Saman

"Dan ia mengganti kartu identitasnya, sampai peristiwa itu selesai di pengadilan kira-kira dua tahun kemudian. Ia memilih nama: Saman. Tanpa alasan khusus, tiba-tiba saja itu yang terlintas dibenaknya"

(" And he changes his ID card, until that incident was over at court approximately two years later. He choose: Saman. Without any particular reason, the words across his mind")

A friend lend me this book several weeks ago. Within three days, I've finish the books. This book reminds me when I read Siti Nurbaya on junior high school. I was easily draw to this book. The story, the character, plot, diction amaze me. Indeed, I was late. Saman was first published on 1998 but I read it on 2011. However, Isn't something we never read or see before is "new"??

This book told  a story about Saman, a former priest who became an activist after an incident in Lubukrantau. Not only Saman who were told in this novel, there were another characters told here. Laila, a woman who has passion on Sihar, a married man. Shakuntala, a dancer, one of Laila's best friends. Shakuntala lives in New York. And, Yasmin, a smart woman, Laila's best friends who has passion on Saman.

Saman brings a lot of themes; politics, sex, culture, belief/ faith. Ayu Utami mixes these aspects become one marvelous book. No wonder if Pramoedya Ananta Toer and Umar Kayam praise this book. Also, Saman achieve 1st Prize of  Jakarta Art Council Novel Competition (1998) and Prince Claus Awards (2000), an award for which given to people from third world who excel in the field of culture and development.


Critics were given to "Saman", some praise and some are not. Some said that Saman were too bold on exploit sexuality, politics and culture. But on the other side, other said that Saman told everything without pretense. Personally, I can say "Saman" is a great novel. A novel where the story can drag you  into the plot, feel the atmosphere which built by the author, and the readers feel that he/she become part of the story.  Definitely one of epic Indonesian's modern literature. Two thumbs up!!

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Arifinto: A man in the right place, right time, wrong action.

For the past few days, another sensation occurs in Indonesia. After Briptu Kamaru and his Lip Sync action, now about parliament member. But this one brings bad effect on parliament member. Arifinto, a member parliament from PKS (Partai Keadilan Sejahtera/Prosperous Justice Party) watching a porn movie from his tablet while on plenary meeting. A journalist took a shot while Arifinto watching a porn content from his tablet. Few days later, news about parliament member watching a porn content exposed in Indonesia. Arifinto admit that he's the one who's on the picture. He said a link was sent to him, and he click it. He watched the video for several seconds then he close it. On Monday (4/11/2011), he resign as parliament member.









Arifinto definitely doing a wrong act. He's adding another minus points for parliament member in the eye of Indonesian citizen. Watching a porn content on a plenary meeting is a big mistake (Sleeping too). If it discuss about Indonesian people, parliament member must pay attention and give their opinion about the topic. Instead of listening, most of them usually absence or sleeping. So no wonder if former President, Gus Dur, Said that parliament member are kids from kindergarten. I agree with that. They said they were educated yet act like thug. We may remember theres a fight between parliament members (So wheres the educated manner, "democracy" and belief in "deliberation for agreement"?).









This also a direct blow for Tifatul Sembiring, minister of communication and information. He's the one ordered to block porn website. Unfortunately, his colleague from the same party watching a porn content. Well, I presume his decision to block all porn sites are not effective enough.




But, I raise my hat for Arifinto. First, he's a parliament member and he attend the plenary meeting (however, it went wrong). Second, Arifinto admit that he's the parliament member who watch the porn content. Finally, he resign as parliament member, yet still serve his party. Maybe another parliament members need to follow his way. Just like in Japan, when Minister of Foreign Affair, Seiji Maehara, resign and admit that he received a campaign fund donation from foreigner.




I just wonder, if Arifinto stay focused on plenary meeting, do his job as our representatives and didn't use his tablet. Maybe he still a parliament member now. But one single click ruins his career. I hope you learn a lesson from there, Sir.

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Indonesian Police: Feared or Respected??

Today, I watched the most amusing video from an institution I hate since I was a kid, Police. It's shows a Indonesian police lip sync and dance in a Hindi music. At first glance, I can say "Well, Police are not bad at all". After many years,  I always thought that policemen are stern, discipline and feared or, I might, say hate by community. I always heard that anyone who involved with them, it means bad news. I f you get ticket , for example, you can bribe them. Seventy five thousand Rupiah or so will save you from a boring and twisting administration. But yeah, it made your feeling uneasy, or maybe cautious if you were stopped by them

The institution itself were trying to befriend and respected among society. In my opinion, it still won't work They went to the kindergarten, explain about what police are and what they do. They teach how children should behave on the road. But, I doubt if these kids will have a good image about police few years later. They may find out the real "image" of police if they grow up.

Since this video become a trend in Indonesia for past few days, Police trying to find out the suspect who upload the video on Youtube. For me, It is pointless, The video got hundreds positive comments. Most of them said if Norman Kamaru (the police who lip sync and dance) are funny and creative. I haven't found any comment who said he disgrace his corps. Also, I presume Norman act like that because he want to entertain his friends. Not expecting for a "cheap" fame.I don't think he will upload his video on Youtube. It might be somebody else who thought that the video is amusing. But look at the result., None of them mocking him and his corps. Most of comment support Norman if he got Sanction by his leader. Public love this police. You can see here http://www.facebook.com/pages/1-juta-dukungan-buat-oman-kamaru-untuk-tidak-ditindak/147286015337056, a group who collect 1 million supporters who ask Norman not get sanction by his institution.

So, Sir, If you think Norman disgrace your institution, I won't say yes. Some policemen went to red light district, bar, discotheque, receive a bribe yet won't say anything, always deny it. If you appreciate him but still give him sanction to him. It still not nice.If I were you, I'd rather choose him to be a "friendly police" mascot. he can be a police who respected and love by society. He is not a comedian who disgrace your institution.

But Sir, if you still persistent that police must be stern and discipline like before, well go ahead. People will still fear you, not respect you.

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