as the neoliberalism issue: Why has Boediono accused by his rivals of being a neoliberal figure? The moderator could directly ask Budiono's rivals what the accusation based on, and then give Boediono a chance to respond. The BLT (direct cash aid) that picked by Mega as a bullet to shoot SBY also the real attractive issue.

By watching the debates over the hot-real topics, public would know whether the candidates really understand a bunch of the problems of our country and how to solve it. People want to see the leaders who are able to simplify the complicated problems by a simple description, not just by a jargon nor by a monologue campaign that attacks the rivals while the rivals cannot give a direct answer on that.

Finally, the candidates should realize that winning the debates will not automatically win the hearts of people. But still, the debates show is a very good tool for people to learn politics and democracy in which the spirit of sportiveness abides.

***
Serpong, 21 June 2009

Titus J.

Will Peace be Keen to Come?

2009-06-10T12:10:00.005+07:00

(published in The Jakarta Post on 11 June 2009. Click here)

Peace. This is the only word brought by President Barack Obama in his tour of the Middle East recently. As we already know, the word "peace" for the Middle East is easy to say but the hardest thing to grab. And always, the word "peace" would have got a skeptical reaction across the world, not because people hate the word, but it is the President of United States who said "peace" and brings it to their land.

People in the war zone of the Middle East (particularly relative to the Israel-Palestine conflict) seem not-so-anxious to have peace, because when it comes, it suddenly takes wing and flies somewhere else. All the peace accords have been so fragile and easily broken by the fighting parties, though their leaders are smiling, shaking hands and kissing cheeks with each other at the same table when talking about peace. But still, it has been the word people dare to dream of.

What did Obama try to do when he realized that the peace in Middle East was in tatters and had completely shattered? Did we see him come with a sincere heart? We can see that at least he has the goodwill to end the hostility this time. Maybe not only goodwill, there is a fire that burns in his spirit to make peace a reality.

Bring peace, extend your hand or salute, then you will conquer the heart of your enemy. That is advice from the wise. Thus, it was so meaningful for the Muslims when Obama humbly conveyed a greeting of "Assalamualaikum".
His telling of his experiences with his Muslim father and Kenyan family and his experience of spending four years of his childhood in Indonesia was a most powerful strategy to touch those who hate America.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said: "Any statements by Obama were just words, speeches and slogans without any specific measures by Washington such as lifting sanctions on Iran." Meanwhile in Iraq, Sheik Ahmed Hassan Taha told worshippers in Baghdad that Obama cannot be trusted and accused him of abandoning his father's Muslim faith.

It is clear, bringing peace to the land that has been torn so long by war is not just a one-day effort nor possible with just one speech. There is so much fear, wounds, distrust and hostility, but Obama said: "If we choose to be bound by the past, we will never move forward."

Obama tried to show that the new foreign policy under his administration is definitely different than before. His attempt to embrace the Muslim world was seen when he sent Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton to Indonesia as the first destination of her tour in Asia. It cannot be denied that the Israel-Palestine conflict will always drag the international community into it, including Indonesia, as the country with the largest Muslim population in the world.

As the Muslim world always accuses the United States of double standards and the main backer of Israel, Obama said that he did not deny the Palestinian people, Muslims and Christians, who have suffered in pursuit of a homeland.
"America will not turn our backs on the legitimate Palestinian aspiration for dignity, opportunity, and a state of their own," he said, but then he admitted the strong bonds between America and Israel are unbreakable because of cultural and historical ties.

Obama has bravely come and knocked on the door. He asks to forget the past and promote his dream that all nations would be able to live in harmony. In the closing statement of his speech, he quoted from the Holy Koran: "O mankind! We have created you male and female, and we have made you into nations and tribes so that you may know each other." He then quoted from the Holy Bible: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."

Will peace be keen to come and dwell in the holy land today or tomorrow, or fly off somewhere else as previously?

***

Serpong, 9 Jun 2009
Titus J.

related story: Let's Pray for Peace in Gaza

Compromise For Facebook Users

2009-05-27T06:31:00.005+07:00

(published in The Jakarta Post on 27 May 2009. Click here)

I smiled when I learned that Facebook worried some Muslim clerics. Hundreds of clerics from the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) from Java and Bali gathered in Kediri and eventually issued a fatwa banning the use of Facebook and other online social networks. I do appreciate their responsibility and concern for what has been happening in the Islamic boarding schools (pesantren) today.

The clerics said students (or 'santri' as they are commonly called) in Islamic boarding schools tend to spend excessive amounts of time on Facebook. It totally disturbs their concentration for their main task, which is to study hard, said Nabil Haroen, the spokesman for the Lirboyo boarding school in Kediri, East Java.

As well as this, Facebook facilitates virtual communication among friends that will be used for chatting, gossiping, even flirting, which will cause the users to commit the sin of lust, whereas traditional Muslim norms determine a separation between male and female students. On Facebook, users, regardless of gender, may communicate freely, share stories with each other as well as exchange photos.

How has Facebook made people addicted? It is not only for students, professionals and businesspeople, but also for housewives around the world, particularly in Indonesia. Housewives who usually spend time with their children and take care of their husbands, now are eager to sit in front of their laptops for hours on Facebook.

With Facebook, lost friends can be traced quickly, no matter where they are. There is no hiding place on Facebook, as everybody can find you easily. Do you want to use a pseudonym? What's the point? You will not get any friends. And why join Facebook if you want to be alone?

I believe thousands of people have been led to school reunions with their long-lost classmates after joining Facebook. There are lots of nice, sentimental stories from people after separated couples, friends, relatives and families were connected and reunited by Facebook.

I can understand the clerics's agitation over Facebook today; because their students prefer to chat with friends on Facebook rather than study, especially when the clerics learned the students were able to access indecent content via Facebook. The phenomenon has been seriously worrying the clerics, as getting Internet access today is as simple as flipping the palm of one's hand. The students may become more social ('gaul') than before once they are on Facebook.

This is similar to my wife when she dives for hours into Facebook. She stays up all night on Facebook without thinking about her health or other more important things to do. No coffee and no breakfast provided for me in the mornings, because she wakes up late.

However, I will not prohibit my wife from accessing Facebook after seeing her happiness when she unexpectedly meets old friends and has nostalgic chats with them. Honestly, I could not bring myself to take these happy moments away from her. Shouldn't I give her a bit freedom and time to enjoy talking to her friends after taking care of household affairs all day? I just ask: "Please remember me, dear."

Technological development has been growing so rapidly today and will continue to grow. Like it or not, that is what is happening in our lives. So, rather than trying to stop the technology, we have to come to understand it, then utilize it wisely.

But new technology will always create an impact, whether a positive or negative one. This time, I would agree with Amidhan, the Indonesia Ulema Council (MUI) chairman for not issuing a fatwa to ban Facebook. Instead of prohibiting his grandchildren accessing Facebook, he just keeps an eye on them when they are on Facebook. That is a good compromise sir.

***

Serpong, 25 May 2009
Titus J.

Intolerant Mayor?

2009-05-14T12:25:00.006+07:00

(published in The Jakarta Post on 15 May 2009. Click here)

Obviously, building discotheque is easier than building a church in this country. However, thank God for His omnipresence, because if He only would like to dwell in churches, some of the Christians in this country would never meet His presence and could not listen to His words. So, do we need a church?

A church today is a luxurious desire - like "a dream" that you have to scrap immediately when you wake-up, because realizing it would be little more than desperate longing, as these dreams hardly ever come true. You could have a great patience and wait till permission to build a church issued, but, be ready to be disappointed.

In this country, you can't be alone in wanting a church, because building a church requires the support of at least 90 worshipers. So, pity you if you live in some area where you are the only Christian. Where can you go to fulfill your spiritual needs? You cannot have a church for yourself.

Then, even if you can count 90 people living in your neighborhood, you still have to get approval from at least 60 local residents in there, otherwise, just forget having a congregation to worship God and fellowship among friends. You must find another church, no matter how far it might be. Since joint decree issued by Religious Affairs Minister Maftuh Basyuni and his colleague the Home Affairs Minister, building church is a sensitive matter in this so-called tolerant country.

Say that you and your fellows do finally manage to get a building permit; you still must keep vigilant because the permit could be easily revoked by the government because of opposition from nearby residents. This is exactly what happened in Cinere, Depok recently.

On March 2, Depok mayor Nurmahmudi Ismail issued an ordinance that revoked a building permit for a Huria Kristen Batak Protestant (HKBP) church that had already been obtained from the Bogor regent on June 13, 1998. The revocation was done in response to opposition from the area's majority Muslim residents.

I am not surprised, as so many churches, particularly in West Java, have been forcibly closed in the past several years. According to the edition of "The Jakarta Post" paper published on May 7, at least 30 churches have been forcibly closed in West Java between September 2004 and April 2007.

The closure of the churches is mainly the foot work of radical groups who always claim the churches lack the necessary permit. The radical groups have even attacked a congregation and forced them to stop praying in the middle of church services, as the worshipers were still observing their sacral rituals.

This was a tragic incident for the country that holds the "Ketuhanan Yang Maha Esa" 1) - the first item of the Pancasila state ideology, which guarantees the freedom to embrace any state sanctioned religion (which includes both Islam and Christianity) - in such high regard.

Indeed, it is unbelievable to learn that in Indonesia, people are prevented from congregating to pray. It is also unbelievable to learn that in Indonesia, people are attacked and ousted from their churches, just because the church supposedly lacks a permit.

***

Serpong, 12 May 2009

Titus J.

Note:
1) Ketuhanan Yang Maha Esa (Believe in one God) is the first principle of Pancasila as the state ideology. Pancasila comprises panca=five, sila=principle.

Are Our Children Happy?

2009-05-06T09:57:00.002+07:00

Students today are spending time in school excessively, even almost similar to employees who spending time in office. They leave their home early in the morning and back to home in late afternoon. If they came earlier to their home, they take lunch, eat their meal in hurry then prepare stuffs for some other extra activities and go out again. In the evening they then come home back, exhausted and go to bed to welcome the same routine in the following day.

I met with some teenagers who have to come to the school even though during holidays, and when I asked why did they love school so much and not enjoy holidays with friends or families, they explained that before holidays their teachers assigned them for doing some tasks which must be accomplished when they back from holidays. They had to come to school since the laboratory is there, and the computers are also there. They could not stay away from school because their future is inside there.

The school put their own standard to maintain the reputation and to compensate a very high tuition fees. Yeah, the school today is part of business entities where quality means money and vice versa. If you don’t have enough money, please don’t try to step on their floor because you will be shocked by numbers which will be handed to you if you intend to enroll your children.

The school that we pay a lot of money then will drill our children as much as they can do to create the best quality outputs. The school provides completed facilities which our children can use it freely anytime they want to. The school offers a long list of lessons which our children should swallow it no matter what. Some students feel under pressure where a bunch of tasks, home works, try out preparation, etc. should be accomplished within a tight schedule. But, some others are forced by their respective parents to pursue the best rank in class. The parents give a noble reason by saying: “Dear, you should reach the first rank and don’t be the second because that’s not your class.”

Then day and night the parents monitor the kid tightly. They also send their kid to take extra classes, not only mathematics, computer, and English for example, but also piano, painting and any other else to keep them busy in the daily activities from Monday to Saturday. Do you believe that even in holiday, when they all members of family go for picnic, the kid should still open the books and memorize some lessons upon arrival in the destination?

Great! The time for student report finally comes and the parents confidently come to the school to receive the report. And when the name of their kid announced as the best rank student of the school, the parents proudly stand among the crowd who applaud them noisily. The father and mother smile with the most beautiful smiling they ever had and whisper each other to express satisfaction. But, look, does the kid also smile?

I remember when I was a kid, holiday was something great that I (and friends) always welcome excitedly. Holiday means playing and playing, nothing else. Friends are everywhere and we like to go together to some place by bicycle. Our school never disturbed our holiday with some tasks or any other burdens that would make us lose our holiday. My parents also never forced me to be the first rank in my school even though I could achieve it sometime. But being the first rank was never targeted by my parents. Was the education standard and the students at that time less qualified than today?

Today, we live in the situation where our society always measures everyone with the rank. Only the best rank, the number one, will deserve respect. Sadly, the parents often not realize their demand so high while capacity of their kid is limited. They drill their kid badly to be the number one, and if the kid failed, they show their disappointment. Is that really for the sake of the kid or their own ego and pride?

I believe there is nothing wrong with being the number one. However, can we do it without seizing our children happiness, without seizing their time to play with their friends? I am worry the next generation would be so individualistic and intolerant because their school and parents have put them in prison and prevent them knowing everything “outside there”.

***
Serpong, 4 May 2009
Titus J.

When A Street Crime Is Negotiable

2009-04-23T06:13:00.001+07:00

That is true a bad guy will not be the bad guy forever. Sometimes, depending on the situation, a bad guy, in fact, still has compassion to his victim. No matter it’s because of pity or something else, but crime in Jakarta is not always appears in horror. The spirit of hometown solidarity for example, is also one of the factors that can be used to win the crime. It’s like what had happened to my team (my subordinate) when I was working for a private bank in Jakarta.

Just call him Fresman. May be his parent expected him to always being fresh, I don’t know, but that’s true, his temperament is cool, calm, and always smiles – never looked stressful in any situation. He was very good and talented person in his job. He could always accomplish every job that I gave to him, as long as I described a clear instruction and a clear target date. And, every job was done rightfully.

One day he came lately to office, gasped for breath and came to my desk in hurry.
“Sorry sir, I am late,” he said while wiping his sweat.
I looked at him at a glance, and he showed me his smile, giggling.
“It’s ok, what’s up by the way?” I replied flatly.
“I was pick-pocketed in the bus, sir”
“Oh? Hmm…what have you lost…wallet, money, or…?”
“No, sir, just my hand phone,” he replied smilingly.
“Ok, a new hand phone?”
“That’s the old one, sir, but so important to me.”
“Okay, Fresman…so?” my voice floated.

I then let him back to work and easily forgot about it. How could I do? In the great Jakarta, if someone lost his/her valuable things in a bus because of being pick-pocketed, don’t ever to cry or lament. It’s better if you soon forget about that rather than expecting the lost things would be discovered. Just go back to enjoy living in Jakarta, and enjoy the bus where we sit and stand among the pick-pockets every day.

The following day Fresman came lately again. He was late almost 2 hours. He again apologized and explained to me.
“Sorry, sir, I am late again,” he said calmly.
“It’s ok, what’s up?” I replied curiously.
“I waited for the bus that I rode yesterday, stood-up in front of UKI (Universitas Kristen Indonesia) – Cawang for almost 1 hour till the bus passed by.”
“Why? Why should you wait for the bus?”
“To search my lost hand phone, sir.”
“How do you know that was the bus you rode yesterday?” I asked him confusedly.
“I remember the driver, sir, because he comes from the same hometown with me,” he said.
“Ohh, do you know each other?”
“No, sir, I knew him only from his dialect when he talks, I explained that I lost my hand phone yesterday then asked him for help,” Fresman added.
“Ha..ha..ha..Fresman, how could? You are joking, just forget your hand phone and buy a new one,” I laughed.
“I am sure, sir,” he replied firmly, “because I have spoken with the driver using our hometown accentual.”
My eyebrow was raised-up.
“Then, what did he say?” I asked.
“He only looked at me a second and asked me to mention my complete name, then the hand phone brand as well as the number.”
I laughed at Fresman and thought how funny he was. Then I looked-at him left my desk slowly to go back for work.

In reality, crime in Jakarta sometimes turns to a funny and a sentimental story, not so fearful as many people think (don’t be misperception because street crime is remain crime anyway). But the street criminal, or ‘preman’ as they are better known, sometimes cannot bring himself, too.

A preacher who dedicated his life to win the heart of ‘red axe’ criminal in Jakarta, in a sharing to a congregation that I also attended, told us that the preman are human being, too. Thus, their heart can be touched, too. I respect to the preacher for what he did. If not people like him who care to approach them, who will bring them out from the street? He came to the gang nest at around Jalan Pramuka, then delivered a sermon once a week. The group of preman was listening to the sermon while remain sharpening their axes. Never mind, he said, as long as the sermon has been delivered. His job was just sowing the seeds, let God determine the seeds to grow. Well, some of the preman sometimes cried, wiped the tears and sobbed.

I didn’t know what did Fresman do. But in the third day he came lately again and came to my desk in rush.
“Sir, I…,” he shouted.
“Fresman, I know you want to beg a pardon, don’t you?” I cut his sentence before he finished explaining.
“Yes sir, please forgive me for late,” he replied softly. But then he groped around in his pocket and took something outside.
“Here is my lost hand phone, sir, I got it,” he said smilingly.
“Wow…really? How did you find that? Tell me.”
“I waited for the same bus in front of UKI, and when the bus arrived, I came to the driver quickly. By looking at me, he then threw it to me – wrapped with used papers.”
“Wow, excellent! How much you redeemed your hand phone then?” I asked.
“Nothing, sir. The driver just conveyed a regard to me and went away quickly.”

I laughed at Fresman again for his smart negotiation, and he won.

***
Serpong, 21 April 2009
Titus J.

Golkar Party Faces Dilemma

2009-04-12T22:52:00.007+07:00

(published in The Jakarta Post on 15 April 2009. Click here)

The temporary results of the recent legislative elections are consistent with the survey conducted prior to the event. That survey placed the three major parties in the top positions - the Democratic Party, the Indonesia Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and the Golkar Party.
The final result to be announced by the General Elections Commission (KPU) in a month is no longer interesting as the majority of seats in the House of Representatives will not deviate from the quick count result. The hottest topic now is potential coalition formations and presidential/vice presidential candidates. However, of the top three parties, Golkar faces the biggest dilemma.

Less than a week after a statement made by Ahmad Mubarok, the deputy chairman of the Democratic Party, claiming that Golkar would win only 2.5 percent of votes, Golkar received strong support in the election and confirmed Jusuf Kalla (JK) will run for president.
Although Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) has apologized to Golkar about the unfortunate "slip-of-the-tongue incident", Golkar claims the Democratic Party has made an unforgivable mistake.

Political observers have commented that the decision by Golkar to reject the apology is an emotional rather than a logical decision. After the declaration, JK actively met with other party figures, including Megawati Soekarnoputri of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P).

Golkar currently has around 14 to 15 percent of the votes, a significant drop from the 2004 election where Golkar won the election and gained 22 percent of the votes. By the latest election results, it will be not easy for Golkar to seek a partnership if JK remains determined to be the presidential candidate as mandated by the national meeting. Let's tinker with the pairing game that soon will be demonstrated by parties and party figures in coming weeks.

***
For JK, it is impossible to ask Megawati to be his running mate since Megawati is aiming for the number one seat of RI. The PKS, the fourth ranked party, would only have the party patron Hidayat Nur Wahid (HNW). But it's unlikely for JK to pick him for his running mate if JK has learned from the last presidential election.

In 2004, Wiranto picked Solahuddin Wahid and Megawati picked Hasyim Muzadi - both were prominent figures of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and both Wiranto and Megawati failed. Thus, if JK picks HNW thinking that HNW will attract votes from PKS loyalists, then he might be wrong. People know that Solahuddin, Hasyim and HNW are religious leaders, not political leaders.

The remaining figures likely to be approached are Prabowo and Wiranto. However, this is not a simple choice because historically both come from Golkar. What is the point? They have the same color and the same root. Apart from this, both of them are being approached by Megawati, and if they are willing to downgrade their dream to have a second RI seat, they might tend toward Megawati rather than JK as a running mate.

With a strong position based on the quick count result so far, the Democratic Party is the only party that meets the prerequisite to nominate a presidential candidate, which requires 20 percent of seats in the House of Representatives or 25 percent of the popular votes. By these figures, SBY would be free to choose his running mate, either from another party or from a professional (not affiliated to any parties).

Though SBY has announced that a coalition is still required by his party, it will be much more limited than the one that exists in the current administration. Rumors say the candidates likely to be picked by the Democratic Party are either Akbar Tandjung, the former Golkar Party chairman, or Sri Mulyani Indrawati, the current acting coordinating minister for economic affairs and the finance minister.

In a talk show aired by Metro TV on April 11, 2009, Bonny Hargens, a political analyst, suggested Golkar would be an opposition party for the next five years. That would be a painful for Golkar, considering they have never been in opposition before. Golkar and JK face tough choices.

***
Serpong, 12 April 2009
Titus J.

Thinking To Vote On 9 April

2009-04-05T23:38:00.011+07:00

(published in The Jakarta Post on 7 April 2009. Click here)

The campaign period is over. The voting day is coming. I would appreciate all the die-hard supporters who have shown their militancy during campaigning. They shaved the number of their party into their heads, painted their body or face with party colors and attended rallies no matter the weather. Some party supporters took leave from work, took all family members (even their under age kids), spent some money in order to join the cheerful campaign, either for listening to the oration from the campaigner or just for enjoying dangdut music.

They even were ready to fight in case of meeting with their rivals. If necessary, some were ready to die for the sake of their party idols. Really? Yes, to die - no matter what! Do you remember the blood thumb print that was done by Megawati supporters when she was blocked from becoming the President after the victory of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) in the 1999 election?

Horay! This is the time. This is the only time to express everything after five years of people being fed-up with all kinds of stress. But after all, they are mostly the forgotten ones for whom nothing changes in their life at all. They remain struggling to live. Don't be sad, friends, because nothing is serious in politics, right?

Elections will always be a blessing for some people. For banner providers, for ballot papers and ballot box providers, for t-shirt providers and for street vendors who offers cold drinks, snacks and cigarettes to rally goers. For the gamblers, there is always something to bet on, since this is not an event that can be easily be predicted, unlike the elections in the new order era when the same outcome was guaranteed.

Now, we can only predict the election's outcome according to surveys and based on political analysis. I personally agree with them, as long as they come from highly reputable and independent sources. Nonpartisan Indonesian experts are so smart, sharp, and will tell the truth. We don't need to worry about them being bribed by some parties to present the result as dictated by their interest. Don't be irritated, please. This is my personal opinion.

There will be no single majority in this election. A series of survey conducted recently shows that three major parties will dominate: The Democratic Party, The PDI-P and The Golkar Party. It will be too hard for other parties to catch them up. These three major parties will gain around 60 percent of votes. The remaining 40 percent will be grabbed by other parties, but each party will gain no more than 10 percent.

Again, that is only survey numbers. But for me personally, that's enough, because the top three positions are still held by parties which are ideologically constituted as ideologically *center', neither too left nor too right. It is the most crucial thing for Indonesia to defend this ideology since the nation consists of so many ethnicities, religions, cultures and languages. Indeed it is because all of these things coloring the nation that it is the most beautiful nation in the world.
The "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika" slogan (Unity in Diversity) was born even before our country formally proclaimed its independence. But today, some radical movements try to destroy it and force a uniformity based on their own perception and interest.

A recent report presented jointly by The Wahid Institute, The Maarif Institute and The Bhinneka Tunggal Ika Movement, said that nowadays moderate Islam is being undermined and infiltrated by radical Islamic groups which have a hidden agenda to form an Islamic state or international caliphate 1).

The hidden agenda surely jeopardizes the unity of our nation, because if they win, the radicalism would be very fertile and grow rapidly. Of course they would not so blatantly proclaim their intention to do so, but spreading their doctrine through schools will have a significant impact because educated people would be influenced.

I hope all moderate-minded people exercise their right to vote on 9 April, because the votes will decline the radical votes. Yes I agree there is no ideal party in which we can put our trust. I also agree parties still not free either from corruption or unqualified legislative candidates. Most of candidates try to lure voters by so funny and disgusting advertisements just to confirm and reveal that they are indeed not qualified and not ashamed they actually have nothing to offer.

Let’s vote for the party which has national ideology, the party that embrace all, protect all, and defend all. But if you want to be ‘golput’ (golongan putih or blank voters), that’s okay because that is your right, too.

***
Serpong, 5 April 2009
Titus J.

Note:
1. Caliphate: from old French: Caliphe, from Arabic: Kalifa (deputy of God), the chief Muslim civil and religious ruler (Oxford dictionary).

The Park is Not For You, Sir. Sorry I Just Follow The Orders

2009-03-28T21:23:00.007+07:00

(published in The Jakarta Post on 7 April 2009. Click here)

One day a friend of mine grumbled to me about how he was prevented from entering park land nearby our residence. That was in early evening, when the sun was becoming an orange, circle shape surrounded by a beautiful cloud, coloring the sky red color ahead of the evening. The satpam (private security guard) who guard the gate of the park welcomed him and straightly asked him: "Where do you live, sir?" My friend replied: "In sector one, why?" Then a conversation occurred between them:

“Have you got a permission to enter this park?” asked the satpam politely.
“No, I haven’t, why should I have such permission? It is a public place, isn’t it?”
“No, sir, this place provided especially for residents living in houses managed by ‘XYZ’ developer (the satpam mentioned the name of developer).”
“But I also live in this area, just 1 kilometer from here, what’s the difference? And, there is no forbidden sign here, how could you prevent me entering the park?”
“You could, sir, but you should get a permission.”
“To whom I should get it?”
“The real estate management office, sir.”
“Ridiculous! Why it’s so hard? Why there is such rule like that?” my friend replied, irritated.
“Sorry, sir, I just do the order of my boss, that’s it!” the satpam replied.

Not far from the two quarrelling guys, my friend’s two sons, 7 and 5 years old respectively, enjoyed riding bicycle in the park, laughing and chasing each other on the beautiful green grass, abandoning their father still arguing bitterly to the satpam.
“I have been living in this area even before your damned developer building the housing complex here, you know?” my friend slammed the satpam angrily.
The satpam said nothing.
“My wife is a marketing agent and so far has been selling several houses owned by your developer, you know?”
The satpam kept quiet.
“So let me enter the park, play with my sons and take some pictures there.”
“Sorry, sir, you could not, unless you get a permission.”
“That’s crazy. I would not seek a permission for this, you understand?” my friend raised his voice.
“So you could not be in the park, sorry, sir, I just do the order of my boss,” said the satpam, still with a cool expression.

Feeling that the argumentation was in vain, my friend called his sons: “Hai kids, let’s go. Bring your bicycles in to the car right away”
He pulled his sons's hand and got into his car. The satpam said to him: "Sorry, sir, I just follow the orders of my boss."
Before he left, he yelled to the satpam: “Next time use your brain to think correctly about an order from your boss. Will you jump to a well if your boss order you to do so?”
The satpam stood, muted, watching the car until it disappeared from the park.

***

A tough evening for you, friend? I sighed after listening to his story. That’s a funny and sad incident experienced by him. And, that’s true, indeed.

Another time when I was going to the park I saw that another family was not allowed to enter the park. Looking at the performance, the family was probably from a neighboring kampong nearby the park. They seemed prepared to go on a picnic to the park as they surely thought that it would be a cheap adventure compared to the other places in Jakarta, which always require spending a lot of money. Oh green-green-grass.they probably imagined how happy their family would be.

The satpam came to them quickly. A short conversation occurred between the father and the satpam. The family, with disappointed faces, left the park, walking slowly out of the area. However, minutes after they walked for some of distances, they stopped at the side of the road. They wiped the sweat, rolled-out the mat to sit on, opened the heavy bag and prepared the supplies. They then ate the food together sitting on the mat, with cars and motorcycles running up and down along the road all the while. They didn't look bothered.

I am cornered with the tragic scene as told by story above because I am living in a house that managed by the ‘XYZ’ developer. My brain is too hard to understand such policy like that. Is it the present situation in our society when everything is divided? Everything? Yes, everything! Even for only a park where people try to get some relax for awhile, enjoy a green grass and artificial waterfall, heal a fresh air because they rarely have it in their own home in dense and crowded kampong.

Sadly, the park is not for you, sir, because you are different. You are not entitled to enjoy the park that we build for our special residents.

Why so arrogant? Why say that some place can only be enjoyed by special group and not for others? Why does our society turn to ugly behavior like this nowadays?

***

Serpong, 28 March 2009
Titus J.

Allah Copyright

2009-03-14T01:19:00.005+07:00

The Malaysian government, backed by the Supreme Court, recently ruled that non-Moslems banned to use the word “Allah”. They asserted that Allah is the only God, and according to the Islamic faith, Allah is the only Moslems’s God, that’s why the word could not be used by others. Another reason was, it came upon fears in Malaysia that word “Allah” (if used by other religions), would be used to proselytize (to persuade Moslems converted to another religion).

For me personally, I am fine. I don’t feel sad or annoyed if I am prohibited to use word “Allah” to call my God, because, I can still use other words in English (God), Hebrew (Yahweh or Jehovah), Latin (Lehouah), even in Javanese (Gusti). In my pray, I even call “Tuhan”, or just call “Jesus”, or call Him “Bapa” (Father) to express my closeness with my God who always call me with “My beloved son….”

For me, knowing my God by understanding who He is, how He works, how to make Him delightful, how to taste His love in my life, is more essential than blathering just a word. Wouldn’t He answer my calling if I don’t call Him “Allah”? I am sure that He is not deaf, even if no words come from my mouth because He can listen to anything that come out from the deep of my heart.

Despite the ban issued by Malaysia government will not create a significant impact to non-Moslems, I see it as an excessive act. It is like a producer to put a label as proprietary, a copyright, which means no one allowed to use it, otherwise, that will violate the law.

MUI (Indonesian Ulema Council) some years ago also issued a fatwa stated that Moslems are not necessary to respond “assalamualaikum” greeting if it’s conveyed by non-Moslems. Whereas, I believe non-Moslems like to use it as an appreciation or respect to Moslems, which I personally consider as my brothers/sisters. Friend of mine sometimes says “shalom” to me and I am very happy to hear it comes from my Moslem friend. And my feeling is happier than if the word comes from my Christian friend. Don’t we see the religious harmony so beautiful?

What will happen if some group claim some words are theirs, and some other group claim other words are theirs also? And people who are not counted as their group banned to use their words? Do the Christians living in Arab lands such as Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Arab Saudi, Libya, etc. also banned to call God with word “Allah”, or to greet their friends with “assalamualaikum”? Is using the word “Allah” by non-Moslems will harm Islamic faith, or even irritate Allah Himself?

I teach Mathematics for a junior high school at my nearby area, once a month as a volunteer. It is for preparing the 3rd grade students for national exam, because the school does not have enough teachers. The school is not capable to pay teachers since they cannot take money from students sufficiently. Students pay very-very little Rupiah, almost free. That is an Islamic school, far from condition that considered adequately required by a normal school, stands inside the main street of Bumi Serpong Damai (BSD) and runs the school activities modestly (please see my article: Mahalnya Rp. 15 ribu)

Every time I enter the class, I greet my students with “assalamualaikum”. The students, with a loud sound, respond my greeting with “waalaikumsalam”. Their faces are full with spirit and smiles are forwarded cheerfully to me. It is the sounds and smiles that I always remember. It’s like a thousand words say to me that I am accepted even though I am a non-Moslem. The students just want to study, being clever students and pass the exam. They will not care whether the man standing before them and talk a lot of theory of mathematics, is Moslem or not. Alhamdullillah, since we assist the school with additional classes, the graduation rate always 100%.

I don’t know what’s wrong with Malaysian government. There are so many bans nowadays issued by them. I hope MUI does not follow our neighborhood country to issue a fatwa on the same matter. For me, as I specify above, it doesn’t really matter not to use word “Allah” as the essence in my faith is not just that word. I just concern if my Bible must be edited to take the word “Allah” out of there. That’s just an additional effort to do so, whereas I have a lot of work in my job to do now to please my boss.

***
Serpong, 14 March 2009
Titus J.

The Lawmakers Are Too Proud to be God

2009-02-20T00:50:00.005+07:00

My brain suddenly becomes so blunt to understand how some members of Commission VII of the House of Representatives (DPR) use their "looked smart" brain to think smartly.

In the hearing between the lawmakers and Pertamina management on February 10, 2009, one of the lawmakers, Effendi Simbolon, humiliated Karen Agustiawan, the CEO of Pertamina by saying she was un-competent to lead the big organization as Pertamina – the prestigious State Owned Company in oil & gas and geothermal energy sector. They even harshly bullied her by putting label on her as Satpam (private security guard) if Karen could not stay away from serving the interest of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and VP Jusuf Kalla.

It’s clear to people that some of the “supposed to be respected” lawmakers do not deserve to receive any respects. That is why they cannot respect others, too. They have been acting as judge, even God, when they summon government officials or businessmen to their nest. They grill everybody offensively with a very rude question, and/or statement to make persons sitting before them not more than a defendant. They are so proud being the watchers. They form an impression that the House is a sacred institution, and everybody should put a respect to them by any mean. It’s merely the same paradigm during the new order era where the President was the most sacred body that nobody could touch it. Now, it happens in the House. The House is “The Most High” body which nobody allows to look-up at them when someone come to them. Everybody must bow down before them.

“Nobody, not even the President himself dares to question our authority and our right to ask whatever needs to be asked,” said Sonny Keraf in the 2nd hearing on Monday 16 Feb 2009 – complaining a letter from Pertamina dated 13 February 2009 that asking the lawmakers respect the initial hearing agenda. Oh really? Even some ridiculous questions that attack and humiliate personal? Who are you and your colleagues that feel so superior, Mr. Keraf? Why did you feel offended by such letter that asked lawmakers to be more effective in hearing since the previous hearing only filled with mockery than discussion?

“Comparing Pertamina President Director with a satpam is outrageous,” Karen said. “The letter sent to the Commission VII was a formal letter from Pertamina as advised by our legal after in the 1st hearing they was questioning matters about appointment of President Director, out of topics from the initial agenda,” Karen added.

The arrogance of some lawmakers (not to mention all) actually confirming they keep a big elephant sitting on their eyelid covering their rotten demeanor, as they are too busy searching bugs and spots from others. They ask respect to everybody and often frightening others that the power is in their hands. But, what scene has been shown by them so far? We found a bunch of cases involved the “supposed to be respected” lawmakers – to specify few names: Al Amin Nasution, Anthony Zeidra Abidin, Hamka Yandhu, Agus Condro, Yusuf Emir Faisal, Bulyan Royan, and more names implicated in so many graft cases, and Yahya Zaini in misconduct affairs with singer Maria Eva last time.

Looking at their reputation, it will be too hard to be pro lawmakers in any disputes. Karen is still less than a month head Pertamina as the President Director. But why her competency was an issue and being questioned? The lawmakers prejudice to Karen is against ethic since she could not be evaluated whether she’s in a good performance or not right now. Apart from this, addressing any doubt to Karen was inappropriate because, it is the government, i.e. State Owned Enterprise (BUMN) Minister who appointed Karen for the position.

Ismet Hasan Putro, chairman of Professional Civil Society said, it’s not a surprise the lawmakers conduct often makes a difficult to BUMN management who are invited to attend sessions in the House. They would summon whom they like to, even four to five times a week to be asked and grilled about something. It would annoy the BUMN officials in time effectiveness. Tragically, sometimes the lawmakers delay or cancel the session without announcement, whereas the BUMN officials have prepared everything even cancelled any other appointments. This is so harmful to BUMN because BUMN is a business entity. It’s also obvious sometimes the lawmakers expect to get kickbacks later if they keep quiet on some issues.

For so long it’s perceived widely that Pertamina has being squeezed as cash cow by the ruling politicians, moreover ahead of the election. However, such approach today makes difficulties to the Pertamina top management since KPK (Corruption Eradication Commission) formed and actively sniffing and searching any smell in the government offices, the House office, and also the private business offices. We can see the result nowadays and it will more and more big fishes caught in the net.

Is Karen too hard to be persuaded by lawmakers to compromise with all of those things? Let's listen to rockers Slank sing their song titled “Gosip Jalanan” (Street Rumors) and you will nod your head.

***
Serpong, 19 February 2009
Titus J.

The Iron Lady is Winning The Battle

2009-02-08T10:37:00.007+07:00

Sri Mulyani Indrawati always attracts my attention since she publicly appeared in TV talk show in the middle of monetary crisis that hit Indonesia in 1997-1998.

In the talk show aired by SCTV on February 1998 that I watched curiously, she revealed her view about Currency Board System (CBS) idea that brought in by Steve Hanke 1). Speaking among Emil Salim, Frans Seda, Peter Gontha and Ekky Syahruddin, she was not seen nervous, but delivered her sharp thought and frankly defied the idea, confronted Peter Gontha as the CBS supporter.

She was still 36 years old at that time. So young, smart and never felt inferior in front of the elders economist whom we knew have been acting as economic drivers during Suharto era. She spoke with clear articulation and logical that eases everybody to understand the economy matters. People said the woman who graduated from University of Illinois at Urbana – USA with doctoral degree, was a rising star at that time.

She then involved in National Economy Council (DEN – Dewan Ekonomi Nasional) within then President Abdurrahman Wahid presidency term. But, after Megawati Sukarnoputri took the power in 2001, she suddenly disappeared despite rumors she would be assigned for taking a key role in Megawati’s cabinet. There was no news anymore about Sri Mulyani in media. The woman who always drew public attention in the beginning of reformation era left the country for Atlanta, Georgia USA where she joined USAID. In 2002, she moved to Washington DC after she was appointed as IMF Executive Director for Asia Pacific region.

***

In 2004 she was back to the game.

Yes, her reputation attracted President SBY to ask her joining his cabinet. When rumors spread-out about her name became one of the minister, her foes blew negative issues questioning her nationalism, creating an image that she might be prefer standing in foreigner interest since she was serving as IMF Executive Director. Fortunately, President SBY defied public rumors and then put his confidence to Sri Mulyani to take the helm of Bappenas (National Development Planning Agency).

When she was moved to head Finance Ministry replacing Yusuf Anwar in cabinet reshuffle in 2005, without buying time she took a stern action to curb the most corrupted institution under her ministry, i.e. Custom and Taxation Office. As usual, such action would create friends and enemies. But, the ball has been kicked-off and no one could stop till the game finished. The ball continues rolling and spectators surrounding the arena eagerly want to see how Sri Mulyani playing so many attractive moves. She sometimes moves slow-elegantly as Javanese dancer, but sometimes moves fast-strong-firmly as roaring thunder without compromise.

The recent global economy downturn puts her in the middle of the wake of political interests where friends and enemies standing around. But the most phenomenal action that I really admire was as she’s shown to public the way she handled Bumi Resources, the most prestige of Bakrie conglomerate, owned by Aburizal Bakrie, the Coordinating minister for people welfare.

It was very clear to public when shares of prominent companies plunged to the lowest level, the owners of those companies attempt to seek salvation by asking the government to bail them out. However, Sri Mulyani, as the guard of the state finance said: “I am the Finance Minister. My job is to protect the state fund. Companies have a job to protect their own financial affairs. If they fail, it is their fault and they deserve to go bust.”

We all knew the strong stance of Sri Mulyani, again, created more and more enemies. It was the most brilliant and confident government official that I saw so brave defended the principle than anyone else. While friends always applaud her steps in defending the nation interest, the enemies, who see her as a stumbling block towards their business interest, attempted to topple her from the top position. Many people praised her not to afraid of any risks by taking her uncompromised actions despite knowing Aburizal Bakrie was the main fund supporter of SBY-JK2) presidency campaign.

The tension between Sri Mulyani and her bosses escalates when she protested to President SBY for overturning her decision to end the one month suspension on trading of Bumi Resources shares. She, as reported by media even threatening to resign if her bosses keep interfere her decision over Bakrie problem. I personally believe “the iron lady” will really determine to deliver her threat. Why not? It’s a basic principle that she believes every step she took was merely based on professionalism and high moral standard. As the minister she should maintain a clean government by rejecting any pressure in abuse of power, moreover, the key role she has been handling in the finance ministry always heavily used by corrupted officials and dirty government in the past. I could not imagine what would happen if the finance minister post is not taken by her particularly in the global economic turmoil that hit all countries including Indonesia.

It was not wrong when Forbes magazine put her in the 23rd the most powerful woman in the world in 2008. She even defeated Hillary Rodham Clinton (Senator of New York, USA), Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain and Aung San Suu Kyi of Myanmar which are put in 28th, 35th and 38th respectively. “It’s inspiring to look at what some these women have done and to listen to some of their life stories,” said Chana Schoenberger, Forbes’s associate editor.

President SBY was put in the big dilemma when accommodating two confronting sides. The Bakrie family would not be easily thrown-away, but, losing Sri Mulyani would put the President in the big risks in this situation. As the boss, he supposedly looks at her achievement, from creating clean administration in the finance ministry, reforming the dirt directorates under her supervision, imposing travel ban to businesspeople who evade tax payment, till increasing the foreign exchange reserves to more than USD 60 Billion. For people who think rationally, the cost would be too expensive if Sri Mulyani left the cabinet before the current government ends the term.

Fortunately, President SBY has a high consciousness to stand in the right side. As markets have already confident with the economic team that Sri Mulyani leads, he has no other choice but to keep Sri Mulyani in her post. The ‘iron lady’ is winning the battle, despite she has to face the war lonely against the enemies who gang up on her and try to defame her of being un-nationalistic because of not defending indigenous business people.

I personally believe, the higher career of Sri Mulyani in Indonesia politics is widely opened. She even could reach the higher position than only a minister. Besides her competency, professional, and clean track record, so far people know how she puts the nation interest far higher than anything else. People should feel proud of having her, the high quality figure that hardly ever to find out among other high ranking officials in this country. And the most important thing: she does not have any fear to anyone – including her boss, as long as she believes every step she’s taking is right, accountable and responsible – to people, to the country, and to God, the Name that she mentioned with tremble when she took the oath.

Serpong, 8 February 2009
Titus J.

Note:
1. Steve Hanke is a Professor of Applied Economics and Co-Director of the Institute for Applied Economics and the Study of Business Enterprise at The John Hopkins University in Baltimore, and a Distinguished Professor at the Universitas Pelita Harapan in Jakarta, Indonesia. He is a member of the International Advisory Board of the National Bank of Kuwait and a member of the Financial Advisory Council of the United Arab Emirates. He is also Chairman Emeritus at the Friedberg Mercantile Group, Inc. in Toronto and a Principal at Chicago Partners, LLC. (http://www.cato.org/).
2. SBY-JK stands for Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono – Jusuf Kalla, who are the President and VP of Republic Indonesia.

related story: The Pebble of Bank Century

Forgive Me for Not to Obey Your Fatwa

2009-01-29T00:37:00.006+07:00

It’s still fresh in my mind, where Megawati’s PDI (Indonesia Democracy Party) harshly knocked-out by Suharto’s power in 1996. I was still 3 months since I set my feet on Jakarta from my hometown.

Everybody knew Megawati was a serious menace of Suharto’s Golkar at that time, and 1996 was only a year ahead of the election. Like previous elections, Golkar always wanted vote majority in order to keep Suharto in reign. Time could not be stopped and Megawati popularity has made the Suharto’s circle depressed. They seemed so fearful the Soekarno’s spirit was coming back.

With a very dirt scenario, Suharto’s regime created drama by conspiring with several PDI executives to organize a congress in Medan. The congress, as predicted clearly by everyone, finally appointed Soerjadi as PDI chairman, Fatimah Ahmad as deputy chairman and Butu Hutapea as the secretary general (Soerjadi is Megawati’s predecessor). It means, Megawati who had been selected by National Meeting in Surabaya in 1993, was kicked-out of the position as chairwoman. The government then gave a blessing on Soerjadi and team.

Soerjadi, backed by the government then forcefully seized the PDI head quarter in Jl. Diponegoro Jakarta. The bloody incident then popularly known as “27 July tragedy” where claimed so many lives (the exact numbers of the victims is still not clear till today). After the incident, Megawati had been attempted to take legal action against the government, but, it’s totally failed.

***

1997 had come, and general election was conducted. Many national figures suggested Megawati to boycott the election, but others also said it apparently would not create significant impact since the government already had a “puppet” PDI chaired by Soerjadi. In other words, general election would keep running because the 3 contestants were ready to participate.

Other figures suggested Megawati to campaign for blank vote (golput=golongan putih) 1). Arief Budiman said: “If Megawati asked her followers not to cast their vote, the blank vote numbers would increase significantly and it would make government fearful upon the election legitimacy.”

On 22 May 1997, several days ahead of election, Megawati stood before her followers who fully congregated in her house in Jalan Kebagusan Pasar Minggu Jakarta, declared: “I decided not to exercise my political right to cast my vote in the election.” It means, Megawati had to choose “not to choose” alias golput in the election. That was a very logic decision. After that time, the United Development Party (PPP), the Islamic based party, tried to woo the disappointed Megawati loyalist to cast their vote to PPP (popularly known with “Mega-Bintang” 2) slogan), however, Megawati clearly rejected because of the wide difference of ideology between the two parties.

As a minority, I was impossible to cast my vote to PPP. So, the options were only two, either Golkar or PDI under the traitor Soerjadi. As I so hurtful looked at Megawati who displaced by the very dirt conspiracy, I then felt so disgust to PDI’s Soerjadi. So, what would I do? Should I maintain my obedience as a good citizen to cast my vote? If so, which party should I choose? Is it Golkar? - the vehicle of dictatorship that shameless of doing everything for the sake of power? The party that blindly and arrogantly claimed that people is still behind them (at that time?)

In church, a couple days ahead of D-day of voting, my Pastor who was wearing a yellow coat said at the end of preaching: “Brothers and sisters, you all see what do I wear and why do I wear such attire like this. I just want to remind you the event next couple days. Just don’t forget this."

After the church service ended, many people walked out of the church and whispered about the statement. I assumed part of us was being confused. But I walked surely and convinced myself to follow Megawati 3). On the D-day, I went to the voting location, entered the voting booth, but punched nothing. I went out of the booth and put the ballot paper in the ballot box. I had become a golput in 1997 election. Please forgive me not to obey your fatwa, my Pastor.

Today we are surprised with fatwa (edict) issued by Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), who states that it’s haram (forbidden) to be a golput.4) But after thinking for a while, I decided to calm and not so reactive. It’s ok for MUI to issue a fatwa. Don’t be angry, my friend. That is MUI’s job, right? It is up to you whether to follow the fatwa or not, like what I did in 1997. Just do what you think is right. But you have to have a strong reason in decision to vote or not to vote. Are you being frightened by hell if you choose being golput?

Do you know what had happened to the regime that formed by 1997 election? Just remember the May 1998 tragedy – the most tragic of modern Indonesian history that I’ve ever seen.

***

Serpong, 28 January 2009
Titus J.

Note:
1. Golput - stands for “Golongan Putih”, is actually a term of abstention in an election procedure. It is mentioned as golput (white group) because people who not feel adequately informed (or comfortable) on particular issue, cast a blank (or white) vote. Blank vote is considered as protest vote.
2. Bintang (star) was PPP’s party logo. The “Mega-Bintang” slogan was suddenly appeared in the middle of 1997 campaign period to entice Megawati followers to pro PPP. It was not a coalition, but only a slogan which in reality not rising the PPP votes significantly in 1997 election.
3. In a statement recently, Megawati stated that people who choose to be a golput are not deserve to be an Indonesian citizen (WNI). The statement was made in Ambon when she campaigned for Karel Albert Ralahalu - Said Assagaff for governor of Maluku (Kompas, 5 July 2008). I deeply deplore her statement, and confuse she made such statement. I hope she remember what she did on 1997 election.
4. The suggestion for MUI to issue an edict to forbid a golput is suggested by Hidayat Nur Wahid, the People Consultative Assembly speaker and Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) chief patron. I don’t really understand why it’s dragged to religion.
5. In 1997 I was golput, but in this year election (2009), I will not, because I have had a choice.

When God Is Not Powerful Anymore

2009-01-20T21:45:00.007+07:00

We often perceive that God has to be powerful and can do anything. We force HIM to show His power, force HIM to do something that we want to. We are sure He will always hear us and help us because what we ask is any good things. We are trying to praise HIM and adore HIM by saying: “Oh God, You are so powerful, You could do anything and You could change anything as nothing is impossible for You.” But, then, after days gone and nothing happen, we disappointed to, and, even mock HIM.

A drunk fights with his habit and intends to stop the behavior, but the more he attempts to stop the more he faces temptation. He then prays to God asking God to change him to be a good man. After several years he still struggles with that, but instead deeper involved as a drunken master. In the desperate and hopeless situation he eventually tells everybody: “God is not powerful. In fact He could not change me. What’s wrong with my request? I asked a good thing!”

A woman experiences a bitter relationship with her husband. She’s complaining her husband of being dull and not as attentive as she expected. The husband even does not care with her, so egoistic as he loves his job more than her. He even forces her to work helping him otherwise she will not deserve getting money from him. The woman then asks God to change her husband. She asks God to change him to become more romantic man so he will be able to gently caring her. Fifteen years passed, their children are growing to teenagers, but the situation is deteriorated.

She then makes affairs with a man. The woman feels falling in love again with the man who gives her the whole things that she’s never received from her husband. She is intoxicated with love, like a teenager who every time and every moment wants a meeting with the boy friend. After knowing the affairs, the husband asks her to end the affairs. He seriously begs apology for all of his faults, and asks her to give a chance for him to rectify. But the woman says: “It’s too late.”

Now the woman tells God: “Oh God, you might touch my husband so that he realized his faults, then asked me regretfully to understand his failures, but now it’s difficult to me to forgive him as I have had someone who cares me and loves me. I got everything that I missed for so long time. I could not forget my boy friend unless You changes me. Tell me if I am doing something wrong, or force me to come back to my husband if You really want me to reconcile with him.”
Then the scandal moves-on. The woman more intensive in meeting and walking with the man. Her friends and relatives deplore her blunt feeling and criticize her demeanor that she would not open her heart – neither for her husband nor her children. “It’s too late,” she repeatedly says. “Why doesn’t God change my husband long time ago? Does God really understand my bitterness, and really have a power to force my husband for repentance?”

***

For some people, God often irritates them. God’s way also confuses them many times. “He is not powerful anymore,” says the drunk man who asks God to change him to be a good man. “God too slow to take action, He always late,” says the woman who asks God to change her husband.
Is God blind or deaf?
We usually demand God to be proactive to prevent us from doing bad things. In our praying we always praise His power that can do anything. We expect HIM to help us in our difficult time. We ask God to be our helper, then we thought everything will be God’s business afterward. That’s why if we’re still doing wrong, that is not our failure, that has to be God’s failure because He didn’t take us out of the evils.

The drunk man wants his attitude to be changed, but he never says “NO” when friends entice him to take alcoholic drinks. He never avoids gathering between drinkers either. He keeps alcoholic drinks as a collection proudly. He enjoys his job which always makes him deal with anything distressful. And when he experiences a distress, he takes it.

The woman asks God for her husband to repent, so their family will be restored. However, she continuously claims she is right and her husband wrong, and surely says the one who needs changes and repentance is him, not her. She tries to stop having affairs with the her boy friend, but, she never stops meeting with the man, calling him, and “sms”ing 1) him continuously. When her husband came to her asking forgiveness, she rejected it. She was doubtful her husband really repented. Her heart burned with revenge. She even accuses God for doing unfair to her, because everybody defends the husband for the repentance, but not consider her hurt feeling for so long time living together with him. She expects everybody understand her difficulty to forgive him, even if she bring the revenge till the end.

Yeah, God is not powerful anymore – HE could not change the drunk man to be a good man as well as change the woman to stop the affairs and forgive her husband. Is God really no longer powerful? I am worry, it is us who make God being powerful or powerless.

Serpong, 20 January 2009
Titus J.

Note:
1. sms = short message service