By Imam Shofwan
If the Aceh bill is passed in
Doctor Brigade
Oleh Imam Shofwan
Louis Chaviano was just three days back in home at 38 Ave Y Final, Sanatorio Pabellion,
Write to Forget
by Imam Shofwan
Human right cases in
Al-Hallaj behind Dhani Ahmad
By Mujtaba Hamdi And Imam Shofwan
A string of accusations on religious contempt are now being hurled at Dhani Ahmad and his rock band Dewa. Dhani does not deny that his lyrics began with an attempt to open up some kind of a religious discourse. In fact, he admits his fondness for controversial Sufi figures.
Blogger, Pluralism And Indonesian State
By Imam Shofwan
One last Saturday, more than 400 peoples, mostly male between 20 or 30 years old, crowded out in Blitz Megaplex, a movie theater at Kebon Kacang,
Past Crime in Aceh
Posted On Sunday 4 May 2008 at at 21:43 by Bung ImamBy Imam Shofwan
If the Aceh bill is passed in Jakarta, lieutenant colonel Sudjono and his associates would probably have difficulties sleeping. The bill demands the establishment of a human right court and a truth and reconciliation commission in Aceh.
Such a system would have it that those understood as being involved in previous murders could finally be searched out and tried. If there is reconciliation, then they could possibly receive amnesty, so long as they are open and tell the truth about their former violations.
If Aceh is successful in trying the perpetrators of crimes against humanity, then at least in theory, Papua should also be able to find the murderers of roughly 100,000 Papuans since 1969, or even further still, the murderers of one, two or perhaps three million people who were killed on the island of Jawa in 1965-66.
Marzuki Darusman, a legialator with the Golkar Party and a member of the committee for the Draft Bill on the Government of Aceh, claims that the handling of the violations of human rights in Aceh cannot go on as it has:“the cases are beyond the mark and cannot handle by normal courts.”
There is yet another obstacle, “if the Acehnese understand peace as more important than the pursuit of these human rights cases,’ Marzuki notes.
Sudjono is Head of the Intelligence Section in Korem Liliwangsa at Lhokseumawe. On 19 July 1999, Sudjono led about 70 Indonesian soldiers in an ambush against a dayah (religion school) headed by Teungku Bantaqiah in Beutong Ateuh, West Aceh. The reason for the ambush was Bangaquah’s support for GAM, involvement in the black market for marijuana, stockpiling of weaponary, and his teaching of ”deviant philosophies”
That morning, according to a goverment investigation team led by Darusman and formed by then-President B.J. Habibie, Sudjono come to the dayah with Captain Anton Yuliantoro and Leutenant Colonel Hieronymus Guru, his colleagues in Batallion Yonif 328/Kostrad Cilodong, Bogor, which had been sent for operations in Aceh.
Yuliantoro asked Bantaqiah to surrendur his weapons. Bantaqiah responded that he had no weapons. Some soldiers pointed toward the radio antena, and Sudjono asked Usman, Bantaqiah’s son, to remove the antena. As Usman approached the antenna, several soldiers beat him by gunstock. Watching his son getting beaten, Bantaqiah called out, ”Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar.” His disciples followed, and the atmosphere grew even more tense.
A number of soldiers opened fire. Bantaqiah was shot with a GLM (grenade launching machine). His intestines hung out in strands, bullets pierced his neck. Tens of his disciplies were wounded and many among them died, including Usman.
According to Otto Syamsyuddin Ishak in his book ”Sang Martir: Teungku Bantaqiah,” that soldiers forced local residents to dig up the mosque floor in search of weapons. They burned three houses, forced Islamic school students to undress, burned books, forced several womens to strip and groped them. Residents were ordered to prepare a mass grave.
In the afternoon, Sudjono ordered the evacuation of victims by two trucks, ostensibly so that they may be treated in hospital. In fact, the trucks stopped midway enroute, where the wounded were ordered to alight, then shot down in rows and thrown into a canyon. 34 died and 23 other were wounded that day.
The massacre at Beutong Ateuh is not particularly out of the order in Aceh. It is simply the result of Indonesian military operations. President Habibie had 25 sodiers put on trial in (civil and military) courts in Banda Aceh. All were found guilty and later appealed. Sudjono has deserted until now. Because Sudjono has never come to court, other officers, including Hieronymus Guru and Sudjono’s commanders, have never been made to take responsibility either. Anton himself has been imprisoned.
This is the history of crime in Indonesia. Since Hasan di Tiro declared the freedom of the ”Aceh nation” on 4 December 1979, it is as though mass murderers have become untouchable. According to Amnesty International, more than 10.000 Achenese have been killed since 1976. GAM itself has killed Indonesian soldiers, as well as Acehnese suspected of ”cuak” or working as spies.
Now since the Helsinki accords and consideration of the Draft Bill on the Government of Aceh - with the deadline of March 30 - people like Otto and Darusman remain pessimistic that even if the bill is passed, they will ever be able to brings officers like Sudjono to trial. Otto reminded us that there are two version of the Aceh draft bill. First, there is a version put together by Acehnese society itself by way of 33 public meetings. Second, there is the Minister of Domestic Affairs version, which is often referred to by GAM as a “betrayal” of the Helsinki spirit. The Jakarta version of the bill has even been challenged by the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and an organization of retired officers.
The Home Affairs version of the Draft bill notes that the Government ”should fulfill, advance, and secure human rights in accordance with their understanding under the intenational convenants.” The government must also form a special Human Rights Court and a Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Human right trial also formation of Commission of Propriety and Reconciliation.But these clauses are in fact too vague to become operational. Amirudin al Rahab from Lembaga Studi dan Advokasi Masyarakat (a legal advice institute) refers to the passage as ”pasal bodoh, [stupid clause].” The language fools no one.
Amiruddin is from Papua. He is the translator of Robin Osborne’s classic book “Indonesia’s Secret War: The Guerilla Struggle in Irian Jaya”, with the Malay title ” “Kibaran Sampari: Gerakan Pembebasan OPM dan Perang Rahasia di Papua Barat.” He is also active in Perkumpulan Masyarakat Jakarta Peduli Papua [Assembly of Jakarta Society Concerned with Papua] which has noted many of the weaknesses in the Undang-undang Otonomi Khusus Papua (Special Autononomy for Papuan Acts) of 2001. At that time, President Megawati Soekarnoputri offered up the Papua Act as a substitute for the independence Papuans desired.
The Papua law also required the Indonesian government to form a human rights court and reconciliation comission. The act was passed five years ago, ’Until now there’s not even a hint of progress’, notes Amiruddin.
He Suggest DPR adds several clauses to the Aceh Draft Bill mentioning particular institutions responsible for formation of the human rights court and truth commission. The Draft bill should also have language guaranteeing compensation for victims, judges and witnesses.
Propriety commission. Beside that, Aceh Draft Bill need clause who assured of availability of compensation fund for victims, judge and witness.
Learning from the South African experience, the Indonesian state should also prepared compensation money for victims’ families. This is important, as we must remember the severe and lasting damage to the lives of victims. Even the descendants of human rights victims, two, three, perhaps five generation down the line, will have difficulty living in peace. They want revenge on the state.
Conversely, sincere efforts at reconciliation, in South Africa for instance, help to make democratization more stable. President Nelson Mandela chose reconciliation because his state was unable to follow the model of German denazification following the second world war. Notably however, both the German and South African economies have grown healthily partly due to their honest dealings with the past.
Indonesia is not yet stable due to its past. Amiruddin refers to the 1984 murder of Moslems in Tanjung Priok, Jakarta. Victims’ families found it difficult to obtain compensation, as was ordered by the courts, because no particular institution was made accountable.
How can a legal process carry on without funds even for the provision of witnesses? How much longer must we wait for the Bantaqiah case and thousands more cases to go forward when there’s not even provision for finding perpetrators? Amiruddin makes reference to the Abepura case in which the court at Makasar did not even have funds to bring the most important witnesses from Jayapura. With the lessons of Abepura in mind, Amiruddin suggests that the human rights court and reconciliation commision should be based in Aceh, and given the necessary funds and authority so that it may engage the representatives of the Acehnese.
Sudjono himself has ignored the summons of the Bande Aceh court. According to Sang Martir, Sudjono has been seen in Bali and Jakarta. I have also made attempts at finding Sudjono for an interview, by calling on the help of activists friends and his former colleagues in Batallion Yonif 328/Kostrad in Bogor and Bondowoso. Sudjono is an alumnus of School for Officer Candidates in Bandung, 1976.
Another debility of this Aceh bill is that there is no deadline for the formation of the court and reconciliation commission. The DPRD Aceh version sets the deadline at one year. ”But this passage is deleted in the Jakarta version of the law, and sets no deadline at all,” according to Amiruddin, ”establishment of a human right court and a truth and reconciliation commission is only empty promise.”
Amiruddin’s suggestions have been received well by Marzuki Darusman. ”These suggestions are important and should be distributed to other DPR members,” he has said. Otto Syamsuddin Ishak, however, is pessimistic, ”if I keep close watch on the spirit of this Aceh Bill, actually Indonesia is just toying with us, how to manage a small Indonesian state called Aceh. If this thing doesn’t get solved, then this state is going to blow up.”[end]
Translated by Scott Schlossberg, Doctoral Candidate Department of South and Southeast Asian Studies UC Berkeley
Indonesian version of this article uploaded in Pantau Website in 06 Maret
Doctor Brigade
Posted On at at 21:41 by Bung ImamOleh Imam Shofwan
Louis Chaviano was just three days back in home at 38 Ave Y Final, Sanatorio Pabellion, Cienfuegos, Kuba. Chaviano cured his missed to his wife an his dougther, Liliana Chaviano after six months in Khasmir, Pakistan, with his team. They helped eartquake victims there.
That afternoon, in the end of May 2006, he only and watching television. A foreign news teases his lustrous. Earthquake again, and nowadays unsettling Jogjakarta. His eyes captured chilling parts: thousands peoples died and another tens of thousand peoples injured.
Chaviano feels that he will depart to Jogjakarta immedietly. But he cannot tell what did he feels to his family mambers. He discourages it will ruin their togetherness ambience. Until night, Chaviano covered his willies.
Someone from departemen of public health of Cuba called Chaviano, morning after at 10 AM. Chaviano still slept with his wife. His assesment was true, government asked him to depart to Jogjakarta, for assist earthquake victims. Chaviano ready for this duty but he answer he will discusse with his wife and his doughter, firstly.
”If you agree, please convene in president’s palace in Havana. Set out today,” the telephon closed.
”I will drow up your necessities, better you go Havana soon,” Chaviano’s wife said. Fittingly his wife heard his conversation in the telephone. Chaviano feels hard to leave his wife and dougther. With permission and apprehension from his wife, Chaviano goes to Havana.
Cuba is biggest island group in Caribean ocean. From sky, it look like slept crocodile. Lengthwise like Java. Chaviano derive from Cienfuegos. Between Cienfuegos and Havana, from map, like between Semarang and Jakarta in Java. Chaviano leave from Chienfuegos by public bus. Some volunteers came from Chienfuegos. They meet in Cuban president’s palace in Havana June 30 2006.
In president’s palace, volunteers for Jogja disaster got briefing. Cuban President Fidel Castro himself directs the volunteers. The items: about Indonesian geographical condition and typical of Indonesian peoples who mostly Moslem.
From this briefing Chaviano undestand that Indonesia is poor country. But he like Indonesia because has tropical climate. But, he anxious about Indonesia who mostly Moslem. As his experience in Khasmir, Pakistan. He conceived of womens with her veil. Doctor’s will get difficulties to check women patients, especially for surgical operation.
”I think of strict Moslem rule application in Pakistan,” Chaviano said.
Chaviano is government employee. He don’t have madical backgroud. He is an energy outomatic control engineer. Cuban government assigned him as Medical Team Leader for International Natural Disaster.
For Jogjakarta disaster, he depart with 135 personnels, 124 of them are doctors –from medical doctors, surgeons, to orthopedics. Other crews are nurses, technicians and kitcheners.
Chaviano’s responsibilities are heavy. His job is to control all medical tools operation.
In June 1 2006 the team depart.
Chaviano’s wife act sprily. He fiting out all certain things for help disaster victims. He prepare a set of equipment given by government for that purpose: two duffle bags (a small size and a big back pack), a small stove, blue jeans, red T-shirt, and black boot. She know very well all of her husband’s tools because he have two similar missions before: two years in Zimbabwe and in six months in Pakistan.
****
At night, accompanied by their family members, the team convened in Havana airport for departure ceremony. Their families proud of their member will help disaster victims. Liliana, Chaviano’s only doughter, also proud of her father who departed by minister of foreign affairs, Felipe Perez Roque. Before depart, Liliana ordered his father to buy puppets and blouses when he returned home presently.
They keep communication with Jakarta. They have litle trouble. Initial plan, all their aid will focus in Jogjakarta who became earthquake episentrum. But, Jakarta governmen and Jogjakarta province governor still in dispute. They debated about eartquake status: national disaster or local disaster. Jogjakarta government considered the Jogjakarta earthquake, May 27 2006 as local disaster and will localy resolve. They reject foreign aid.
Fidel Castro takes steps. He calls President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to discuss this problem. Finally, they agreed all Cuban aids focused in Klaten regency, the worst earthquake area in Southern Central Java. That night finally medical team departed from Havana airport by Cubana aircraft.
After 30 hours flight and transits in Lisabon, Istambul and Calcuta, June 3 2006 afternoon aircraft who brought them landed in Adi Sumarmo Airport, Solo. They accepted by Jorge Leon, Cuban Ambassador for Indonesia.
After arraived in Solo, Louis Chaviano see womans wear short skirt, they work in store dan drive motor cycle. His imagenation about women moslem with her veil who he meet in Khasmir not found in Solo.
”I’m breathing freely,” Chaviano said.
From Solo airport, they dropped on Klaten regent office for conversable. After that, they lodge in Quality Hotel Solo. Suwarno SE, Klaten regent offered two locations for this cuban doctors’s activity center. In subdistrict of Gantiwarno dan Prambanan.
In Gantiwarno, they got location in front of an elementry school building. While in Prambanan, their location in a terrain belong to Hariadi, local citizen –previously that land used for sand depot.
That night Chaviano together with some people visit that places for survey. They consider both of that places are suitable.
Morning after, 60 tons equipment and medicine arraived Adi Sumarmo Airport. Team members check out from hotel and set up tents and manage the medicine.
They built tens in Gantiwarno first and than in Prambanan. After sweltered all day long, finally this large tents standed. Two tens for mens and womens patient room, operation room, laboratory, and two big tens for translators. Beside that, they also set up many small tents for team members. Two peoples per tent.
Night after Louis Chaviano install medical equipments from rongent mechine, voice detector mechine, blood detector mechine until communication tools. Chaviano and his teams work briskly. Day after, June 5, hospital tents began operate.
No opening party.
To inform peoples about existance of this two hospitals, they attach a street banner wrote: ”Pengobatan dan Operasi Gratis untuk Rakyat Indonesia dari Tim Medis Kuba, Free Medication and Surgical Operation for Indonesian Peoples from Cuban Medical Team,” between Cuban dan Indonesian flag. Beside that, the doctors visit villages regularly to cure eartquake victims and let peoples know about that two hospitals.
***
Caviano’s team named Hendry Reave Medical Brigade. They available every time to departed around the wolrd for helping disaster. They have worked to helping disaster and conflict victims at more than 60 countries, including Indonesia and its neigbour Timor Leste.
Chaviano told many story to me, about his experiences all this time, especially during his duties in Zimbabwe and Khasmir, education sistem in Cuba until his favorite figure Ernesto Che Guevara. His happiness when he do similar thing like what Che have done; went around the world and help everybody who wanted for.
”Che do everthing in everywhere who need him,” Chaviano told me.
In a flash, Chaviano’s face look like Che Guevara, who printed in his t-shirt without sleeve who he weared that day. His wave hare until his shoulder dan his dark skin typically Latin Amerika. I meet his in last August 23, in Klaten, when he and his medical team have spent three months helping earthquake victims.
Che nuances seen in every place. Especially in a lightcolour room, where rongent machine placed. In that room many Che pictures put up, beside Fidel castro picture, in the tent’s wall. Not only pictures, actually, but also appearence of the doctors. Like Chaviano, some doctors have dark skin and long hair --the hair icon of Che Guevara.
Che Guevara is Cuban revolusion hero. Since 1956, Che, with Fidel Castro and Raul Castro, organaized Cuban farmers for guerrila war against dictator Fulgencio Batista.
One of Guevara and Castro’s promised are make public education and health as Cuban prominent pillar after revolution. During guerrilla warfare, farmers looked seriousness of their leaders. Guevara, who a doctor, treat wounded guerrillaman by himself. Beside that, in leisure time, Guevara teach his follower, allmost all illiterate, how to read.
”Education not anly for vertical function but also horizontally,” this jargon often pronounceable by Guevara. Education not only purposed to reach power and money, but also for sosial an humanity purpose.
In 1959 Batista slide down. Fidel Castro tried to fulfill their promises. And successed. According to Juan Casassus, member of the Latin American Laboratory for Evaluation and Quality of Education at UNESCO Santiago, this highest achievement of education in Cuba is success of strong commitment from Cuban government, who disposed education sector as highest priority during 40 years after revolution.
Cuban government budgeted about 6,7 percent from GNP for this sector, doubly bigger than education budget in all Latin America countries.
With that big budget, Cuban government make free for all education costs, from elementary level until University. It also available for profesional school. ”Everyone is educated there. Everyone has access to higher education. Most Cubans have a college degree," Rose Caraway said, one of US student who follow study exchange program in Cuba, in 2005, as quoted by Coen Husain Pontoh in his article Pendidikan di Kuba or Education in Cuba.
According to Pontoh this policy made Cuban people became most educated and trained people in all Latin America countries. Nowadays some 700 thousands professional worked in Cuba.
But, this this policy is not enough. Since 2000, Cuban government launched ”University for All” program. The aim of this program is to make Cuba became “a nation becomes a university.”
Through this program all Cuban people (old-young, male-female, merried-single) earned equal opportunity to get university level. Practically, university working with Cubavision and Tele Rebelde, run education program via television.
Nowadays Cuban television provide 394 hours per week for education program. Abut 63 percent from airwaves total in Cuba. Since this program running, in October 2000, about 775 professors from big universities around Cuba involved in this program.
Healty program is an impact of Cuban educational development. Cliff DuRand, emeritus professor of philosophy in Morgan State University, Baltimore US, as quoted by Pontoh, said; nowadays death rate in Cuba only 5,8 per childbirth in a year. This rate are lowest in Latin Amerika, even lower than in US.
Total of doctors per capita in Kuba are more than any countries around the world. Nowadays, Cuba have around 130.000 professional medical manpower. Around 25 thousand Cuban doctors worked for humanity mission in 66 countries, 450 of them worked in Haiti, poorest country in American continent. Some other worked in poor areas around Venezuela. When Catrina hurricane barged into New Orleans, past few months, President Fidel Castro take initiative to send 1.500 doctors. But this initiative refused by US government by political reason.
Not only for Cuban people, nowadays through Latin American School of Medicine, Cuban government give schoolarship in medicare education for hundreds of poor people from all Latin American Countries, Afrika, Asia, even US.
The most interesting, according to Pontoh, medicare education in Cuba not only about science and art of medication, but also sosial service values for humanity. As what Fidel Castro said, during graduation ceremony in summer October 2005, ”human capital more valuable than financial capital. Human capital not only science, but also –and this is very basic- awareness, erhict, solidarity, genuine humanity sense, spirit of sacrifice will, heroism, and capability to built something in long term.”
****
They worked wearing jeans and T-shirt, while some doctor womens wear tang top. Their nature commonly friendly. I lough by myself when I heard one of the doctor talk to her patient. Although accompanied by translator, she try to speake Javanese.
”Matur nuwun, thank you”
”Sami-sami, your wellcome”
Very hot in women room tent, I see tens of patiens bedriddening in wards. Two of them have just endured caesarean, one endured treatment after tumor operation, and a mother have just bore children.
Ginem is one of grateful patient because of Cuban doctors presence. Ginem came to hospital tent for bearing her second children.
Before in this hospital, Ginem said to me, she has examined her unborn child, in Bethesda hospital, Jogjakarta. She suggested to carry out caesarean, because her unborn child has two weeks overdue. It mean, Ali Yani, Ginem Husband, said, they have to prepare at least Rp 7 millions. This big amount is serious for him, who only small laborer at a departement store in Jogjakarta.
”Although hot climate, it’s okey. As long as my baby saved,” Ginem said.
I can’t see this patient in this hot tent too long. Than, I asked Chaviano to continue to other room. We visit laboratorium, male room, and Chaviano’s small tent together with other doctors tent. Only his room I can’t entered.
”Is only one our private place,” Chaviano said.
Too passionate curing patient the doctors forgot that they lived in field that no bathroom there. At first week, after tired cured patient all day long, they make their simple bathroom with iron sheeting walls.
Late afternoon. I returned to hotel who about three kilometers from Cuban hospital tent in Prambanan. I take a bath and have dinner there.
***
Chaviano and Brigade members for Anangga Kurniawan (22) and other translators is plesant friends. Kurniawan is student in Surakarta State University, translator volunteer in that hospital. He accompany doctors, since they cured patient until visited villages aroun Klaten.
Since he became volunteer in Cuban hospital, Kurniawan lived in a big tent at hospital tent location in Prambanan. There are two tents for Kurniawan and his friends: One for male and other for female. All their requairements during in tent guaranteed by Cuban hospital.
From patients and doctors interactions, Kurniawan knows how they serious in handled patients. In certain disease, in fact there are seven doctors togethers in handling one patient. They discussed in Spanish, Kurniawan does not really understand what their intention, but from doctors actions, he know that they serious in handling patients.
Ussually Kurniawan activities start from six AM. He and his friends preparing patients registrations. At seven they start enroling until ten. ”Some 350 patients every day,” Kurniawan said.
After enroled, some of them accompany doctors in hospital, some other accompany doctors go around villages to find patients who cannot came to hospital. Usually, visiting time start from nine AM until one PM. They back to hospital and help doctors.
Kurniawan have an interesting experience. One day, after visiting village, the doctors want to do shopping. Since two months became translator, it was his first shopping invitation. They said will buy baby shoes and T-shirt. Kurniawan happy, than invite them to the biggest depatment store in Klaten: Matahari Department Store.
Because first shopping, Kurniawan conceived they will do total expense just like ussual other tourists he has guided before. His approximation missed. They only bought T-shirt and baby shoes. Moreover, they choosed the cheapest or discount one. After that, they returned. Kurniawan downhearted because –again—no lunch agenda after shopping.
Actually, Kurniawan has curious that Cuban doctors are poor doctors. Every day, they wear regularly only two T-shirt. The red or green one. Beside that, they never eaten outside and very bewared using money. ”The never buy something but tea,” Kurniawan said.
With all their simplicity, they very serious in helping disaster victims. ”We are from poor country. We only help as long as we could,” Chaviano said.
In first two months, Kurniawan showed by himself how they worked seven days in a weeks without off day, 24 hours they serve patients. After third month, they off in Sunday.
***
Subandi (56) sits in black stone, between coconat and trembesi tree in one corner of terrain at the edge of Solo-Yogja road. Tens of hospital big tents line up in front of him.
White colour of hospital tents, covered by dust and became brown. Hot and stuffy inside that tents. Subandi is one of sweltered patients. He decided to sit outside tent.
”My privates painful and hot if worked hard,” Subandi told me using refined Javanese.
Two years his penis swollen became twofold. According to doctor diagnosis, he suffered hernia. His local terms are usus ting planangan or kontol landung for coarse term. While that, he not examined his dissease. For palliating, ussually he get traditional message while recurrence.
Subandi learns his neigbour’s experience who suffered same dissease. This dissease will recover with operation. Subandi have to buried his wish to get operation because a big cost. According to him, that big amount is better for his 24 years old daughter Tri Suwanti education cost. Tri study in English faculty of Muhammadiyah University Surakarta, ”My wish, after Tri graduate I will collect money for operation,” Subandi said.
Tri graduated, Subandi collects money than. As farmer he plan to get operation after rice harvest. But that plan immediately disappeared after 5,9 Richter Scale eartquake hit Jogjakarta and Southern Central Java, may 27 2006. His rice crop damaged and his operation plan also gone.
Subandi know Cuban doctors can erase his pain. In August, he goes to hospital tent to get surgical operation for his desease. His heal possibility grow again.
”Everything running well, I only told my plaints and translator will extend to doctors,” Subandi said. After six days, Subandi get an operation.
”Nowadays just fine, have deflated, only need routine check up,” Subandi said.
In womens room, I meet another patient named Ginem (42). She look happy after her caesarean. She said thanks god many times and thanks to Cuban doctor who save her and her baby life.
Ginem and other patients wonder when they heard information that Cuban doctors asked to leave Jogjakarta because some complaints from local medical institution. Maybe they deprived of patients because all sucked up to this hospital tent.
”It is impossible, still many patients like this here. Why government expel doctors who planned six months became three months,” said Ali Yani, Ginem’s husband.
He, together with some patients, than wrote their protest in beaverboard and put it in hospital gate: ”Let Cuba Help Peoples”.
Prasetya and his friends not sure that their handwriting will red by government, and restrain Chaviano and friends departure.[end]
This Indonesian version of this article publised in pantau website: www.panatau.or.id
Write to Forget
Posted On at at 21:40 by Bung Imamby Imam Shofwan
Human right cases in Indonesia are never complete. Time and again fact–finding teams are formed and evidences is found. But the court have never successed in convicting those responsible. At most it is those in the field who get punished, while top brass remains untouchable, unaffected. It was goodly. Perperators of many human right in heavy weight instead taken look like immune.
The preperators of the 1965 massacres, for example, have even still never been named, let alone brought to trial. This despite the fact that Sarwo Edhie Wibowo—President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s father-in-law—has claimed that more than three milion people were killed in the at the time. Sarwo Edhie made this claim to Permadi, a legislator with Indonesian Democrat Party of Struggle (Partai Demokrasi Indonesia Perjuangan, PDI-P). Sarwo Edhie himself led the communist ”cleansing” operations in Java and Bali as ordered by Presiden Suharto. But it was not only communists who were killed in these operations, but also common people with little involvement in or understanding of politics whatever. This tragedy represents one of the greatest genocides witnessed in human history.
Lately demands circulate quite widely for Suharto to be held responsible for his wrongdoing, yet the 1965 massacre almost never gets mentioned in this context; instead it is the more commonplace charge of corruption that is so obsessively discussed. The genocide of 1965 remains a shadow in our national history our history. Never mind the fact that only recently President SBY requested Justice Agung Abdurraahman Saleh put aside even the corruption charges against Suharto.
What happens in the case of other humans rights violations? Most are equally disappointing. Every one of the military defendants on trial for the gross human rights abuses in Timor Lorosa’e, as well as all the military officers involved in the Tanjung Priok case have been freed, and this has had a dramatic impact as well on people’s faith in the the court system as well as the government.
Even the most basic internationally-acknowledged rights of victims are systematically ignored by the Indonesian state and legal apparatus. In fact, there are three fundamental rights which must maintain in the cases of victims of gross human rights violation. First, every victim is entitled to know the facts of the incident as thoroughly as possible. The government is thus responsible for investigation, protection of witnesses as well as victims, and for assuring access to all archival material related to the human-rights incident.
Second, the victim has a right to justice. This involves two further principles, viz people protection from reconciliation effort dan forgive effort who intent on preserve impunity also state duty for doing court administration.
Thrid, victims maintain the right to reparations, including assurance of restution, compensation, rehabilitation, and restitution for any special efforts inolved in the case. The right to reparation also demands a guarantee of no further repetition of the rights violation.
Mugiyanto, an activist with Ikatan Keluarga Orang Hilang (Union of Families of the Disappeared) notes that the government is not yet serious in handling human right cases. Mugi, as he is known to friends, and who has himself been abducted by Kopassus special forces, has been supportive of the case of the Tanjung Priok case victims. “The Human Right Court was only able to arrest low-ranking perpetrators from within the military, while Tri Sutrisno, who was at that time Pangdam Jaya remains free,” as Mugi points out.
Beside that, about 100 Tanjung Priok victims did not even receive compensation, ”despite the court having decided that victims would receive compensation, restution, and rehabilitation,” Mugi notes.
Most disappointing to Mugi was the decision of the Supreme Court to abrogate the judgement of the Human Rights Court in Central Jakarta by declaring that the Tanjung Priok case was not in fact a case of human rights violation. As a result, all perpetrators previously arrested were released.
Those signs were read by some of the legislators preparing the special Aceh Government Bill (RUU PA). They did not wish for human rights cases in Aceh to be similarly put on ice.
On May 17 2006 the comittee discussed a chapter on”Human Rights”. Ahmad Farhan Hamid, an Acehnese legislator from the National Order Party, noted at least serious cases of human rights violation in Aceh before the Memorandum of Understanding was reached betwen GAM and and the Central Government last August. Farhan noted the following cases:
1. Rape case in Pidie, August 16, 1988. The victim is a disabled woman named Sumiati.
2. Murder case, abduction, and maltreatment in Rumoh Geudong, Pidie Regency. This case began took place between 1997 and 1998, when Aceh became became an Area of Military Operation.
3. Murder and disappearance in Idi Cut and Arakundo, East Aceh, February 2-3, 1999.
4. Murder in Cut Murong, Dewantara Subdistrict, May 3, 1999. This case is known as the Simpang KAA case.
5. The massacre of Teungku Bantaqiah and his colleagues, July 23 1999.
Hamid learned of these cases from the Independent Commission for the Examination of Violence in Aceh. This commission was formed by fomer President BJ Habibie and legalized by Presidential Decree No. 8/1999. In the past ten years, beginning in1988-1999, the commision has already discovered roughly 5000 human right cases in Aceh. The five noted by Hamid represent only some of the most serious. The commision has recommended that these cases all be turned over to the Human Rights Court. In November 1999, the Supreme Court began preparing indictments for several of the figures involved. The result? Habibie resigned his post, and the cases were again put on ice.
In July 1998 Parliament formed a Composite Fact-finding Team. In roughly 4 months’ work, the team received roughly 1700 reports on human rights violations; including 426 pertaining to disappearances, and 320 on extra-judicial killings.
At almost the same time, around July-August 1998, The national Commission on Human Rights carried out its investigation on human rights violations in Aceh. The Commission was led then by the late Baharuddin Lopa. This commission collected data indicating the 781 deaths, 163 disappearances, 368 victims of maltreatment and 102 victims of rape, all between the years of 1998-1999.
Based on these findings the Commission concluded that the accumulated violation of human rights in Aceh were of the most severe kind: murder, brutal mistreatment, forced disappearance, forced arrest and confinement, rape and seizure of property.
According to the Suggestion of the Aceh Legislative council, the deadline for the formation of a Special Human Rights Court and Truth and Reconciliation Commission for Aceh is one year from the date of the Aceh Government amendment being approved and made into law. Yet the Home Office deleted the sections on the deadline from the proposed bill when they brought it to the Parliament.
Minister of Communication and Information Sofya Djalil, speaking as the government’s representative in that meeting suggested another solution.
Djalil suggested that all parties forgive one another. Djalil fastened his suggestion to Islamic tenets, noting ”seeking conclusion need not require adjudication.’
According to Djalil, Islam provides three methods for problem-solving; these include is qishas (proportional punishment—death for the murderer, for example), diyat (the payment of fine) and finally, forgiveness.
Decisions on whether to avail of qishas, diyat or forgiveness will depend on levels of faith.
”Best is to forgive,” he concludes.
Ahmad Farhan Hamid is not opposed to the principle of forgiveness, just so long as it is preceded by the necessary judicial process. Reconciliation in Aceh can only be secured by the attainment of justice. This is Hamid’s conviction.
The court’s aim to discover who is truly at fault. Forgiveness or pardon can be granted later, should the victim and her family agree. The South African experience following the collapse of the apartheid regime provides an example. All perpetrators gave witness while seated accross from the familiies of their victims. Nothing was concealed or covered-up. Mandela himself guaranteed the safety of the witnesses.
The reactions of victims and their families to such testimony can varies widely. There are those who forgive with an openheart. Many feel enraged since meeting with the perpetrator reminds them of the loved ones who were killed. Still, following such a process, reconciliation can carry on without obstacles. Reverenge becomes a part of the past. But what about in the case of Indonesia?
Although Hamid remains enthusiastic in writing that cases, in his heart of his hearts, he still doubts whether the cases will be pursued and justice upheld. He concludes, ”This is what I mean when I say write to forget.”[end]
Translated by Scott Schlossberg, Doctoral Candidate Department of South and Southeast Asian Studies UC Berkeley.
Indonesian version of this article uploaded in www.pantau.or.id
Al-Hallaj behind Dhani Ahmad
Posted On at at 21:38 by Bung ImamBy Mujtaba Hamdi And Imam Shofwan
A string of accusations on religious contempt are now being hurled at Dhani Ahmad and his rock band Dewa. Dhani does not deny that his lyrics began with an attempt to open up some kind of a religious discourse. In fact, he admits his fondness for controversial Sufi figures.
It is still early in the morning. The day’s heat has yet to be felt. But not so in the infotainment programme on television. The camera is fixed on one man, and this man is announcing sternly, “A few of the lyrics and the pictures used by Dewa in their album have been taken from a poem by a heretical movement in the Middle East.” On the screen, you could read the caption which identifies them, Pertahanan Ideologi Syariat Islam (Perisai) [The Defence of the Islamic Ideology and Law].
This is not some kind of an innocent prank. Ridwan Saidi, the figure who claims to represent the aforementioned group called Perisai, is going to lodge a complaint on Dewa to the Attorney General. Ridwan is a Betawi cultural activist and prominent community figure. Ridwan has been known for his penchant for politics. During the New Order, he even had a stint with the Partai Persatuan Pembangunan [The Party for the Unity of Development (PPP)], before moving on to Golongan Karya [The Workers’ Group (Golkar)] and subsequently founding the New Masyumi. During the Reformasi era, when Masyumi did not manage to make it through the electoral threshold, Ridwan returned to PPP.
Ridwan is in the opinion that the cover of Dewa’s album, along with its lyrics written by Dhani contain the teachings of a heretical nature. “Not only on the Laskar Cinta (Soldier of Love) album, but also on the previous Dewa release, Mistukus Cinta (The Love Mystic).” Perhaps what he meant is really, the album Cintailah Cinta (Love the Love). Mistikus Cinta is only one of the song titles in the album in question.
Last April, as he was perusing over the cover of Dewa’s albums, Ridwan apparently discovered that many of Dewa’s lyrics like Satu (The One) and Nonsense were derived from heretical poems. It remains unclear if Ridwan has actually scrutinised the lyrics concerned. Ridwan could well assume that the lyrics of Satu as heretical, for instance, since on the cover of Laskar Cinta, one can find the phrase “thanks to Al-Hallaj” written under the text of the lyrics Satu. Al-Hallaj is a controversial figure in Muslim history.
The end of this month of April has certainly been very unfriendly for Dhani Ahmad Prasetyo.
Responding to the accusations in a newspaper, Dhani in fact did not make any references to al-Hallaj when he was discussing the lyrics to Satu. In fact, in the concerned article, Dhani clarified that the lyrics to his songs contain strong expressions of love to the divine. “An appreciation to a hadith [reported words and deeds attributed to the prophet Muhammad] narrated by Imam Bukhari had also inspired this writer to pen down the lyrics to Satu,” he wrote. Dhani not once referred to al-Hallaj in the article which sought to provide clarification after various reporting of the issue.
However, during another occasion, Dhani had been known to admit his admiration for the figure al-Hallaj. “I am a Sufi enthusiast. So you can say that I am also an admirer of al-Hallaj.”
At a corner at the19 Production studio in Pondok Indah, South Jakarta, Dhani could not sit still. Every now and then, his mobile phone would be ringing. And Dhani would have to take the call. Sometimes he would be walking back and forth, in and out. Or he would need to talk to someone through the telephone placed in an adjacent area. The facial expression of the gentleman born in Jakarta on May 26, 1972, still reflects the burden he is under. From the seven albums that Dewa had produced in all, this is the first time that they are receiving threats from Muslim groups. The placement of their band logo was said to have been an insult to Allah. Their lyrics are claimed to be heretical.
Dewa had never encountered such a problem for their previous efforts. Like other bands, they tended to pen down love songs with lyrics that speak of passionate and amorous romance. “In the beginning women inspired me, but slowly, that sort of thing died out,” utters Dhani. He then had to look for new inspiration, lest if his creativity stalls, the band would have been in a vacuum and this could spell an economic disaster as well, for Dhani and the entire Dewa. It would have been utterly disastrous.
Finally, Dhani began to look through various materials, especially books. Dhani began to be acquainted with the works of Kahlil Gibran, “the poet of two gulfs”, and other religious literature. From those books, Dhani began to socialise with figures such as Jalalluddin Rumi, Syeikh Abdul Qodir al-Jailani, Ibnul Arabi, al-Hallaj, Bayazid al-Bustami. Dhani also read many books on Syeikh Siti Jenar – which incidentally began to proliferate after the fall of the New Order.
Dhani then began to grasp that religious teachings tended to fracture into many different schools. And there it was – his new inspiration. That hadith which describes that religious communities tended to fracture. The Jews, Christians, and Muslims would break into 71, 72 and 73 subgroups respectively. Dhani worked on this idea, and at last Kuldesak was composed.
“This song is like my prayer, so that I would not be in the wrong path. Hence the lyrics – show us the true path so that we would not go astray at the crossroads.”
The prayer could be seen at the song’s refrain: Please God give us Your guide / The right path going towards Your path / So that we would not stray at the crossroads. This song became the theme soundtrack to a 1998 film with the same title. In the early 1999, Dhani improvised on the song along with a group of songs in duet album with Andra Ramadhan, a long time friend of Dewa. In this album, Dhani also wrote the song Kembali ke Timur (Return to East) which mentions the name al-Ghazali.
“Al-Ghazali is very famous name abroad. In fact, if we study philosophy, al-Ghazali is a major subject. That was why I made a mention of his name in the lyrics. I thought it was important.”
Al-Ghazali had long made an impression in Dhani. To the extent that his first son was named Ahmad al-Ghazali. “It is kind of a cool name. It is not a local name, it is international.”
As the months and years passed, Dhani became restless again. He began to feel that the religious nuances he had been putting into his song writing was not deep enough. He started to feel that his discourse was a tad too legalistic. And so, this changed when he met a spiritual mentor in the late 2000. Dhani refuses to divulge the name of this person. “My mentor does not have other students besides me. He does not have a school. I can be said as his only student.”
And so Dhani began his passion over tasawuf [the mystical discipline of Islam]. He felt like it was a breath of fresh air. However Dhani prefers to be said as a Sufi enthusiast rather than practitioner. “I feel that it is not yet fit to describe me as a Sufi practitioner. If one asks whether I am trying to head there, yes. But if you say that I am a practitioner, I am still further away.”
May be it is not so important whether he is a mere enthusiast or a practitioner. One thing for sure though, the Sufi world has given him inspiration in his song writing. When he became overwhelmed by Rabiah al-Adawiah, a legendary female Sufi, Dhani composed Jika Surga dan Neraka tak Pernah Ada [If Heaven and Earth Never Existed]. This song was sung by the most seniors of singers, Chrisye. When Dhani began to be infatuated with al-Hallaj, Satu was born. “Whether you like it or not, al-Hallaj is also a Sufi giant,” he says. “And his courage inspired me to write the lyrics to Satu.”
Spirituality did not only inspire one or two songs but an entire album. Dhani certainly felt so for Dewa’s seventh outing: Laskar Cinta. “Because my brain is filled with God,” claims this son to Eddy Abdul Manaf and Joyce Theresia Pamela. In fact, Dhani feels that his lyrical ability has yet to achieve its maximum potential. “The lyrics of Laskar Cinta does not even fully reflect the way my mind works, because not all that is in my mind I am able to turn into songs.”
The album Laskar Cinta may have a very deep significance for Dhani. To the extent that the entire wall of the studio of 19Production is painted with black and red, and here and there it is pasted with the particular symbol of an octagonal star – the symbol which has become Laskar Cinta’s logo. But this album in turn has caused Dhani to be faced with accusations of insulting religion.
And then, look again. A staff of his comes in with a new logo of Laskar Cinta. Dhani was pressured into replacing the old logo, because it is said that the old version resembles the word “Allah”.
“Where is the old one?”
The staff replies that all the copies of the older version have been destroyed.
“Wah, this would be really dangerous if found out by the FPI [Front Pembela Islam – The Islamic Defenders Front]. Destroying the name of God,” Dhani says in jest.
He then makes a telephone call. To the one answering on the other line, Dhani seeks for confirmation if it is really true that all the copies of the older version have been destroyed. This voice confirms it. Dhani then warns him.
“Not until the FPI finds out, that we destroyed the name of Allah.” he jokes again.
On November 22, 2004, the album Laskar Cinta was officially launched. Virtually all the journalists who were present did not seem to be interested in the issue of the octagonal star on the album cover. At the Sari Pan Pacific Hotel, most of them were more interested on the quality of the music on the offer. Some asked about the quality of the lyrics.
“Our lyrics are not very pop-ish,” Dhani replied. “In fact we penned down lyrics which are so littered with idealism they are not commercial even.”
Suddenly, one journalist questioned on the typography resembling the Arabic calligraphy on the octagonal star. Dhani only smiled as he answered that the letters concerned was there for aesthetics reasons. The calligraphy-like image reads Laskar Cinta.
And it is true that if we look closely at the cover, we should not read the letters from right to left. You would have not noticed. Instead, you should read it from left to right, and it will be visible that it is a stylistic writing of Laskar Cinta.
Not one journalist asked about the octagonal star.
For months, Dhani did not receive any complaints on the new album’s logo. Because he really liked it, he began to stick the logo on all sorts of things: on the studio of his wall, on musical instruments, and certainly on Dewa’s merchandise to be sold to fans.
Until the unfortunate Sunday evening, April 10. Dhani and Dewa gave a stirring performance on Eksklusif TransTV. The stage was bright with lights. Dhani’s much-loved octagonal logo of Laskar Cinta was everywhere. Including on the main floor, where their vocalist Once sang and moved about.
Without Dhani’s knowledge, there was a religious teacher by the name of Wahfiudin who was watching the concert on television. Wahfiudin was shocked when he saw the octagonal star. He believed that the octagonal star was a calligraphy spelling the word Allah. He quickly called TransTV, and informed the station that the logo on the floor was so. He even suggested that the concert should be called off there and then.
Immediately after the show, TransTV arranged a meeting between Dhani and Wahfiudin for a short dialogue. Wahfiudin showed the logo of the octagonal star in black which he found in book The Cultural Atlas by Prof Dr Ismail Raj’I al-Faruqi. Wahfiudin stressed to Dhani that the logo was in fact the word Allah written in Arabic calligraphy.
Dhani did not agree, saying that there had been some modifications. But Dhani apologised for the unawareness of their stage crew, and said that the stage itself had now been covered in black cloth.
Wahfiudin then felt that Dhani was being stubborn. At the end of the dialogue he warned Dhani to be careful, because if he might one day be confronted by Muslims with harder tendencies, he would be in real trouble.
At that precise moment, Dhani did not really understand the nature of Wahfiudin’s warning. All he knew was that the next day, his name was in the subject of several mail- lists on the internet with the subject written in capitals: Dhani the Dewa (god) of Israel Stepping All Over God. The posting began with this sentence: Although the subject-tag seems provocative, that is not my intention. Then the writer related the entire story of how he saw Dewa’s concert on TransTV, the call he made to the television station and how he met Dhani soon after the show. At the end of the posting, there was one name: Wahfiudin.
Dhani at first did not respond to the mail. But then when the daily Republika published the news on the dialogue between Wahfiudin and he, twice, along with comments that made him feel as if he was being cornered, Dhani replied with a writing entitled The Oasis of Laskar Cinta.
In his reply, Dhani not only clarified on the issue of the octagonal star and the lyrics of his songs. He first and foremost apologised on behalf of his stage crew for their carelessness to put the logo on the floor. Dhani explained that it is impossible for him to insult Islam, his own religion, for even insulting other religions he does not dare. Dhani demonstrated that the lyrics to his songs in fact called for us to love Allah.
Dhani mentioned that the lyrics of Pangeran Cinta (Prince of Love) were a result from the reflection from verse 27 from al-Rahman. “All that is on earth will perish: But will abide (forever) the Face of thy Lord, Full of Majesty, Bounty and Honour.”
This verse is a favourite among the Sufis who has a preference for the statement la wujuda illallah (Nothing Exists but Allah). Sufi historians categorise this branch of Sufism as from the Wujudiyyah School.
Dhani also showed that the symbol of the octagonal star was being used in the hope that the idea of the love of God would be spread far and wide. The eight points of the star in fact symbolised the eight geographical directions, just like that reflected in verse 115 of al-Baqarah 115, “whithersoever ye turn, there is Allah's countenance”. This verse is also very popular among Sufi enthusiasts.
The long clarification did not put an end to the controversy. FPI led by Habib Rizieq Shihab was bent on demanding that Dewa replace the cover of Laskar Cinta. Habib Rizieq was in the opinion that Dewa was not qualified to use such a logo, because they did appear as Islamic enough.
Dhani was dumbfounded. He called and visited religious figures, among them M. Quraish Shihab and Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur). From Quraish to Shihab, Dhani received responses that relieved him. According to Quraish, the original symbol (like the one found in The Cultural Atlas – ed) is neither a fixed nor a popular symbol. It can only be detected by calligraphy experts. Meanwhile Dhani’s symbol was a modified version, and for Quraish it no longer resembles the word “Allah”.
Gus Dur meanwhile, when being paid a visit by Dhani at the headquarters office of Nahdatul Ulama, received a simple response, “Habib Rizieq cannot speak on behalf of the Muslim community. He is creating a headache out of a nothing.”
But the pressure against Dhani did not subside. The day after, all sorts of intimidating texts were messaged to his mobile phone, including “Not just one Gus Dur, even if with 1000 Gus Durs defending Dewa ana (I in Arabic) would still fight. Ana am not looking for popularity, isn’t FPI is already at the top?”
A few days later, based on reasons we yet have to understand, Dhani decided to replace the logo on the cover of the album. In an infotainment programme, when Dhani announced that they would be printing new versions of the logo, Dhani also added a commercial reminder in jest, “So that all the remaining cassettes can be replaced as soon as possible with the ones containing the new version of the logo, the people should buy them all.”
We met Dhani a day after he was called in by the police from the Jakartan branch.
That afternoon we Dhani tells us a lot of stories, including his admiration for many Sufi figures. Dhani does not fear to be labelled as heretical because of his admiration for al-Hallaj, although al-Hallaj was decapitated for his alleged heresy. “It’s like this,” he cautions. “Al-Hallah lives during the Abbassid era. Can you say the actions of the Abbasids of decapitating al-Hallaj as a way of our prophet?”
Dhani is, apparently, quite clever at turning the tables around. Outside, people tend to regard the teachings admired by Dhani, to be of the same genre with that taught by Syeikh Siti Djenar. He views such things quite in jest. “I have never felt I am as big as Syeikh Siti Djenar. Everybody is freaking out, but the biggest I could be is only as big as Jenar Mahesa Ayu.”
Jenar Mahesa Ayu is certainly not a saint. She is a short story author who frequently writes on sexuality issues.
So, right on. If Dhani is not afraid to admire al-Hallaj, not afraid to be called heretical, why then replace the album cover? Is he afraid of the threats from the FPI then?
“Sing waras ngalah lah,” he replies in his Surabayan accent. The sane will give in. Dhani still thinks it is not wrong to use the old logo. He says that even MUI does not make a big deal out of it. But Dhani believes, if he remains obstinate, he would have been no different than the FPI. And so, he chose to replace the album cover, and definitely for sure, calls for everyone to quickly buy all the remaining albums out there.
When he was being called in by the Jakartan police, Dhani did not forget to play a prank. “I deliberately made my children to dress like in FPI style. You know how deep the meaning of that.” Dhani purposefully asked his three children to accompany him to the police. They were then wearing the costumes similar to those frequently donned by the FPI, white shirts and white skullcaps. But Dhan, how do you mean with that?
“Ya… it is young children like these who would be most suitable to wear such things. These clothes, you know, their message are so deep.”[end]
Translated by Shamila Arifin, environmental activist in Sahabat Alam Malaysia.
This article appeared in the column Syir’atuna for the cover reporting of Syir’ah No. 43/June 2004
Blogger, Pluralism And Indonesian State
Posted On at at 21:36 by Bung ImamBy Imam Shofwan
One last Saturday, more than 400 peoples, mostly male between 20 or 30 years old, crowded out in Mega Blitz, a movie theater at Kebon Kacang, Jakarta. Many of them wear blue jeans and T-shirt, but some oldster also came. The program is “blogger party” including; talk show, discussion, joking plus lunch. Long breadline but sober and many discussions many where. Bloggers also accosted one to each other, took pictures, want to know peoples they met in blog walking.
Surprisingly, and this is ordinary in Jakartan’s civilization, this program labeled ”national forum.” The participant, claimed from Kuala Lumpur, Bandung, Jogjakarta, Surabaya, Surabaya, Makassar, Mataram plus two participants from Poso.The slogan, sloppier too, ”New Voice of Indonesia.” Farthest participan, come from Poso, a journalist, who ever occused swallow money from Poso refugees donation together with Poso regent Andi Asikin Suyuti!
Wimar Witoelar, columnist-cum-blogger-cum-talk show host-cum-former spokesman of president Abdurahman Wahid, meight became stunner of this intimate. Not only because big body, or chinese red shirt, loose short sleeve, and loud voice of his giggle. But Witoelar also tremendous in hosting this discussion. He mades funny chat, airily but serious. He make this program spirited, not only slogan. Witoelar sat in stage with four guests.
Opening, Witoelar said he get honour because invited by young people. ”Not many of old people invited in program like this,” he said. Grrrrr. Witoelar told that some 482 bloggers signed and joined in Mega Blitz that morning. His spoke with three bloggers –Andrianto Gani, Enda Nasution, Budi Putra—and one politician; Minister of Communication and Information Muhammad Nuh.
Witoelar easily say, ”Mr. Minister the last.”
This atmosphere maybe rid of Jakarta newspapers. Most of Jakarta’s journalist, which not yet discard a bad press style inherited by New Order, absolutely, quoted officials and officials. Muhammad Nuh quoted that government will never breidel blogger. ”(Breidel) is out of date,” Nuh said. Second, Nuh also quoted by said that Saturday, Oktober 27, became ”nasional blogger day ... belong to ours.” Nuh also gave a laptop as present. All about government was announced.
This New Order media, just called Koran Tempo, The Jakarta Post and Bisnis Indonesia, put Nuh statement widely in their headline. No one criticed and asked: what is national blogger? No one suggested blogger, for example, from Lhokseumawe, Singkawang, Tomohon, Maumere, Sorong or Niki-niki, invited first before claimed ”national blogger.” The problem, of Jakarta culture, from Soekarno’s era until Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, from media conglomerate until amatir blogger, not yet have a critical thinking habit about ”national,” label.
”Bloggers are complex, some of them serious, the other not serious. Some of them qualified, the other low quality,” Witoelar said. Blogger give applause.
Than he asked three bloggers to talk. ”Mister minister, afraid of stuck, it’s okey if want to go. It is not an expel!” Witoelar said. Muhammad Nuh asked permision to leave earlier. He has to got after his flight. Than Nasution, Budi and Gani speak. The point, they want blogger become new media ekspresion, who can ekspress the mind, opinion dan experience of bloggers around Indonesia, more freely and honestly than mainstream media. Budi said however the hosting is marvelous, good or not the blog is depend on it’s content.
Talk show was shindig and active. Many participant ask questions and give comment. But also many who only clap clap clap. Good atmosphere.Witoelar keep on smiling. Especially when next to lunch time.
Blog or weblog entered in publik awareness in 1999 when a California corporation, Pyra Labs, lounced www.blogger.com. It designed as a internet publication sistem. Its work mecanism designed for pleople who not familiar with technology. It rapidly developed. In 2002, peoples can publish teks, picture, voice and video in their blog. Politician who became first blog victim was Trent Lott, chief of Republic Party in American Senate, when his racialist statement, spread in blogs and mailing list. He finally regressed. Blogger also made Howard Dean became black horse in precident of Democrat party candidacy in 2004. Ironically, mainstream media practically not reckon blog.
Blogger flipped and joint with mainstream media during three boms bursted in London July 7 2005. BBC asked blogger help in supplied information, picture and video.BBC moreover gave space, in radio version, television, and web situs, for information who came from citizen.
Briefly, ”Indonesian blogger” maybe have to asked, what their Indonesia? This blogger program staked, one a half month before, not only by Indonesian. Of course there are Enda Nasution, Budi Putra and Gani. But there is Ong Hock Cuan from a public relations corporation Maverick. Ong is former journalis of Asia Times (Bangkok) dan Malaysia citizen. But Ong lived in Jakarta for along time. First time committee met in Maverick office in Jl. Belitung, Jakarta. Ong also diligent blogger.
AirilyWitoelar said, ”We don’t want to computing with Soempah Pemoeda ha ha ha ....”
Ong also help in finding place, sponsors and others. Three big sponsors embraced: Microsoft, Nokia and XL. Thrid of them give Rp 50 million. ”30 million in cash and 20 million in goods,” said Enda Nasution. Beside that, Departemen of communication and information also give full support.
Nasution thanks to sponsors many times. Proper. Without that 90 millions, participant cannot have lunch. Democraticly, when Microsoft quoted, the participant said.... hu hu huuuuu. Likely Microsoft have no much friends from bloggers circle in Mega Blitz.
More than all, from slogan until nationalism, many participant contented whith this program. For instance, Tiara Ischwara, owner of www.lolipops.multiply.com, claimed blog as alternatif media. Tiara chore in Brisbane. He use blog to share story to her family in Jakarta. ”More free to express opinion, more personal,” she said. Tiara in vacatioan in Jakarta when she visited in blogger party.
Blogger like Tiara, maybe, difficult imajined by Muhammad Nuh and Jakarta establishment will make discourage. But blogger like Witoelar, who his television program breideled frequently, in Soeharto era until Yudhoyono era, who can follow indigeneouse blogger track in that California. And discourage mainstream media and rulers.[end]
Indonesian version of this article published in www.pantau.or.id