To Jambi with Love

What is the meaning of tradition for me? I don’t know how to explain that. But let me tell this story. I spent my four days leave two weeks ago by visiting Jambi in Sumatra. Well, it was a perfect combination between family duty and vacation, actually. My brother Iin phoned me three months ago, happily announced that he is going to marry his girlfriend. Good for him.

And following our tradition, the wedding ceremony would take place in Jambi where the bride’s family lives. From Medan, North Sumatra my mom came along with my eldest sister, while Iwan, my youngest brother, joined us from Jakarta as well. We met each other in Cengkareng airport before then had a same flight to Jambi.

Just arriving at Sultan Thaha airport

Jambi is a small provincial city. It is more like city in many districts in Java Island. I have been visited the province for couple times. One of them, I remember, in 1997 when I covered the daily life of Anak Dalam tribe, an indigenous people who lives in Bukit Dua Belas natural reserve area.

‘Cultural apostasy’

Before arriving in Jambi, I had my own anxiety. The bride family had decided to undertake the wedding ceremony using Bataknese traditional procession. As an eldest one from three of my mom’s son, it seemed that I should represent my family during that process. I had been done the assignment previously when officially asked the bride’s family to discuss this wedding plan.

Unluckily, I’m not a Bataknese. From people who come from southern Tapanuli like us, we prefer call ourselves as Mandailing people. Mandailing culture – as far as I know – has much difference with Batak’s (from northern, Simalungun, or Tanah Karo). But even in my own Mandailing culture, I am not a good example to follow. I can’t speak Mandailing language (I understand when they talking but can’t communicate using the language); I don’t have any knowledge about the traditional procedure. I – and all my siblings-- don’t formally use our family name as Bataknese or Mandailing used to. “You are ’an apostate’ from your culture,” some of my friends teased me. Well, I can’t blame them on their accusation.

Saved by the uncle

Hurrah! Good news just coming. My mom said that they bring my uncle from Medan to accompany us in Jambi. He knows everything about traditional process. He’s an expert in both Batak and Mandailing language. And he was also happy to go with us. I felt suddenly half of burden on my shoulders had lifted.

Formal Islamic wedding process

Still, it’s really tiring four days. Just couple hours after arriving, we must met a group of Mandailing community leaders who will accompany us in the wedding process. Then met with the bride family and prepared everything needed before the D-day. I must thank to my uncle. He’s the saviour. He knows how to handle the situation.

Everything went well. The wedding day successfully held in the Saturday morning. And then, the heaviest part came: the traditional ceremony process.

Bullhead and dancing

More than 700 invitees seriously watched the process. The ceremony started with several steps of conversation between the representative of bride family and ours. Then there was symbolic gift from both sides as a mark that now two families united. From our side, we gave them a big bullhead. What a gift! I didn’t know about this before. None told me. All members from our side and theirs touched the plate where the bullhead placed on, followed by pray and hope to strengthen the new family binding. They give us back a gift: a full big plate of carp fish. In Batak tradition, carp fish (Cyprinus carpio) is kind of food which served to express our respect to someone.

Bullhead as symbol of respect and unity

Carp fish as gift from the bride's family for us

Next step was dancing and giving ulos (hand made ornamental cloth) to the new couple. Ulos is also a symbol of respect from someone to another. Each family came with their own ulos. I counted that my brother received not less than 300 ulos. They gave the cloth preceded by speech and pray, then dancing (manortor). As the blessed family, we guarded the couple and should accompany them to dance too. Surprisingly, they called my name to receive the honour. Together with my wife, we got a very beautiful ulos, and my wife really like it. She wore the ulos for the rest of wedding day. Besides me, they also gave ulos to my mom, my sister and her husband, and my uncle.

The new couple receives ulos from all families

Me and my wife also receive ulos

Detail of an ulos. Beautiful isn't it?

Totally we spent all day long to undertake the procession and ceremony. Really tired. But I’m happy, after all everything is well done. I must thank to my new sister in law’s family who has given me opportunity to feel and to do as the Bataknese through the ceremony.

May 1998

Middle of April, ten years ago at Salemba. My friend Latief Siregar (now he is a TV news producer for TPI-Jakarta) and I, along with several journalists sat down on the university’s fence, watching hundreds of yellow jacketed- students protested to the government. “Down, down, Soeharto...” their choir echoed in that dry-weather day. In front of them, only separated by gate, hundreds polices were ready to wait for the students. Anything could be happened.

“Do you think their movement will be successful?” Latief asked me. I never thought he asked me like that. How come? Although protests and demos took place every day since January, there was no sign at all that Soeharto’s power weakened.

“Uh, no way,” I said. Latief smiled and nodded, agreed with my answer. Other journalists who listened to our conversation also expressed the same agreement.

May 1998 (AP)

A month later we knew we were totally wrong. The situation suddenly became worse, reached its first culmination when four Trisakti University students shot in their campus by mysterious snipers, 12 May 1998. In the next day, during the funeral procession of Trisakti students, some journalists –including me- were trapped in the clash between unidentified mass and police or army in front of the university.

Army handling a looting in the May 1998 riot (pic: Tempo Interactive)

Two days later, Jakarta knocked over by riots; the worst riot ever had in Indonesia history. Lootings occurred everywhere. Many reports came to our news room, informed that hundred people died in burnt malls and department stores. I remember, when watching Jakarta from flyover at Slipi, black smokes seen in many spots of Jakarta area.

Our editorial management decided to close our news rooms and temporarily moved it into President Hotel (now becomes Nikko Hotel). We work from the hotel for three days. All of us stayed at hotel. I couldn’t go home to Bogor because the road was unsafe.

Thousands students occupied the DPR building

Meanwhile, national political situation escalated so fast. Thousands students ‘invaded’ the house of representative building. They stayed there and urged the politician to decide a significant political step regarding people’s demand: Soeharto must step down.

And on 21 May, after 32 years led this country, Soeharto announced he stepped down from the presidential seat. None predicted it before. Indonesia entering what people call as the reform era, replaced the 30 year of new era (Orde Baru) .

It's been ten years now from 1998 moment. Many things happened, many thing have changed. Some of them better, some become worse. For me, this is time for my country, for all of us, to rethink our aim and ways to reach the welfare. The welfare by empowering people, not exploiting them.

I think this is the time. (ah)

PS: government just announced the increase of fuel price last Friday (pic: indonesiasatu.com)

Are you happy now?

In Memoriam: Edi Sis

Last weekend came with a very sad news. My friend Bahtiar Fitanto from Malang phoned me and informed: “Edi Sis has passed away…, traffic accident in Pasuruan.”

I was shocked. Speechless.

New friend, old friend

I know Edi Sis well during my two years service at USAID-LGSP (Local Governance Support Program). We are in different office. I work at Jakarta national office while Edi is under East Java regional office management as district coordinator for Probolinggo. I met him in several trainings for district coordinators –included communication and public relations training-- where I also involved as a facilitator. It didn’t take long time to make us a good friend. We feel like two old friends.

Edi (centre) and I interviewed Gus Dudung, 2007

He has high interest in improving his writing skill. When East Java office asked us for further training, February 2007, I met him again. Along with all regional office staff, Edi learned how to writing and taking photograph better. And he had proved that it’s useful. That was Edi, who with Bahtiar sent us our first lessons learned story about participatory planning.

We had good time together especially when we visited Probolinggo for about three days to see the progress of LGSP programs. Edi accompanied us to met with several people included the chairman of local house of representatives, head of planning development agency, NGO leaders and small-medium enterprises (SME). During the visit, I realised how he really mastering his work. Edi has close relationship with all local persons, a good lobbyist as well. He easily arranged personal meeting for us with the chairman and head of planning agency. The unforgettable moment was when he brought us to Pesantren Zainul Hasan, Genggong-Pajarakan where the leader, M. Baidhuri Faisal a.k.a Gus Dudung welcomed us warmly. We interviewed Gus Dudung about participatory planning approach that has been implemented in his school.

We also spent several hours to visit Mt. Bromo (2,392 metres above the sea level). In the early morning, we ride horse in the middle of sand oceans then enthusiastically climbed Bromo while in the right side the Mt Batok (2,440 metres height) watched us. I short word, we really enjoyed the time.

With team at Mt. Bromo. A great memory with Edi (left)

Another thing made us closer was that Edi can speak Sundanese language as his wife is from West Java. Sometimes we talked in this local language; something made some of team members teased us. And I met him for the last time in good governance meeting in Batu, Malang, August 2007.

Life is too short for him, a good guy. But his wife along with two kids and all families must be proud of Edi. He leaves golden footprints behind. We’ll always remember him.

Good bye, Mas…

Cyclone Nargis Struck Myanmar

The category four Nargis cyclone struck west-southwest of Yangon City, Myanmar on Friday 2 May 2008. Wind exceeded 190 kph and the storm ripped through the delta city (estimation population 6 million) for more than ten hours until Saturday noon on 3 May. Reports from the International Federation’s delegation in Myanmar suggest extensive devastation across the affected region. In some affected villages along the Irrawaddy river delta, 95 per cent of houses have been destroyed. Whilst in Yangon, access to running water and electricity has been severely limited. Homes were flattened, more sturdy structures damages, tress uprooted and power lines downed.

The scale of destruction and loss is massive; casualty figures are still rising with reported number (per 6 May 2008): 22,000 dead, 41,000 missing and millions affected.

The Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS), with International Federation support, has been active in in-country coordination mechanism. On 5 May, the Red Cross took part in the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) where the activation of the cluster system was discussed.

I got info that the one of Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) staff has departured for Bangkok yesterday (8 May) as part of Federation’s RDRT (regional disaster response team) member to enter Myanmar as soon as possible. Along with him are three members from Singapore Red Cross and Philippines RC. In Jakarta, PMI national headquarter has prepared 10 members in their list to be deployed anytime needed.

International Federation has released CHF 200,000 (USD 190,000 or EUR 123,000) from its Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to support Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) in undertaking immediate assessments of affected areas and distribution of relief items (i.e. cooking utensil, hygiene items, emergency shelters).

On 6 May, International Federation released preliminary emergency appeal to seek CHF 6,290,909 (USD 5,9 million or EUR 3,86 million) in cash, kind, or services in response to request for support MRCS to assist more than 30,000 families for 6 months.

The value of 8,000 rupiah

It was about 7 o’clock in the Monday evening last week. I was in public bus queuing its turn to depart for Bogor from Cawang, Jakarta. The bus was quite full with passengers -- most of them are like me, going home after a whole day work in Jakarta. I used to get express electric train from Cawang station but I was unlucky because the train left me behind. Truly my fault, I arrived a little bit late at the station.

So, I used bus to Bogor. While waiting, I tried to find something to read. A newspaper might entertain me and it’s easy to find street vendors selling newspaper, offering us --the passengers— newspapers and magazines. OK, I then bought Kompas Update. It’s a ‘pseudo-evening newspaper’ because it only has four pages of today’s news. The rest of it is yesterday’s. But with the price only 1,000 rupiah, it’s a good deal, anyway.

That was the moment when I saw a young boy. He is about 10-12 years old, I’m not sure. He brought a basket of mineral water bottles with him, came into the bus from front door. When he reached my seat, I asked him for a bottle of Aqua; 2,000 rupiah. His eyes turned brighter, and quickly gave me what I looked for.

I gave him 10,000 rupiah. I never thought that it’s a large denomination. But then I saw him struggling to find change money for me from his pockets. I felt he was a little bit nervous, knowing me, as his customer, waiting for the change.

“I’m really sorry you have to wait, Sir. But don’t worry, I have your change,” he smiled, shy. His face was flushed. “No, no hurry, take your time,” I replied. He found several worn out thousand rupiah notes and started counting. I clearly saw how he seemed really blessed with any purchase he got from passengers.

During that time, he told me what would the money for. “I must pay my final exam cost, Sir,” he said. He is now at the final year of primary school. With examination will take place next week, this young boy doesn’t want to burden his mother with money problem. He took chance selling the drinking waters from one to another bus.

I had a mix feeling in that moment. The young boy is struggling for his future, counting every cent to cover his need. Something touched my emotion was that this boy doing his job without any complaints. Suddenly I remembered an Andy Williams’s old song “Rain drops keep falling on my head”. “….Cause I’ll never gonna stop the rain by complainin’…”

“Take the change for you,” suddenly I said. He watched my eyes without blink. “Take the change. But you must promise to study hard at school. Agree?”

He quickly nodded. “I promise, I promise. Thank you very much, Sir” he said with a huge, huge smile. In the same time, driver’s assistant shouted to passengers, announced the bus was ready to go to Bogor. I saw the young boy jumped out from the bus, smiled to me, and jumped into another bus behind.

What an inspiring moment. I only gave that boy 8,000 rupiah but his eyes’ bright, smile and spirit told me how blessed he was with it. I hope he’ll be fine and pass his exam. I pray for him, from my deepest heart.

Learning to face the tidal wave

More than 2,500 people rush down the main street, running to save their lives as a five metre tidal wave looms large over their coastal community. Early warning sirens blare and dozens of women and children cry and yell in confusion. Many in the panicked crowd shoulder the valued household items they could grab before wave rushed through their homes. Forty five people died and hundreds more were injured.

The good news is that this nightmare scenario is just a part of emergency simulation scenario organized by the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) and local authorities in the last week of February. In all 2,500 people enthusiastically took part in the simulation, which was supported by German Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

For people in Muara Baru, a small suburb in Jakarta’s north, this was their first exposure to disaster preparedness. “I trembled by imagining this was a real disaster,” said Suwarsih, 40, who voluntarily participated in the event alongside 30 of her neighbours.

Rising sea levels are a very serious problem for people living in this part of Indonesia’s sprawling capital, particularly in the last six months. As a consequence, residents are increasingly vulnerable to tidal surges and waves. According to Suwarsih the high tide has been flooding her house more often in recent times. “My house was inundated up to this level,” she explained, pointing to her waist.

Though she hopes that her community never has to face a disaster on this scale, Suwarsih appreciated the simulation exercise. “If it happened, at least now I know from the simulation how to save my family’s life,” she said.

For PMI and other institutions the simulation was also a good way to measure their own capacity to deal with a disaster of this size. “We understand from the simulation that several aspects such as communication and coordination still need to improve, but that’s why we conduct this,” said Jeong Park, a disaster management delegate for the International Federation in Indonesia.

The simulation demonstrated the importance of different organizations working together to handle such a crisis. PMI quick response units (known locally as SATGANA) and community based action teams were immediately deployed to the mock disaster zone and emergency health clinics were quickly established to help those with serious injuries.

Local authorities, working closely with PMI, erected tents and a field kitchen for the survivors. PMI volunteers offered psychosocial support for children and set up systems to help people report and find lost family members.

“This emergency drill was useful for both the government and the community to test their readiness when the real disaster comes,” said Jakarta’s vice governor, Prijanto, who closely followed the simulation. Prijanto emphasized that coordination among institutions is key for everyone involved in disaster management. He also acknowledged the important role of the Red Cross.

“(They are) always in front to provide help in any disaster that occurs in Jakarta,” he said.

Update: Earthquake shocked Simeulue

Here is what I got from Disaster Management Information System (DMIS) and friends within International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Indonesia Delegation:

A strong earthquake shocked Aceh yesterday, 20 February 2008. The Meteorology and Geophysical Agency (BMG) said the quake had magnitude 6.6 SR (they revised later to 7.6) in location 2.58N, 95.99E at 03.08 PM Local Time in depth 37 kilometres. The first earthquake then followed by at least another two aftershocks in the same location with magnitude 5.5 and 5.3 SR. There is no tsunami warning but people are still worried, make some of them prefer to stay in the higher area.

According data from health department there were 3 elder people died and 25 people injured in Sinabang. Based on their local wisdom if they felt a strong shake automatically they will running to the higher land to see water sea level.

Also reported that electricity in the area was cut down and cellular phone signal was interrupted. Only fixed phone well functioned in this area. Many buildings damaged and collapsed but there are no fix number related with this until this morning.

The Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) had deployed 50 local volunteers in Sinabang to the location. PMI patrolled to some subdistricts to observe the conditions. They have been evacuating the injured people to the nearest health facilities. PMI keep 24 hours monitoring unit to update the situation. (ah)

A Tribute to Bersihar Lubis

I read from a newspaper couple days ago that Bersihar Lubis’ case in Depok court will be decided by judge next week, 20 February. For you who don’t know him yet, Bersihar is an ex-Tempo, Gatra,GAMMA and MEDIUM news magazine editor.

The story began last year when he wrote an op-ed at Koran Tempo daily, criticised Attorney General’s order to withdrawal history books for students regarding its ignorance in not explaining the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) role in 30 September coup d’etat 1965 (this is honestly a part of national history that still mysterious down to date).

So, here is the problem. Bersihar wrote his op-ed with title “the Story of a Dumb Interrogator” (Kisah Interogrator yang Dungu). He said a word “dumb” to explain attorney general’s reckless action on the book withdrawal. The “dumb” word itself is not originally come from him, actually. He just quoted it from Joesoef Ishak, the owner of Hasta Mitra publishing house, who published some Pramoedya Ananta Toer's books (and later the books were banned by Attorney General) when he interviewed by MEDIUM magazine once time.

As the result, Attorney General sued Bersihar, said that the op-ed has insulted the attorney general. They brought this case to the court and placed Bersihar as the accused.

From Gatra to Gamma

I worked with him for several years. He was one of my mentor in journalism and someone who teach me day by day during that period about how to be a good writer (and journalist).

I met him for the first time in 1995 when I joined Gatra national weekly news magazine. Bang (Elder Brother) Ber, that’s what people used to call him, just moved from Medan to Jakarta. Maybe because we come from the same city so it’s not hard to build a good relationship even though it was between senior and junior journalist.

“Young brother, a writer is like a story teller,” he preached me, during our deadline nights. “The difference is about the medium. As a writer you type your words while as a story teller you utter them. Another difference is that as a writer you must tell the truth, reality…”

He likes detail and rich facts from his reporters, so he can explore and use those all in his stories. I remember we wrote analysis on Soeharto’s fall in 1998 for cover story. We interviewed William Liddle, a professor and Indonesianist from Ohio State Universtiy, Columbus. Two days before New Year 1999, we moved together from Gatra to GAMMA magazine along with some other colleagues.

Work, Debate, Hang Out

But, you know, in our work, I didn’t always agree with him on some principles and issues. So sometimes we had hot debates when selecting some critical issues for articles or cover stories. It’s really hot debates. But after that, everything back to the normal again.

The good thing was that outside of work we have a place to hang out together: a small outdoor sport equipment shop in Kalibata managed by my friend Bambang Hamid Sujatmoko a.k.a. Abeng. This guy is a senior reporter and member of Wanadri Mountain Climber Club, Bandung (now he works for Metro TV). After all day work and deadline, those discussions became good catharsis for us. We spent much time there, accompanied by cups of tea and coffee, talking various topics from politic to sport, from family problems to office politicking.

After I resigned from the magazine, I visited him several times at his new office at Kemang. But after that, we never meet again, until then I heard his case. I sent him short message, gave my full support for his legal process. “Thanks, let’s plan to meet again with some friends,” he replied.

Nobody knows yet what the decision will be taken by judge. However, lot of supports came to him since the case revealed in media. I think all journalists and writers, including me, clearly stand up along him. Bringing a writer to the court because his/her opinion (and nothing wrong with the opinion) is believed will threat people to speak out their mind in this republic. (ah)

The Elements of Journalism

Here are the nine elements of journalism explained by Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel (“The Element of Journalism, 2001). Just for a reminder for those who work in journalism field.

1. Journalism's first obligation is to the truth.
2. Its first loyalty is to the citizens
3. Its essence is discipline of verification.
4. Its practitioners must maintain an independence from those they cover.
5. It must serve as an independent monitor of power.
6. It must provide a forum for public criticism and compromise.
7. It must strive to make the significant interesting, and relevant.
8. It must keep the news comprehensive and proportional.
9. Its practitioners must be allowed to exercise their personal conscience.

(ah)

Indonesia: from zero to heroes

In Nias Island, an Indonesian Red Cross initiative has mobilized and trained more than 800 new volunteers in just ten months.

When a community based first aid programme was launched on the Indonesian island of Nias in March 2007, there was little indication that it would go on to be a major Red Cross success story.

“At the beginning, there were no volunteers – so we had to start the programme completely from scratch,” said Indonesian Red Cross Society (PMI) health officer Mariani Gulo, who worked with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to develop the programme.

Today, more than 800 community-based volunteers are teaching first aid in 39 villages across the island, reaching people in need in even the remotest communities.

It’s a remarkable achievement for the PMI and the International Federation, given the remoteness of the island. Nias faced a number of challenges even before it was hit by the December 2004 tsunami and then devastated by the March 2005 earthquake that killed around 800 people and made tens of thousands homeless.

Thousands of families in remote villages were enduring daily health problems because they were unable to reach the island’s hospital or local medical centre. This situation led PMI and the International Federation to launch a community based first aid programme in several areas, to empower local people to respond to daily emergencies where health professionals are absent or overworked.

To deliver the programme and ensure that it was sustainable, PMI and the International Federation began to recruit volunteers in Nias, including some who had been inactive because there had not been any suitable activities for them to participate in. Initially, only five volunteers were available, although this soon increased to 35.

PMI and the International Federation then ensured that all the volunteers were trained to national standards and understood the nature of the voluntary work they would be doing.

Rising to the challenge

Once the volunteers were trained up, community leaders were invited to select new potential first-aiders from each of the 39 villages targeted by the new programme.

The location of many of these villages proved a fresh challenge. In many cases, it took volunteers nearly four hours to reach settlements that were inaccessible even by motorcycle.

To avoid wasting time and energy, PMI and the International Federation decided that all volunteers must stay for three days in a targeted area to deliver modules for village volunteers and to arrange activities in the community.

This decision has been greeted with warmth and appreciation by the villagers, who have expressed their gratitude to the volunteers who have travelled so far and given up so much of their time.

Follow their schedule, not ours

Community based first aid volunteers must complete a minimum of 52 hours of training. However, as most villagers are farmers and local traders with community obligations, this tight schedule wouldn’t work for them.

So a new approach was developed to suit the community. First, the training module was split into six parts and was delivered gradually. Each module consists of specific topics such as vector diseases like malaria and dengue fever; diarrhoeal diseases caused by poor hygiene conditions; nutrition and first aid. These, combined with disaster preparedness and disaster response topics, will encourage the formation of community based action teams and can then be used in emergency situations. The volunteers also received an induction on PMI and its work, and on the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement’s Fundamental Principles.

“We follow the villagers’ schedule as closely as we can, as long as we both agree,” said Dr Eka Airlangga, the International Federation’s health programme manager in Nias.

This flexibility allowed some first aid topics to be taught during community church services. Dr Airlangga added that the first aid trainers also used events important to the local culture, such as Maena (a community gathering with singing and dancing), to carry out training. Volunteers also organized a competition and provided a health message, which was then adapted into lyrics by village dance and singing groups.

To maintain the village volunteers’ capacity, they are regularly involved in first aid trainings held for selected audiences including primary school students, teachers, and senior citizens.

From zero to hundreds

Then programme has achieved a great deal in the ten months since its launch.

“The good news is that the training the volunteers have received is at the same level as the PMI standard – and in some cases even higher,” said Dr Jeyathesan Kulasingam, an International Federation health delegate with the Aceh tsunami operation.

The villagers are feeling the benefits most of all. When Nias was hit by a diarrhoea outbreak last summer, the villages supported by the community based first aid programme suffered less than others.

“In many cases, we can now save the money we used to spend travelling to the city hospital,” said Faolozisokhi Zega, a volunteer coordinator from Lolo’ana’a lolomoyo village in Gunung Sitoli Utara sub district. More important, he added, the villagers can now respond quickly and effectively if a family member or neighbour falls ill or has an accident. (ah, published at www.ifrc.org)

Yang telah Selesai

Tiga hari penuh berita bertaburan tentang perginya seorang tokoh besar. Entah dia sebagai pahlawan besar, atau sebagai penjahat besar, itu soal lain. Hidupnya bak dua mata pisau yang agaknya sama tajamnya. Jadi, kalau banyak orang bertengkar soal itu, tak mengherankan.

Yang jelas, tahu-tahu saja jadi ingat sebuah puisi yang dimusikalisasi oleh penyair sekaligus musisi, Abdul Gafar Abdullah alias Ebiet G. Ade. Kalau tak salah tahun 1982 dalam album "Langkah Berikutnya" (jadul banget bukan gue?). Sepertinya cocok. Kebetulan pula lagunya ada di Samsung MP3 player saya. Ya sudah, sambil berdiri terselip di antara penumpang KRL Eksekutif, puisi ini saya dengarkan. Mau ikut menikmati. Monggo....

Yang telah Selesai

Jangankan untuk berpikir

sedang mendengar pun enggan

Jeritan pilu lewat bagai angin

Jantungnya telah membeku

Lupa segala-galanya

tak merah tak juga jingga

Rintihan kelu tak ubah nyanyian

Ibanya telah membatu

Semakin hari semakin tak peduli

semua harapan tlah pupus

Matanya kosong

Sinarnya binasa

Bibirnya rapat

terkunci

Dia bukan milik kita lagi

terselubung dalam sepi

Masa lalunya begitu gelap

Benturan demi benturan

begitu berat menekan

Jangankan untuk menyapa

sedang menoleh pun enggan

Lampu jalanan pun perlahan padam

dia hanya pantas dikenang

Sekali waktu terbangun

Nafasnya tersendat-sendat

sumpah serapah yang ia gumamkan

"Dia hanya pantas dikenang..."

Local language in 9PM

A call came from Deddy Ardiansyah, reporter of 9PM Magazine, couple weeks ago. He found one of my weblog, http://www.kamus-medan.blogspot.com. This is a blog where I collect and put every word and phrase of bahasa Medan or Medan language. I told him that my blog has been dormant for almost a year. Not because I didn’t get any entry, but more because, uh, you know… too lazy to do that. But he said, it is the only weblog that has the most entries he ever found and listed together in alphabetical order.

The 9PM is a new free magazine published in city of Medan, North Sumatra. It’s a city lifestyle magazine which managed by a group of energetic young men. They released the first edition last December, covered the raise of creative industries in some big cities in Indonesia including Medan. And for the second edition, the local language had been picked up as their headline.

The language itself is slightly different from Melayu (Malay) --known as lingua franca in archipelago which eventually evolve become Indonesia language. It seems that the language was the result from mixing use of Melayu with other languages such as Javanese, Chinese, Malay, and Batak. It’s interesting to know that Medan people always keep their language style even they live far way from Medan now. Many say that using Medan language provides them strong identity because it’s a unique style which clearly represents their Sumatra culture. Using categories used by Edward T. Hall (1973), we could place Medan culture (includes its language) as a low context culture: verbal, explicit, to the point. In this culture, people say what they mean and mean what they say.

So, Deddy promises me to send a copy of the newest edition of 9PM. The package hasn’t arrived yet, but at least you can see the cover (see left). Cool….

50 People who could save the Planet

It’s been long time for me not updating this blog. No excuse. My head of delegate, Bob, left a message in my latest posting, said that there are two possibilities about why I couldn’t write anything: first because I work too hard (do I?), and second because I’m too lazy (I’m exactly at this position ☺).

OK. But let me tell you good news. My sister sent me short message, told that her husband –my brother in law- Henry Saragih just named last 5 January by the Guardian, a London-based prominent daily, as one of 50 people who could save the planet. It’s really a new year surprise for us and we are very proud of him, of course.

The Guardian comes up with a list of 50 people who they think the most able to prevent the continuing destruction of the planet. The newspaper invited an expert panel to select hundred names into a short list through a global environment debate. Some experts included Bob Watson, the former World Bank chief scientist and now is a British government's scientific adviser on climate change; Indian physicist and ecologist Vandana Shiva; Kenyan biologist and Nobel prize-winner Wangari Maathai; activists - Guardian columnist George Monbiot and head of Greenpeace International Gerd Leipold; politicians - Green party co-leader and MEP Caroline Lucas, and London mayor Ken Livingstone; sustainable development commissioner for the UK government Jonathon Porritt and novelist Philip Pullman.

Along with him as 50 people who could save the planet are several widely known person such as German chancellor Angela Merkel, US politician and environmentalist Al Gore, movie star Leonardo di Caprio, and statistician Bjorn Lomborg (who write “the Sceptical Environmentalist”).

The Guardian profiled Henry as described below:

“Henry Saragih is a small farmer who has hardly seen his wife and children in 15 years since taking on the Indonesian government and the palm oil barons of Sumatra and Kalimantan. Companies with links to government are devastating vast areas of Indonesia and southeast Asia to grow palm oil to supply Europe's cars and kitchens with biofuel and cooking oils, and Saragih is one of the few people standing in their path. Not only does he lead a union of several million agitated Indonesian peasants, but he also heads Via Campesina, the global movement of increasingly militant peasant farmers which campaigns for land reform in 80 countries. Saragih and his colleagues are lobbying the UN and the World Trade Organisation.

How this struggle plays out in the next 20 years will determine whether there is any rainforest left intact south-east Asia in 50 years' time, and possibly the political future of many developing countries”.

Pic.(left): with President Hugo Chavez, in a peasant rally in Venezuela

For me, this announcement is another recognition on Henry's and his colleagues’ effort to help small peasants in Indonesia

and many developing countries. I know that he has been devoting his self to peasant’s welfare issues since he was at college at University of North Sumatra (before he met my sister). Fourteen years ago, he brought me for the first time to Bangunpurba, a little town in southeastern of Medan, North Sumatra. He was born and grew up there, among rubber trees plantation area. During our visit, he expressed his vision on how to defend small farmers’ right, agricultural reform, and how to make farmers’ life better in the future. He admitted that that is an unpopular vision among his generation who prefer chasing their professional career in big cities instead thinking of peasant’s welfare.

As secretary general of La Via Campesina, he must have travel a lot. His daughter and boy criticized him about this. But then, after years, they both finally understand why their father chooses to spend a lot time with other people, not with them. I’m happy that my brother in law now can achieve exactly what he dreams about: working closely with farmers, building stronger network among peasant unions in the world. Last year, Global Justice –an NGO network- gave him award for his role in agricultural reform.

For complete news, you can visit this link:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/jan/05/activists.ethicalliving

Semalam di Senayan

Ceritanya, my youngest brother berhasil mendapatkan tiket final Piala Asia 2007 dengan harga murah. Tiket kelas 1, yang dijual resmi Rp 500.000 ditawarkan seorang karyawan perusahaan sponsor dengan separo harga, Rp 250.000. Rugi kalo nggak diambil. Walhasil, dengan dua tiket di tangan, saya dan adik saya janjian ketemu di Gelora Bung Karno, Ahad petang kemarin.

Atmosfernya, wuih, gile bener. Dari pintu 1 Senayan saja gelombang penonton sudah membanjiri stadion tua itu. Banyak juga terlihat orang bule dari Australia, lengkap dengan seragam Socceroos-nya. Lalu ketemu orang Jepang, Korea Selatan, dan banyak orang asing lainnya. Agaknya magnet final ini boleh juga. Usut punya usut, mereka rupanya sudah pesen tiket final jauh-jauh hari, dengan harapan timnas mereka yang masuk final. Apa mau dikata, mereka harus nonton Irak vs Saudi. “Saya dukung Irak, deh,” kata seorang penonton asal Australia, yang ikut ngantri masuk di sebelah saya. Kenapa? “Bosen dukung Saudi, kan udah biasa menang,” katanya, enteng. Hahaha…. Bisa aja.

Eh, tapi bener, Senayan malam itu diputihkan oleh pendukung Irak. Dan hawa pro-Mesopotamia juga mengalir ke setiap penonton. Maklum, sejarah penonton dengan tim Saudi agak nggak enak. Soalnya, tim Saudi-lah yang melenyapkan mimpi supporter Indonesia, ketika kesebelasan jazirah Arab itu mengalahkan Ellie Aiboy dkk 2-1. View dari Tribun Sector 2, (Kelas I sebelah VIP, Bo!), oke punya. “Kayak view-nya Winning Eleven 11,” kata adik saya. Ck..ck.. nggak jauh-jauh referensinya, game.

Dan permainan malam itu dikuasai Irak. Gile men, duet center dan full back Irak –dan sama-sama gundul-- Basem Abbas Gatea dan sapa tuh satu lagi, lupa saya, rruarr biasa. Ada juga pemain no. punggung 13, dan tentu Younis Mahmoud. Yang belakangan ini mencetak gol (sayangnya pada menit-menit akhir dia kehabisan tenaga, tapi heran kok nggak diganti-ganti). Belum lagi dukungan penonton, 80% lebih pro Irak. Kasian Saudi. Permainan mereka sendiri (Saudi) tidak berkembang, sayang sekali. Sesekali memang Yasser al Qahtani bisa menggocek bola. Tapi kiper Irak, Noor Sabri, top bgt! Saya sempat liat dia “terbang” menaklukkan bola tendangan keras dari penyerang Arab. Heibat, heibat.

Skor akhir: 1-0. Maka, upacara penyerahan piala berlangsung meriah. Pake kembang api segala. Yang jelas, meski malam itu adalah final match Irak vs Arab, pemenang sejati bagi saya tetaplah….. CHELSEA, DOOOOONG!!!

Demikian laporan pandangan mata dari Gelora Bung Karno, Senayan Jakarta. Kita kembali ke studio. Silakan Bung Ronny Pattinasarany….

Foto:

1. Tiket final. Ehm, Rp 500.000… (korting 50% lho)

2. Senayan menjelang laga final. Bulan purnama mengawal di tengah stadion. Sayang, kameranya “Cuma” Olympus Miu, bukan Canon EOS 400D J

3. Kedua tim sebelum bertanding.

4. Irak vs Saudi. Yang menang? CHELSEA DOOOOONG…..

Kisah "Tiga" Duren

Bongkar-bongkar file foto, eh, ketemu gambar ini. Menarik. Ceritanya, ketika usai pelatihan di Malang, saya dan tim komunikasi, ditemani Mas Tanto yang fasilitator handal itu (ehm, ehm) meluncur ke Probolinggo. Biasa, ketemu beberapa narasumber semacam Ketua Bappeda, Ketua DPRD, dan LSM dan mengumpulkan cerita tentang kegiatan serta hasil kerjasama yang telah terwujud lewat bantuan LGSP.

Nah, di Probolinggo, malam hari, usai makan ada tantangan menarik di warung tetangga. Tepat di sebelah warung makan, ada penjual duren. Wallahu a'lam, itu duren didatangkan dari mana. Yang jelas, betapa menggodanya buah yang bernama ilmiah Durio zibethinus ini! Sumpah deh. Ibarat kata, melihat bentuk dan warnanya saja saya jadi ingat ucapan Bondan Winarno: "Endang Bambang Surendang, Top Markotop!"

Tanto 'melancarkan' tantangan. Ya saya terima. Fuadi dan Ita juga. Sarah yang asli Amrik bilang oke. "Tapi nyicip aja," katanya (pake nego segala, hehehe...).

Jadilah sekian duren dipindahtangankan. Dan sukses. Habis! Lalu sebagai bukti, ya momen inilah yang dijepret untuk kita. Tanto di kiri, saya di kanan, rangkaian duren di tengah. Kalau mau bicara hemat, bisa juga bilang begini: "Tiga rangkaian duren dipotret berdampingan..." (catat: mampu menghina diri sendiri adalah salah satu kemampuan ala sufi yang tak semua orang bisa dan tega melakukannya, hahaha).

Ke Makassar Ku Kembali

Ke Makassar! Sudah setahun lalu, kali ini aku tiba lagi di kota para daeng ini. Pelatihan menulis dan fotografi yang tim komunikasi rancang buat para staf terbukti banyak peminatnya. Dan banyak hasil positifnya. Maka, tim SSRO (South Sulawesi Regional Office) minta pelatihan serupa diberikan kepada mereka.

Terbang di tengah isu keamanan minim maskapai penerbangan domestik cukup bikin ketar-ketir juga. Meski mereknya Garuda, tetap saja ketika lepas landas dan mendarat mesti menarik nafas dalam-dalam. "Kayaknya tadi landingnya kecepatan," gumam advisor saya. Entah juga.

Acara pelatihan dilangsungkan di Clarion. Ini hotel baru, diresmikan tahun lalu. Tak seperti Imperial Aryaduta, yang dekat pantai, hotel ini ada di tengah kota. Jadi agak susah juga mau ke mana-mana. Masih untung ada Pak Haji Nompo, supir SSRO. Dia cukup sigap mengantar ke sana ke mari.

Acaranya sendiri cukup lancar. Kebetulan saya dan Fuadi, teman setim, bereksperimen dengan metode baru, masukan dari Bu Yoen yang alumnus vibrant facilitation. Praktek dan diskusi 60%, presentasi 40%. Luar biasa hasilnya. Dua hari peserta bisa kuat bertahan, bahkan tidak mau meninggalkan kelas, mengerjakan tugas-tugas mereka. Suasananya hidup, dan acara berakhir sukses. "Metodenya oke, penyampaiannya mantap," puji seorang peserta. Waduh, hidung rasanya membesar. Hasil evaluasi memang rata-rata menyatakan puas dan mereke mengaku menemukan hal baru: fokus dalam menulis dan memotret, yang selama ini diabaikan. Senang juga rasanya bisa berbagi ilmu buat orang banyak.

Yang tak bisa diabaikan tentu traktiran Bu Tanti dan suami di restoran Gurih. Mantap pisan, ceuk urang Sunda teh... Besoknya, giliran di Sari Laut, kali ini dengan full team SSRO. Gila! Apalagi ternyata malam itu ada perayaan ultah seorang dokter senior ahli forensik. Kami kebagian kuenya, hahahaha. Dan guyon sang ibu dokter cukup keren. "Saya sediakan layanan gratis buat bapak dan ibu yang kepengen diautopsi suatu saat nanti," katanya, kalem. Asem, deh.

Dua hari training, Kamis pagi Fuadi dan Ita terbang kembali ke Jakarta. Sementara Ifan, saya dan Sarah, ditemani Bu Tanti dan Muin, district coordinator SSRO, Rabu malam bergerak ke Parepare. Telat berangkat, karena hujan deras. Kelaparan pula. Ifan, sambil tidur-tiduran gelisah di belakang, beberapa kali nyeletuk minta makan malam. Walhasil, kami berhenti di Pangkep (Pangkajene Kepulauan), tepatnya RM 77. Seafood lagi! Kali ini dengan variasi lain. Luar biasa. Semua hidangan tandas tak bersisa. Sisa perjalanan diisi dengan tidur, sebelum akhirnya sampai di Parepare pukul 11 malam. Tak ada pilihan lain kecuali segera tidur lagi... :-)

Esoknya, seharian diisi dengan wawancara dan temu ramah dengan beberapa narasumber yang terlibat dalam proses pembuatan Perda Penyelenggaraan Pendidikan di Parepare. Tak lupa, beli oleh-oleh abon tuna. Hm, rasanya oke punya. Sorenya balik segera ke Makassar, di bawah cuaca yang agak aneh, redup tapi gimanaa gitu. Kami lewat pula pesisir pantai tempat beberapa serpih bagian pesawat Adam Air yang hilang ditemukan.

Jumat siang, dengan delay jadwal Garuda yang hampir 1,5 jam, akhirnya saya tiba lagi di Jakarta. Hm, sungguh-sungguh pekan yang amat padat...

bingung jenis anthurium

Halo, sudah lama tidak posting. Dengan segala alasan, mohon dimaafken.

Di rumah saya punya tanaman hias anthurium jenmanii. Tetapi saya tidak tau persis ini jenisnya apa. Sebagian bilang itu adalah a. jenmanii jenis langka, yakni jaipong. Sedangkan sebagian lagi menyebutkan itu jenis Sawi. Entah mana yang benar. Adakah di antara anda yang tahu? Mohon bantu saya.. Trims. Gambarnya ada di bawah ini.

Minal Aidin wal Faizin