Mr. Amat Got a Ticket
17 Aug 2010 1 Comment
in Uncategorized Tags: police, speeding tickrt
It was still 10 a.m. when the Si Amat was getting ready to leave work. For the day he did not have anything else to do. He had completed his task. Soon he headed for the parking lot to pick his favorite vehicle up. Yes, that day he was riding his motorcycle. At first he wanted to drive his car of dream but because he wanted to save time too, he rode his anti-jam vehicle instead. Besides, his car will be used by his maid for shopping to the traditional market in the afternoon.
Oh yes. Before I proceed the story, I’ll tell a little bit about Si Amat . As we understandd Si Amat is like a celebrity. From cingur-smelled children (read: anak bau kencur) to old people of seven types of fragrance (read: bau tujuh rupa) know about Si Amat, although they may not realize or be not aware of it. How come? Come!
Don’t be surprised if you are also familiar with him! Or at least you often mention his name. Maybe every-day.
Yes, that’s the fate of the Amat. He’s famous but does not benefit from his fame. Unlike Shinta and Jojo, for example, who in all of sudden became celebrities just because of the poisonous snail (read: keong racun).
Take a look at the following expressions: “bagus amat gambarnya”, “kok begitu amat, sih, ceritanya”, “nggak, dia nggak bagus bagus amat”, “ sepi amat sih. Where is everybody?”
That’s right. Unavoidably I use Bahasa Indonesia a lot in above paragraph because if I insist translating the expressions, I can mislead you, readers. By the way, is there anyone reading it?
Don’t the above expressions indicate that he’s very widely known or at least many people say his name. There are hundreds, thousands, or maybe millions of expressions that include the name Si Amat. Do you agree that he’s very famous person? No? Well, it’s up to you. It is actually not very important anyway.
Although you might not agree, I still give an appreciation to Si Amat’s fame by no longer attaching the label “Si” in front of his name. Now I’ll call him Mr. Amat.
Back again to the original story about the Si, uh, Mr. Amat. After a bit of trouble starting his two wheel vehicle, he was finally successful. The he shouted, “I did it. I did it. I did it.” Oh, yes. I forgot to inform you that Mr. Amat is also a crazy fan of Dora. Without waiting any longer he drove toward home.
At the intersection of which is He often passed by, he took a wrong turn and entered the traffic from the opposite direction. When he was speeding on his motorcycle, came another rider from the opposite direction, tossing his hands like what is usually done by a soccer referee when a player is off-side.
At first he did not even understand what this person was doing. He even thought that the man didn’t have better things to do, or he was having hand cramps. But then his brilliant brain sent a signal that something was wrong. As quick as a flash he realized that the road applied one-way traffic there till eleven o’clock. He usually passed that way in the afternoon.
Obviously reflected in the data base of his head that approximately 300 meters in front of his there is a police post, and five to six police are often seen doing their noble job. Bad news. It could be the danger ahead. He thought his pocket could depleted. Or he had to deal with judges and prosecutors for a traffic violation.
Not far ahead there was a State owned housing complex then he turned left to find a way of rats (read: jalan tikus). It should be understood, in this area many rats have built roads and streets that are often used by humans. Fortunately, the rat was never angry with humans using their streets.
After going round and round he at last got to the right path. His heart started to be stable. Now he was away from the danger. After a few minutes, he saw two police motorcycles, moving slowly side by side affectionately. Mr. Amat smiled as if she had won a lottery of huge amount of money. He even feel more safe knowing that he was close to the protectors of community.
Because the two police motorcycles were running quite slowly, Mr. Amat could easily exceeded them, and he was leading. Now He focused on the traffic ahead.
When Mr. Amat was running his motorcycle fast, you can actually understand how fast the hell a cheap duck motorcycle (read: motor bebek) can run, suddenly, right there on the left side of his vehicle ran a police motorcycle, and the rider waved his hand asking him to pull over. Obviously it was not because of the hand cramps.
He felt he’d done nothing wrong and when his motorcycle had already stopped, he asked, “What is it, sir?”
“Good morning, sir!”, He greeted him without answering Mr.Amat question.
“Can I see the vehicle registration paper and your driver’s license?”, He later observed the documents after Mr. Amat handed them.
“You are going to work?”, He asked Mr. Amat a standard questions. Mr. Amat responded as necessary.
“You didn’t turn on the lights, didn’t you? Answer honestly! “, Now he’s asking question in interrogation style and cornering way.
Mr. Amat observed his vehicle He was not very sure whether or not he had turned the lamp on. He’s also the type of forgetful person and turns on the lights not too often. Besides, it had never been a problem when he didn’t , even when he ran into a police.
“No, sir”, replied Mr. Amat quite honestly, without trying to seek for excuses.
“You now know that you have done a violation?”, said the Police, whose mustache was similar to Inul’s husband’s, in triumph. Later he lectured on the rules that oblige riders to turn on the lights during the day and bla bla bla and bla bla bla..
Then he opened a book containing the rules and regulations and appointed to the rule focusing more on how much fine he should pay if it is to trial. It says the amount of Rp 100,000. Mr Amat was not too concerned whether it was a minimum or maximum amount, but it was pretty much money for him.
“So, sir? Do you understand?
“Yes, sir”, Mr. Amat admitted his guilt like a gentleman.
He went on, “is there any possibility that I don’t have to go to the trial, sir?” Mr. Amat was trying to play with fire.
“How much have you got?”, Mr. Policeman bit Mr. Amat’s bait, and the real game just started.
“Rp 20,000″, replied Mr. Amat. His head still remember clearly that there is money of Rp. 40 000 in the pockets, the change at the filling stations. He had been thinking of saying Rp 10,000, but Mr. Amat was afraid that the amount could make the police felt disrespected. The money was just enough for a bowl of meatballs.
“The penalty could be Rp 100 000, and I also got percentage from the fine. do you have half of the fine?”, He struggled for a higher and respectable amount .
“How about Rp 30,000″ said Mr. Amat without thinking very long.
“You don’t have half? Mr. Policeman was still persistent to struggle.
“No, sir.”
“Then I’ll write a ticket”, then he mentioned the day, date and hour for the trial.
“OK. Write me a ticket, sir!”, Said Mr. Amat without any challenging tone.
Then the society protector began to write something in the ticket, but after just write one word or two, he paused and tried to ask some friendly questions about where he lived and so on and so on.
Then he re-asked the previous question, “So you don’t have half?”. He sipped back his own spit (read: menelan ludah sendiri).
“No, as I said earlier, sir”, said Mr. Amat and he was thinking again about avoiding the possible long and tiring trial.
“OK, then.Follow me and get ready with the money. “Replied Mr. Policeman as he got on his motorcycle and faded away.
Mr. Amat was stunned, and he smiled without being able to interpret what his smile meant. Before his forgetful problem twisted, he immediately got on his motorcycle and tailed the police.
After roughly three hundred yards the police stopped at a “strategic place”. Not far from where he stopped his colleagues are doing the same duties, ticketing riders.
But Mr. Amat didn’t pay very much attention to what his colleagues were doing.
After stopping Mr. Amat approached the police with three ten thousands of bills in his hand. After he was close enough, the police officer gave the command, “put it here”, as he opened the tin box like a charity box (read: kotak amal) in the mosque at the back of his motorcycle without looking at the box.
After the money was in the box, he asked, “How much was it?”
“Rp. 30.000”, replied Mr. Amat.
Next, the police officer, with a high awareness, gave back Mr. Amat documents saying that Mr. Amat should obey the rules next time. Mr. Amat hoped that he wouldn’t see him again when violating traffic regulations.
Win-win solution was reached, meaning that the police won and would win again. Simple Mr.Amat could just bit his own finger and only stopped after his finger was hurt because he bit it too hard.
Very poor Mr. amat!(read: Kasian Amat!)
Note: the story of Indonesian version at http://isikepala-miftah.blogspot.com/
Learn English Language and You are Lunatic
15 Aug 2010 Leave a Comment
in Uncategorized Tags: crazy, english
English is the most widely used language in the history of our planet. It is said that one in every 7 humans can speak it. More than half of the world’s books and 3 quarters of international mail are in English. Of all the languages, it has the largest vocabulary – I don’t know how many but it can be MILLIONS of words. Nonetheless, let’s face it – English is a crazy language. There is neither egg in eggplant nor ham in hamburger; neither apple nor pine in pineapple. English muffins weren’t invented in England or French fries in France. Sweetmeats are candies while sweetbreads, which aren’t sweet, are meat.
We take English for granted. But if we explore its paradoxes, we find that quicksand can work slowly, boxing rings are square and a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig.
And why is it that writers write but fingers don’t fing, grocers don’t groce and hammers don’t ham? If the plural of tooth is teeth, why isn’t the plural of booth beeth? One goose, 2 geese. So one moose, 2 meese? One index, 2 indices?
Doesn’t it seem crazy that you can make amends but not one amend, that you comb thru annals of history but not a single annal? If you have a bunch of odds and ends and get rid of all but one of them, what do you call it?
If teachers taught, why didn’t preacher praught? If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat? If you wrote a letter, perhaps you bote your tongue?
Sometimes I think all the English speakers should be committed to an asylum for the verbally insane. In what language do people recite at a play and play at a recital? Sh
ip by truck and send cargo by ship? Have noses that run and feet that smell? And why can’t noses walk but only run?
How can a slim chance and a fat chance be the same, while a wise man and wise guy are opposites? How can overlook and oversee be opposites, while quite a lo
t and quite a few are alike? How can the weather be hot as hell one day and cold as hell another? Does hell control its temperature?
Have you noticed that we talk about certain things only when they are absent? Have you ever seen a horseful carriage or a strapful gown? Met a sung hero or experienced requited love? Have you ever run into someone who was combobulated, gruntled, ruly or peccable? And where are all those people who ARE spring chickens or who would ACTUALLY hurt a fly?
You have to marvel at the unique lunacy of a language in which your house can burn up as it burns down, in which you fill in a form by filling it out and in which an alarm clock goes off by going on.
English was invented by people, not computers, and it reflects the creativity of the human race (which, of course, isn’t a race at all). That is why, when the stars are out, they are visible, but when the lights are out, they are invisible. And why, when I wind up my watch, I start it.
So I conclude that English is invented for crazy people on in order to make people crazy. Remember! When you started to learn English, you maybe start to be crazy at to the same time. The more time you have spent learning the language, the crazier you are. Still interested in learning the language?
Taken from the introduction to Crazy English: The Ultimate Joy Ride Through Our Language, by Richard Lederer.
Starry Starry Night
05 Mar 2010 Leave a Comment
in Uncategorized Tags: god, love, vincent van gogh
“…. For they could not love you,
But still your love was true,
And when no hope was left inside,
On that starry starry night,
You took your life as often do,
But I could have told you Vincent,
This world was never meant for one as beautiful as you … “
Above is a snippet of a song titled “Vincent”, by Don Mc Clean as an appreciation for a painting titled Starry Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh.
Vincent Willem van Gogh (March 30, 1853 – July 20, 1890) created the painting when he was in a mental hospital in Saint Rémy de Provence in June 1889. It is sad to remember that no one had looked at his work. Even some people sneered and mocked at his work. No one wanted to understand the meaning and message of the painting. No one would appreciate the wonderful idea of the making of the unique painting.
Only later, after Vincent left the world, people started to understand how wonderful the love she poured into the paintings was. Everyone kept on showering him and the painting with praise and giving him millions of awards.
the swirling sky full of golden stars shining bright above a small town and its small hill with a large and dark tree suggests different interpretations to everyone seeing it but directs us to focus on the sky Even the church in the small town was built towering upwards. Yup, it all goes straight on to God up there. Incredible!
Such an event is not a new thing in the world. People are often blind and deaf to other people. They think that they are more human than other humans. Pride and arrogance conquer all. It can be tough to be honest, but It’s easier to become “someone else” to get the highest place in the eyes of a group of other people.
Look at what happened to our lives today. Real world and virtual world are all the same. It makes no difference. In spite of repeated warnings they still do not understand. Should they wait till something terrible happen to them? Maybe.
the song continues …
“… Now I understand what you tried to say to me,
How you suffered for your Sanity,
How you try to set them free,
They would not listen,
They’re not listening still,
Perhaps they never will. “
Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh
All this is sad, but let it be. Omniscient God, really! Let us be more human than those who feel human. Humanizing other people as real human beings is what we should do, just as taught by all the teachings anywhere in the world.
We all can only try. Let the time talk. Spread the love as long as we can, as far as we can.
Hopefully we all can become “humans”.
- Original article with the same title written by Mariska Lubis
Read http://filsafat.kompasiana.com/2010/01/03/starry-starry-night/
- Translated with the permission of the writer by Asep Miftahudin
Cilember Waterfall
30 Nov 2009 Leave a Comment
in Natural Attractions Tags: Cisarua, Curug Cilember, puncak
Cilember Waterfall offers peace and tranquility
Cilember Waterfall is located in Jogjogan Village Cisarua District Bogor West Java Indonesia. It is about 1.5 hour drive from Jakarta.
Not many people know about the site although it offers natural magnificence. Even when I once asked a friend of mine coming from Bogor, he did not know where it is. He had not even heard of it. Too bad!
As you get closer to the area you can feel the cold and fresh smell of wet wood. The remarkable music arranged by the stream of Cilember River will play in your ears, and beautiful panorama of nature gives a sensation of peace in your eyes and down into your heart.
The friendly nature with various species of wonderful orchids welcomes the coming visitors. You can also watch 12 species of marvelous butterflies in the butterfly garden.
Never miss bathing under the waterfall. You can feel the freezing water and sense the freshness in your body after the bath. But you better bath not too long unless you will be frozen.
For those who are into camping, Cilember waterfall facilitates them. You can stop at the camping ground, which is completed with the already-set-up tents, and use the facility for a while before you continue the exploration of the area, or you can spend one night or two to experience a gre
In front of the Butterfly Garden
at adventure at the nature of beauty at night.
If you prefer
something more comfortable, cottages are available to rent at a very good price. The price is around one million rupiah (about $ 100) per night, and it can be less or more depending on the facilities provided by each cottage. It happens because each cottage is owned by different individual. The cottages are under the shades of thick green pine trees.
The site also facilitates trekkers and hikers. If you fond of natural adventure, which is far different from what you have daily, you should go to this astounding Cilember waterfall.
Surabi, from Bandung with Love
16 Nov 2009 1 Comment
in Culanary Tags: setiabudi, surabi bandung
Have you ever heard of surabi? Those coming from Parahiyangan area must be familiar with it. It is a kind of pancake made traditionally in the area of Bandung and the surroundings. Some other people call it serabi.
A portion of Surabi is more than enough
I myself have been familiar with surabi since I was a child because I was born in Bandung. However, I don’t think I already recognized it when I was just born. Since I was still in Bandung, I often herd of surabi Bandung with “different” tastes. Many people said that the tastes were unique and delicious. Even, friends of mine from different places often ask me about this surabi Bandung. But I couldn’t answer as they expected as I had never tasted it at all. What I had tried was just regular surabi sold by some hawkers that you can easily found in the neighborhood when I was a child.
I knew that the Resto of Surabi Bandung was across from NHI [Tourism and Hotel Institute Bandung], and I passed by the place almost every day since I went to IKIP Bandung (now UPI). But I never wanted to try it. The first reason is that I am not that adventurous in food. Secondly, when I was in college, my money was just enough for transport and copies of course materials.
Now that I live in Jakarta and my friends know that I come from Bandung, they once asked me to go there. So, last September I voluntarily became an accidental tour guide for them in Bandung. I took them to some places in Bandung, like Cihampelas, Taman Juanda Dago, and the last destination they wanted to go which was Resto Surabi Bandung. They were so excited because they finally arrived at the “dream” place. When we arrived we were faced with a long list of surabi with various toppings. You can choose your own topping, from traditional flavor ’till international, from oncom [Sundanese peanut curd] to sausage, cheese, durian, and chocolate toppings. You ask them, they have it.
Everyone ordered surabi with different topping as they liked. I myself ordered it poured with durian. In my mouth the taste was not as superior as what I heard. It was just surabi! I think it should have tasted much better than that.
I, by no mean want to damage the reputation of Surabi Bandung, think that the taste of those surabi were not as I expected, but maybe, because the mouth-to-mouth promotion of the product was very good,it makes people want to try it. I was disappointed because my tongue did not suit the taste of it. But now I can answer with confidence when people ask me about surabi bandung.
Above all, Bravo Surabi Bandung! Spread surabi to the world, spread love to all people!
Safety Tips: Preventing Abduction
14 Jul 2009 2 Comments
in Children's matters Tags: children, kidnapping, prenventing abductrion, save your children
 They often become easy targets of irresponsible adults At one point or another in a child’s life they “go missing”. Most often, they return on their own, safe and unharmed. Even a short disappearance will cause a parent to confront their worst fear. The abduction of a child is every parent’s worst nightmare. Child abductions are rare, but they do happen. As parents, we can fight back through preparation and abduction prevention. Stranger Danger. Most people genuinely care about children, and not all strangers are bad. However, we must educate parents and children to recognize and avoid dangerous child abduction situations. Knowledge, caution, and alertness are our children’s best protection. The tips below can help you reduce the risk of your child becoming a victim of abduction. Please take the time to read this child protection information and share it with your children. |
How parents can protect children from abduction
- Know where your children are at all times and who they are with.
- Never leave your child alone in a public place, stroller or car.
- Always accompany younger children to a public restroom.
- Teach your children not to accept rides and gifts from strangers.
- Always accompany your child on door-to-door activities, i.e. Halloween, school fundraising campaigns, etc.
- Establish a routine for picking your children up from school or other events.
- Agree on a simple code word for emergency situations. A trusted adult who knows the code word can pick up your child if necessary.
- Make sure your child knows their full name, address and phone number.
- Teach your child how to reach you (home, office, mobile)
- Teach your child how to call the police.
- Have a plan in case your child gets separated from you in public.
- Teach your child to stay in groups of friends when going anywhere .
- Tell your children about child abductions in simple and easy to understand terms. Awareness can help them protect themselves.
- Avoid clothing and toys with your child’s name on it. A child may not fear someone who knows his/her name.
- Promote an environment in which your child feels free to talk to you.
- Let your child know that you will pick them up at any time, any place.
- Listen closely when your child talks about friends or aquaintances they spend time with in your absence.
- Check all potential babysitters and older friends of your child.
- Teach your child to recognize suspicious behavior and collect descriptions.
- Urge your child to think escape / survival if he or she were ever abducted.
- Speak to your local law enforcement agency to find out about neighborhood watch.
- Get to know your neighbors and the children in the area. Make sure your child’s friends know your house is safe and they can seek help from you.
- Check with your local law enforcement to find out if there are sexual offenders in your area.
- Use a system such as KidSave to organize your child’s photo and child ID card with pertinent descriptive data.
- Keep up-to-date medical/dental history and finger print cards.
- Teach your child that there is always someone to help them, and they have the right to be safe.
How children can protect themselves
- Always tell your parents where you are going and who you are with.
- Never answer the door if alone.
- Do not invite anyone in the house without the permission of a parent or babysitter.
- NEVER get into anyone’s car without permission.
- Don’t tell anyone on the phone that your parents are not home. Instead tell them that your parents can’t come to the phone and take a message.
- Don’t go to restrooms in out-of-the-way places without a trusted adult.
- Don’t take short cuts. Always use well-traveled streets.
- Never go to playgrounds or movies alone.
- Go to the nearest cashier if lost or separated from a parent in a store or mall.
- Do not take candy or other gifts from strangers without asking a parent first.
- Never hitch-hike.
- Stay away from isolated areas or abandoned buildings.
- If you do not know the driver of a car that slows down or stops near you. Run home, to the police department or to a public place where there are people. Do not run and hide.
- If an adult approaches to ask for directions, step back, tell them you don’t know and walk away. Adults should ask other adults for directions.
- If forced toward a building or car, scream “help”, scatter belongings and fight.
- No one has the right to touch any part of your body that a bathing suit would cover.
- If someone touches you in a way that feels uncomfortable, tell them in a loud voice that it is your body and they don’t have the right to touch you, even if it is a relative or friend. Tell an adult you can trust and keep telling until someone believes you.
- If you see someone unusual hanging around a schoolyard or a park, tell your parents.
- Tell a parent about anyone who exposes themselves to you.
- Don’t believe any adult who asks you to keep a secret from your parents.
kidSave
Final round of the Presidential Debate
04 Jul 2009 Leave a Comment
in Politik: bermain POli di kandang iTIK, Uncategorized Tags: presiden, presidential debate, SBY
www.miftah17.wordpress.com
Presidential hopeful Jusuf Kalla criticized his rival Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono for his frequently aired campaign ads calling for a single-round election to save state funds.
The attack took place during the outset of Thursday’s final debate, after candidates were asked to deliver their visions and mission statements.
Kalla said democracy should not be valued in money terms alone because this could neglect the values of democracy.
“I am sorry Pak SBY, your ads claiming that a single-round election would save the state Rp 4 trillion imply that a democracy can be valued in monetary terms,” Kalla said.
“I am afraid if we concur with these ads, there will be no election in 2014, so the state can save itself Rp 25 trillion.”
In response to the criticism, Yu-dhoyono said the advertisements were not his. “Those were not my ads,” he said.
During the break, Yudhoyono offered his hand to Kalla before they hugged each other to the audience’s applause.
During the following section of the televised debate, the other candidate, Megawati Soekarnoputri, agreed with Kalla and Yudhoyono that there would be no compromise in the unitary state of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI) for the welfare of the people.
“However, I see the implementation of gotong-royong *community-based mutual help* continuing to decrease,” Megawati said. “We need to return to our identity to maintain the unity of Indonesia,” she said.
Yudhoyono and Kalla both said the state of Indonesia was a pillar of democracy and regional autonomy. “There are still many problems in implementing democracy,”
Yudhoyono said. “Should we uphold the presidential system, a multi-party system, elections and regional elections?”
Yudhoyono said the 10 years of regional autonomy had also seen overlapping authority between the central government and regional administrations.
“We have annulled 3,000 bylaws of 12,000 that are not in line with national laws,” he said.
Yudhoyono also said he would re-evaluate regional autonomy to make sure it benefitted com-munities. “We will impose a moratorium on the creation of new regions,” he said.
Meanwhile, Kalla said he would make elections more efficient by conducting simultaneous regional elections.
Megawati said regional autonomy should be based on the potency of each region rather than the sum of its population.
In most commercial breaks, the candidates talked to their campaign teams although Kalla appeared more relaxed, apparently enjoying the event as he ate snack and chatted to an attendant while other candidates were busy with their sidekicks.
On the issue of democracy, the candidates agreed that pluralism could only strengthen the country.
Kalla, however, was most vocal as the only candidate to mention freedom of the press, and saying discrimination undermined democracy. “Indonesia is based on plurality. The evidence for this is all the pictures of the President and Vice President, which flank our symbol of pluralism, the Garuda,” he said. “The pictures flanking the symbol may change, but the symbol remains the same.”
Kalla’s words may have been a reference to a statement made by one of Yudhoyono’s campaigners, the current government spokesman Andi Malarangeng, who said people from South Sulawesi were not yet fit to lead the country.
“Anyone can be a leader. The view that a certain tribe or race cannot lead is dangerous because it dates back to the dark ages,” said Kalla, the only non-Javanese candidate among the three.
Yudhoyono agreed with Kalla, raising the issue that there were still bylaws discriminating against certain religions in certain regencies, and promising to intervene and change them to accommodate all religions and races.
Surprisingly, Megawati did not take this opportunity to stab at several controversial decisions made during Yudhoyono’s term in office, such as the pornography bill (which her party had tried to block, to no avail) and the decision to stop Ahmadiyah from proselytizing.
Mega simply reiterated her support for pluralism, saying, “On this issue, I agree with JK 100 percent”.
As the debate was about to conclude, moderator Pratikno, the dean of Social and Political Sciences at Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta, presented the final question: What would candidates do if not elected. “
I will continue to serve and struggle for the Indonesian people,” Megawati said.
Yudhoyono said he would congratulate the winner right away and ask his constituents to support the elected leader.
Kalla meanwhile said candidly he would return to his hometown in Makassar, South Sulawesi. “I will take care of education, mosques and peace for the country.”
ISSUES DISCUSSED IN PREVIOUS DEBATES
Anti Corruption Bill
Megawati: “The bill might not be finished on time, so we better use the previous law and push the House to set a better priority on its bill deliberation.”
Yudhoyono: “I have consulted with the House of Representatives so that the bill could be endorsed before my administration term ends in October. I prefer to speed up the deliberation of the bill with the House, but if the bill can’t be endorsed on schedule, I could issue a government regulation in lieu of law as an action in an emergency situation.”
Kalla: “The bill is important, but we can use the previous law if we can’t endorse the new law. I agree with President Yudhoyono.”
Human Rights
Megawati: “I am also a victim of hum an rights violations, but I never retaliated. It is a good example for the people if they can learn from my case.”
Yudhoyono: “We had the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in the past, but it was dissolved based on the Constitutional Court verdict. But human right violation are a nation problem. We can sit together in the People’s Consultative Assembly to resolve this problem because we need a solution.
For example, we can solve our human right-related problems with East Timor with a spirit to uphold peace, reconciliation, and friendship. We did it our way last year. I prefer to choose the Truth and Reconciliation or something similar to that.”
Kalla: “I agree *with SBY* because I am still the current Vice President. Current law can’t be used to try the past, but when it comes to crimes against humanity we could take legal action. I still think it’s better in the future if we can learn from the past and never repeat these mistakes.”
Military Budget
Megawati: “I will order an audit of our military equipment to find out how much of our equipment we can still use. There are many things we need to do so that we are not underestimated any longer.”
Yudhoyono: “Our ideal military budget is Rp 120 trillion or 10 percent of our total budget of Rp 1,200 trillion, but now we just have a budget of Rp 35 trillion. We must prioritize education and other sectors. My plan is to gradually increase the military budget in the next five years should our economy improve. The military can delay buying submarines and fighter jets, but it must continue equipment maintenance and military officers’ education programs.”
Kalla: “I must ensure that the military budget is used effectively. I will revitalize the military equipments. If we can build those equipments at home, we must do it to save money. I will ground military vehicles that could not run properly. I agree that we must raise the military budget, but the military must maintain its equipment efficiently.”
Foreign Debt
Megawati: “We must increase our independence. We must choose between principles of looking for the debts and a no debt policy. We must be confident to stop foreign debts.”
Yudhoyono: “We have to delay some projects that are not too urgent and not to sell state enterprises, also known as privatization. Between 2005 and 2008, our foreign debts have decreased while local debts have increased. We will optimize our income from the gas sector.”
Kalla: “We can make the state budget more efficient. I often criticize government buildings, which are too luxurious, have excessive use of air conditioners and too many employees. We have to empower state enterprises to finance local projects. We can rely on our natural resources to get more income. I have said to do a rehabilitation so that we can increase production. I think the government sets too high an interest rate to borrow money from local sources, that is not good Pak SBY.”
Summarized from Jakarta Post
Say “Amit-amit” to Smokers
09 Jun 2009 1 Comment
in My Stories Tags: bad smoker, say no, smoker
Crazy Doctorwww.miftah17.wordpress.com
www.wordpress.com
I was not feeling well that day. I was feeling so awful that I had to go to the doctor. I do not like seeing doctor actually. Like most other Indonesians, if the fact is true, I do not go to the doctor unless the illness is extremely bad or at least definitely annoying, or it prevents me from going to work for too long, meaning that I will earn less next month. What makes it worse; my employers do not pay for the doctor.
Now I was in the waiting room. I really hate waiting. The truth is no one likes it! I picked up a magazine from under the table and looked it up. Nothing interested me. All was about women’s stuff and quizzes since it was a woman magazine.
I look around the room, and I saw an old granny—a granny must be old, mustn’t she—who was holding her bloated cheek. It seemed that she was suffering from a terrible toothache. She kept making a disturbing sound which really perfected my bad day. Not the right person to talk with to kill this boredom.
In front of me was a good looking girl, a very pretty girl, to be exact. I might have spent hours chatting with her, but in the room she was busy talking to his spoiled boyfriend who seemed to need to see the doctor, too. The chance was gone. And I was too reluctant to get close to a charming lady sitting rather far from my seat. I was not really sure that she would like to talk to me, any way. As a result, I just had to wait and do nothing until the call was for me.
After about thirty minutes, which seemed to me like a whole week, the assistant pronounced my name. You can’t disagree with this; “the sweetest song to anyone’s ears is the sound of their own name”. Narsis!—I don’t really know exactly how to spell the word or what language the word comes from, and I, at first, even thought the word was the play of the word “najis”. I promptly lifted my ass off the seat and directly headed to the doctor’s room.
In the room I was so amazed—I don’t actually remember about what I really felt—at this sight that I statued for a while until the doctor asked me to sit down. I could not believe what I was seeing! In the room was the doctor smoking. “What the h*** are you doing?”, that was what I had in my head. Only did I not have a heart to deliver it to my mouth and say it.
Before he did his duty, which was asking me questions, I asked him this stupid question, “Don’t you know that smoking is not good for your health?” I knew that my questioning was like mapatahan ngojay ka meri—a sundanese saying which literally means teaching swimming to a duck, or mapatahan hiber ka manuk—another sundanese saying which plainly means telling a bird how to fly.
I am not an authority in health, but I often heard of the danger of having cigarettes. It is no secret that smoking is dangerous to our health. Equally, second-hand smoke (the smoke that is given off from the burning end of a cigarette, pipe or cigar or the smoke that is exhaled from a smoker’s lungs) is also recognized for contributing to a wide range of undesirable health effects including cancer and asthma.
He smiled innocently before he answered, “I’m a doctor, and I know what I’m doing!” I had no reason to argue or to follow the question. A “sweet” smile in his mouth did not make him look friendly at all. I even saw a mouth of a wolf with fresh blood in it when he opened his mouth to speak.
I know exactly what his answer meant. I would not have asked this ridiculous question if he had not been doing it at the wrong place. I anticipated that it was a wrong place to smoke, don’t you think?
This doctor, who was at the same time an “irresponsible” smoker, asked me questions. Although I was not sure about his being able to diagnose correctly, or give or recommend the right medicines, I answered all his questions one after another. I was consulting the doctor but I did not trust him. How could it work?
This discomfort, which shouldn’t have had been, finally came to an end. Before I left, without any intention to find out the answer, I asked him this silly question, “Are you sure I’ll get better in a couple of days as you told me?”
As he put out his cigarette end in an ashtray, he answered in a “wise” manner, “Only God knows what will happen tomorrow.”
***
As I arrived home, I was thinking about what had just happened. I had even forgotten that I had been sick a while ago. The doctor was not completely “bad”, in fact. At least he was right about one thing, only God knows about the future.
Above is only one real example of smoking at the right time—the time is always right for smokers, anyway—but at the wrong place. Have you ever been in an angkot full of smoke coming out of some revolting mouths of some disgusting guys? These guys are enjoying the poison and pretending that nobody is around.
At another place, as a caring future father with a pregnant wife, why does he poison his unborn son together with his wife with this hazardous smoke?
Have you ever seen a father smoking at home with his children around? Realizing it, he lets them breathe in this harmful smoke from day to day, week to week… Do not say that you are one of those irresponsible fathers. There are still a lot more examples. You mention it!
It’s not actually my problem if an adult jumps from the tenth floor of a building. I also do not really care about a man doing 120 km per hour in his car without a brake. And I won’t be really disturbed when a parent cuts his own artery to death. But, it will be my concern if you jump fro the height to a crowd down there, if you risk other motorists, or if you take your son or daughter to “hell”. Go ahead risk yourself, but not others!
I don’t mind smokers at all, and I have been there myself. But I say “No” to irresponsible smokers. Let’s say “NO” to IRRESPONSIBLE SMOKERS! And for pregnant women, why not say “AMIT AMIT” to them.
***
PS: A person who smokes should not be treated as less than a citizen. While their decision may be unwise for their health, it is not an illegal activity. They do not deserve to have their rights stripped due to their risky decision.
On the other hand, stopping smoking for an hour or two will not kill smokers, but letting children, pregnant women, and other non-smokers inhale the smoke does “kill” them.
Ibu, Maafkan Aku…
31 May 2009 Leave a Comment
in Catatan Anak Manusia, ibu Tags: ibu, kasih ibu, puisi
Ibu, maafkan aku…
Ketika kau membangunkan ku untuk Solat Subuh,
Aku marah dan menghardikmu karena aku masih ngantuk.
Kini aku menyesal karenma aku tahu
Kau melakukan itu karena kau tidak mau aku mendapatkan murkaNya
Ibu, maafkan aku…
Ketika kau mengambil pakaian kotorku dari gantungan baju kamar ku
Aku bilang, ”Gak usah, Bu nanti saja saya yang nyuci…”
Engkau urung menganbilnya
padahal aku malas mengerjakannya
Ketika aku pulang seolah semua pakaian kotor itu sudah tak ada
Semua sudah tertata dan disetrika rapi di lemari pakaian ku
Tak pernah sempat aku mengucapkan terimakasih
Ibu, maafkan aku…
Karena aku menolak untuk sekedar memijiti kakimu
Setelah kau bekerja keras sepanjang hari untuk ku
Kau balas penolakanku dengan menyelimuti ku yang pura pura sudah terlelap
Karena kau tidak mau seekor nyamuk pun manyakitiku
Karena kau tidak mau angin malam membuat tubuh ku kedinginan.
Ibu, maafkan aku…
Ketika kau membuat nasi goreng untuk sarapan ku
Aku bilang, ”Sudah siang, Bu. Nanti takut telat sampai sekolah. Aku pergi dulu, Bu!”
Kini ku tau nasi goreng itu tanda SAYANG mu pada ku
Kenapa tidak ku cicipi barang satu dua suap?
Ibu, maafkan aku…
Ketika kau mengantarkan ku ke sekolah karena hujan dan aku malas membawa payung
Aku malu sama teman-teman ku,
Aku takut mereka berfikir ”Sudah besar kok diantar Ibu nya?”
Kini ku tahu itu adalah tanda CINTA mu pada ku
Ibu, maafkan aku…
Ketika aku meminta uang, aku bilang untuk keperluan sekolah
Padahal dengan uang itu aku membiayai nafsu bermain ku dengan teman-teman ku
Ibu, maafkan aku karena aku tidak bersungguh-sungguh belajar di sekolah.
Ibu, maafkan aku…
Karena telah ku tolak air hangat yang telah kau masak untuk mandiku
Karena aku sudak merasa kelelahan dan ngantuk
Padahal tak ada sesuatu pun yang berguna telah ku lakukan tadi siang
Engkau balas penolakan ku dengan dekapan hangat dan bau harum tubuh mu di tempat tidurku
Kau limpah kan pada ku rasa aman dan nyaman
Dan kau usir pula angin malam yang kejam yang sempat menghampiri ku
Beribu kesalahan dan dosa telah aku perbuat pada mu
Ibu, aku sungguh merasa malu padamu…
Karena segala amarah ku, penolakan ku, kemalasan ku, kebohongan dan kebodohan ku, dan ketidak hormatanku padamu
Kau balas dengan senyum bijak mu, kesabaran mu, rasa kasih dan sayang mu, perlindungan mu, dan…pengorbanan mu.
Tak pernah kau kesal padaku
Tak pernah kau menolak ku
Tak pernah kau memarahiku
Tak pernah ada kata letih untuk anak mu
Tak pernah kau menjauh dari ku ketika aku membutuhkan mu
Tak pernah pula kau lupa untuk menjadi obat mujarab bagiku ketika aku sedang sakit
Kau lah yang pertama memberikan bantuan ketika aku dalam kesusahan
Kau lah yang pertama menghibur ketika aku dilanda kesedihan
Kau lah yang pertama memberiku pujian ketika aku mendapat hinaan orang
Kau pula yang pertama memberi semangat ketika aku diterpa kegagalan
Apa yang telah aku lakukan untuk mu?
Tidak ada………………………..!
Pun hal kecil…
Belum sempat aku ucapkan terimakasih atas segala yang telah kau lakukan untuk ku
Belum sempat aku ucapkan maaf atas segala perbuatan durhaka ku
Yang Maha Memiliki mu sudah menjemput mu
Karena Dia ingin cepat menempatkan mu dalam Rahman dan Rahim nya.
Yang tidak pernah kau dapatkan dari anak mu ini
Ibu, maafkan aku…
Ibu, maafkan aku…
Ibu, maafkan aku…
(Untuk IBU yang sedang beristirahat di dalam istana Rahmat dan Kasih NYA!)
Jangan Pilih Mereka…
31 May 2009 Leave a Comment
in Politik: bermain POli di kandang iTIK Tags: capres, cawapres, golput, pemilihan presiden, pemimpim, president RI, RI 1
Ahirnya saya mulai berani memulai coretan tentang para calon penguasa republik tercinta ini setelah menunggu sepenanakan nasi. (Masih ingatkah anda dengan istilah terakhir?) Sedianya, saya berniat mencorat-coret para calon penguasa ini setelah mereka dengan gagah berani mamaklumatkan diri mereka di tempat yang tidak seragam. Tapi setengah dari mereka pernah berseragam, lho!
Saya belum juga melakukannya bukan karena kekurangan bahan coretan, tapi karena saya takut. Lho, kok takut? Seseram itu kah mereka? Bukan, bukan begitu! Saya cuma ingin mempertahankan kenetralan, netral senetral netralnya… Dari semula saya berniat menulis mereka berurutan dari satu sampai tiga. Ada kemungkinan saya diangap pendukung pasangan yang saya urutkan di nomor pertama. Tapi sekarang keadaan sudah kondusif, aman dan terkendali karena mereka sudah punya nomor sendiri-sendiri. Jadi saya tidakusah repot-repot meminjami mereka nomor urut.
Yang saya curat coret di bawah ini bisa menjadi bahan bagi anda untuk memilih atau tidak memilih mereka. Atau sebagai bahan perbandingan saja. Atau tidak usah dilirik sama sekali karena anda pun sudah tahu semua, mungkin lebih dulu tahu dan atau lebih banyak tahu dari pencoretnya.
Kita mulai dengan pasangan pertama: Mega-Pro, penguasa nomor urut satu. Menurut sang empunya SATU adalah yang terbaik. Ditinjau dari singkatan, sebetulnya akronim Mega-Pro tidak cocok, dan terkesan dipaksakan. Bukan kah lebih masuk akal sehat kalau Mega-Pra? Yang ini akan menjadi singkatan nama mereka. What’s in a name? Mudah mudahan saja pemerkosaan akronim ini merepresentasikan cita-cita luhur mereka yang sudah didengung-dengungkan dari pertama mereka menghitung berapa besar biaya kampanye mereka. Mudah-mudahan saja artinya pasangan ini PRO wong cilik, bukannya PRO klub sendiri dan PRO yang membiayai kampanye mereka.
Pasangan dengan nomor urut satu ini telah ”membuktikan” keberfihakan mereka pada wong cilik dengan menggelar pesta sampah dengan biaya murah. Walaupun biaya pesta yang menurut mereka super murah itu bisa untuk membeli rumah yang mewah untuk ukuran wong cilik, bahkan bagi masyarakat kelas menegah pun. Tapi untuk mereka yang diutnya bru dijuru, bro di panto, ngalayah di tengah imah dan yang lubak libuk punya kebon lobak sampai teu kalebok, uang segitu mah, satai kuku.
Tak apa-apa sedikit mahal (sedikit kok mahal?)! Itu kan untuk mewujudkan Indonesia yang lebih berfihak pada wong cilik! ”Berfihak pada wong cilik apa nya?”, celetuk salah seorang wong cilik yang tak tahu diri.
Tak apa apa menghirup udara ”segar” sampah beberapa saat asalkan kredit tanpa agunan untuk wong cilik bisa menjadi kenyataan.
Tak apa-apa mengandalkan AC alam beberapa saat, asalkan peguasaan sumber daya alam negeri yang digunakan sebesar-besarnya untuk kepentingan wong cilik bisa terwujud.
Tak jadi masalah kalau permintaan kepada anak negeri yang baertindak sedikit ”nakal” untuk minggat keluar jauh dari perbatasan tidak terulang lagi.
Dan mudah-mudahan saja moratorium hutang, yang juga berarti penghentian renegoisasi term hutang yang mereka janjikan , bukan isapan jempol. Berhenti menjadi penghutang paling ulung!
Ada satu pertanyaan nakal dari seorang anak nakal. Dulu, kalau tidak salah, dia pernah ada di sana, yah! Ngapain aja dia dulu, yah? Au ah…
Waktu sangat terbatas. Sebelum kehabisan waktu (baca: sebelum malakan Maut mengetuk pintu), mari kita berlanjut ke pasangan mesra selanjutnya, yang ke dua: SBY berbudi. Istilah ini elok didengar. Mudah-mudahan artinya kedua calon ini memiliki budi yang luhur yang mau bejuang untuk kepentingan penghuni negeri. Dan bukannya seorang calon penguasa, yang saat ini sedang berkuasa, yang digelayuti Neo-lib pengemar serial WILD WILD WEST.
Sebuah pesta VAGANZA telah mereka persembahkan untuk negeri ini. Menurut laporan si Konon, tidak kurang dari dua milyar telah mereka dedikasikan untuk pesta ini. Masa semalan habis dua milyar? Tak masalah berapa pun uang yang perlu dikeluarkan pasti bisa terkumpul selama untuk kepentingan rakyat. Rakyat yang mana?
Menurut mereka nomor urut DUA yang bersanding dengan kedua calon ini pemberian Tuhan, karena mereka tidak merasa memilih. Sebaik itu kah Tuhan pada mereka? Tuhan itu baik pada semua, termasuk saya dan anda. Bukan Cuma satu angka beratus-ratus bahkan beribu-ribu atau bisa jadi berjuta-juta deret angka sudah Dia berikan pada kita. Fabiayyi aalaa irobbikumaatukaddibaan! Untuk Pak Ustad, Pak Kiyai, dan Pak Haji–termasuk ibu nya juga, lho–, saya mohon maaf kalau salah dalam penulisan dan mohon koreksinya!
Si Konon juga malaporkan, calon penguasa, yang saat ini sedang berkuasa, ini merupakan salah satu dari 100 orang yang paling berpengaruh di jagad ini. Mudah-mudahan kalau bener begitu. jadi segala potensi yang mereka miliki bisa berguna untuk kamaslahatan negeri ini.
Jadi? Kalau kembali ”dipercaya” , silahkan pengentasan kemiskinan, pemangkasan pengangguran, dan perbaikan ekonomi penduduk negeri ini dilanjutkan. Walaupun beberapa fihak menunjuk angka-angka kemiskinan dan pengangguran justru makin menanjak. Berarti tingkat kemakmurannya tidak naik juga dong? Au ah!
Semoga pula penurunan hutang, dan juga berarti menghentikan hutang, dari para pengendali ekonomi dunia yang mereka janjikan bukan pepesan kosong melompong. Dan mereka bisa membebaskan negeri ini dari jeratan rente di leher-leher penduduk negeri.
Yang terahir No 3: JK-Win. Maaf saja kalau lagi-lagi saya katakan akronim ini tidak tepat, kecuali nama yang kedua adalah Winarto. Harusnya kan, JK-Wir. Atas nama modal untuk kampanye dan pencitraan, kembali pemerkosaan akronim tidak boleh diprotes. Kalau protes juga siapa yang mau denger?
Kurang lebih akronim yang mereka ciptakan artinya mereka kudu menang dan harus menang. Menang nggak menang yang penting menang. Lagian kalau mau kalah mah, nggak usah ikut pacuan kuda atuh!
Mudah-mudah kemenangan yang mereka dapat–kalau mereka menang, lho!–adalah kemenangan untuk rakyat, bukannya kemenangan untuk para saudagar pemegang saham. Semoga cinta produksi dalam negeri yang mereka dengungkan tidak sebatas memakai sepatu made-in Cibaduyut, tapi diikuti dengan perlakuan yang lebih baik dan manusiawi terhadap pelaku ekonomi kelas “basement“.
Dan seperti dua pasangan sebelumnya, mereka pun menyinggung isu krusial negeri ini, hutang. Semoga benar pendapat mereka bahwa untuk banyak hal, hutang dari para rentenir itu tidak diperlukan! Dan kita bisa teriak, ”Bebas, euy!”.
Saya setuju kalau kelak mereka bisa bersanding di sana, bisa ngebut. Tapi harap hati-hati! Kalau ngebut harus lihat kiri kanan karena bisa-bisa bukannya sampai lebih cepat tapi malahan nabrak beringin di pinggir jalan. Alhasil? Kendaraan penyok, tujuan jauh dimata dan juga jauh di hati!
***
Terahir saya mohon maaf kalau judul yang saya buat di atas dianggap mempropokasi suatu tidakan yang pernah diharamkan dan ahirnya dianulir pula oleh kelompok sarat ilmu itu. Dianulir karena mungkin telah terjadi off-side (meminjam istilah Teh Endah) sebelumnya.
Perlu saya luruskan, walaupun sebenarnya tidak ada bengkok. Yang saya maksud adalah: Jangan pilih mereka kalau tidak memihak rakyat, jangan pilih mereka kalau berdusta, dan jangan pilih mereka kalau mereka cuma haus kekuasaan dan mempertebal kulit perut. Kalau mereka bagus semua? Itu lebih mudah karena anda bisa memilih sambil tutup mata, atau hitung kancing. Tidak ada dari pasangan itu yang dapat nila 100 atau tidak tidak semenawan yang ada di kepala kita, tapi masih mungkin kan ada salah satu pasangan yang layak pakai? Kalau jelek semua? Dengan berat hati kita mungkin harus memilih pasangan ke-empat! Nggak haram (lagi) kan?
Ada sebercak tanda yang mungkin juga menjadi tanda masa depan negeri ini menuju keadaan yang lebih benderang. Mereka semua sudah pandai salaman, tanpa kecuali. Pun mereka yang sudah tidak bersalaman selama lima tahun. Tapi dipikir-pikir mendingan tidak salaman selama lima tahun dari pada salaman selama lima tahun, yah! Pegel tau! (AM)
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