Yesterday, the High Court in Banten dismiss the previous decision to free Prita Mulyasari, the hospital can continue to sue Prita. A contributor in wikimu said that the root of the problem is about the law. Do we citizen have the right to complain on bad service we've got as a consumer? Prior to Prita Mulyasari, there was already a case of Khoe Seng Seng who lost against the developer who sued him for his complaining letter published in the newspapers and online. If a direct complain was met by a thick wall, the only outlet for citizen is actually the media. With the presence of the new media, then citizen have got a new alternative of airing voices.
In the cases here, freedom of speech seemed not being honored.If we do feel being cheated, then our formal complain was not taken seriously, what should we do? Let them get away because we do not get enough money to fight them in legal aspect?
Friday, 31 July 2009
Sunday, 26 July 2009
The Amazing Internet
The internet is amazing...It keeps amazed me every day...
I was not really want to use this blog as a personal diary. It should only be a diary of a citizen reporter. Yet, readers are the magic reason to publish a more personalized post. Readers who posted their comments sometimes made me ventured into my personal story. John and Jean-Jacques used to trigger me into that kind of personal writing. Books that I've read also have the same effect. One book that made me posted a rather long personal post was a book from Myra Sidharta "Dari Penjaja Tekstil Sampai Superwoman". She mentioned my grandma's name, and I put my personal remembrance in that post.
Several days ago, I've got a message in my FaceBook messages. A man named Yerry Wirawan is asking me about my grandmother. He is researching for his doctorate in France and would like to know more about Soh Lian Tjie. Just a few days after that I've got a call from my aunt, "Hey, someone is asking for your phone number. Ibu Myra Sidharta would like to speak about something that you've written in your blog. Is it OK to give your number?" Off course...why not?! I am an admirer of Ibu Myra, and actually I also know his son. I've got updated news about Amir Sidharta from his FB, but never know that his mom is looking for my phone number :)
Yesterday I went to meet Ibu Myra in her home. A wonderful house...lots of stairs (she warned me not to be lost inside her house...hehehe men can read maps...women get lost in a beautiful house...especially with that shelves of books! I'll be lost voluntarily...hehehe)
From Yerry and Ibu Myra I've found out something about my grandmother, something special that I've never think about before...
Oma Waringin did write an autobiography, but it was never had a chance to be published. Actually one of her last wishes was to have this book published, yet her health became unbearable and after being moved back to Makassar she was quickly came into dementia. Loosing her home, her books, and her friends were killing her quicker than her other illness.
Reading her biography gave the insight of how a young girl from Sulawesi grew up with this Republic. She was born in 1914, the eldest of sixteen brothers and sisters. Sixteen...can you imagine? Even my grandmother can not imagine it. In her draft for the biography she wrote, "This very regular childbirth with just a time space of two or three years, filled me with frightening amazament..."
Yerry told me that he could find in the library a clipping from Pemberita Makassar (a newspaper that I've never heard of before, it was a clipping from the 30s. Googling it made found this link, informed me that the newspaper was founded in 1903) featuring my grandmother in a uniform of pandu (that was how we called both scout and girl guides in Indonesia, nowadays we use the word "Pramuka"). For this one, she had mentioned in her draft: "This was to be my first real camp. I felt so happy to belong to this group. We were divided into several tents which were put up on a small plateau from where we had a beautiful view of the volcanoes Merapi and Merbabu."
Perhaps her first camping experience and her sight of Merapi and Merbabu was making a very deep impression on her. I knew that she was always keen on helping those researchers who came for Indonesian volcanoes. A couple of them were Katia and Maurice Krafft. I thought there was a backpack of this couple in Oma's house, a backpack that was never taken back by the owner as they were killed when filming the eruption of Mount Unzen.
Grandma used to help people making film of Indonesia. The film Indonesia Indah 1 and 2 for the IMAX theater in Taman Mini Indonesia Indah was also with her guidance. I remember how proud I was seeing her name on the big IMAX screen, together with other names thanked for the film..."Nora Suryanti".
Ibu Myra told me that it was Ibu Claudine Salmon who called her asking for the biography. (More about Ibu Claudine in bahasa Indonesia can be read in this blog). It is actually a surprise that she considered my grandmother's story as an important one.
For us, she was great because she worked as PNS (the civil servant), things that seemed difficult for younger Chinese Indonesian generation like me(actually this was not really true, because I've also read in Kompas about a researcher in LIPI...yet before the reformation it was never publicly shown. I think we were afraid entering the public service as we would see no future in it...a prejudice perhaps, actually we should try and fight for it). Then she was an expert in cultures as she wrote as contributor to various publications, she traveled a lot as guides, translated Indonesian books into English or Dutch (I think mostly into English). On the other hand, she was also seemed as a weird Indonesian woman as she had chosen to stay single, and keep living by her own in her (very) small house in Yusuf Adiwinata. The street was used to be the Waringin street, and Oma prefered her house to be called the Waringin house, perhaps it was how we were also permitted to call her Oma Waringin (in the beginning it was not so open in front of her...).
Yet, nothing seems really special. But referring back into her notes which she ended in the glitter of Merdeka Palace in 1949, I saw something special. She was there in the palace, saying to the first President and Ibu Fatmawati, "Selamat Bapak Presiden," and "Selamat Ibu", when the first president and the first lady moved into the Palace after the Dutch formally transferred its sovereignty to the Republic of Indonesia. "It was the greatest moment of my life!" she claimed. I was in the Palace fifty-nine years after her presence there, but I came as a citizen tourist (read this post).
I am still amazed by the internet, how it helps me find another way of looking into my own grandmother's story...
I was not really want to use this blog as a personal diary. It should only be a diary of a citizen reporter. Yet, readers are the magic reason to publish a more personalized post. Readers who posted their comments sometimes made me ventured into my personal story. John and Jean-Jacques used to trigger me into that kind of personal writing. Books that I've read also have the same effect. One book that made me posted a rather long personal post was a book from Myra Sidharta "Dari Penjaja Tekstil Sampai Superwoman". She mentioned my grandma's name, and I put my personal remembrance in that post.
Several days ago, I've got a message in my FaceBook messages. A man named Yerry Wirawan is asking me about my grandmother. He is researching for his doctorate in France and would like to know more about Soh Lian Tjie. Just a few days after that I've got a call from my aunt, "Hey, someone is asking for your phone number. Ibu Myra Sidharta would like to speak about something that you've written in your blog. Is it OK to give your number?" Off course...why not?! I am an admirer of Ibu Myra, and actually I also know his son. I've got updated news about Amir Sidharta from his FB, but never know that his mom is looking for my phone number :)
Yesterday I went to meet Ibu Myra in her home. A wonderful house...lots of stairs (she warned me not to be lost inside her house...hehehe men can read maps...women get lost in a beautiful house...especially with that shelves of books! I'll be lost voluntarily...hehehe)
From Yerry and Ibu Myra I've found out something about my grandmother, something special that I've never think about before...
Oma Waringin did write an autobiography, but it was never had a chance to be published. Actually one of her last wishes was to have this book published, yet her health became unbearable and after being moved back to Makassar she was quickly came into dementia. Loosing her home, her books, and her friends were killing her quicker than her other illness.
Reading her biography gave the insight of how a young girl from Sulawesi grew up with this Republic. She was born in 1914, the eldest of sixteen brothers and sisters. Sixteen...can you imagine? Even my grandmother can not imagine it. In her draft for the biography she wrote, "This very regular childbirth with just a time space of two or three years, filled me with frightening amazament..."
Yerry told me that he could find in the library a clipping from Pemberita Makassar (a newspaper that I've never heard of before, it was a clipping from the 30s. Googling it made found this link, informed me that the newspaper was founded in 1903) featuring my grandmother in a uniform of pandu (that was how we called both scout and girl guides in Indonesia, nowadays we use the word "Pramuka"). For this one, she had mentioned in her draft: "This was to be my first real camp. I felt so happy to belong to this group. We were divided into several tents which were put up on a small plateau from where we had a beautiful view of the volcanoes Merapi and Merbabu."
Perhaps her first camping experience and her sight of Merapi and Merbabu was making a very deep impression on her. I knew that she was always keen on helping those researchers who came for Indonesian volcanoes. A couple of them were Katia and Maurice Krafft. I thought there was a backpack of this couple in Oma's house, a backpack that was never taken back by the owner as they were killed when filming the eruption of Mount Unzen.
Grandma used to help people making film of Indonesia. The film Indonesia Indah 1 and 2 for the IMAX theater in Taman Mini Indonesia Indah was also with her guidance. I remember how proud I was seeing her name on the big IMAX screen, together with other names thanked for the film..."Nora Suryanti".
Ibu Myra told me that it was Ibu Claudine Salmon who called her asking for the biography. (More about Ibu Claudine in bahasa Indonesia can be read in this blog). It is actually a surprise that she considered my grandmother's story as an important one.
For us, she was great because she worked as PNS (the civil servant), things that seemed difficult for younger Chinese Indonesian generation like me(actually this was not really true, because I've also read in Kompas about a researcher in LIPI...yet before the reformation it was never publicly shown. I think we were afraid entering the public service as we would see no future in it...a prejudice perhaps, actually we should try and fight for it). Then she was an expert in cultures as she wrote as contributor to various publications, she traveled a lot as guides, translated Indonesian books into English or Dutch (I think mostly into English). On the other hand, she was also seemed as a weird Indonesian woman as she had chosen to stay single, and keep living by her own in her (very) small house in Yusuf Adiwinata. The street was used to be the Waringin street, and Oma prefered her house to be called the Waringin house, perhaps it was how we were also permitted to call her Oma Waringin (in the beginning it was not so open in front of her...).
Yet, nothing seems really special. But referring back into her notes which she ended in the glitter of Merdeka Palace in 1949, I saw something special. She was there in the palace, saying to the first President and Ibu Fatmawati, "Selamat Bapak Presiden," and "Selamat Ibu", when the first president and the first lady moved into the Palace after the Dutch formally transferred its sovereignty to the Republic of Indonesia. "It was the greatest moment of my life!" she claimed. I was in the Palace fifty-nine years after her presence there, but I came as a citizen tourist (read this post).
I am still amazed by the internet, how it helps me find another way of looking into my own grandmother's story...
Saturday, 25 July 2009
A Farewell Bow For A Man I've Never Met
There was a man that I've never met, but he had influenced my way of seeing the world. Yesterday he passed away...I knew it from the printed Kompas today, July 25, 2009. (Read Pahlawan Dirgantara Itu Telah Tiada)
I've never really know him, never really met him. But his story made a deep scratch in my memory. I was in Junior High School when I've met his youngest son, one grade older than me. I saw how he had to survive the stigma of being the son of Omar Dhani (especially if every year we had to watch the film about the 30 September Movement). He was proud of his father, very proud of him...that was how I knew more about his father's name...and how I learned that politic can also "kill" someone's life.
I've read in Boediardjo's book "Siapa Sudi Saya Dongengi?" (I wrote about this book for wikimu, with the short explanation why I write about it here), in one chapter there is the story about how Omar Dhani's wife did not even know what is going to happen to her husband...
I think as children we'd sensed something unfair. That's why we were not really care who was Omar Dhani, we respect him as his son did. I think it was in quite the same way the adoration for Soekarno planted in my generation's heart. It was not because of knowing Soekarno, or ever listening to his speech...but mostly because we could sense the unfair treatment he had after he lost his power as a president.
A book mentioned in the article in Kompas, "Tuhan, Pergunakanlah Hati, Pikiran, dan Tanganku"...may be this book is worth reading...an outlet of Omar Dhani's explanation.
One by one...real witness of what was happening were almost all gone...the secret is still a secret. Lots of suffering were clouding this country, yet the real story was never came out. Perhaps we should just forgive whoever plotted the scenario...and let God, the Great Judge, work on His way...and in His own time...
For now, I'd like to bow as a farewell respect for a man who had once served this country...
I've never really know him, never really met him. But his story made a deep scratch in my memory. I was in Junior High School when I've met his youngest son, one grade older than me. I saw how he had to survive the stigma of being the son of Omar Dhani (especially if every year we had to watch the film about the 30 September Movement). He was proud of his father, very proud of him...that was how I knew more about his father's name...and how I learned that politic can also "kill" someone's life.
I've read in Boediardjo's book "Siapa Sudi Saya Dongengi?" (I wrote about this book for wikimu, with the short explanation why I write about it here), in one chapter there is the story about how Omar Dhani's wife did not even know what is going to happen to her husband...
I think as children we'd sensed something unfair. That's why we were not really care who was Omar Dhani, we respect him as his son did. I think it was in quite the same way the adoration for Soekarno planted in my generation's heart. It was not because of knowing Soekarno, or ever listening to his speech...but mostly because we could sense the unfair treatment he had after he lost his power as a president.
A book mentioned in the article in Kompas, "Tuhan, Pergunakanlah Hati, Pikiran, dan Tanganku"...may be this book is worth reading...an outlet of Omar Dhani's explanation.
One by one...real witness of what was happening were almost all gone...the secret is still a secret. Lots of suffering were clouding this country, yet the real story was never came out. Perhaps we should just forgive whoever plotted the scenario...and let God, the Great Judge, work on His way...and in His own time...
For now, I'd like to bow as a farewell respect for a man who had once served this country...
Monday, 20 July 2009
A Note for Manchester United: "Mau Terus Belajar Bahasa Indonesia?"
Pesan untuk MU: "Mau Terus Belajar Bahasa Indonesia?"
I'm not really a soccer fan anymore. It was a very long time ago when I wouldn't sleep all night waiting for Dino Zoff, Mario Kempes, or Eric Garrets. That was very long time ago...when I was still a student. I was also watching Zizou when I was pregnant, not for the game...only to kill time as I couldn't sleep with that bulging belly. Yet, sharing the Indonesians sad feeling for loosing a chance to see their favourite club canceling their visit because of the bombing of the hotels, I write this piece for wikimu.
It is not the club visit that intrigued me, it was the advertisement in the television about Edwin Van der Sar, Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs, Park Ji Sung, Rio Ferdinand, and Michael Carrick who are learning Bahasa Indonesia. You can see the advertisement here.
This one is more interesting than the previous one when they said "Mau?" ("Do you want it?" or "Would you...?"). They looked more relaxed and friendly in the second ad. The way they giggled after repeating the teacher's voice is just the way our first grader giggled when they are learning something new in front of a camera. "Ini Budi. Budi bermain bola." They would have played with Budi Sudarsono, the Indonesian national team's striker, if the schedule was kept going on. Yet, there wouldn't be any game here.
From the official site of Manchester United (MU), they have confirmed that they have to canceled their trip due to the safety of their team and officials. Indonesian government pleaded to continue the game but the club has also a policy to put the safety first. It is understandable if we read about their history with the tragic Muenchen airplane accident.
So,perhaps they can't show their support for us through the planned visit and friendly game, but they can show it by continue learning Bahasa Indonesia? May be one day, one of them can come here and teach a lot of young Budi to work hard on the field and create a new potential player for MU? So, "Mau terus belajar bahasa Indonesia?" (Would you continue to learn Indonesian language?").
I'm not really a soccer fan anymore. It was a very long time ago when I wouldn't sleep all night waiting for Dino Zoff, Mario Kempes, or Eric Garrets. That was very long time ago...when I was still a student. I was also watching Zizou when I was pregnant, not for the game...only to kill time as I couldn't sleep with that bulging belly. Yet, sharing the Indonesians sad feeling for loosing a chance to see their favourite club canceling their visit because of the bombing of the hotels, I write this piece for wikimu.
It is not the club visit that intrigued me, it was the advertisement in the television about Edwin Van der Sar, Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs, Park Ji Sung, Rio Ferdinand, and Michael Carrick who are learning Bahasa Indonesia. You can see the advertisement here.
This one is more interesting than the previous one when they said "Mau?" ("Do you want it?" or "Would you...?"). They looked more relaxed and friendly in the second ad. The way they giggled after repeating the teacher's voice is just the way our first grader giggled when they are learning something new in front of a camera. "Ini Budi. Budi bermain bola." They would have played with Budi Sudarsono, the Indonesian national team's striker, if the schedule was kept going on. Yet, there wouldn't be any game here.
From the official site of Manchester United (MU), they have confirmed that they have to canceled their trip due to the safety of their team and officials. Indonesian government pleaded to continue the game but the club has also a policy to put the safety first. It is understandable if we read about their history with the tragic Muenchen airplane accident.
So,perhaps they can't show their support for us through the planned visit and friendly game, but they can show it by continue learning Bahasa Indonesia? May be one day, one of them can come here and teach a lot of young Budi to work hard on the field and create a new potential player for MU? So, "Mau terus belajar bahasa Indonesia?" (Would you continue to learn Indonesian language?").
IndonesiaUnite!
I share my sympathy and condolence to the victim through the blog of IndonesiaUnite:
It's a deep sorrow to be a host country in this tragedy,
The sky was so blue
But my heart was grey with sorrow
Sharing my sympathy to those who missed their families that morning.
Birds seemed reluctant to chatter
They seemed to listen to the running televisions
but today they are whistling their voices again
encouraging all of us...
Those who went through the sad morning
And others, who only experienced it by heart
To keep together fighting the terror.
We are one
No matter where we came from...
We say "No!" to terror and inhumanity...
Let's the birds sing the song
Blessing the parted souls
Encouraging the fighting spirits
Helping us to wake up
and make a stand together...
It's a deep sorrow to be a host country in this tragedy,
The sky was so blue
But my heart was grey with sorrow
Sharing my sympathy to those who missed their families that morning.
Birds seemed reluctant to chatter
They seemed to listen to the running televisions
but today they are whistling their voices again
encouraging all of us...
Those who went through the sad morning
And others, who only experienced it by heart
To keep together fighting the terror.
We are one
No matter where we came from...
We say "No!" to terror and inhumanity...
Let's the birds sing the song
Blessing the parted souls
Encouraging the fighting spirits
Helping us to wake up
and make a stand together...
Sunday, 19 July 2009
Bad News is Bad News...
It's something that we don't really want to happened but it happened...that's bad news. The president SBY's reaction to the hotels bombing is not very popular. While asking people not to make an early accusation on the bombing, he was also made a statement about he's being targeting to be killed if the result of the presidential election making him on the way to the top. People could misinterpret his words and made a guessing accusation.
As a citizen I believe that all the three couples of presidential candidates are nationalists. They are all working for the glory of Indonesia, perhaps they have different path of working it out, underlining different urgency of actions...But, I am sure that none of them would lead us into this sad story.
While Jakarta is trying so hard to take its place in the map of MICE destination, this bombing has already canceled the visit of Manchester United, and made a very big loss for Indonesia. The airplane ban issued by the European Uni was already announced to be lifted from Indonesian airlines. Garuda Indonesia will fly to and from Europe again...Yet, this bombing wouldn't make the travel ban taken off too. Even locals are not in the mood for traveling or visiting public places...so what would we do?
Bad news is bad news. I realized how citizen journalism works. If we aren't in that situation then it would be difficult to have first hand reportage. Citizen journalism websites which needs article to go along with pictures or video would also need longer time to produce. People who are really there could not even talk normally, they were shocked. When interviewed by the television they can only rumbling the same words over and over. There are some who had this bombing experience twice (2003 and 2009), they are those who worked for JW Marriot. Citizen journalism is not about a solo journalist (in term of reporting recent news) because we are not always present in the middle of the incident. Preparing a special report would need energy, time, and effort that would need special concentration.
As a citizen I believe that all the three couples of presidential candidates are nationalists. They are all working for the glory of Indonesia, perhaps they have different path of working it out, underlining different urgency of actions...But, I am sure that none of them would lead us into this sad story.
While Jakarta is trying so hard to take its place in the map of MICE destination, this bombing has already canceled the visit of Manchester United, and made a very big loss for Indonesia. The airplane ban issued by the European Uni was already announced to be lifted from Indonesian airlines. Garuda Indonesia will fly to and from Europe again...Yet, this bombing wouldn't make the travel ban taken off too. Even locals are not in the mood for traveling or visiting public places...so what would we do?
Bad news is bad news. I realized how citizen journalism works. If we aren't in that situation then it would be difficult to have first hand reportage. Citizen journalism websites which needs article to go along with pictures or video would also need longer time to produce. People who are really there could not even talk normally, they were shocked. When interviewed by the television they can only rumbling the same words over and over. There are some who had this bombing experience twice (2003 and 2009), they are those who worked for JW Marriot. Citizen journalism is not about a solo journalist (in term of reporting recent news) because we are not always present in the middle of the incident. Preparing a special report would need energy, time, and effort that would need special concentration.
Friday, 17 July 2009
It's not a good morning here....
While most Indonesian are waiting for Manchester United (MU) to come here, there are people who do not want to see Indonesia moves forward. Six years after the bombing of JW Marriot Hotel, the hotel was bombed again this morning. Actually two hotels this time, J.W. Marriot and Ritz Carlton. Ritz Carlton is supposed to host the MU team while they are here.
I was phoning with my friend from wikimu (whose office is rather near the hotels), when she shouted: "Bomb!" I thought she was wrong, yet it was true...
She could not pass the police line, but uploaded a very simple information about the incident. I am a bit sad reading the comments...some are very insensitive...
I'm also sad with this reality, we are trying hard to survive the economic depression, and it would be good to have good investors came here. But, it seems that there are people who don't like our struggle to stabilize the economic condition here, and our effort to move forward.
There are already seven victims passed away, including the President Director of Holcim Indonesia, Timothy MacKay. My condolence to the family of the victims, and hopefully those who are still in critical condition can survive it.
I was phoning with my friend from wikimu (whose office is rather near the hotels), when she shouted: "Bomb!" I thought she was wrong, yet it was true...
She could not pass the police line, but uploaded a very simple information about the incident. I am a bit sad reading the comments...some are very insensitive...
I'm also sad with this reality, we are trying hard to survive the economic depression, and it would be good to have good investors came here. But, it seems that there are people who don't like our struggle to stabilize the economic condition here, and our effort to move forward.
There are already seven victims passed away, including the President Director of Holcim Indonesia, Timothy MacKay. My condolence to the family of the victims, and hopefully those who are still in critical condition can survive it.
Monday, 6 July 2009
Vote for Komodo National Park or for the Gold Mining?
Only one day left to give your vote for the place where you can find the only dragon in the real world...that's the komodo dragon!
Actually I would like to write something about the National Park through the eyes of foreigners. But I've been contacting friends to ask about their experience in Komodo island to no avail. One friend answered that she had no chance to visit the island while she was here, others were not replying (Sometimes it is hard being known as a blogger who like to write for citizen journalism websites. My journalist friends said that it is the problem of journalists...that's why to get through the source of information does need a way of skill, and it is important to keep good relationship and networking web).
I have a Disney musical CD for kids that brought kids to visit the only real dragon in the world...the komodo dragon. And if I am asking you to vote for this place, it is to pull the attention to the island. By pulling international attention to that place as a tourism object, it would perhaps ceased down the exploration of the possibility to build gold mining over there. Today's headline in printed Kompas (July 6) titled "The Real Dragon is in Danger".
Even if there are gold over there...which one is more important? The dragon or the gold? That komodo dragon's habitat is the only place in the whole world where we can find an animal titled dragon! Mutia Ridwan, one voter from Malaysia, in the website for the New7Wonders said that Komodo National Park is "...the only place on earth where you can find the real Jurassic Park." Yes, Jurassic Park is probably more famous than this real place on earth. We do need to help conserve it, will you care for it? "Nature and money" or "Money without nature"? That will be depending on the world's choice...
Saturday, 4 July 2009
Note: Volunteer, Copyright
Just a note for readers who might be willing to share their time for a volunteer work in a health congress on AIDS. Today is the closing of registration but as an e-mail mentioned that it is still lack volunteers, I thought it would probably be possible to volunteer at the last minute, or perhaps two days late (as today is Saturday). If you are interested in helping, you can also read more information in English here.
I would like to link the article about "copy right" from printed Kompas here, to make it easier for me to search for it later.
I would like to link the article about "copy right" from printed Kompas here, to make it easier for me to search for it later.
Indonesian Muslims Pray for Michael Jackson
Only one news compete with the Indonesian electoral news, that is the news about Michael Jackson. His sudden death and all his other following news were on the television without stop. The grief and shock is not comparable to the situation when the world lost Lady Di, but it made the television spare some slot for his remembrance.
The news about Michael Jackson changed his religion (and changed his name to Mikail), and that he parted the world as a Muslim made it more hot news here. Today printed Warta Kota (July 4, 2009) presented a headline "Santri Tahlil untuk Jacko". Hudreds of "santri" (students in an Islamic school) from Pesantren Zainul Hasan Genggong , East Java, prayed for Jackson. A teacher quoted by the newspaper was saying that the prayer was aimed for Jacko as a Muslim, and if he did not converted to Islam then the prayer would not reach his soul, but those who pray will still get the benefit of praying.
Another news airing the voice of Zain Bhikha confirming in an interview that he was the one who sing the song Give Thanks to Allah, not Michael Jackson.
Perhaps it is not only Indonesian muslims who pray for him. The whole world would like to send a prayer for him, the one who had asked people share love to heal the world.
I was just finishing two books from Torey Hayden, "One Child" and "The Tiger's Child" when I heard that Michael has passed away. With his Neverland dream, I couldn't avoid thinking about a gifted child who had lost his youthful happiness.
Michael is not the only person that we are going to miss. My generation missed David Carradine (the one that I'll always remember as the good, humble and patient Kwai Chang Caine), and Farah Fawcett (one of the famous Charlie's Angels).
Let them rest in peace, and hoping that their memories will teach us how to build a better world.
The news about Michael Jackson changed his religion (and changed his name to Mikail), and that he parted the world as a Muslim made it more hot news here. Today printed Warta Kota (July 4, 2009) presented a headline "Santri Tahlil untuk Jacko". Hudreds of "santri" (students in an Islamic school) from Pesantren Zainul Hasan Genggong , East Java, prayed for Jackson. A teacher quoted by the newspaper was saying that the prayer was aimed for Jacko as a Muslim, and if he did not converted to Islam then the prayer would not reach his soul, but those who pray will still get the benefit of praying.
Another news airing the voice of Zain Bhikha confirming in an interview that he was the one who sing the song Give Thanks to Allah, not Michael Jackson.
Perhaps it is not only Indonesian muslims who pray for him. The whole world would like to send a prayer for him, the one who had asked people share love to heal the world.
I was just finishing two books from Torey Hayden, "One Child" and "The Tiger's Child" when I heard that Michael has passed away. With his Neverland dream, I couldn't avoid thinking about a gifted child who had lost his youthful happiness.
Michael is not the only person that we are going to miss. My generation missed David Carradine (the one that I'll always remember as the good, humble and patient Kwai Chang Caine), and Farah Fawcett (one of the famous Charlie's Angels).
Let them rest in peace, and hoping that their memories will teach us how to build a better world.
Friday, 3 July 2009
One Spirit One Nation
The theme of this year blogger party is One Spirit One Nation. I would love to have it in Bahasa Indonesia rather than in English, but it was already decided. And it is probably easier to grab the whole "aspects of meaning" in a short sentence in English language than in Indonesian "Satu Jiwa Satu Bangsa". Actually "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika" or "Unity in Diversity" is the best term for Indonesians, but one spirit and one nation is probably to show that bloggers are united in building the country. I am intentionally do not use the term Indonesian bloggers here, as we know that even international bloggers could also help Indonesians to build the country.
We can see the solidarity for Prita through the cyber world and the real world. It is a good example of being united to reach freedom of speech. It is more than only being one big family, it is also being one spirit...FREEDOM! Freedom for this nation (Indonesia) means that we should not forget our Pancasila shield, in which humanity, and social welfare are taken into account. Freedom to stand up with pride as a nation. The cyber space became one of the social control institution. It is also a way to enhance democratization. Not only in the nation, but also between nations. Hopefully other nations will also understand us as a nation which was build upon our diversities.
It's time that we really wake up, and see around us. The internet is opening its wide door to step into the world without really stepping outside your door. It is faster and easier to look out, to gain support and links. We are not staying only in the cyber world, that is why we should also go into the real world to build a better world. We are not only living in the cyber space, but we have our real world to tackle, perhaps that is how Pesta Blogger will exist...to make it real!
The party will be held in October. I think one important topic that can be given as a precious "goodie bag" is knowledge about ethics and laws in this flat universe of cyber space. I think we need guidance about intellectual rights, about ethics for airing opinion without defaming others, etc. Soon enough we are going to face the global world as a part of the international network. We should be able to know our rights and responsibilities as a part of the universe.
Thursday, 2 July 2009
5 days to the Presidential Election
5 more days...
Thursday, July 2, there was a big demonstration in Makassar because local people were angry about a comment from Andi Alifian Mallarangeng who said that it is not the time yet for a Buginese to be a president (local online news is here, here, and here).
I do not have time to write down my feeling when I took those JP articles to link in my previous blog post. Ethnicity is not a good start for a campaign... We are Indonesians, Unity in Diversity..right?! Yet, being tolerant in handling the ethnicity and religions do have the important aspect in making a good leader.
I knew that choosing JK and Wiranto would probably help us to improve the Eastern part of Indonesia. Yet, JK is a businessman...would he pause for a minute to think about the social effect instead of only the economic promises?
Megawati and Prabowo are promising their constituents that they will work on the economy for the people, especially those in grassroot. And I think they will try to do it. Yet, there is a possibility that they can ended up like SBY-JK...
SBY and Boediono seemed to me to be the best choice right now, but there is also a very high chance that the minister position for the education and religion will go to PKS as their part of agreement. I can't see a bright future there...
One thing that I valued from our late ex-president Soeharto is his ability to choose the right person for the minister post. Listening to Emil Salim, or Joop Ave, even after they were not a minister anymore would still show their qualification, it would bring out the feeling of respect because they really know what they are talking about. Could we still have the same quality now? Is there a degradation in the education system that produce less qualified person? Or, is it the agreement between parties that forcing us to have the best candidate from a party (yet, not the best person needed for the position?)
Choosing a certain president and vice president would not give me a certainty that they will choose the right persons to help them. A president would not function well if his or her ministers are not working hard for the sake of the people. He or she would not show us a good track record if those who sit in the house of representatives are not thinking about the people they represented. It is a circle of a political system that would help RI 1 to perform the best.
I believe that all the three couples of candidate are nationalist. They will serve the country in their own way of approaches. Yet, which couple should we choose to help bring the best out for Indonesia?
Thursday, July 2, there was a big demonstration in Makassar because local people were angry about a comment from Andi Alifian Mallarangeng who said that it is not the time yet for a Buginese to be a president (local online news is here, here, and here).
I do not have time to write down my feeling when I took those JP articles to link in my previous blog post. Ethnicity is not a good start for a campaign... We are Indonesians, Unity in Diversity..right?! Yet, being tolerant in handling the ethnicity and religions do have the important aspect in making a good leader.
I knew that choosing JK and Wiranto would probably help us to improve the Eastern part of Indonesia. Yet, JK is a businessman...would he pause for a minute to think about the social effect instead of only the economic promises?
Megawati and Prabowo are promising their constituents that they will work on the economy for the people, especially those in grassroot. And I think they will try to do it. Yet, there is a possibility that they can ended up like SBY-JK...
SBY and Boediono seemed to me to be the best choice right now, but there is also a very high chance that the minister position for the education and religion will go to PKS as their part of agreement. I can't see a bright future there...
One thing that I valued from our late ex-president Soeharto is his ability to choose the right person for the minister post. Listening to Emil Salim, or Joop Ave, even after they were not a minister anymore would still show their qualification, it would bring out the feeling of respect because they really know what they are talking about. Could we still have the same quality now? Is there a degradation in the education system that produce less qualified person? Or, is it the agreement between parties that forcing us to have the best candidate from a party (yet, not the best person needed for the position?)
Choosing a certain president and vice president would not give me a certainty that they will choose the right persons to help them. A president would not function well if his or her ministers are not working hard for the sake of the people. He or she would not show us a good track record if those who sit in the house of representatives are not thinking about the people they represented. It is a circle of a political system that would help RI 1 to perform the best.
I believe that all the three couples of candidate are nationalist. They will serve the country in their own way of approaches. Yet, which couple should we choose to help bring the best out for Indonesia?
Monday, 29 June 2009
A Birthday Present For Daily Kompas
The posting here was written as a birthday present for the printed daily Kompas. Yesterday was its 44th birthday. Not much older than me, but of course a lot more experienced and wiser than me...
It was also my first posting outside wikimu.com for the local readers. Kompasiana is the part of Kompas.com. Starting only as a blog for Kompas' journalists and invited writer, but later on it is also opening a section called public blog. I found it a bit different as it is in a style of a blog. It is also a bit different than the Kokiers that I've used to visit before.
I can't deny that Kompas has a lot of influence in me, as I was probably started my reading with Kompas. As an outlet of my postings I still prefer wikimu.com because I would like to get more input from readers of other medias. But a present should be presented to the one who celebrate the birthday...
It seems that the headlines for the birthday celebration were a bit sober, and the title of the party is "Ruwatan Pop". Ruwatan is Javanese word for spiritual procession to avoid bad luck or to get away from sorrowful period of life. Why they are performing the "ruwatan"? It could be for the bad economic situation, or to have a successful presidential election. But, it is not odd at all if it is for the sake of printed edition. Kompas is already entering the cyber world, so their existence is not really in the questioning position. Yet, they might be thinking about the printed daily.
I grew up with the print media. While joining the citizen journalism activities, I am still trying to grow reading habit in my kids. If I were using printed Kompas for my reading activities in my childhood, I am hoping that my sons' generation will learn how to speak and to write through the interactive cyber media while keeping to read printed newspapers, magazines, and books as well. I think the printed edition will survive, just like radio keep surviving television.
Today I found the special section "KANDIDAT" reporting about Megawati and Prabowo, tomorrow will be SBY and Boediono, and Wednesday would be JK and Wiranto. I like the psychological character approach towards the candidates. I am still one of those in the big crowd who doesn't know who should I choose while it is already 9 days to go...So for me this is the goodie bag of Kompas' birthday party...
It was also my first posting outside wikimu.com for the local readers. Kompasiana is the part of Kompas.com. Starting only as a blog for Kompas' journalists and invited writer, but later on it is also opening a section called public blog. I found it a bit different as it is in a style of a blog. It is also a bit different than the Kokiers that I've used to visit before.
I can't deny that Kompas has a lot of influence in me, as I was probably started my reading with Kompas. As an outlet of my postings I still prefer wikimu.com because I would like to get more input from readers of other medias. But a present should be presented to the one who celebrate the birthday...
It seems that the headlines for the birthday celebration were a bit sober, and the title of the party is "Ruwatan Pop". Ruwatan is Javanese word for spiritual procession to avoid bad luck or to get away from sorrowful period of life. Why they are performing the "ruwatan"? It could be for the bad economic situation, or to have a successful presidential election. But, it is not odd at all if it is for the sake of printed edition. Kompas is already entering the cyber world, so their existence is not really in the questioning position. Yet, they might be thinking about the printed daily.
I grew up with the print media. While joining the citizen journalism activities, I am still trying to grow reading habit in my kids. If I were using printed Kompas for my reading activities in my childhood, I am hoping that my sons' generation will learn how to speak and to write through the interactive cyber media while keeping to read printed newspapers, magazines, and books as well. I think the printed edition will survive, just like radio keep surviving television.
Today I found the special section "KANDIDAT" reporting about Megawati and Prabowo, tomorrow will be SBY and Boediono, and Wednesday would be JK and Wiranto. I like the psychological character approach towards the candidates. I am still one of those in the big crowd who doesn't know who should I choose while it is already 9 days to go...So for me this is the goodie bag of Kompas' birthday party...
Saturday, 27 June 2009
Notes for the presidential election
I have read two articles that are worth reading. First one is from the Wednesday edition of the printed Jakarta Post (June 24, 2009) titled "The Chinese Indonesian dilemma in electing president". The second article is the headline from the next day edition "Minorities doubtful of freedom of religion".
Both articles are talking about minorities. From the first article the author concluded "In numbers, they (Chinese Indonesians) are very insignificant and their votes are actually quite expendable. But in economics, international relations, and social affairs, they are indispensable". This conclusion raised another opinion published on Sunday, 28 June 2009.
Both articles are talking about minorities. From the first article the author concluded "In numbers, they (Chinese Indonesians) are very insignificant and their votes are actually quite expendable. But in economics, international relations, and social affairs, they are indispensable". This conclusion raised another opinion published on Sunday, 28 June 2009.
Prita is Free...Are We?
It's good to read that Prita is free...
I quoted Jakarta Post comment that apparantly her acquittal in defamation case is also the contribution of keen public support in the cyberworld and in the media.
Prita's case is an important study case for so many subjects. Wikimu contributors were seeing it through different point of views. One contributor saw it as a costumer service subject, another saw it as a subject of law, and of course as a citizen reporter I too have some notes to take. I share it in this posting. With so many outlets to voice out the voices of the citizen, it seems that citizen journalism is not worth keeping. Now, people tend to comment in Face Book rather than in the citizen journalism sites, or through twitter or plurk...But is it really like that? Why it is worth keeping? I think we should take Prita's case a learning case.
I'm also joining the cause to free Prita, because I think she has the right to complain and to share her feeling. Emotion is something that citizen would perhaps failed to recognized when uploading such a complain. Editorial is surely help in softened the tone of a complain letter. I'm not trying to make Prita a heroine, but I do think she doesn't deserve to be jailed for her personal e-mail.
Then, how about articles that were written in purpose for publication in the citizen journalism sites?
Antoher contributor was uploading his fear that Prita Mulyasari is free, but there will be another "Prita" in the next two years...The court only appealed that UU ITE law is not applicable yet, not at least until two years from now. And then? And how about other cases that are also on court but received small attention from the media?
And at the moment the health service is trying to get another law to protect hospital from being sued for damaged happened while they are trying to cure patient. This is also a bit tricky...We know that some people don't understand how complex the medical service is that is perhaps why hospital need legal immunity, but we should also remember that some hospital did not really care about their patients, especially those without fat pocket...and how about these patients' right to have save health service?
I quoted Jakarta Post comment that apparantly her acquittal in defamation case is also the contribution of keen public support in the cyberworld and in the media.
Prita's case is an important study case for so many subjects. Wikimu contributors were seeing it through different point of views. One contributor saw it as a costumer service subject, another saw it as a subject of law, and of course as a citizen reporter I too have some notes to take. I share it in this posting. With so many outlets to voice out the voices of the citizen, it seems that citizen journalism is not worth keeping. Now, people tend to comment in Face Book rather than in the citizen journalism sites, or through twitter or plurk...But is it really like that? Why it is worth keeping? I think we should take Prita's case a learning case.
I'm also joining the cause to free Prita, because I think she has the right to complain and to share her feeling. Emotion is something that citizen would perhaps failed to recognized when uploading such a complain. Editorial is surely help in softened the tone of a complain letter. I'm not trying to make Prita a heroine, but I do think she doesn't deserve to be jailed for her personal e-mail.
Then, how about articles that were written in purpose for publication in the citizen journalism sites?
Antoher contributor was uploading his fear that Prita Mulyasari is free, but there will be another "Prita" in the next two years...The court only appealed that UU ITE law is not applicable yet, not at least until two years from now. And then? And how about other cases that are also on court but received small attention from the media?
And at the moment the health service is trying to get another law to protect hospital from being sued for damaged happened while they are trying to cure patient. This is also a bit tricky...We know that some people don't understand how complex the medical service is that is perhaps why hospital need legal immunity, but we should also remember that some hospital did not really care about their patients, especially those without fat pocket...and how about these patients' right to have save health service?
Missing muda mudi night...I'm not that young anymore...
Every year we grow older...so does the city...
Jakarta grows older a year...
it is now 482.
June 22 is the big day for Jakarta. I remembered the old days when we were having the Old Night long party on the street, Malam Muda Mudi (The night for the youth). It is just like the celebration of the New Year's eve in Singapore, or "le quatorze juillet" celebration in Paris...(May be Paris is not really like it, I remembered that people was concentrated only around Eiffel Tower)...where people enjoy the night at the street, free of car, fireworks on the sky...
I was still a small children when I joined those celebration. I remembered that my father's office was in a room near the Statue "Selamat Datang". It was a hotel room of Asoka Hotel, pulled down to give a land for EX building. We used to come with some food to his office and enjoy the merriment of all the youth who walked freely on the street. Sometime we've got visitors. I remembered that I've met my cousin who was (at that time) having his short period of study in a university in Bandung. Then, on the street we accidentally meet his other friends.
My childhood memory is not really good, but like a puzzle some came out clearly. I think they are the happy moments of my life.
I also remembered that every year I went to Pekan Raya Jakarta (PRJ). It was in Monas. Sometime we went there for several times during its opening (a whole month). I remember that we, chiildren, gained a lot of free cookies, candies, and other food and drink as a sample product from the stalls. Even before PRJ was moved to Kemayoran those samples tradition were already half gone, to gain free products you've got to buy some other products.
My brothers and I started to love Kerak Telor, the traditional Betawi food through our journeys to PRJ. Sadly, I am not continuing that family tradition going to PRJ, neither did one of my brother who already has kids. PRJ is different now...It's merely business, at least that is how I saw it. And my kids wouldn't think I treat them a fun family activity by going there, they will accuse me of looking out a chance to write a story for wikimu.
I read an article that PRJ could also be moved to Ancol. This year malam muda mudi was taken place in Kemayoran. Complaining how far it is in FB made me gained a comment from my junior high friend. "For young people it is not far..." Yeach, perhaps...yet my children is probably too young to think that it is not far. Beside, we are actually not living in Jakarta anymore. Another comment said that Senayan would be a better place for PRJ, I agree with this comment. With busway and shuttle bus around, perhaps it would be nice to have it there...Yet, we all have to leave our cars outside Senayan and not to cross Sudirman...Ouff...is it possible? Wow, town planning and town management are tough to handle!
My family moved to Jakarta in 1974, so I am as well Jakartanese at heart. Even my Makasarese dialect doesn't have the sound of a Makasarese. I adopted the Betawi tongue. My children now complaining of my habit saying "gue" and "elo" for "me" and "you" which is not polite according to their teacher at school. Who say so? I don't think so... it's a part of my daily language. Will it deteriorate my Bahasa Indonesia? Not in writing I think...
Now the couple that welcome visitors to Jakarta seems to loose in the middle of highrise buildings and the jammed traffic around them. I share this picture to wikimu readers while keeping the memory inside my heart (and blog...)
Jakarta grows older a year...
it is now 482.
June 22 is the big day for Jakarta. I remembered the old days when we were having the Old Night long party on the street, Malam Muda Mudi (The night for the youth). It is just like the celebration of the New Year's eve in Singapore, or "le quatorze juillet" celebration in Paris...(May be Paris is not really like it, I remembered that people was concentrated only around Eiffel Tower)...where people enjoy the night at the street, free of car, fireworks on the sky...
I was still a small children when I joined those celebration. I remembered that my father's office was in a room near the Statue "Selamat Datang". It was a hotel room of Asoka Hotel, pulled down to give a land for EX building. We used to come with some food to his office and enjoy the merriment of all the youth who walked freely on the street. Sometime we've got visitors. I remembered that I've met my cousin who was (at that time) having his short period of study in a university in Bandung. Then, on the street we accidentally meet his other friends.
My childhood memory is not really good, but like a puzzle some came out clearly. I think they are the happy moments of my life.
I also remembered that every year I went to Pekan Raya Jakarta (PRJ). It was in Monas. Sometime we went there for several times during its opening (a whole month). I remember that we, chiildren, gained a lot of free cookies, candies, and other food and drink as a sample product from the stalls. Even before PRJ was moved to Kemayoran those samples tradition were already half gone, to gain free products you've got to buy some other products.
My brothers and I started to love Kerak Telor, the traditional Betawi food through our journeys to PRJ. Sadly, I am not continuing that family tradition going to PRJ, neither did one of my brother who already has kids. PRJ is different now...It's merely business, at least that is how I saw it. And my kids wouldn't think I treat them a fun family activity by going there, they will accuse me of looking out a chance to write a story for wikimu.
I read an article that PRJ could also be moved to Ancol. This year malam muda mudi was taken place in Kemayoran. Complaining how far it is in FB made me gained a comment from my junior high friend. "For young people it is not far..." Yeach, perhaps...yet my children is probably too young to think that it is not far. Beside, we are actually not living in Jakarta anymore. Another comment said that Senayan would be a better place for PRJ, I agree with this comment. With busway and shuttle bus around, perhaps it would be nice to have it there...Yet, we all have to leave our cars outside Senayan and not to cross Sudirman...Ouff...is it possible? Wow, town planning and town management are tough to handle!
My family moved to Jakarta in 1974, so I am as well Jakartanese at heart. Even my Makasarese dialect doesn't have the sound of a Makasarese. I adopted the Betawi tongue. My children now complaining of my habit saying "gue" and "elo" for "me" and "you" which is not polite according to their teacher at school. Who say so? I don't think so... it's a part of my daily language. Will it deteriorate my Bahasa Indonesia? Not in writing I think...
Now the couple that welcome visitors to Jakarta seems to loose in the middle of highrise buildings and the jammed traffic around them. I share this picture to wikimu readers while keeping the memory inside my heart (and blog...)
Children School Holiday
Visiting Carita was the first trip after the school holiday started, but actually my family did a trip together with some other family from our church community. We went to Cisarua to visit the organic farm managed by Father Agatho Elsener OFM.Cap. My family has visited this organic farm often, and sometimes we did enjoy Father Agatho hospitality through joining in the mass he celebrated with his small community of workers and guests. But having friends together with us means a lot for my children.
We visited the farm in the first week of June. All the kids seems enthusiastic to see another way of serving the Church. Not by having a church, but by having a large place to cultivate plants, and having so many kind of "strange animals" (it means worm, caterpillar, cricket, grasshopper, etc. Weird only to the eyes of the children from the big city like Jakarta...). Father Agatho challenged the children if they know where he came from. A fifth grader answered: "From Switzerland". "And where is Switzerland?" asked Father Agatho. A kindergarten girl answered with loud voice: "Belanda..." (Meaning Netherland) All laughed... Wow, from organic lesson we were also treated with geographic knowledge.
The parents who accompanied the children were more enthusiastic and amazed hearing that Father Agatho came from the family who own Victorinox. Who doesn't know Victorinox? Those very expensive brand from the Switzerland? And he left his family business to become a priest and a farmer here in Indonesia? But this one is not openly discussed in front of Father Agatho. Those who know the story told friends in soft voices.
No wonder if our group then gathered around Father Agatho asking for his signature on his postcard, like asking a signature from a television celebrity.
I don't have much to tell readers from wikimu about this journey as I intend to share it in my other blog, the one that is actually more on meditation and reflection as a Catholic. Yet, I share one picture to wikimu readers showing the kids enjoy cleaning up the carrot before packaging.
For more information about Father Agatho's organic farm you can visit this blog.
We visited the farm in the first week of June. All the kids seems enthusiastic to see another way of serving the Church. Not by having a church, but by having a large place to cultivate plants, and having so many kind of "strange animals" (it means worm, caterpillar, cricket, grasshopper, etc. Weird only to the eyes of the children from the big city like Jakarta...). Father Agatho challenged the children if they know where he came from. A fifth grader answered: "From Switzerland". "And where is Switzerland?" asked Father Agatho. A kindergarten girl answered with loud voice: "Belanda..." (Meaning Netherland) All laughed... Wow, from organic lesson we were also treated with geographic knowledge.
The parents who accompanied the children were more enthusiastic and amazed hearing that Father Agatho came from the family who own Victorinox. Who doesn't know Victorinox? Those very expensive brand from the Switzerland? And he left his family business to become a priest and a farmer here in Indonesia? But this one is not openly discussed in front of Father Agatho. Those who know the story told friends in soft voices.
No wonder if our group then gathered around Father Agatho asking for his signature on his postcard, like asking a signature from a television celebrity.
I don't have much to tell readers from wikimu about this journey as I intend to share it in my other blog, the one that is actually more on meditation and reflection as a Catholic. Yet, I share one picture to wikimu readers showing the kids enjoy cleaning up the carrot before packaging.
For more information about Father Agatho's organic farm you can visit this blog.
Mutiara Carita, a Place to View Krakatau....
I won a voucher for one free stay in a hotel suite of Mutiara Carita. I used to spend my holiday in Anyer and Carita, the northern coast of Java. It is actually a bit at the west...facing the Selat Sunda. This time I've got the experience of having it in the farthest location I've ever experienced. It means nearer to Krakatau.
Krakatau as the volcano was very famous. Its eruption in 1883 made the glory of the sun shine faded away... If we read the story in wikipedia about its history starting from the pre-history, it is really magnificent. I was lucky to be greeted by a clear view of Krakatau and its child, the Anak Krakatau, on my arrival. Anak Krakatau was "smoking" heavily. I posted the picture for wikimu while I was there, but I've got to enjoy the holiday first (and also cleaning up after it) before loading an article about the holiday over there.
I also have another picture about the flags playing proudly with the coastal wind, all colourful flags from political parties to the presidential candidates...which is in contrast with the grey picture of the vision of those "nelayan" (fishermen). I would love to write an article about these fishermen, but I don't have the time yet. And with this very slow connection, you should wait until I do have time to upload pictures in this blog...
Krakatau as the volcano was very famous. Its eruption in 1883 made the glory of the sun shine faded away... If we read the story in wikipedia about its history starting from the pre-history, it is really magnificent. I was lucky to be greeted by a clear view of Krakatau and its child, the Anak Krakatau, on my arrival. Anak Krakatau was "smoking" heavily. I posted the picture for wikimu while I was there, but I've got to enjoy the holiday first (and also cleaning up after it) before loading an article about the holiday over there.
I also have another picture about the flags playing proudly with the coastal wind, all colourful flags from political parties to the presidential candidates...which is in contrast with the grey picture of the vision of those "nelayan" (fishermen). I would love to write an article about these fishermen, but I don't have the time yet. And with this very slow connection, you should wait until I do have time to upload pictures in this blog...
Saturday, 20 June 2009
Miss Indonesia Needs to Start Studying Bahasa Indonesia?
What would you think if you are introduced to Miss Indonesia in the event of Miss World? Wouldn't you automatically think that she is able to speak Bahasa Indonesia actively and know the Indonesian culture? Wouldn't it funny if Miss Indonesia needs translator to translate question in Indonesian language into English language to be able to understand the question?
We do need to verify if Miss Indonesia 2009 doesn't speak basic Bahasa Indonesia, but journalists were detecting that the crowned Miss Indonesia 2009 needs to start learning how to converse in Bahasa Indonesia and also to know more about Indonesian culture. Yet, the future of bright Indonesian generation would probably similar to Karenina Sunny Halim...they feel more at ease to communicate in English as their mother tongue. The international school label is something that most parents seek now, and that means speaking English or Chinese (Mandarin) language as the communication tool in school. Some family extended it into their home as it is the best way to learn using active language.
We do need the capability to speak other foreign language as a skill, but we should not forget our own language. This is the issue I raised in wikimu
I do not really get the feed back I'd like to have from wikimu readers, but posting it to Face Book gained me some comments. There is a friend who said that women should be smart, not only beautiful. She compare this case to Manohara Pinot, the Indonesian model who married the Prince from Kelantan. She said that the model is pretty but did not smart enough to avoid being abused by her husband.
I think the case is not about being beauty and not smart. I believed that the juries picked Karenina for her beauty, brain, and behaviour. Yet, brain is not similar to nationalism. During her twenty three year lifetime, she could not speak Bahasa Indonesia fluently, and all the sudden she said that bahasa Indonesia is easy to learn...she'll use the six months period before Miss World event to learn all the Indonesian thing. This cause a JP readers' snapped "Why don't we hire a foreigner to be Miss Indonesia?"
I did not write anything about Manohara. First, I don't really know the real fact. Then, household abused happened everywhere. Yet, it is not a matter of being smart or not. Women can make a bad choice for their partner in life, so does an underage girl of course!
We do need to verify if Miss Indonesia 2009 doesn't speak basic Bahasa Indonesia, but journalists were detecting that the crowned Miss Indonesia 2009 needs to start learning how to converse in Bahasa Indonesia and also to know more about Indonesian culture. Yet, the future of bright Indonesian generation would probably similar to Karenina Sunny Halim...they feel more at ease to communicate in English as their mother tongue. The international school label is something that most parents seek now, and that means speaking English or Chinese (Mandarin) language as the communication tool in school. Some family extended it into their home as it is the best way to learn using active language.
We do need the capability to speak other foreign language as a skill, but we should not forget our own language. This is the issue I raised in wikimu
I do not really get the feed back I'd like to have from wikimu readers, but posting it to Face Book gained me some comments. There is a friend who said that women should be smart, not only beautiful. She compare this case to Manohara Pinot, the Indonesian model who married the Prince from Kelantan. She said that the model is pretty but did not smart enough to avoid being abused by her husband.
I think the case is not about being beauty and not smart. I believed that the juries picked Karenina for her beauty, brain, and behaviour. Yet, brain is not similar to nationalism. During her twenty three year lifetime, she could not speak Bahasa Indonesia fluently, and all the sudden she said that bahasa Indonesia is easy to learn...she'll use the six months period before Miss World event to learn all the Indonesian thing. This cause a JP readers' snapped "Why don't we hire a foreigner to be Miss Indonesia?"
I did not write anything about Manohara. First, I don't really know the real fact. Then, household abused happened everywhere. Yet, it is not a matter of being smart or not. Women can make a bad choice for their partner in life, so does an underage girl of course!
Wednesday, 10 June 2009
Faces Charges For a Face Book Posting
A teacher from North Sulawesi faces charges for posting criticism in Face Book. I've got the news from The Jakarta Post.
Are we, Indonesians, having problem with criticism? Why can't we use criticism as a basic to build a better life? Or, perhaps because we can only criticize other people while forgetting that we should also be open to critics?
If any criticism can be charged with the UU ITE (Information and Electronic Transaction Law) we'll probably need to say good bye to blog, to citizen journalism, or even to the internet social networking...
Or we keep it only as a part to concentrate in making money...and more money...
Teacher faces charges, dismissal for posting criticism in Facebook
The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Tue, 06/09/2009 5:30 PM | National
Another citizen is facing libel charges for posting criticism in popular online social network Facebook, in the wake of public outcry over controversial detention of a housewife in Tangerang for sharing her complaint about hospital services over the Internet.
Indra Sutriafi Pipil, a teacher of state vocational school in the North Sulawesi city of Kotamubagu, told Antara news agency on Tuesday he was also facing dismissal for allegedly defaming Mayor Djelantik Mokodompit.
In his Facebook account, Indra said of rampant “corruption of work hours” in the municipality administration office.
Kotamubagu police post chief First Insp. Muhammad Monoarfa said he had received a report filed by municipality administration and handed over the case to the local prosecutor’s office. Reports said that like the Tangerang housewife Prita Mulyasari, Indra would be charged under the 2008 Information and Electronic Transaction Law, which carries a maximum sentence of six years in jail.
Regional administration secretary Muhamad Mokoginta admitted the libel lawsuit filed against Indra, saying the teacher had discredited the administration.
“We reported the case to the law enforcers about last month,” he said.
The Hong Kong-based Political & Economic Risk Consultancy revealed last week its latest survey, which ranked the bureaucracy in Indonesia the second worst in Asia.
Are we, Indonesians, having problem with criticism? Why can't we use criticism as a basic to build a better life? Or, perhaps because we can only criticize other people while forgetting that we should also be open to critics?
If any criticism can be charged with the UU ITE (Information and Electronic Transaction Law) we'll probably need to say good bye to blog, to citizen journalism, or even to the internet social networking...
Or we keep it only as a part to concentrate in making money...and more money...
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