Last nite, when facing traffic jam on my way home I had a small talk with the cab driver. It’s been three times though the same subject mentioned with the same tone. They miss the old Suharto’s regime. Not surprisingly, they were all talking about how situation were much better during those days and how much development and prevalent economical welfare felt by the people on ‘almost’ every class. They were stressing about the stabilized national security and feeling of patriotism upheld in high esteem by all. Granted that the freedom was ‘slightly’ compromised but they recognized that as sacrifice they’re willing to take instead of real chaos and total indignity they see these days.
To be honest I was a bit stunned, because I remember it very well, marching with thousands of other protestors during those 1998 period. At that moment what we’re fighting for seems so true and worthy. The regime that’s in power for more than 32 years was deemed to be the source of suffering to the non-bourgeoisie class and the nest of collusion, corruption, and nepotism throughout the administration. Human rights violation in the shape of abduction and suppression of anyone who dare to speak different was beginning to be the focus of rage within the nation.
The powers that be decided that reformation was needed. Preluded by a horrific riot in plenty of business districts, the reformation took place. The regime stepped down and reinstated by one of the crony, although not long after that, the people choose themselves another leader in the shape of Gus Dur, followed by Megawati, and the first time ever Indonesian people able to choose their own leader from a so called ‘the most democratic election ever’ put Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in RI-1 throne.
What do we have now? Consider the economic growth on 1995, the real GDP grew on average by 8% annually (albeit slightly misleading because it was ‘allegedly’ measured with pretense parameters), while now is a modest 3% and not looking to rise anytime soon. The price is hiking up, Rupiah is still franticly unstable, our ‘honorable’ elected parliament fighting like a bunch of thugs in front of national television, corruption is even more rooted in every corner, crime is as high as ever with bombs and massive riot ready to explode at any time, I could go on forever but it’s getting depressing.
The things is, back then even though the number of corruption was indeed high, yet it seems there’s a certain chain of command, there are little fishes, tunas, sharks, and sitting atop was the smiling killer whale. Like for example, the mayor won’t be richer (more corrupt) than the governor, and the governor bow to the minister, furthermore all of them didn’t take more money than the King and his royal family ties. Now it seems that they are all competing each other, to be a local king of their own and taking as many cake as possible leaving the poor dead and starving (anyway, incase you didn’t notice, it’s just a tongue in cheek expression).
I wonder whether the ‘reformation’ in our collective mind was a country without technocrats? Where the younger generation all budding to become celebrities instead of engineers? Become raunchy models instead of scientists? Become dodgy entertainers instead of teachers? Where naked pictures and sex scene considered art? Hugging and kissing in public places considered human rights (Well, it IS probably, I’m not going to use a moral high ground on this one, because at one point I might be just as guilty)?
What does it mean? Are the students and the people in the wrong by doing the protests that escalated into the fall of Suharto in 1998? Is the condemned regime right after all by saying that in order for the country to develop its economy, there needs to be a stability and a Gestapo-like act is indeed required? Are these fellow cab drivers and probably millions (?) other who share the same feeling stating the truth? I dare not even try to contemplate about it.
Or maybe it’d be better if we just move on, try our best living our life and level of involvement (be it in politics or social) the way we want it, within the boundaries of our principle and just hoping, that some day, some how, Indonesia will get better in time.
Here, here, mate.
ReplyDeleteWhy, thank you Mbak Ayu :)
ReplyDeleteReading the journal once more it sounded very bleak and murky.
I might turn into one of those politicians we all love to hate with the above cliches :D
Thank God it's friday tho' ... have to cheer my self up during the weekend.
I think we have to face that, want it or not, each one of us change everyday into something different at an accelerated speed.Since the 1998 period, we were being reborn again. New values and norms are emerging from this society that's been kept too long under a blanket of falseness, created by the Soeharto regime.And as you know, It is also the cause in this country's failed attempts to rebuild its collapsing economy. Unlike other countries in South-East Asia, our attempts in rebuilding the economy are based on false database from the Soeharto era, which makes it almost an impossible task.
ReplyDeleteThe whole blanket doesn't just cover the economical aspects, it also covers others, like for instance, culture and education. Many of us were told of high ideals,and virtues, of how wealthy our country are, that the people lives happily all over the regions. We were also told to obey and believe whatever the government have told us despite the facts (which were told as 'slanders'). So when the monetary crisis hits, which leads to the reformation in 1998, it hit us harder than any other country, because as a nation, we were living on a false reality.
Even now, this false reality still exist everywhere. For some it's hard to believe that our country is one of the poorest in the world when, for example, they got good educations and a good job that pays top money, they're driving an expensive car and live on a plush apartment, while enjoy shopping in an extravagant mall every day. On the other hand, many other people, who where subjected to live below the standards of living, only sees this on sinetrons and gossip shows that blatantly exploit the lives of the rich and famous. The only way out of this pit of poverty is education, but not many of them can afford it, so they were trap in a vicious cycle without given a chance. The richer getting richer, and the poorer got even worse.
While all this happens, the availability of technology opens the flood gate of information that have been hold back since a long time ago. Now almost everyone can find out about almost everything through cable tv, the internet, dvd, etc. This caused a stir on every social community. And for a community that's been living under a false blanket for too long, this is dangerous. Everything that they've known have been questioned. Some become ignorant and live on their own world, the other seek refuge on the norms and values, that's based on a skewed perception, thanks to the false reality.
So i think the only way out is to carefully understand the changes that are happening with open mindedness, while also respecting other people's understanding of it, and based on that, slowly enshroud the falseness once and for all.
Sorry for submiting so many words.. i guess i was just too 'cerewet' heheheh
Some naked pictures and sex scene CAN be considered as art, but not all. For instance, the reliefs on the lowest part of Borobudur (still buried, for "morality reason") that depicts sex scene, or paintings, like Gustaf Klimt "The Kiss", can probably considered as art pieces, but the ones that you've seen on some x rated movies or porn sites are just "products". For me, the difference between art and mere "sales commodity" are the existence of a "soul" that inhabits the object and meanings that they convey, that can only be achieved by an artist through a creative process. Mere "commodities" don't do this, except for a shallow gratification of some primal urges, and they tends to desacralize the nakedness or the act of sex itself, turning it into some tasteless, low, show of flesh and lust. However, i have to agree that these days some people use the word "art" as a justification for producing cheap pornography. But that doesn't mean that we should think less of art pieces that shows sex scene and nakedness should we?
ReplyDeleteNope, nevermind really. Thank you for the interesting response, Niang :)
ReplyDeleteFunny, in this morning's Kompas, they have this article about Indonesia, Poor People in a Rich Country, it's quite an insight with several charts and tables about the decreasing and increasing number of people living in poverty before and after 1996.
I totally agree on your notion that for some people, there is no such things as "Multi Dimensional Crisis" the media are telling us about. They still have their gadgets and luxorious cars and walking around in fancy places. But to this cab driver, and probably several of his friends, they won't believe us if we told them that the prevalent welfare and general economic improvement during the Suharto's era was build on false parameters and data. The fact for them is that they had a decent job before Suharto falls and now they're driving their cabs while thinking how are they gonna pay their bills especially when their wife screaming to their faces asking for more money because the neighbour has just got a new refrigerator. That is why there have been some buzz about how it was good back then and now it all sucks.
I kindly remind the bloke about how some people are actually abducted and missing without any words till now during the regime in power. And about the freedom to speak and write (altho' some euphoric expression of freedom by 'some people' can ruin my argumentation) we all have right now. But too bad we just reach my neighborhood never having the chance to continue our lil chat.
I really don't have a problem of sex and nudity posing/called as art :D
ReplyDeleteDon't know why I put those in the first place, maybe I was just being self righteous :)
I am one of those who support the need of censorship for pornography tho' because without it there would be no limit at all. It used to be just wiggling your ass politely in dangdut, and now it's Inul type of ass wiggling, and pretty soon we couldn't tell what's next. I wouldn't want my child to grow up in environment as free as that. Even US practice some sort of censorship (and they call themself anti prude and hipocrisy) to a mere Calvin Klein ad for example. And we call our self an eastern country with decency and value. Ah, there you go, self righteous ness again :D
I have a few problem about this..
ReplyDeleteFirst, if we were going to censor pornography, there should be a just and clear definition of pornography itself, which is really vague in Indonesia (see http://islamlib.com/id/index.php?page=article&id=323 )
Second, I disagree with total censorship, what we need is actually a regulation of pornography itself. So this pornography problem can be contained and controled.
Third, I Love Porn! hahahahahahaahahh!!!
Hehehe, well ... I am indifferent about it :D no more than enjoying tiramisu or a nice hot cup of coffee.
ReplyDeleteIf pornography already invade the public space, that's what worries me ... like TV for example. It's fine if one do it in their own space and time, but if it's already expanded to other people's domain (some might say the puritan people), that's when the uproar begins. We all can't argue that probably they also occasionally enjoy porn in one way or another, but what bothers them probably is for the sake of their children or young relatives who is still in search of existency.
You and Leyla are about to have a child right? ( congratulation by the way :) ) Surely you wouln't want him/her exposed to those indecency so early in their life no ?
And that's why i'd prefer it to be regulated. Because giving a tight censorship would only resulted in the emergence of a black market, which is more harder to control than a legitimate market. Right now it's not like there's no law agains pornography is it? And in reality we still have a problem with it.
ReplyDeleteBtw, thx!! Wish us luck!
ReplyDeleteWill do that :)
ReplyDeleteIya, itu yang memang perlu kita renungkan.
ReplyDelete(sorry, lagi males ngomong Inggris)
Jangan terlalu banyak merenung juga kali yak ... ntar kesambet :)
ReplyDelete