Pong Harjatmo, Heroic or Unstable?

Pong Harjatmo

First of all, do we hate the members of our "honorable" parliament? Do we love them? Recently a senior celebrity (which I don't know what he is, whether he is an actor, singer, or perhaps composer?), Pong Harjatmo did a vandalism toward the building of Parliament.

Most of the students who are active in politics organization and are active down to the road in order to 'sounding' their opinion would say that Pong has did a heroic act towards the bad reputation and the bad performance the Parliament has. But not me, I put some concern to the politic world too, but in my perspective, what Pong did to the building is an action of vandalism to the building that the funds for maintenance and such came from the society.

Does his action really 'slap' the parliament members like the mass media told us? Nooo... first of all, the police had him caged and now he's being a joke for the parliament people (plus me, with synical humor). Now he's indicated that he has mental problem causing him to act the way he did just hours ago.

My advice, if you really want to 'slap' those honorous parliament members. Just slape them! Like literally! Slap them in the crowd saying how stupid they've been and how impoten they have been. And for my closing! Do think before you act!

Michael Henry and Justin Robinett!

Guys! You should check these guys! Their covers over some songs are just adorable! These are some samples:

Tobacco For Culture, Please?

Lovely Ads Of Anti-Tobacco Movement!

“As long as it’s not smoked, go on!” that would be my answer for the question above. The tobacco case in Indonesia is something I put concern in. Simply because I am a victim of the uninformed-careless-action done by my surrounding. I am or I was a smoker, passive one, and I have experienced difficulties in my youth because my lungs got problematic.

My dad is a real active smoker and never cares about where he smokes and what might cause by his action. And so are the Indonesian people. I have this experience of attending a cultural religious meeting in the village where I live, make it simple, it was a kenduri. I was a pretty early one there and I could choose where I want to take a seat. So I took the outdoor one in order to avoid the smokes these careless people breathed. They insisted me to sit indoor, and told me to sit next to the door after I explained the reason why I chose outdoor. But still, those people breathed smokes in my face. I went home pretty red and sick that night. I mean, after I explained that I cannot stand the smokes of tobacco, they still did smoke and breathed the smokes carelessly unto me!

And then now there’s an issue of tobacco cigar banning. Oh please I’d love that. But the industrial people don’t and lots of farmers’ lives are at stake on this policy of tobacco cigar banning. Are they?

I have thoughts about this problem for years since I was informed that there is this term called passive smokers. Before I can explain about my solution of this complex problem, let’s breakdown what are the problems why tobacco cigar is that hard to be banned.

1.      Tax and Income for the government

I am sure that the willingness of banning tobacco cigar was actually there since long time ago in this republic. But the tax income from cigar is respectably huge and cannot be ignored for such developing country like Indonesia. I believe that some government people think that cigar is an account of asset in the government’s balance sheet. Funny because I thought the tax put into a cylinder of tobacco cigar was purposed to reduce the willingness of people in consuming it. To be underlined, the government put policy for people not to smoke while they still expect people to do it.

Okay then, there is one way to make both things worked! Increase the tax into irrational number! Let say, make a cigar which price is around five hundred Rupiah to be three thousand Rupiah or more. The government got the income from the tobacco tax, the society got the impact in reducing their priority of buying cigars for the expensive price. I don’t know why the government never did this policy. Tell us if you do know!

2.      The addicts matter

The number of active smoker, or lets call it nicotine addict, in Indonesia is respectable. Data from nusantaranews.wordpress.com mention that in 2009 the number of addicts in Indonesia has reached approximately 65 million, or 28%. And most of them are men, which we know, still are the major gender who work and have influences to the system in Indonesia. How can a person who is psychologically not wanting in stop consuming nicotine through tobacco approves the policy that makes him cannot do his hobby…

3.      The social mindset about tobacco

Back to the mindset matter. The social mindset of smoking activity is really complex. But everything is started from the culture of mindset that was formed by the Indonesian environment. I’ll just quote an opinion I have heard from TV, “Indonesia is a heaven for smokers, and a hell in the same time for those who do not smoke!” This is a very true and strong statement of Indonesian condition that is so lack of awareness. Most of Indonesians were raised to say that it is fine to smoke around them, and is rude to complain. Oh, I am living in stupid culture that been cared so much by the addicts. (Honestly I’m in rage while writing this remembering my experience of telling people to not smoke in a room full of non smoker but they do not listen. I am so dead being patience to not tell who they are and where they are from for how much I hate them.)

Now, tell me when a classmate started to light his cigar and blows the smoke right on your face with I’m-the-man-expression. Those smokers who ever did that to me and read this, I hate that and I’ve been strongly holding myself from not slapping yer face. I don’t care if I already know you for years and said, we’re friends.

We really need to change that way of thinking. These people are not civilized people! Not at all!

4.      The religious side

Just for muslim, cause I don’t know about other religions’ policy (yeah, this is a policy in Islam) for smoking cigar, weed, or whatever. Just from my previous statement, do you think that the MUI is a representative of the God who can use their logic about God rule of what is haraam and not? Ask yourself, is cigar haraam or not? I think you will find yourself answering it just like how you answer, is your routine of masturbation activity is haaram or not? What do you think about watching porns? What about lying? Those are clear examples of what is haraam activity, but you were so given what so called intelligence and so much validation you made in your mind about what you did. But the rules have been declared 15 centuries ago and still we reject to make them the norms in our lives. You don’t need the MUI to declare cigar is haraam or a routine masturbation helps you control your cock from wanting pussy. (Dammit! I’m dirty!) You know which one is right, which one is wrong. Grey areas never really exist. Those are in the black with lots of reasoning you made.

5.      The lives of tobacco and clove (cengkeh, Bahasa) farmers

The nature of the farmers is always out of my logic. What makes it so hard for them from not planting tobacco? When cigar is a no more allowed commodity, the price of tobacco will be drop by the demand of it that decreasing. And that way, those former smokers will have extra cash to be spent on other commodities. Weeds for an instance =P. I don’t see any real efforts from those in position to figure out what can be the substitute from planting tobacco and has a better effect to the social and environment.

And the option of doing export! I am sure the world would pay for both clove and tobacco from Indonesia land with high price. The world is always a promising market remembering the food crisis and the demand on herbs and spices that always high. Let’s support for spicier taste of world food!

6.      The cultural aspect

Some people use cigar to neutralize the social awkwardness. And it works! But only when both parties are smokers or those who do not mind being passive smokers. Too bad for me, there are some conditions that forced you in being an idiotic polite being. Have you ever try rejecting cigar or breathing other’s smoke when the ones who smokes are culturally higher than you. Your grandfather for example. Most of the time I did that, they went nuts and mad. Knowing they are wrong but too ashamed to admit that they have been wrong to others for years or even decades.

Now I don’t know what would be my solution to the problem after I break it down my way. Well, I’ll just leave some messages and share my perspective about the culture of tobacco smoking. First, not everyone in this country feels okay for you to smoke around. Most of them are people below 35 years old. Smoke is poison to human body and THAT IS SICKENING THOSE WHO BREATH IT!!!

_______________________

Originally posted here, April 2010

The Ventriloquist

hope there won’t be sue-sue things of my article

This article is my perspective in respond to the sensational future candidate for mayor-leveled election in Kabupaten Pacitan which is Jenifer Lopez, wait no, I mean Julia Perez or Jupe. Seriously, JULIA PEREZ? 

For Indonesian citizens, everybody knows who Jupe is. She’s a celebrity, an artist (singer, actress, and maybe model), who sells, mostly her sexuality looks, on her products. She always appears in sexy looks and wearing mini clothes.

Off topic for definition of sexy from me and my opinions about it. Sexy, consecutively made from sex+y, means that it is something to do with the sex or the genital. Blatantly I will say that sexy is something that arise your sexual desire. By this definition, sexy appearance are then an absolute ban in the muslim culture. Now I have heard so many public figures started to bend the real meaning of sexy into positive perception. If you’re living in Indonesia, I can straightly say, it is wrong to be sexy in public environment!

Now my argument to those who are defensive about sexy is good. Sexy personalities are good. Well, I don’t think so! Starting with separate the term of liking and sexually attracted. I don’t think we need to discuss about those two things, besides I am not that much enthusiastic to do it. Now, people believe that smart thinking people are sexy. I believe on that statement too, but not completely. It adds the sexy side of a person and makes you want this person more, to satisfy your sexual needs (told ya it’s about your genital). But that does not make someone sexy when your eyes are unsatisfied. Pick the ugliest girl/boy in your life, physically ugly! Now think he/she is a smart person. Do you want to f*ck/be f*cked by him/her? (first article and oh, I am so rude!) That’s my point.

Now I want to emphasize my previous statement that Jupe is a sexy celebrity and always want to be judged that way. I am the public and that’s what I can tell from her nature. I want to do quality analysis of her, well just very rough one.

What are the qualities needed for ones to be leader of political and governmental in developing and maintaining a respectable area? I will say intelligence, charisma, courage, wise, honesty and innovative thinking. How many of these qualities Jupe has? I don’t know, at all. But by looking at the ‘audition’ of the future candidate for the election which consisted of Cici Paramida (a singer who just got a case of violence by her ex husband), Sarah Azhari (another sexy celebrity which I don’t know what is she. A model or what, but we all know she has big packages :P), and finally Jupe.

Judging from the other candidates that was going to be registered into the election by Hanura, Partai Gerakan Indonesia Raya, Partai Patriot, Partai Amanat Nasional and Partai Bulan Bintang (which recently PAN withdrew from it), that really is another surprise for me. I mean, they really are looking for celebrities to be a Bupati? Sarah Azhari? Come on! From what I know, this woman is nothing good (morally) for me. Her reputation just by what I see from the media is that she is a party animal, not to mention her countless scandal of ‘such’ pictures. And she’s in for the so called audition! Well, she rejected the offer to be a candidate. Good thing that she knows where her area is. I am not saying that Jupe does not know where her area is, directly. :P

Cici Paramida, I don’t know… She looks like a polite celebrity to me, but to be in with another two such candidates, now I’m questioning her position. Well, back to the qualities, I am not sure that Jupe has what it needs to be a Bupati. What came in my mind is that such weak candidate who always being accompanied from the parties she represents in answering the question looks like a doll, political doll. So, who are the real minds that will lead Pacitan if Jupe won the election? The minds behind her! Is that what a Bupati is? A doll played by a ventriloquist behind it? Or was it not only for Bupati? The President? The governor? Are they all driven by the parties who support them?

Before I close this article, I have to clear things. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t hate Jupe nor dislike her. I actually like her existence in the entertainment world. Not for her sexy looks (well, if I do, that is not my major reason), but how she can go Oh-whatever-they-say to the gossips about her and kept doing what she was doing. And I am afraid that, firstly, the body type of Jupe and Sarah Azhari is not that much favorited by the young generation, but the older ones. And I am afraid that they would be just the political doll, could be sex doll to smooth things up. Now don’t accuse me that I am such a negative thinker, it’s just that I have to tell one possibility. You have another story to tell, then tell us what are the motif behind this sensational selection for Bupati candidate.

Ventriloquist, is an act of in which a person (a ventriloquist) manipulates his or her voice so that it appears that the voice is coming from elsewhere. The act of ventriloquism is ventriloquizing.

 _____________________

Originally posted here, April 2010

Do You Walk Sometimes?

So……………

My mom just got a new motor-cycle (because my Pa bought her). It was Supra X 125R (If I’m not mistaken). And I tried it about two days ago… The experience was a WOW! The current motor-cycle I use is Honda – Astrea Prima (which was stated the best motor cycle made by Honda “kaskus.com”). So, I experienced a huge different comparison of speed from an old motor-cycle with a brand new one. It was a speed test I did along the way from Jalan Kaliurang KM 12 to KM 7. The acceleration was extraordinary (since my ordinary was 60 kmph in ± 500 meters).

That time I was realized why so many people could say that “speed is one favorite toy for boys”. Yeah… I was one who is not familiar with speed as a toy. Not even when I was a boy… Maybe there is time for every boy to have the characteristic of man.

Eh… then, the title was about walking… so here you go…

Yesterday, the motor-cycle of my dad got tire leak. And bla… bla… bla… I have to pick him up by using the Colt (local term to call the Mass Transport). I was amazed sitting in it looking outside the window. The view that I passed through everyday but never really look at them. So once again, I was amazed by the view that I passed everyday….

I was go down for about ± 1 kilometer from the site. I walked…. Believe me… you should try to abandon your vehicle sometime and take a walk. You’ll be amazed (just like me) how beautiful your surrounds could be…
Last message (Indonesian saying) …

“Gajah di pelupuk mata tak tampak,

kutu di seberang lautan terlihat jelas.”

*you don’t see an elephant right in front your eyes, while you can see a bug across the sea clearly.*


Originally posted here, January 2009

Corruption, The Culture of Indonesians?

It happened just in front of my own nose and there is nothing I can do. I hate myself for doing nothing about it and just let my self taken along in it. The first experience of me, in corrupting (this is my confession for all of those who did the same), was in the Junior High School. You know that the pocket money of a student just never enough? At least it happens to me. And I am sure that you know how teens want to get more attention from their peers by being and acting exclusive (I feel stupid already)?

So, to get the image that I came from one wealthy family, I should have enough pocket money and enough spending to support (give result) the image. And how did I find the financial source for the project? I found the opportunity to raise additional pocket money from the semester books expenses (I know I try to make it Economic-like). The proposals that received by the Financial Department (read = my mother) for books purchasing was lifted for about IDR 500 to 1,500 for LKS and upward IDR 5,000 for text books. Just for your info, an additional of IDR 500 for a week is a premium additional for my pocket (the daily pocket money back then was IDR 500/school day), but today, the pocket money of an elementary school student who still in the 2^nd grade has reached IDR 10,000 per day. What a waste of money….

Well, that was my first attempt of corruption (which kept happening until I graduated from High School). Being honest, telling you what happened in my past beside it is a little embarrassing, it just lifted my mood up from the hate of corruption habit. So the second paragraph could tell you how the corruption was being crystallized with the daily life of us (do not be worry or hesitant, I represent all of us) or in Englished-Bahasa, bleed and fleshed (mendarah daging, Bahasa).

So, the main reason why I write it is that I cannot keep it just in my mind about what have happened around me. The first experience of mine in corruption act toward the society system was my bike-driving license (SIM C). Different with others, how I managed to get my driving license was by nembak (bribing, local term); and by doing it all I have to do in the Police Dept was get in the line for having my face captured by the camera there and went home without a single touch to the field where the real test held.

Another experience was when I lost my wallet and made the report for it. Just after I finished reported what I lost and everything the officer asked me, he then asked me for administration fee.

When I asked him “Berapa, Pak? (How much it cost, Officer?)”

He answered, “Seikhlasnya saja… (Up to you…)”

I got confused for 5 seconds and nodded for a sign of understanding, and then grope a piece of IDR 10,000 in my pocket. Me and my uncle were looked each other and smiled for couple seconds in the way out from the office.

That was another contribution of mine toward the corruption in the society system. And believe me, since that experience I have promised my self not to have any businesses with the policemen (anyone?) to avoid from me giving more contributions toward the corruption in the society systems.

The recent that just happened and made me write this was about the distribution of LPG and the gas-stove for the government program of gas conversion. So the story began couple months ago.

There were 2 pieces of paper to be filled with data in our house for the economic power and the usage of gas, petrol or firewood. I filled the data with the real condition in my house that we do not need any free gas or gas stove from the government because we have the capability. But then when my mother’s brother (simply, my uncle) came and checked them up, he said that I should not filled them that way or we will not received the free LPG and gas stove. When I argued that we do not need that and that was not our right, he told me that even the family who are more prosperous than us still received it. I told him that is not right. That day, the decision was, we will skip the opportunity.

The other day with about 1-2 months interval from the forms rejection, 2 other forms came to the house (fyi, the house inhabitants are holding two family group, Dad’s and Grandpa’s). The courier told us to submit them in the next day. The same act was done to not submit them so we will not accept the program in our house.
I do not know how, but yesterday I found 3 kg LPG in the kitchen and just this morning found the mini gas stove. So I asked my mom and she told me that we still received them though we did not asked to. I asked her to put it back and return them. But I still heard the resistant in her voice. To act the right here, in this case, will give you the image of hypocrite between people in the society. I guess that was why there still some resistant in her voice agreeing my suggestion.

What do you think? Can we really eliminate the corruption? The society said that they want the corruptor to get the dead penalty while in the same time they said that they want to cut their head off? In my opinion, the biggest contribution of corruption is not from the people who they called mice in tie (tikus berdasi, Bahasa term), but from the society who support these mice to corrupt with the expectation they will get benefits from it.
Gosh, when do we will really be a free independent nation?



Originally posted here, January 2009

Kids Today, Grown Ups Tomorrow!

Honestly, I’m afraid with the future of this country (d’oh what is it, buddy?). In the last couple days, I’m afraid that the kids are now being involved to what the adults think the kids need. “To help people with what they need, not with what you think they need” quoted from Chris Rock’s wife (Malaak something-forgot her name) in the premier show of Big Give. That was what brought me to this writing.

Just two days after the Obama’s winning event, a Kindergarten in Bandar Lampung brought the kids to the book store to hear the story and to dream the living of Obama when he was still in Indonesia. A group of junior high school students and their teacher made a collection of signatures in a cloth with their messages on how much they support Obama. And what I cannot believe to hear, they sang a song that adores Obama.

Now, is it pretty clear or I’m just being a paranoiac once again? These children of Indonesia were contaminated with the thoughts of irresponsible adults to adore some guy from US who ever lived in Indonesia in a short term and now is a President of US. A great achievement for Obama, I admit that myself. But these kids should get the thoughts of the greatness of our nations, our people, cultures and themselves.

They are now huge TV watchers and believe on it so much. And what I have found recently were that TV shows today are weakening the nationalism of the young generation. The disappointed testimonials and opinions of people for what our nation faces now made things worse.

Couple weeks ago, some students of elementary school made some writing in sheets of paper that they criticize the marriage of 12 years old girl with an adult. Now think (or imagine, whatever), do you really think that came from elementary school’s student to held it? I believe they were just driven by their teacher’s persuasion which has been proved works on kids. You may tell me it was an idea made by 10 years old girl to do it. Is that girl alright? A kid does not have to think about the marriage of 12 years old girl and how will it impacts her life. A kid should questions about what he can do to be the center of attention in class, or to be a hero like in the cartoon he watches every Sunday morning.

So now kids are tools to sounds the feelings of people who take the responsibility in their educational lives? I’m trying not to say yes to it. Those were just maybe a media for the teachers to teach the students about sympathy and faith of reaching something. But I cannot agree with that method they use. There are times and phase of growing people to digest and learn things. Not to force them with our faith, but to crystallize them with our big 5 ideology (what can be more beautiful than Pancasila?). To let them understand and perceive things with these ideologies, then guide them when they got lost or perceive from the wrong perceptions.

Men, I’m afraid that this country is impossible to be saved. I still have a faith that I will experience the glorious Indonesia in my lifetime. I believe that I was educated well and I believe it just about time when the youngsters show their teeth. But with these some events happened, will there be more people in the future who want to have their life abroad? Let us wish that Indonesia is the best life people could get in the universe tomorrow. Amien.


Originally posted here, November 2008

Designing Orientation & Introduction Event

So, the students of my years just held an event to welcome and prepare the new students of year 2008 in International Program (IP) of FE UII to study in International way. Its name is Study Preparation Program (SPP) with the theme Pearlsonal Treasure. This is an annual event that the committees are from the students of the new student’s previous year (the youngest seniors).

Some stated that this event is a tool or medium to prove the quality of making events to the previous students (we are forbid to call them senior). Others said that it is a useful event to introduce the IP family to the new members of the family. But for me, this event is purposed to impress the new students of how lucky they are now, members of the prestigious program in the Faculty. And also to raise the prides and loves for the International Program.

In this event, we had a talk show with our alumnus who have been success and around here somewhere, invited the foreign students of Australia to have discussion about culture, and introduced the new students to the internal organizations of Faculty of Economics in UII and our IP neighbors from Faculty of Law and Faculty of Industrial Technology UII. There were also live music from the bands of IP FE UII, fast breaking together with the guesses, and Fireworks Party in the end of the event.

While in other Faculties, Universities, or Schools, people use different type of approaches to the new members in the institution. Most Faculties and High Schools in Jogjakarta, they held the Orientation & Introduction Event/Party a la military. They gave the new students tasks to bring some attributes that are hard to made and find (sometimes they even put some word-traps) to give pressure; and finally that the committees could punish them (they changed the word “hukuman” means punishment into “pembinaan” which means guiding, to give a more ears-friendly-effect) in their defected or imperfect attributes. Also when they did something that doesn’t fit with the senior’s values, the “pembinaan” will be given to them.

And then, in the last day of the a la military Orientation Event/Party, the committees will welcome the new students with happy face and hugs (maybe). And with all of the tiring experiences from the new students in obeying what their seniors asked them to, the relieved feelings (that the event finally over) are well-used by the committees to create the excitement. Instead of paying revenge for what they have been through and what the seniors have done to them, what the new students do are joining the celebration party which forced by the seniors with their “loving expressions”.

Beside of those two types of orientation & introduction events (welcoming party and a la military) for the new students; there is also another kind of orientation event that called MOS (Masa Orientasi Siswa) or Students Orientation Time. This event is a combination of seminars and introduction to the new environment of the institution. But most of the committees, who are responsible to design which type of orientation & introduction event to be held, considered this event as a boring event. Since MOS is a must-held event in Jogjakarta’s High Schools, some always held more than one orientation event in a month for the new students.

Me, who have ever experienced three of them, will analyze the psychological impacts in me for the first two kinds of orientation & introduction events (welcoming party and a la military) to the new students. And to help you design what to do in the event to get the psychological effects we want.

Use my first experience of participating an a la military orientation & introduction event in my High School (SMA 9 Yogyakarta) which is called PARSSI (I’m not sure what is this letters stand for). In the going home time, we, the new students, were surprised and shocked being harsh-mannered (orally) by our new seniors. When they came in to the classes, they opened the door pretty rudely and successfully made the frightening impression to us. They read the tasks for the next 2 days (the impressing day was on Saturday) as fast as they could and gave us 3 chances to get 3 tasks being repeated.

The events that happened in PARSSI, how we reacted to the “pembinaan”s the seniors gave to us, the memory of how I made the Chief Committee cried (Sorry, Kak Eci), and other memories about it always made me smile. Even I can still remember the nickname I got from one of the senior because I can’t hold my self from laughing. It’s fun if I reminisce that time, but to experience it again I will say no as soon as I can.

Those proved although they were not a nice things to do, they will still become our sweet memories. And how they become sweet memories was because there were loves and loyalty born for the name of my High School. But unfortunately, these memories became sweet memories not because of the event itself. They were becoming sweet memories since I lived the school life with lots of addition to the proud points of becoming a student of SMA 9 Yogyakarta. So, during the time in living the school life, students started to love the school. Just like that and with this love, it is enough to turn embarrassing memory become a sweet memory.

Honestly, the only advantage I felt from PARSSI was the unification of the class inhabitants. My classmates and I felt being oppressed by the seniors during the PARSSI and it brought us to help each other, know each other, and protect each other. The celebration in the last day (Sunday) which done by water throwing and yelled the informal name of the High School (GANZA) didn’t brought us the pride of being a new member of the institution. It only works to repair the relationship between seniors and juniors. From this event, the united feeling in a class is growing strong, but then you will consider the other classes as your competitors, not family. It proved by the culture of creating a name for each class that inherited by the alumnus.

Then, the Study Preparation Program which now the welcoming party’s atmospheres were thicker. The theme of SPP I participated was Metamorphoself, with the objective to morph the new students into better international qualified students. Unfortunately, I didn’t found any program in it that functions to equip us into International Qualified students. There were boring seminars and lots of games to relate between the students of 2006 and 2007. And of course, there were no harsh-mannered acts done during the event.

Lots of delightful and delicious snacks & meals during the program that time. Guess stars (White Shoes and the Couple Company) were invited to come in, saying hello, and sing couple songs for us. Then in the late time of the event, we were being blindfolded and dragged to a place to watch the Fireworks party that was made to welcome us. I don’t know but in that time, suddenly I felt that I chose the right nice place. All I can remember, all of the programs in the SPP that time were complimenting the International Program.

There were times when we have the lunch and dinner together, some of us even experienced food sharing with the committees. There were really no limitations for us to be in the middle of the peers. What I’m talking about is the No-Seniority-Culture we have. So we experienced a party, the feelings of being welcomed and accepted, and have a new family. Plus, there was no feeling of unification from just my year students. I don’t get any feelings that we have to prove our quality to the seniors. Don’t get any feelings that the best choice to start having a friend is from your same year’s peers. It was not a perfect event I can say it, but it was succeed making us being the part of the family.

So, which types will you choose. The effects is depend on how you combine the things I have wrote above. When you need you juniors respect you as a senior for them but not give them strange feelings in their new school, do the welcoming party but keep the space between the committees and the participants. Be in the middle of the participants when they need you, not because you want to show them how friendly you are. Build moments to make them feel that the new environment is theirs and show them how good the committees are.

Well, there are lots things to combine to get another different psychological impact. Hopes this article could helps you out designing the orientation event for your new juniors. Post your experiences about the orientation & introduction events you ever have and the impacts to your life in that environment.

Originally posted here, September 2008

Multicultural Education in Indonesia

We know Indonesia, a nation with its rich cultures. It is because we are an archipelago and in most of the islands, the people came from the different cultural background. The Javanese with their values and other tribes in Indonesia sometimes got conflicts in their daily life because they face some different aspects. Well, it is pretty confusing since what I’m trying to say here is “How do we develop love and peace into our heterogenic society without given the culture up?“

I can’t mention any country which has been successful in educating their people to respect the different between the people and to protect their culture also. Not even in United States. Let say, that in US, every races in the World are there too; African, European, Asian, Latin, Indian, etc. And the most familiar thing in my ears is about black and white community there (separate).

People in the US could appreciate between the black people and white people, but sure nobody will deny that there are no conflicts in it. The community of black, even there are a language that maybe only the black people know it. How did these communities born? I guess this is the same thing with what in Indonesia happened. They re-group and bound by the race limitation, the pride of being a white, black, latin, asian, or else is what they defend later on.

The confrontation, conflicts, and crash between importances on each side bring what people then call racist. Or sometimes these racist things were caused by the dislike of people for other races looks (or appearance). Undeniable, in Indonesia racists is a common thing but is masked with the ethic codes that applied in the culture. And some races wars were happened, even in this last decade.

I just learned Civic Education and State Philosophy in this Special Semester. I found lots of things that Indonesian should develop. I mean the intention of Indonesia to be a big nation, to be a nation that the world should consider. So, this actually what brought me into this topic. To unify the differences here in Indonesia.
I asked my lecturer once, “What was happened in United States with lots of races live in a city is that they could live in peace. No such conflicts between black, white, asian or others. But what we should concern is the fact that they had their culture unify, don’t have their own identity. And in other cities, what happened were the opposite. Chinese people live in their own community, black people live in their hood, and white people live in their community too. And in these cities, people between races mock each other. So, which for us to choose to be a nation with united people without leaving their cultural identity?”

Easily, some people say respect is the most easy answer for this case. But it can’t happen when we are in a major level (or aggregate level I should say). Indonesian taught about respect between each others but this respect gone so fast when they face their fellow got problem with another race, they will use the power of the race itself and build a races war.

Look at the high schools students. Even between high schools, they can’t get along well. Throwing rocks into each other school’s students and forgetting their study purposes. These students, were taught about respecting another and their unique characteristic. To belong with them and complete each other for the plus and minus. To create a solid team. But no, rather than respect, pride from the peers is much important.

Who to blame then? The government, the education system, the parents, the society, or me? No, who we should blame are persons who realized this already and do nothing about it. Don’t care about it and with their so-habitual-careless-and-depend-on-other-will-take-care-about-it mind, they leave it. This thing, happened for generations and like a natural-heritage and genetic problem. Then problem that unsolved, grew up bigger and bigger until they then blame the government or others. Whereas the case, the main problem is right in front of their nose and they’re just blind and stupid enough to realized and being aware about it.

I do realized that I’m pretty emotional in this writing. My high-school experience really influenced me. Well, what then you will say when you know the fact that being involved in the gang fight between schools is a prestige in their eyes. The fact that involved and up to date about what was happened to the last fight is one thing to do to avoid from getting the nerd brand. That these students think they are the coolest and the frontline troops to defend their school. From what? I’m confident and emotional enough to say that they defend it from their own stupidity.

It just an example of how identity could bring such stupid thing. I mean the identity that forced to them, to be pride on the identity that they don’t know what is it. So, this is a choice I offer to you since teaching respect now, doesn’t work at all.

1. To given up our cultural identity and live in love and peace of the all societies.
   
2. To defend our cultural identity, live in love and peace, and faced the conflicts between societies.
   

My not-so-smart-taking-attention-lecturer told me, “A better Multicultural Education should be applied today in this globalization era, where the people will face more strangers, more strange values the strangers will bring, more conflicts if they still haven’t applied the better Multicultural Education”, okay so I add 70% of what she said. Because I forgot the exact answer(which unsatisfying me for real).

Are we ready yet? To apply this and figure it out? What kind of education system for our nation that could bring us to be a big nation. A real Independent nation.
Freedom my friends, let scream the freedom word and let the spirit of freedom flew in our blood to bring the better nation.

MERDEKA, INDONESIA! MERDEKA!!!!


Originally posted here, August 2008

Foods For Thought

Maybe, GOD wants us to meet a few of the wrong people before meeting the right ones.

So, when the right ones come along, we’ll know how to be grateful and thankful for the gift.

When one door of happiness closes,another opens.
But often we stare so long at the closed door that…
We’ll soon realize that the open door, for however long it was opened, is now closed too.

There are moments in life when you really miss someone.
And you wish you could just pluck them from your dreams…
And just hug him or her for real!

If someone loves you, love them back.
If someone hurts you, love them back unconditionally…
The irony is not that love hurts sometimes,
it’s the fact that the cut of each is felt equally as deep.

The best kind of friend is the one that you could sit on a porch and swing with,
and never say a word…
Then get up and walk away feeling like it was the best conversation you’ve ever had.

It’s also true that we never know what we’ve been missing until something or someone else arrives.
It’s true that we never know what we’ve got until we lose it…

A careless word may kindle strife.
The cruel word usually wrecks a life.
Timely words help level stress…
But, it’s loving words that heal and bless.

The happiest of people don’t necessarily have the best of everything in life…
Perhaps they’re just good at making the best of most everything that life brings along their way.

Tender moments aren’t really tender at all.
They are some of the few times…
When things like pride and gender are swallowed and we allow ourselves emotional, spiritual, and physical happiness.

It hurts to love someone and not be loved in return.
It’s even more painful to love someone and…
Never find the courage to let that person know just how it is you feel.

Never say goodbye if you still want to try.
Never give up when there’s hope to go on.
Never say you don’t love them…
If you know that you’re the one that can’t let go.

You’ve experienced true love if:
you’ve taken away the feelings, taken away passion, and taken away romance…
Only to find that after all that, you still care!

Giving love is no assurance love will be returned. So don’t expect it.
Wait for it to grow in the other’s heart…
Just in case it doesn’t, be content in knowing that the love was able to grow in yours.

If you have GOD in your life,food on your table, a roof over your head, clothes on your back,
reasonable income and, love and faith in your heart…
Be happy and glad. For anything else that life can offer is nothing more than La-La.

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This poem I got from my best fella, Atlas Marquee. It helped me a lot when I faced my problems and hope it will helps you too...

Originally posted here, August 2008

Indonesian Identity in the Globalization Era

The globalization era has come and forced Indonesia to come and join the party. As anything else in the world, they always have good and bad impacts to something. Not to mention the globalization too. In the positive side, globalization will forced Indonesians to be more motivated for their businesses, kept the technology and methods updated, compete directly with the international’s, and gave them the free tickets to sell their products abroad. But, are-Indonesians-ready-to-apply-all-those-things are where the negative side took part. How about from the Indonesian’s eastern culture side, which even our people do not give a real proud on it, survival’s chance?

Bhinneka Tunggal Ika, unity in differences, that is the whole idea of how Indonesian culture looks like. Indonesia is a nation that known by the world society who kept so many differences in its aspects of the people, such as race, religion, language, tribe, etc. What makes Indonesia interesting in the world society is that each of the people in their regions should defend and nurture their own traditional culture, meaning to say that this will make Indonesia become so rich about the culture, with so many tribes and races here in Indonesia.

We believe that by defend and nurture our culture, we will keep our identity as a part of Indonesia exist. And to keep it, the seniors should really give great attention to the young generation for them to continue on nurturing our culture and values. Basically, the tasks is belong on the young generation and the olds have the obligation to give observation. And it was happened until late 90s. But, when the globalization era started to develop in our country, lots of our youngster also started to got influenced by the cultures around the world. What were actually happened to them?

Television becomes one good effective informative media but also offers lots of new values for the people who watch it. One missed and slipped education what our parents did was that they forgot to teach the youngster their own traditional identity, e.g. traditional culture. And the combination from two things above is what makes the young generation today could look ahead forgetting their own life values and giving much more appreciation to the foreign values and foreign cultures. They didn’t get their needed self confident for their real identity when facing the world and the result is they look upon it on television programs or internet.

Can we count how many communities that provide a place for Japanese freaks to learn and mastered the Japanese cultures in just Jogjakarta? Compare it to the communities that provide a place for people to learn the Javanese’s. I’m not sure that the big number will goes into 2:1, instead the Javanese communities have a bigger number. It happened in Jogjakarta and what about another city which is not traditional city like Jogjakarta? The interesting fact when you meet Indonesians who learned and appreciate the foreign culture more than the way they appreciate to the local culture is that they proud for what they have achieved and proud for the culture that does not belong to them.

Does it sound stupid? In my opinion, yes and it explains one thing; we have lost one the challenges of globalization for the young people. And the facts that we are not prepared enough to defend and nurture our real identity in front of the world society.

People realized that in the globalization era, we are forced to observe and judge from the frame of international values. But people should also realize that we have the freedom, since we are an independent nation, to think and conduct based on our values. What the government has done when they defend the image of Indonesia by considered the international values on their couple late decisions were became the guides and permissions for the people to execute the same things. It does not give Indonesian respect as Indonesian, but as another people in the world. We do not more have the identical code as Indonesian since we done everything just like how people in the world done it. No more innovation or a la Indonesian . And that are how international people now could easily judge how weak Indonesian values been all this long.

And now what can we do, while today we already face the globalization. Will we keep our identity as Indonesian or just be another people in the world? The answer is on us, not just to aware and realize, but to conduct and appreciate the values and cultures as our identity no matter how the international society think, since we knew it already that we cannot develop the people if this kind of thought still stuck in our mind. We are Indonesians and we will be Indonesian.

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It was made for my relative's orientation task!

Originally posted here, July 2008.

Better Transportation System for Indonesia?

 It's my first English essay... An assignment for Bridging Program Class which I got 78 for it... Lame, I know... Well, enjoy!

How to Turn Them to Public Transportation

It is about our traffic condition. We can look outside, on the street, even Jogjakarta is not a commercial or industrial city, the traffic now becomes a silly phenomenon. People prefer to use their motor-cycle to buy a pack of cigarette in a kiosk two hundred meters away from their home than just do it on their foot. Hundreds of motor-cycles purchased every year for teenagers who just have their age 16 for their ride to the school. We know that it is not the condition we want for our future. We always dream about swift traffic without any jam in every path of our roads. In this essay, I want to share my ideas how to turn people to use the public transportation rather than purchasing new vehicles for their private transportation.

And what are the things that make Indonesians love to use their own vehicles until even to go to a kiosk two hundred meters away they should use their motor-cycle? Or why people in Jakarta prefer to use their cars and very defensive to keep traveling with their cars no matter the traffic jam holds them for hours on the street.

The first one is the comfortable feelings and the privacy when they are in their cars. They do not have to stand up when the buses is out of seat, do not have to smell other people’s sweat, do not have to get crowded by people who is not in their class and do not have to worry about being picked pocket. Lots of Indonesians, rich people and teenagers to be more specific, they felt that to use buses as their transportation to their schools or workplaces is embarrassing.

Second is about the service provided by the public transportation itself. If I take a case on Trans-Jakarta, the buses are pretty often arrived lately on the bus stop. On some bus stops, the interval of the buses coming to the bus stops is about 30 minutes or more. And when the bus finally arrived, the persons who have waiting for 30 minutes could get their self running out for a space in the bus. Another fact, there were some people who have tried Trans-Jakarta for their first time took new learn that made them not to use the Trans-Jakarta again. It was because the driver drives the bus without taking care about the passengers’ safety and the driver’s assistant behaves pretty rude and impolite to the passengers.

Third is about the efficiency that uncovered by using public transportation. It means that the purposes of cheap and efficient transportation that brought by public transportation does not achieved. It is because the current public transportation is still away from some areas and sometimes it takes more money to use the public transportation than using private transportation. If I take my own case as an example, I live at Jalan Kaliurang KM 12 and to reach the University, I have to change the bus once. For each time I use the service, I have to pay about two thousand rupiahs and to be in the University I will spent four thousand to five thousand rupiahs. While with that amount of money I can use it for purchase fuel that I can use for two days.

Four is that the fuel price in Indonesia is too cheap and a lot of motor-cycle Companies give people easy and light credit to purchase new motor-cycle. Everyone could purchase fuel and motor-cycle; and it creates great pollutant for the Indonesian environment. No matter you are a rich person or poor person, you could purchase your own ride to go anywhere you want to go. The different is that the richer people have much more vehicles than the poor. Let say, a car for a family member is not rare to find in Jogjakarta. And these things support bad lifestyle of Indonesian people. A lifestyle that exalting on prestige and wasting energy.

If we line up two cases from four reasons why people do not want to use the public transportation, I can say that the current public transportation is failed to fulfill the needs of the society. Then why do I want to change people’s habits from use their private transportation to public transportation, while the public transportation itself does not cover the needs of the society?

There are some reasons that should forced people to use the public transportation or to be on their foot for 15 – 20 minutes. From the efficiency that the industries and commerce need in the distribution to the global warming cases. People should realize how much they took part on obstructing some fails of national Industry and bad parts of heating up the earth. People say they realized that we have to do this and that but what they will do does not imply their own words, and they will keep blaming the government. Then these are what we need to do.

First is to increase the fuel price for private transportation purposes as high as possible. Let say that today’s world oil price is US $ 125 per barrel. Then the government should imply this price plus 10% of this price for the private transportation fuel. And the price for fuel in Indonesia will be US $ 137.5 per barrel. But, this price is only applied for the private transportation; and the government should implying different price for public transportation vehicles, distribution cars and sailors to avoid the society suffers from increasing price on goods. Sure the number of private transportation on the road will decrease so high. And to avoid from subsidized-fuel-smuggling, the government should build or change the function of some SPBU (Gas Station) in Indonesia become special SPBU which will serves people who use fuel for industry and makes reports for each vehicle or everyone who purchase in the special SPBU as a control system.
Second is to increase tax for using vehicles which need BBM (refined fuel oil) for their energy. And what I mean by increasing the tax is not just 10% or 30%, but 200%, this will makes car as an exclusive vehicle that owned by the rich.

Then if we are talking about Indonesian transportation, we can not separate it from motor-cycle. Motor-cycle in Indonesia has become a phenomenon. Indonesia is a country where its demand for motor-cycle is very high and attracts a lot of company to build their Factories in Indonesia. And why were Indonesians become so addicted to motor-cycle, while people in another country pull motor-cycle aside because of its safety level. It is because they are cheap, and the companies who produce it offered so many crediting programs to purchase a new motor-cycle. Then everyone in Indonesia will have a motor-cycle and if you have a time to check how many accidents happened in Indonesian roads that caused by motor-cycle riders you will see at least three digits number in Java and Sumatra provinces per months. And motor-cycle riders is the greatest donator for traffic infraction in Indonesia.

By knowing some facts about motor-cycle in Indonesia above, I have to say that the government should do something about it before we lost the youngsters on the road. One thing that is crucial is to delete light credit program which offered by those companies who produce motor-cycle in Indonesia. Next is to raise the annual tax or to add the frequency for motor-cycle owner to pay tax. An example, once in every two months. To ban motor-cycle using in the major roads in Indonesia is a good program to be applied.

Next thing to do is to provide a good public transportation system which will covers every area with reachable price. And the government should purchase some new buses to provide the society for safety and comfortable feelings. Where do they will get the money? They will get the funds from the profit they got from selling the fuel for those who use the private transportation. And this is what I call subsidy for the poor from the rich.

And one other thing to do is that the government should realized that there are lots of player in public transportation business that purchase the fuel as like they purchase it as private transportation. An example, we can see it from ojek services. That’s why the government should provide them a work field. Because since the government provide public transportation that easy to reach for every people, means that the ojek services is no more necessary and people who work in this field will lose their job. And for a short-term run, the government could convert them to be people who work in the public transportation.

Since this program series feels like a “reculturation” for people to go back to public transportation and get use with their own foots. The government should once again look after the facility for the walkers, such as the sidewalk and the shady trees along the road. And with cooperation with the Police Department, we could try what the policemen do in another country. They hang around on the sidewalk and socialism with the people and make sure everything is doing fine. I believe if they could do this, the bad image that is given to the policemen will disappears by time.

If we think when the program has been done and obeyed by the society, it is lovely to picture it. Imagine when the road is only passed 100 cars every minute and the sidewalk now become wider and lots of walkers on it. While on the jalur lambat we can see lots of bike riders and the separation between it and the road is planted with trees. Then when we walked to the next crossroad we can see a policeman showing direction to a bike rider. Free and smooth way for the industrial and commercial purposes, light polluted air to breaths, warm temperature with shady sidewalk along the road. Aren’t those what we want? So, let’s start use the public transportation that already provided by the government for us. In the next months Jogjakarta will be dominated with Trans-Jogja and use it as our commitment to help Indonesian Economy and our Earth too.

References:
cs_1912. “Busway vs Kendaraan Pribadi”. November 6th 2007. June 7th 2008
D, Maria. “Kamu memilih yang mana?”. Yahoo! Answers. May 31st 2008. June 7th 2008
Wapedia-Wiki. June 7th 2008.
Soemardjan, Rani. “Hasil Survey Biaya Hidup”. Chaerani. March 20th 2008. May 28th 2008.
Nugraha, Yadi. “Transportation : Traffic Warns+Pollution+Energy Consumption [?”.Yudi Nugraha. January 22nd 2008. June 7th 2008.
Manalu, Ecko. “Analisisku Mengenai Kenaikan BBM di 2008”. WikiMu.02-01-2008. June 7th 2008.
puskompublik_dephub. “TINGGINYA HARGA BBM DI AS TAK KURANGI MINAT UNTUK PERJALANAN JAUH”. Departemen Perhubungan Republik Indonesia. June 8th 2008. June 7th 2008.
“Subsidi BBM Rp103,98 Triliun Berpotensi Salah Sasaran”. ANTARA. May 12th 2008. May 28th 2008.
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Hahahaha……. what a lame………
Hum……. hopes the government will read this one…. If the vehicle companies read it… I don’t care! hooho….

Originally posted here, June 2008