The Overspent Snobs

http://www2.thejakartapost.com/news/2012/12/24/imo-view-the-overspent-snobs.html

Can you hear the bells chime? It’s Christmas soon! New Year is approaching! Jakarta’s malls are in full swing with sparkling decorations and ready for the year-end shopping spree. These malls will undoubtedly provide special prices and discounts to add to the exuberance of year-end sales! Midnight sales! Shop till you drop! The mirthless shops attendants wearing silly red Santa hats are in every corner of the malls to attract shoppers. It is the time for every shopping mall to turn into a huge arena for the overspent snobs!


Such frenzy doesn’t even spare my colleagues. It is addicted like drug! Some of my colleagues love to buy things they don’t even need. Without doubts, additional huge discounts will make all the glittering blinking branded items the more alluring. Sometimes, they don’t care if they have to pay that bit extra and go for a prestige brand. As with any modern shoppers, they tend to buy things to make a statement, to show off their status. They don’t even listen to my whinnies and protests.

“C’mon! We have worked so hard, honey! It’s time to spoil ourselves!” They would argue.

Well, what can I say? It’s their money. They have every right to spend them on whatever they want! It’s not my problem if they purchase more than they simply need to demonstrate a base materialism, to gain a certain status! By the end of the day, they simply try to live the lifestyle of their – two paycheck friends. They spend more than is fiscally prudent! It’s all about consumerism!

It is not surprising if many of us trapped into the so-called modern consumerism. We watch the how our idols live in what seem to be ‘fairy tale on television. We see advertising and commercials prescribe what’s fashionable and what’s not, what’s elegant and what’s not, what’s important and what’s not, and so forth. We read about lifestyle of celebrities and other public figures. We scrutinize how they live, what they wear, where they go. We admire their ‘classy’ life. They become our ‘reference group.’

Consciously and unconsciously, such shows find their way to transform us. They affect us. We assimilate the information and try to build a twin image of what we see in the media over and over again. Wearing particular brands, living in a certain kind of home and going to fancy restaurants emphasize support for a particular image. It’s an image in the world as we know portrayed in those Medias. Living the reference group’s lifestyle will upgrade our status! Classy and fancy! The result is that many of us have become participants in an upscale spending of consumerism.

As for me, I try always to buy things that I need, and not things that I want. I don’t want to fall into the consumption culture, a movement of people who are downshifting – by working less, earning less, and living their consumer lives much more deliberately. Living such a life would be suffocating. I can’t imagine live from paycheck to another paycheck.

But I still love to go with my colleagues to the shopping malls. To annoy them I would say “spend less than you earn” otherwise “earn more than you spend!

In response, they would purse their lips and left in a hurry, lol.

The Forgotten

As if an annual ritual in the closing year, some of my colleagues send me emails and messages questioning the fate of our anomaly group. A new year relates to salary increase approved by The House of Representatives. It always brings a bitter sweet feeling. Every fiber of our core hopes it will bring changes to our current state. Yet, deep down, we somehow know that it will only bring a sad premonition, a taste of hopelessness. No matter how much digit IPK (working performance index) we get, our salary will remain staying as an anomaly that will always have a domino effect on other facilities we receive. With higher grade, higher IPK, we receive less and less every year. We are the forgotten, lost inside the collective memory of the policy makers.


As always, words of wisdom are left as our soothsayer. It stands as a remedy to our broken spirit. Yet, this year, perhaps, I no longer have such comforting words for my colleagues sharing the same boat with me. That would be asking them to swallow a hot iron down their throat. It would be just cruel.

All I can offer now is an encouragement of not to give up. My Dear fellow anomaly group, great moments are born from great opportunity. Let's prove it right! We have bled, cried, and fell; over and over again these past three years. We have seen how high ranking officials always try to save their own neck first. We have witnessed how we are sacrificed as the poor lambs. We have been cut, scarred, and trampled over and over again. We have suffered losses. We have endured too many.


Yet, we refuse to back down. We refuse to give up. We refuse to go down without a fight. We may tumble and crumble. We seal the wound, then heal. Someday, we will see a wind of change. Someday, we will witness that even a voice from a commoner can make a diiference.



As in life, it is all just a game of inches. We have a thorny bridge to cross, a hellish road to conquer. We put one foot in front of the other and keep on moving inch by inch, yard by yard. That's what makes it different. Winning or losing doesn't matter because we have given our best.



People will say we will lose the battle. But I can assure you that we are the winners so long we pay our dues. So long we hold our head high and complete our job satisfactorily. This misfortune will not break our character. This will make us stronger. We will prove them that we are so much better!

My Dad's Secret Treasure

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2012/12/03/imo-view-my-dad-s-secret-treasure.html

I stood on tiptoe to reach the top of the old cabinet. My curiosity built up. Was it a brand new pair of shoes, a bag, or a toy? My heart raced just trying to figure it out. I was determined to unlock the mystery. Cautiously, I scanned my surrounding and looked to my right and left. Slowly, I tried to open its door. It would not budge. The effort made me lose my balance, and knock my head on the side of the cabinet. I gulped in pain. As I regained my bearing, my dad stood next to me. His dark eyes imprisoned me. For a brief moment, I was frozen. Panic mixed with guilt seized me.




Then, with a suppressed smile my dad said, “Once you learn how to read, you can open up the treasure!”

He lightly brushed my head, patted my cheek, then added, “Reading can take you to a world of wonder.”



Following my enrollment in elementary school, I studied hard. I was determined to meet the challenge. It was essential to read to acquire an access to the secret treasure. Along the way, I discovered the wonder of letters. Combined, they formed words, sentences, and then meaning. By the end of my first grade, I could read and write. Still, I needed lots of learning to improve my skill. Nevertheless, I was very excited. It meant the day of revelation got closer. I couldn’t wait to see my dad on that very day.



Arriving home, I was so anxious. It was 11.30 a.m, and my mum has just arrived from her work as street vendor. She brought a lunch package for me. Pacing back and forth, I refused to eat. My mum gave me a puckered brow, and silently went to kitchen for cooking. My dad usually finished teaching by 1 p.m. It took half an hour with his old bicycle to reach home. The waiting was excruciating. I kept rereading my Bahasa Indonesia lesson book. In between, I ran some errands for my mum. Still, the clock ticked too slowly. By the time my dad arrived, I was exhausted. I fell asleep on our only bench on the veranda.



It was the following night that I finally learnt the secret. With oil lamps lighting up our small living room, my dad unlocked the top drawer of his old cabinet. My heart skipped a beat as the old wood creaked. A faint light seeped through, and to my amazement, I saw rows of books stashed neatly. I looked at him with a perplexed expression.



A soft smile spread on his face when he said, “This is my treasure, love!”

He lifted me up so I could read the title. “Pick one you like dear!”

I scanned the books, and I pulled “Si Jamin dan Si Johan.”



The book was about the bitter struggle of two brothers, Jamin and Johan, in the hands of their step mother along with drunkard father. From that day onward, my love for reading grew steadily. Books are the window to the world, my father would tell me. And he was right.

How You Do Your Job Defines Who You Are

http://www2.thejakartapost.com/news/2012/12/31/imo-view-defining-who-you-are.html

“Every job is a self portrait of the person who does it, autograph your work in excellence.”

One thing we keep repeating saying to ourselves while at work is “do your best” to maintain our spirit. Regardless of the job we have, we are required to put our best efforts in carrying out our duties. Whether we are having blue collar job as office boy, cleaning officer, washing dishes at local restaurant, pushing shopping carts in off the lot of the local super-market or white collar job as managers, consultants, or lawyers, we should keep in mind that people don’t judge you by what work you do. Rather, they will observe how you do the work. They are looking to see if you value what you do. If you autograph your work with excellence, they would certainly pay you respect. Conversely, if you disrespect what you do, people will treat you the same way.

Yet, we often face a dilemma in sticking to that principle while the environment aren't supportive. We have been doing a good job, yet we are underpaid. It’s frustrating to know that no matter how well you perform, the salary system in the company will never allow you to have better income or facility compared to your colleagues having lower grade and risk. You are feeling too furious sometimes that you wanna throw a chair or just play truant at your work...or you feel compelled to hit somebody you thought responsible for your fate, lol.


To make matter worse, you never hear from the boss one way or another on this basic issue of your security. You will be tempted to eventually slow down as you never feel appreciated. You work nail to toe, yet you don’t feel happy. You don’t like working in a vacuum. After all, feeling appreciated is a fundamental human need.


Frustrated and irritated can lead into resentment, thus lowering the workplace morale or lower the general work standard. This is your biggest challenge to keep your morale high despite the discouraging situation. This will be the test of your character reflected on how you keep doing your job.


It's hard to do, beleive me, I know how that feels :-). The easiest trick is just do your best while keep chanelling your anger into positive activities. Don't ever give up hope. Keep seeking an opportunity to put your argument forward on how you feel being mistreated. When you've done your share, but the system still doesn't respond, then you just wait. The outcome does not mattter since you've done your best already :-). Afterall, the job is your bread and butter. Make a compromise without negating your basic principle :-).

Piggy Bank for Dream

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2012/11/19/imo-view-piggy-bank-a-dream.html

The memorable moment I treasure most is when I saw the look in my mother’s eyes upon her return from the holy land, Mecca. Her eyes beamed with joy, and her smile radiated warmth, a sunray through the clouds. She hugged me close, kissed my cheeks, and wrapped me in her affectionate embrace. Tears gently trickled down her face. She wiped them off, and softly said “These are happy tears. My dream came true at last.”


I looked at her tenderly and struggled with my tears, till the agony of unspoken words burst my essence and I trembled. “We miss you dearly.” I smiled. “The piggy bank has served its duty well.” Hearing this, my mother beamed with smile. We laughed at our secret smile and walked to the door.

I remember since I was a kid my mother has always kept ‘celengan’ or the clay-made piggy bank. One day, as my mother put small money in it, I asked “Mum, why do you put money in there?” She ruffled my cropped short hair, and smiled. “Well, it is for my dream.” I asked further, “What is your dream?” My mother looked deeply at my eyes with such profundity and replied whimsically “Going to Holy Land!” Henceforth, my mother always worked so hard and saved small portion of her money whenever she could.

She taught me how important it was to save. We didn’t always have the money to buy things, or we didn’t always know our spending needs in the future. That’s why we have our savings. Money doesn’t grow in trees, she would tell me. We have to work hard to earn it. Handle money with respect, never squander it.

Having three children with an elementary school teacher as the sole breadwinner, we have led a hand-to-mouth life. It was a decision by necessity when my mother finally decided to help. She worked nail to toe to ensure her children finishing their education for better future. Often, I would wake up in the middle of the night to find her working her stuff she was selling. She sold traditional home appliances, cooking herbs, children toys to chicken meat depending on the market situation. Selling in the streets was about the only option available due to her limited education. For this reason, she never had the luxury to sit by her children, helping them study or just tell stories because by the time she got home, she had to do her housework chores before collapsing to bed.

On so many occasions, my mother with all her heart postponed her own dream for her family. When my siblings and I finished school and enrolled for college, she emptied her savings for us. She broke her ‘celengan’ again when my father decided to continue his study. She even encouraged my father to go for Hajj when we had enough money.

At last, after decades of dreaming, my mother finally set foot on Mecca in Saudi Arabia along with more than two millions other pilgrims this year. Her relentless hard work paid off. Nevertheless, such hard work has also taken its toll on her health. Now at 64, my mother looked physically frail, but mentally competent. Her face was lined with wrinkles and her once long raven black hair faded to silvery gray.

She might be simple and uneducated, but her ways never stop to amaze us. And when the moment came, it was extraordinary. The feeling of seeing such serenity and joy in my mother’s face was priceless. She is the hero in my life.

Should Indonesia Legalize Same Sex Marriage?

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2012/11/26/imo-view-should-ri-legalize-same-sex-marriage.html

Last two week, I read the headline of a new survey by The Indonesian Survey Circle (LSI) that uncovered the growing intolerance of minorities with the highest level of hostility directed towards the gay and lesbian community. The survey disclosed that 80.6 percent of its sample population objected to having gays or lesbians as neighbor, jumping significantly from 64.7 percent in 2005. It further showed the increasing homophobia, saying that the respondents who were mostly male, having low-income and limited education chose to live next door to followers of deviants sects like Shi’ism and Ahamdiyah, than with gays and lesbians. To be honest, I was torn with a dilemma. For me personally, I tolerate and acknowledge the existence of gays and lesbians. I used to have gays neighbors back in my hometown, and a gay classmate during high school. We got along fine as both parties respected our own private affairs, not stepping on each other’s edge. I respect their choice of life but I don’t justify or rationalize their way of life. Yet, if asked further, I would go as far to say I don’t accept gay marriage being legalized in Indonesia the way some countries have accommodated gays rights movement such as United States, Canada, etc.


In spite of this, I strongly disagree with aggression and hostility directed towards them in their pursuance of happiness and economic advancement. Violence never offers a solution whatsoever but gross human violation and conflict. As human beings, gays are also entitled to basic human rights such as the right to live, have a job, and have the chance to get elected as a member of any union or council in Indonesia. Nevertheless, if the election has been conducted in a free, fair and transparent manner, and the result doesn’t favor them, they should not jump into a conclusion that their defeat resulted from intolerance and discrimination. As a member of the larger society, they have the duty to respect and abide the existing norms, rules and regulation. They can’t force the society as a whole to accept their sexual preference. If they don’t get elected, it means the majority of people disagree with their choice of life. Further, I find it hard to accept gays marriage be legalized in any legal system in Indonesia as it is against the religious teachings and standard norms and values. For my part, I don’t justify and be in agreement because once we leave our religious standards and teachings, anything can be accepted. These systems of belief and credo have set as human moral barriers to guarantees the existence of our race. If violated, there will no logical basis upon which we can exclude other forms of sexual deviancy from the category of marriage. It is only a matter of time before the world will finally see marrying siblings, minors (intergenerational love) or polyandry referring to a form of marriage in which a woman takes two or more husbands at the same time as normal.

In this respect, we can extract valuable lessons from the most revered democratic country in the world, the United States. One of the biggest social issue taking place in the United States since 1924 is the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) rights movement since the establishment of the country’s first gay organization, Society for Human Rights in Chicago. Over the years, such movement has been endeavoring gays to be treated as equals, free from discrimination and marginalization from mainstream society. They go as far as seeking marriage rights. On the whole, the United States has been more receptive to this movement than many other countries, the same way the country has embraced sexual liberation including increased acceptance of sex outside of traditional heterosexual, monogamous relationships (primarily marriage) as part of the “sexual revolution" that has been used at least since the late 1910.

In such a way, the country's attitudes towards gay rights have evolved. The movement is able to deconstruct the common cultural concept of queer people as deviant or abnormal into a much more sympathetic image, a shifting paradigm from negative stigma to a more positive one. Popular culture and its shaper, the mass media, have played a crucial role in in the process of shaping gay cultures. The gay people were used to be portrayed as queer and psychologically fragile and so forth. But, lately the media have began to present gay people more favorably as creative, intelligent, talented, the way heterosexual people do. The sympathetic portrayal of gay and lesbian characters in prime time such as Glee, Greek, Grey’s Anatomy, Law & Order: SVU and films such as Philadelphia and so forth have changed the society’s attitude towards gays. So far, six states -- Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont, New Hampshire and New York -- and the District of Columbia in the United States have legalized marriage rights for gays and lesbians. Recently, gay rights is now a major political issue in the US. The issue of same-sex marriage has pivoted into a dramatic shift of change in Obama administration who had confirmed the president's support for legislation that prevents the federal government from denying same-sex couples the same protections received by their straight counterparts. This issue has become political as it is used to garner support for the LGBT community as well as a group supporting the right of gays to marry.

Nonetheless, such shift in the society has backfired when pedophiles have begun to seek similar status arguing their desire for children is a sexual orientation no different than heterosexual or homosexuals. They are using the same tactics used by gay rights activists, appealing the empathy and sympathy from people, deconstructing the ideas of what people used to perceive as ‘normal’. In July, 2010 Harvard health Publications said that Pedophilia is a sexual orientation and unlikely to change. Two psychologists in Canada, Van Gijseghem, psychologist and retired professor of the University of Montreal, and Dr. Quinsey, professor emeritus of psychology at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario declared that pedophilia is a sexual orientation just like homosexuality or heterosexuality. I am at a loss in this statement. Each group seems to justify their private choice. There is no longer a logical basis upon which we can exclude other forms of sexual deviancy from the category of marriage. Certainly, gay advocates perceive this as an offence, insisting it’s not the same case. Yet, psychiatrists are now beginning to advocate redefining pedophilia in the same way homosexuality was redefined several years ago. It is only a matter of time, before other forms of sexual revolution demands such rights.



Given the serious consequences if a nation legalizes gays marriage, I am strongly oppose to the idea. We would create such a social catastrophe if we ever endorse the initiative. I question again is Indonesia willing to risk to get embittered by such issue? I strongly oppose to violence directed to minority groups. Gay or not, minor or major, all citizens should be treated equal, free from discrimination. Yet, the most vital question is what kind of society do we want to live in? What kind of society do we want to raise our children in? If I was asked, I would say that I want to live and raise my children in a society where the sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman in safeguarded and revered as the laws of the Divine. So, I don't approve or accept homosexuality as right, but I tolerate its existence.

After all, man is morally good and has the power to triumph over evil temptation. “What makes a man a man? It’s the choices he makes! Not how he starts things but how he finishes them” (Hellboy, 2004)

Time for a Change on How Authorities Respond To Violence against Women

Again, an insensitive remark toward a rape victim comes from government officials, following ex Jakarta Governor’s footsteps last year, then the speaker of the House of Representatives last March. This time, the Minister of Education and Culture was much criticized for his comment related to the 14-year-old Depok girl who was raped by alleged human traffickers in Bogor, West Java whom she met via the social networking website Facebook. Several media outlets reported the Minister suspected that alleged rapes often were nothing but intentional sex by mutual consent. It was suspected that the girl might have consented to have sex and then claimed to have been raped. I was speechless. It was beyond my rational understanding. How could prominent officials in this country repeat the same mistake over and over again? Instead of offering consolation and sympathy, they keep on rubbing salt on the wounds of the rape victims and their families. It becomes commonplace for ministers, law makers or any other officials (which coincidently dominated by males) to blame the victims every time girls or women meet with sexual harassment or assault. By doing so, they reinforce the ‘conditioned belief ‘that the weight of the crime should be shared between the victim and the perpetrator or even worse that the weight of the crime rests mostly on the victim. The message is to be read “women who get raped hold accountability of what happen to them with every warning and damaging finger pointing of “What was she wearing?” or “how was she behaving?” or “Was she asking for it?” You get what you deserve! They are so busy prescribing every order to avoid “becoming a victim”. This attitude is sexist, dangerous and wrong. It’s like pointing a finger; internet is the source of evil because malicious and dangerous content is all over the Internet! The internet is not to blame for all the negative effects resulted from disabuse by its users. The offender is the criminal, thus the weight of the crime must not be shared. There is no excuse in rape whatsoever.




The assumption that women bear responsibility of the heinous crime for me personally seems out of place. Every statement and article focuses on appearance and behavior of the victim and fails to mention even a single fact about the accused. Just because a woman wears miniskirt, it doesn’t mean she invites rapists. The way she dresses does not justify the monstrous crime inflicted by the rapist. Sexual harassment and assault exist in conservative religious societies as it does in secular societies. No article of clothing is going to prevent it. How many domestic Indonesian workers working in conservative religious societies come home black and blue, raped and humiliated though they had worn the prescribed religious outfit in those countries??? If Indonesian lawmakers and government really want to stop rape and other sexual violence, they could start by providing adequate protection through laws against sexualized violence and enforcement of those laws. They should impose harsh and heavy sentence instead of just a few years of imprisonment. The rape victim suffers a lifetime of physical and emotional trauma. What the rapist took cannot be replaced or recreated. It was a heinous crime against humanity. It is not fair if the offender gets away with only light sentence which usually takes place in the courts. Thus, the lawmakers should not allow judges to exercise discretionary power to pass down lenient sentences to convicted statutory rapists. The laws should able to curb and reign in the sickness in the hearts of the rapists to fear and abide by the laws and its severe punishment! Heavy sentence is needed to ‘ensure deterrence.’



It is also important for the public officials to carefully choose wiser comments and eradicate prejudices against women. Public officials should be able to feel empathy for those who suffer misfortune. Think before you speak. It’s not the victims they should blame for what happen to them. They already go through ordeals, guilt, and shame. They have it enough. It should be the heinous crime of the rapists or sex offenders they scrutinize. Don’t tell the victims how to dress to avoid such misery. This time tell the people “DON’T RAPE”, instead of “don’t get raped.” This time tell the people, if you ever commit a crime of sexual harassment or assault, we will MAKE SURE that you will get the maximum harsh sentence

English v.s Mother Tongue: Should English be Omitted from Public Elementary School?

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2012/10/22/imo-view-english-vs-mother-tongues.html

I was dumbstruck last week reading citation from several national newspapers of the Deputy Minister of Education and Cultural, Musliar Kasim’s statement that “it is haram (forbidden) to force kindergarten students to take English courses, and he pitied the kids.” I was further annoyed by the reason that English would be scrapped from public Elementary Schools because the students haven’t even learned to understand the Indonesian language yet. It is totally a setback and rather imprudent. It means the government has denied access of those in the lower-class population to the international language which play significant role in the globalized world. It’s like pointing a finger on foreign language for the degradation of Indonesian language for these children. Playing a blame game will never produce positive outcomes. Instead of blaming English, why doesn’t the Ministerial Office first conduct a thorough, systematic, and comprehensive research what has gone wrong within the national curriculum? Hence, the favorable solution can be formulated that will be beneficial nationwide.



Children will get a love of learning languages if they get the chance to learn them younger. My six year old nephew always enjoys English in his new elementary school. In fact, he rather takes greater interest in the subject. His Indonesian is also improving along. Now, he can speak better Indonesian with increased vocabulary and verbs. It’s not that he is taught complicated English sentences. He learns only basic nouns and verbs so far. He always tells me how his teacher sometimes use English to mention certain objects found in school such as “Zaki, please open the door!” So, lately when he asks a favor or say something, he will put into practice the simple vocabulary he learns at school. He doesn’t feel it burdensome. On the contrary, he loves English as much as Indonesian or science because his teachers are creative in creating fun approach in teaching him. He adores his teachers. For this reason, I envy him, lol J. I wish English was a compulsory subject when I was at elementary school so I didn’t have to struggle hard mastering it when I was already way in the next stage of child development, lol :-)

Also nowadays, when I go to the malls or Dufan, there are many children age 6-10 years old conversing English fluently. They enjoy the language. It’s hard to find any trace of fear of terror in their faces or any sign whatsoever of their being forced to learn the language. Surely, they come from the middle to upper class families. They have access and resources to speed up their English because they have money and brain. So, if the government omits English from public elementary schools, how come children from the less fortunate circumstance should cope up with those children in the future? They have the brain. What they lack is the access and the money. For this reason, incorporating English in the public elementary school is a prudent move to facilitate these children. They deserve access to better future as any kid can get.


In my personal view, it is how a subject is taught that makes children creative and enjoys the lessons. Teachers as well as parents should be able to stimulate a love for reading and curiosity of their children. It is the quality of the teachers, methods of study and curriculum that should be developed and improved rather than point a finger on another subject for the failure of other subject. Our children do not speak Indonesian poorly because they study English. Whether we like it or not, English is crucial for these children if they want to be able to compete in the globalized world.

There is no such Thing of an Absolute Freedom of Expression

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2012/10/08/editorial-there-no-absolute-freedom.html


Freedom of speech and expression is always guaranteed in every democratic society. It is an ideal adage but it often ends up into a hollow slogan, and worse, disabused. The right of freedom of expression has always been the object of tension, struggle and contest, between the State and the citizens and within society itself. I believe no freedom is absolute, not even the freedom of expression. It is wrong to justify the act of those who pontificate that they have an absolute right to do whatever they please in the name of such freedom. Freedom of expression should not be taken blindly, ignoring religious sensitivity, ethics, and social values. Such freedom does not provide a person the right to do things that are detrimental to society as a whole, plunging it into an endless chaos and anarchy. The presence of values, ethics and laws is to protect and respect the rights of individuals as well as their religious and social values. For that reason, freedom of expression should not transgress or violate these values.



It is therefore, when European countries saw the controversial inflammatory anti-Islamic film, The Innocence of Muslims, as an expression of artistic freedom, it was considered a blasphemy, a sacrilege to the most revered belief by many Muslims and most believers alike. It was an abuse of freedom of expression. Freedom of expression does not mean we have the right to curse, abuse or disrespect others or scorn and contempt a certain faith. Such freedom should walk hand in hand with self-control and respect. It should take heed the greater interest of the public. The primary goal of media after all is to inform, criticize and to correct with professional finesse and grace, giving an edge to its commitment to serve the public interest. Hence, member of the press should be extra careful while documenting, reporting and cartooning their work to avoid disrespect of any faith, culture and race. It is important to “Think before you speak or write". Every action has consequences. Let our common sense lead the way. If we say or write what we want or please only without any conscience whatsoever, then we are no better than animals. If you walk around naked in the name of freedom of expression, do you think any society at all will accept such behavior? If you want to have sex wherever you want with whoever you want in the naked eyes of public in the name of freedom of expression, will any decent society tolerate this? I don’t think so because every society has its own red lines to avoid such absolute freedom. When people have a problem conducting themselves in a proper manner, they have to be reined in. For that very reason, every society needs rules to avoid chaos and anarchy.



Media has the responsibility to help society maintain better understanding and communication among people of different faiths, cultures and races without disrespecting others’ faith, race, and values. It should promote such ideals to make the world a better place to live in whether it is in the West or East. There is not an absolute freedom of expression as it always defines its limits. Therefore, to prevent anarchy and chaos, it is necessary to sanction or even prevent expression which spread, incite, promote or justify hatred based on intolerance (including religious intolerance) as guaranteed by the existing rules and regulatio

Courage is How to Act in Spite of Fear

Mark Twain has said “Courage is not the absence of fear. It is acting in spite of it.” This adage instantly dwelled on my mind when I learnt the news about the shooting of a 14 year old Pakistani girl, Malala Yousafzai, by Taliban extremist last Tuesday which ignited sparks of international condemnation. She is a girl with exceptional qualities who has vision even beyond her years, constantly promoting education for girls which is denied by the Taliban regime. I wonder how come a little schoolgirl of her age (since she was 11) spoke up for the rights of children, of the importance of education for girls in the midst of the dangers and life-threatening risk posed by the religious extremists. Is she not having fear at all? Then from her blog, I read that despite her mounting fears of the regime, she stood her ground for what she believed in. "I had a terrible dream yesterday with military helicopters and the Taliban. I have had such dreams since the launch of the military operation in Swat. I was afraid going to school because the Taliban had issued an edict banning all girls from attending schools,” she wrote in one post titled “I Am Afraid.” Yet, she refused to cower. She chose to act in spite of her fear. She knew her voice was important, a single voice that echoed the cries of thousands of little girls who were robbed of their only single opportunity for dreams and better future. That’s what I call courage.



Each time we stand up for what we believe in, or act to improve the lot of others, or fight against injustice and oppression despite our fears, we send forth a tiny ripple of hope. It is this hope that keeps the light shine on to illuminate the human realm. Any single voice counts. A single ripple joint by another, then multiplied by others can build up a current which then has the power to sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression, injustice and resistance. It is through countless acts of courage and belief, the human existence is preserved and flourished into a civilized world.


Each of us has our own fears. Often, we are afraid to speak our mind and thus stay silent, because we are worried if other people might not agree with us. Often, we choose to ignore injustices around us because we feel it is not our business. We fear of the conflicting views if we do so because we think we are comfortable to avoid it, to stay in our own comfortable zone. Surely, conflict is unpleasant. But NOT speaking your mind and stand up for an ideal you believe in, or supporting those who work to make life better for others or making a stand for an injustice you see around you, can lead to much worse unpleasantness and bad outcomes. It takes courage to speak up your mind and make a stand. The same goes to the act of defying those who take the easy ways out, which only leads to more corruption and red tape in our social systems. It is hard to do but we have to try at least contributing in sending forth a tiny ripple of our own. A single voice counts. It can send sparks of ripples joint by others that combined, having the power to sweep down the mightiest walls.

Simple Way to Stay Healthy and Feel Great

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2012/10/01/imo-view-simple-ways-staying-healthy.html
What is the first thing crossing your mind in the very mention of exercise? If you think of intense workout and time consuming, well, you better think again. If you think of packed gyms and hefty membership fees, well, not even so close. Instead of highlighting such unenthusiastic sides, why don’t we bring to light the fun aspects of exercise that might boost our creativity and motivation? We can do exercise to stay healthy without extracting a single rupiah from our pocket, even better we can save some money if we do so. So, why don’t we incorporate exercise into our everyday routine regardless of the job you have. You can always integrate exercise in any simple activities you do whether that includes your activities such as boarding on the commuter lines, working, or going to the the malls. These easy moves cost little to nothing, and it definitely does not consume your precious times. Keep also in mind that routine exercise has many benefits for your heart health, weight management, better sleep, improved mood, and reduced risk of chronic illnesses. It also generates the feeling of well-being inside you once your blood gets moving. Through exercise, you’ll stay healthy longer and feel great even in your sedentary- style jobs.




Most Jakartans working at office have sedentary- style jobs and typically complain of having no energy and time to exercise. They don’t realize by developing such inactive lifestyle, they are prone to have chronic illnesses. Therefore, it is important to exercise to balance the sedentary nature of working in the information economy with an active lifestyle. It can be done in cheap simple ways incorporated into daily activities. So, it doesn’t have to be time consuming. Exercise is not only really good for your health but also for your mind. If you don’t want to join the scheduled exercised arranged by your office, you can do it in ‘your own stylish way’:-). Go bike to work or walk to work. It’s fun, cheap, healthy, and even can save some money. I nowadays prefer to walk from the train station at Sudirman to my office at least twice a week. It takes about 20-25 minutes of walk. It saves me Rp. 2,000.- by not taking Metromini to my office :-). You can also move your body, feet and hands while you are crammed in the commuter line as part of the exercise. Try to do some moves equal to simple work out exercise such as flexing around your muscles to keep it relax and loosen up. If your job requires you to sit more than six hours daily in front of your monitor, you can outsmart this by developing a habit of doing things yourself. For instance you can walk to the pantry to get your own coffee latte or tea, do the photocopy you need, or just walk around your office every two hours in between. Try as much possible to move around and not just glued in your chair. It helps the blood moving too. When the blood is moving through your brain, you will get your creativity juices flowing and your head will be much clearer. Also, it can maintain your body weight as well. You don't have to suffer an excruciating diet or take pills to reduce your weight. Walking regularly will do all the good works! Like any muscle in your body, it needs to be exercised to stay healthy and strong.

What is your Price Tag for Happiness?

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2012/09/24/imo-view-what-your-price-tag-happiness.html

There are no price tags on love nor happiness, but it doesn't stop people from trying to buy them. (NA)




Can happiness be bought? Well... It's one grueling question which most people surprisingly have an unanimous answer "NO." Happiness has no price tag. It is something money can't buy. Happiness lies in the heart. But strange as it may seem, two Princeton University researchers Daniel Kahneman, the 2002 winner of the Nobel Prize in economics, and Angus Deaton, past president of the American Economic Association, disagree with this assumption. Who says money can't buy happiness? Published in 2010 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, their study revealed that money makes people more satisfied with their lives overall. Happiness comes with a $75,000 price tag. The study shows that such a price tag correlates with on how people evaluated their day-to-day happiness and their overall satisfaction with life. (http://www.inc.com/news/articles/2010/09/study-says-$75,000-can-buy-happiness.html)



For that reason, people never stop trying to buy happiness. An ancient Roman proverb says “Money is like sea water. The more you drink, the thirstier you become.” This adage finds particular meaning with the pursuance of happiness when people make comparison with the wrong ideals. Let’s say, a man who believes his happiness lies in the form of status or rank, he will pursue it at any cost. How often we hear people throw off their money to secure a governmental top post. Once, they secure the power, it’s harder for them to relegate it. They will hold it closer, afraid of losing it. It becomes an infectious addiction. Even, in ancient China various emperors sought the fabled elixir with varying results, believing it would keep them immortal and happy. They were willing to pay a great price just to find it. In the end, such illusion cost their life. People tend to keep looking for the things they don’t have because they believe if they have them, they will find complete happiness. Sometimes, such drive becomes a fantasy that corrupts their well-beings. Sadly, once they have them, they find out that the things they are after don’t give happiness as they assume. It’s because they keep make comparison with the wrong ideals. Inappropriate comparison will lead us to unhappiness. It’s how we see our lives in such comparison that fail us to recognize the ‘precise dose of happiness’ we have to consume to reach our equilibrium. Each individual has his/her own balanced and proportionate happiness. It is how we identify, understand, then be content with our own special ingredients that define our happiness.



Let us say if we compare our bodies with those of supermodels, our intelligence with those of genius, our bank accounts with those of billionaires, our job with those of celebrities, our aging partner with those of youngsters, or our house with those of social media tycoons, then it probably will ruin our perception of our happiness. But if we’re a little bit wiser, and choose to see our lives in a more realistic light, we will recognize just how much we have to be happy about.



So, you may agree or disagree that happiness has a price tag. One thing for sure, it is you yourself and NO ONE ELSE can measure your level of happiness. Dare to name your price tag for happiness??? :-)

Respect is Earned and not Imposed by Fear

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2012/09/17/imo-view-respect-earned-not-imposed-fear.html

“You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him.”
(Johann Wolfgang von Goethe)



My dad used to say “respect a person because of his/her character, not of his rank (status) or wealth.” I was a kid then. I didn’t know what he meant by such admonition. All I witnessed back then was my father used to confront anyone who did something against the prevailing rules and laws no matter what rank or status they had. He disliked ruler without character, and was not afraid to show it. He was considered too vocal in voicing what he believed as truth. While his principle garnered him a kind of popularity amongst people in my village, such actions put him in constant debacles with those who held power. While he had acquired much friendship, he also got powerful nemesis. Let’s say, his career was at a halt no matter how brilliant he was. Yet, I am always proud of him. He is my hero and I always look up at him as my role model.

Being in my post at the moment, I have the chance to observe various kinds of people, mostly those who hold power in their hands, people with rank from various departments. It’s quite fun to casually take a glance on how they interact with us, people who have no power. It's one of the many ways to chase off the routinely paperwork at my desk. It’s quite enlightening and sometimes wisdom can be extracted from incidents during unexpected moments. Then, I find that it is where I learn on what my father had advised me during my childhood. As quoted in the first line of this piece of writing, you can sometimes judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him.


Well, most people will be nice and good to people who can help them and those who have rank and status. It’s normal for most people to be nice to their supervisors, rulers, kings, etc because they are obliged to do so lest they will get retribution if doing otherwise. But how do most people treat those who can do nothing to help them? How high ranking people look at those who are at the bottom of ‘caste system’ in their office, those who are powerless and have no capability for retribution? Well…Some might be indifferent, others are anywhere from haughty to hostile with the look as if saying “who are you addressing me that way?” It is a common knowledge that if an inferior speaks of injustice inflicted on them, the process will take a snail pace, and sometimes be put in the long waiting to solve lists. But, if people with rank speak the same, about injustice they suffer, they will get all the attention they needJ. On screen or in daily life, we often see the rich and powerful treat underlings, staff and hired help like dirt. It’s how a person treats his/her underlings (subordinates) speaks a lot about his/her character.


I always believe that respect is earned, not imposed by fear. I believe those who have character will earn respect, and it will endure longer. Respect by fear lasts only when a person still in holds of the rank.

Writing to Practise Better Thinking Skills

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2012/09/03/imo-view-better-language-skills-come-practice.html

Some friends of mine send me messages over my FB, “how do you constantly come up with ideas to write in English?” I frowned upon this question. Frankly speaking, I was thinking hard to find the answer. Writing always comes naturally to me, almost like breathing. So, I don’t really think about it when I do the thing I love the most. It is natural and fun, writing your ideas into words. When I write, time seems to distort, my brain turns to sweet mush, and the words just arrive on screen. It feels like I find a great tropical rain forest to explore, and I could never finish my adventure in one short excursion. There will always be another calling to have another questJ. Time is my only restriction, especially when there’s so much on your desk and brain mixed up at work. Sometimes, I find writing in English is so much easier than in Indonesia since I am used to write my ideas in the language on my blogs. Ehm… that is definitely my answer “better English skills come from practice.” So, I reply the question with that quote. Anything by practice will makes perfect.








It’s not that I love English better than Indonesia. That will be so absurb and irksome. My reason is so much simple. I write in English to practice, not forgetting the lessons I’ve got during college. I study the language, so it will be hilarious if I lose the skills to do so. Speaking skills takes two to practice. Since, I have no partner to do so; it’s hard to improve my oral capability. There’s always a slip of the tongue anytime I speak in English due to lack of practice…lol. While writing offers me a solo rehearsal. I don’t need a partner to do the practice. So, I try as much as I could to write any ideas crossing my mind in my blogs. I find life never works except in retrospect. You can’t ever control life. Often life turns out the opposite what you expect. But, it writing, at least you can control your own version. You can create any character you want, any ending you want, etc. Gradually, it becomes a habit. Then it becomes a natural activity to do. Also, it develops better thinking skills.



There are some good ways to practice your thinking skills. You can sit and think, for starters, you can work on specific puzzles and problems. But I don’t like puzzles and problem, yet I love sitting at my desk composing words, lol. You can also have interesting discussions with others. Yet, I don’t have any opportunity to attend any formal meetings or discussions so this is not an available option for me. Then, I find a "best" way to practice my thinking skills and boost my brainpower that is “to write.”



Unless you are just copying words, to write is to think. You have to think how to connect your wires of thoughts into series of sentences that makes sense. Putting your thoughts into words is a process of telling yourself the logic behind what you feel or what you only partly understand the same way talking forces you to clarify your thoughts so that others listen and understand you. Sometimes, people don't necessarily write about something because they understand it already. They often start writing about something because they want to understand it, and the process of writing is what brings about their understanding. Yet, compared to talking, writing has the disadvantage of not giving you direct outside feedback. When you talk, people can confront you directly in an instant. And you have to defend your argument on that instant too. But when you write in your blog, it takes perhaps days for you to receive any feedback from your readers, to disagree or agree. Therefore, you get ample of time to express and develop your thoughts without interruption. This is a great way to work on your thinking skills in a slow relaxing pace. By time, your skills will improve greatly. It will boost your ‘brainpower’ to explain. :-)

Mudik: A Spiritual Journey to Home

I took one last look at my office desk, a ritual repeated annually over the years. Piles of documents were gone. My desk drawers were neatly arranged. There was no pending letters. Nothing seemed gone amiss, and out of place. Listening to Michael Bubble’s song “Home”, I rummaged through my desk drawers once again where I used to put my stuffs at random. I had the urge to really make sure that I had clean and organized drawers before my absence. I sighed in relief and grinned widely, feeling satisfied.  Yeah, I guess I am ready to take my leave and depart for my hometown tomorrow. Let’s go Mudik!   

“And I’m surrounded by

A million people I

Still feel all alone

Oh, let me go home

Oh, I miss you, you know”

MUDIK has a unique cultural phenomenon in Indonesia as with the Chinese New Year or Imlek for the Chinese. MUDIK is the term referred to the exodus of millions of people from the urban centers to the villages or hometowns in order to celebrate the Idul Fitri holiday with family and friends. This phenomenon has drawn a lot of attention from all circles; government agencies, politicians, economists, sociologists, cultural experts and so forth into a repetitive endless discussions and buzz. Government will be so occupied to arrange transportation and ensure safety of those participated in the cyclic phenomenon every year. It is required to safeguard and maintain an orderly flow of Mudik. Something amiss is NOT tolerated as Mudik becomes the national spotlight, “hajat nasional.” It is deemed ‘a sacred duty’ to establish a safe and smooth flow of Mudik participants. If something went wrong, critics and debacles will surely follow.

Like many other millions migrants in Jakarta, I will follow the annual tradition of “Mudik” to celebrate Idul Fitri at home, reuniting with my parents, families, old friends, and neighbors. We usually start packing our stuffs for this occasion within 2-3 days before Lebaran. It is a unique annual phenomenon in Indonesia. Most of the population in this nation takes part in this ritual procession.  Although I work and live in Jakarta, I don’t forget my roots. There’s always a feeling of alienation in this big crowded metropolis that impartially scars the heart. It’s like living among millions, yet you still feel so alone inside.  It feels like something’s lost when I left my hometown back then. Living a far from home is draining our soul. Thus, it needs recharging.

Mudik in its own strange ways, offers us, the migrant workers a way to rediscover ‘something that we had lost’. It is a way to recharge our battery, gear up us all again to start afresh and anew.  It is like seashore where we can throw our anchor, and stay on dock for awhile. It’s something we call ‘home’. For me, there’s always a longing to set these feet on the paddies fields, a small stream running on it, a sweet scent of crops harvested, soft green grass on my playing fields back home. Reminiscing my old days when I barefooted threaded along the paddy fields, and plucked the ripened rice, I would gaze upon the vast yellowish paddies laid in front of my eyes. Back then, I used to walk among these fields to reach my school on foot with my childhood friends.  I remember the smell of my mother’s cooking when I get home. I remember how I used to play hide and seek and play among the trees in my childhood.  It is an ache of yearning and belonging. Such feeling needs to be nurtured with soothing and tender care, emotions that can only be provided by this annual tradition of Mudik. It refills the empty gap within the heart. Like a spiritual treat of holy fasting month, it generates a new freshness, which instills us with new vigor when we return to work in Jakarta.  This is a moment we cherish so much and we don’t want to miss ‘the thing.’

To satiate the hunger for such feelings, millions of migrants especially from Jakarta, drive, scramble for train tickets, buses, plains, ships, travel even are willing to drive car or private motorcycle all-night long just to celebrate this special moment with their family.  Millions of migrants in Jakarta make long queues for train and bus tickets, jump into any overloaded transportation vehicles they can find and get stuck for hours in traffic jams. For four consecutive years, I got trapped for hours on my way home to Solo. We had to travel for more than 24 hours just to reach my town. At normal days, it would only take 8 hours by car. The sun was scorching during the day. It burnt you with thirst. Soft fresh drinks were just on the verge to nail us down for a sip. It’s an excruciating journey. Yet for us, all the pain and inconveniences is nothing compared to the feeling of the home-sweet-home. Once we set our feet at our doorsteps, those ordeals paid off. Often, the journey itself is becomes an interesting tale to tell to the families back home. It’s the calling for home. It’s the sweet victory we taste when we are able to hug our parents and families with such yearning. It is the spiritual recharge that keeps migrant workers to keep on going. It is the needs to revisit, rediscover, and reclaim that makes endure for another battleJ.

Before leaving, “Happy Eid Al- Mubarak 1433H, Minal Aidin Wal Faidzin” to my brothers and sisters!

 “And the angels celebrate the praises of their Lord, and pray for forgiveness for all beings on earth; Behold! Verily God is He, the Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful!” (Surah As-Syura:5)

When Reality Disagrees with the Ideals: Lesson Learnt from Olympic Games 2012

“The most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well.” Baron Pierre De Coubertin, a French idealist and historian, father of the modern-day Olympic Games once said.




It means it is not victory that matters the most, but it is how ones put their best efforts to the Games. Taking It means it is not victory that matters the most, but it is how ones put their best efforts to the Games. Taking part in the games itself is greater than the prize, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. Although only one may wear the laurel wreath, all my share in the equal joy of the contest despite age, race, or religion. It is the sacred creed of the modern Olympic Games, the spirit of it. So, when players taking part in that most celebrated sports competition of the era are intentionally trying to lose, it is considered an infringement to the spirit of the Games. Eight women badminton players have been thrown out of the Olympics in disgrace last week for taking extraordinary lengths to avoid winning. Four pairs – two from South Korea and one each from China and Indonesia – were immediately disqualified as punishment. Each of the four doubles teams was trying to exploit the round-robin format introduced at the London Games to get easier opposition in the next round or avoid playing their teammates when the knockout stages start. Such deliberation to lose, despite all the defenses made in the name of a practiced strategy to win the game in the end, was deemed a breach of the primal ideals of sport Olympic ideals of fair play and sportsmanship. It was a scandal that created a fiasco.




Even though such tactic of purposely losing to secure more desirable matchups later in the competition is often practiced in the Olympic Games, it seems wrong when spectators booed and hissed with disgruntlements. That’s what happen when the thrown off badminton athletes playing so abjectly, deliberately thwacking shuttlecocks out of play or into the net. "Off, off, off," booed the audience, feeling furious with the dismayed games. They had devoted their time and paid money to come see a good match, expecting to watch the players put their best efforts to win. Yet, in the arena the players worked not to win but to engineer losses in their last group matches. It was a competitive tactic that stirred mayhem in the audience which in turn forced the officials to take matters into their hand. If only their strategy was executed elegantly, if only they could act to lose ‘naturally’, perhaps such unnecessary incident could be avoided. Perhaps better, the umpires and officials might not take matters into their hands by sending them packing. It was probably the very crystal clear picture of trying to lose without efforts, for the whole world to see, that invited such fiasco. It wasa the outcries of the audience that compelled the expel. “They are just not good at acting normally. They fail to play a little bit more." Then, the verdict was blatantly imposed “they are guilty of trying to lose to win.”




In terms of Olympic Games primal ideals of fair play and sportsmanship, such strategy is certainly against the creed. The spectators do not come to see a lousy game in which players play pretentious game. They want a worth-watch match, players showing respect and determination. Yet, in reality, pressure from sponsors, countries, coaches and athletes themselves to win for medals and trophies, often corrupts such ideals. Winning the medal means everything. Playing to win at all costs, which includes playing to the limits of the rules, has been engrained in the modern sports, as in life. It always exists. It's when reality disgarees with the ideals, people will start to look for a weakness, a flaw in the system or rules. They will bend the rules to their advantage. Thus, they won't use their best effort at the beginning of the game; they rather save energy and sprint at the end of the game. It is a common strategy widely accepted sometimes. Thus, those who follow such tactic are always getting away with it so long there's no outraging complaints whatsoever. They try to win by deliberately trying to lose. It’s part of their strategy to secure a medal.







Then, when the eighth women badminton players were reprimanded for similar action, it was also seem not right. It was a scandalous shock and many were still trying to look for those responsible to blame, the athletes, the coach, the officials, the system, and so forth. It became a public debacle. If the badminton players have got in trouble for their strategy of try to place themselves to their best advantage, then all the cyclists, runners, footballers, and any other athletes who practiced such strategy should also get the same treatment when they hold back and try and compete at anything other than "flat out". It is not fair that these poor athletes who have worked their whole lives to excel at something they love have been humiliated for doing little more than trying to win while others could get away with it.



In the end, it is necessary for those responsible for the biggest tournament in that sports world, to revive the ideal of the Olympic Games. All participating in the event should rekindle the Olympic spirit. It’s the way ones take part part in the Games that counts. A poorly executed tournament system that is responsible to provoke disgraceful actions or strategies should be reevaluated. They should restructure the format to remove the incentive for players or teams to do so. When the reality disgrees with the ideals, it is almost certain such fiasco will keep turning on and on.

Read More to Write Better

A few weeks ago, I attended a talk show “Penulisan Kreatif” which was organized by my office. It was a topic I was interested greatly. Despite the many tips provided during the presentation, there’s one remark I memorized the most: “to be able to write, you need to read a lot.” I have never considered myself a great reader. Yet, this statement without a doubt hit the nail on the head. It’s really a herculean task to write anything at all if we do not read. Reading offers us a constantly growing knowledge, builds a new world, and enriches our soul as well. The more you read, the more you know. It is a perfect weapon to sharpen your writing skills as reading and writing usually tend to go hand in hand.




I remember when I was a kid; my dad often brought me storybooks published by Balai Pustaka from the library. My dad was a teacher so naturally he always encouraged his children to read. I loved those stories he brought home back then. I read “Siti Nurbaya, Tenggelamnya Kapal Van Der Wijck, Hulubalang Raja, Salah Asuhan”, etc. Those were amazing classics with high literary attributes attached. Perhaps, that’s why I fell in love with literature. I wanted to to follow in my dad’s footsteps and became a teacher so that I could read and write a lot. Then, I took English Literature as my subject in college for practical reason only; I hated match!  Later, I soon discovered that there’s no such complicated matrix and numbers calculation in the subject. It turned out that I loved it. It was due to the fact that I loved reading stories. Reading helps me to shape my imagination and accumulate knowledge, thus in turn providing some materials to write.



But as I grow older, I read less and less. The course of life had steered me to obtain another profession in a totally different work field. I abandoned my passion for writing and got totally absorbed in my official job in the office. The work becomes routine and monotonous. Glued to your desk at all times isn’t fun at all. It increasingly becomes a drag. It makes the brain to stay still, living in a dormant state of being. Somehow, there’s always a nagging inside me to write. It is an effective way to kill the monotony.



There are so many different reasons why people write. If you type the words “why I write” in Google search engine, you will find abundance of reasons ‘whys’. “To learn, to express, to kill boredom, to create” are a few reasons people given for why they write. As for myself, I find these simple reasons to write.



1. To exercise the mind

Reading and writing is like an exercise to the mind. The activity stimulates the brain to be active. I challenge the creativity of pouring an idea into a piece of writing. Since my main interest is in literature, mostly I create short stories and poems. It’s fun drowning in the spider webs of words.



If the line of work you are in does not provide any encouragement to write, don't let this stop you of doing it. It's an effective way to keep your mind sharp. It's like a whetstone for a sword to prevent its edge getting dull.



2. To kill boredom

Doing routine daily creates boredom. If you cannot get out of this situation, you will end up dragging your foot after another just to get to your workplace. It is more excruciating to get your work done. Life in office will be just another depressed routine. You will be dead of boredom before you know it.



Writing offers me an escapade from such devastating circumstances. The activity gives me joy and amusement. For me, it is almost as soothing as a piece of music. So, anytime I am on the verge of bumping my head on my desk (lol), I let my fingers dance on my keyboard for awhile… letting them capturing my imagination and ideas.



3. To deliver a protest or a critics and to express ideas

Having no access to say any words of protest to a certain policy that puts you into a losing end, often we are forced to utilize any means available. It is the only means of communication available in my position at the moment. It is an effective communication when you are never invited into any formal meetings. I don’t like getting entangled in a heated debate or arguing, so I choose to express my opinion in the forms of a piece of writing.



4. To get a satisfaction feeling

Well… I don’t get any money in writing at the moment but in the long run, I might be able to get some.... who knows... . I remember sending my short story into a contest, and I got money and some books as the prize. It's pretty awesome feeling. Anyway, writing offers you a kind of satisfaction, an elevated feeling of being recognized, when the readers love the works you’ve done. Having such readers is just so amazing.





5. To encourage reading more

In order to have an improved skill in composing your words, you need to read a lot. I love reading novels which in turns affect me greatly in the way I write.





So, if you want to write well, my piece of advice is “keep reading more and more”. It is important that you write your own idea. It provides the chance to practice structuring and elaborating your train of thoughts into an orderly piece of work. In time, if you keep doing this, you will find writing a piece of cake thing to do. Don't just copy paste other's articles without citing the source. It's like bringing other's cake into the party and claiming it as yours. It's like cheating during an exam. In the end, you will lose the chance to practice. No matter how trivial your ideas might seem, it is always all right just to scribble it down in your writing. Remember "practice makes perfect."

Iftar Banquet: An Extravagance and a Carnival to Show off The Prestige of Different Social Classes

“Iftar nowadays becomes more and more of a social activity, not a religious activity! Why don’t they throw such festivity at the orphanage?” Grumbling, my boss said one afternoon before scurrying to fulfill an invitation for iftar party, AGAIN.




My colleague and I were just giggling. Being one of the most prominent figures among high ranking government officials in this nation, he has to go to so many organizational iftars (buka puasa) held by government agencies and politicians every night that he often misses chance to celebrate the meal with his family. The invitations to celebrate iftar always comes piling up during the Ramadan year after year. One day, an invitation from the President; the next day from the Vice President, then the chairman of The House of Representatives, afterwards from public organizations and so forth.



I can’t help thinking about his remark. It reflects without a doubt an irony of Ramadan spirit. Iftar as the nightly meal that breaks the Ramadan fast has gone from being a humble affair based around ‘kolak’ (an Indonesian dessert made with palm sugar and coconut milk, with pandanus leaf) and dates into flashier dinners around town. It seems that nowadays Ramadan has been transformed into some kind of festival or carnival to show off the prestige of different social classes, as well as an opportunity for socializing and networking by government agencies, public organizations, prominent businessmen and companies, politicians, and political groups. Even, the White House has started celebrating iftar tradition since President Clinton and continued for eight years by President George W. Bush, followed by his successor, Barack Obama. It has no doubt a political agenda. Hosting such ravishing lavish iftars has become a way for people to make a statement, social, economic or political. It’s almost like a battle of ‘prestige’. To satisfy such purposes, the simple meal to breakfast then turned into wasteful iftar since most invitees coming from the high social strata or status. Such delectable foods are already on their menu list on daily basis. Instead of cherishing the spirit of remaining in modesty and sharing with those who are in needs, such meals become a waste. Now these dinners are becoming more and more public and chic. It's becoming something that's kind of fashionable – almost every company or organization now gives one.



The joy of Ramadan lies in the ways we share with others, particularly those who are less fortunate. We share with them the spirit of compassion and giving during Ramadan. As well as a time for prayer, fasting and reflection, Ramadan is also a time where we gather with family and friends at our dining table, breaking fast with simple kolak and dates. It is a month to reconnect with family and loved ones. We hurry from office to get home before iftar so that we can gather together with our family at the end of the day to share a meal. It’s also an opportunity to get to know new neighbors, inviting them for a meal and gathering at mosque for taraweeh pray. In general, it’s a time for the community to bond together for a common spiritual cause. Such religious activity should not be then converted to pretension and gimmickry as translated in the so called luxurious iftars celebration to gain a prestige.

I remember buying all the mouth-watering snacks, drinks, and foods to prepare my iftar in Bendungan Hilir market one afternoon during Ramadan. Anything that seems inviting and delectable were soon packed and neatly shoveled at my shopping bag; from dates, kolak, lontong (dish made of compressed rice wrapped inside banana leaf that is then cut into small cakes as staple food replacement of steamed rice), lemang (a dish of glutinous rice and coconut milk roasted in a hollow bamboo stick), es cincau (a drink made out of grass jelly, a jelly made out of the stalks and leaves of Mesona chinensis which is a member of the mint family), asinan (a pickled (through brined or vinegared) vegetable or fruit dish), etc. Greed to satisfy the hunger during iftar had blinded my rational spot in my head. In my irrational thought, affected greatly by hunger and thirst, I could certainly consume all those food within one gulp after another. I was wrong. It was only the desire of my belly. And the the belly is the basis of all other desires and the essence of all problems and diseases. Then, most of the food went into a waste. It was really an unnecessary waste. It was a total extravagance. It was no better than throwing a waste iftar for the so called dinner gathering as previously discussed.

Extravagance in all things is something that is blameworthy and is not allowed, especially in food and drink. Allaah says

(interpretation of the meaning): “and eat and drink but waste not by extravagance, certainly He (Allaah) likes not Al Musrifoon (those who waste by extravagance)” - al-A’raaf 7:31.

This extravagance and increase in the food and shopping expenses during Ramadan should be avoided. It is what triggered the hike in food prices that contribute to a rise in the inflation rate. Our diet should not differ very much from our normal diet and should be as simple as possible. We buy what is deemed necessary, not solely on what we want. It is also wrong to exploit iftar as a means to build company image and get favors as well as a way to gain social prestige, commercial and political networking. Afterall, Ramadan is about sharing with others. We are going hungry and thirsty to experience what it feels like to suffer such misfortunate. Thus, we will feel empathy; grow love for the poor and the unfortunate. Instead of wasting lots of food for such networking iftars, it is wiser to give all those food for the poor.

First Fast for Children

My six years old nephew tugged at my elbow with his little nose twitching and took the scent trail straight to coffee-scented bakeries shop at the entrance of GIANT Margo City. He whispered to me, “Bulik, bau rotinya sedap…” (Auntie, the aroma is so tantalizing). He couldn’t resist the smell of food obviously. That was enough to make any child break his first fast. I smiled mischievously at him and said, “Mau gak Bulik beliin? Tapi dimakan sekarang ya?” (Do you want any? I buy you some if only you eat them now). I ruffled his cropped hair and grinned widely. He looked at me with his thoughtful eyes, and then pursued his lips and frown. I burst into laughter. He dragged me away from the counter and headed for the supermarket. I teased him and asked why he refused to eat. He glared and said “Zaki puasa, Bulik.” (I am fasting auntie). Atta boy…that’s just my sweet little darling, lol. We are just proud of him. And I can be sometimes his devilish guardian….lol.




Ramadhan 1433 H is indeed a totally new experience for us, as our six years old Zaki is also fasting. Today is his 11th day of fast. It is his first time to complete a full day fast from dawn to dusk. Last year, he occasionally fasted half day. During weekend he would come to my home and ate milk and cookies I preserved in my fridge. Alhamdulillah, this year, his parents had encouraged him to fast full day from day 1. It had been also supported by his Islamic school that promoted the students in 1st grade to start to fast depending on their strength. It wasn’t easy on the onset. He kept whining of being hungry and thirsty. Initially, his parents planned to make him fast half day just but he seemed okay and no further complains afterwards. At times, we were tempted to let him break his fast, seeing his small lean posture weakened during the day. It’s a bit tricky to distract his attention from the gnawing hunger after school. His parents had to keep him occupied, playing games at his PC, racing his toy cars, drawing, and so son. Once, he got tired, he fell asleep immediately. When he woke up, he would look at the clock and counted how many hours left before iftar. Then, his parents would let him kill the time by playing. His steeled his determination more when his parents promised to buy him the thing he wanted if only he could complete a full month fast. He was all excited to take up the “challenge”. Honestly, we didn’t put any high expectation on it but so far only on 3rd day he broke his fast at noon.

From my observation on my nephew, I take some notes on how his parents succeeding in encouraging him to fast full day at his age.

1. First and foremost, instilling a desire to fast. Compulsion is without a doubt out of the question. Forcing him will only weaken him to succumb to temptation.

I kept asking him, “Zaki, why do you fast?” He said, “I want to get IPAD from Allah.” I chuckled hearing this.

“And how Allah will give it to you?” I questioned further.

He smiled sheepishly and looked at his mother. Then his mother intervened and said that Zaki was fasting to get rewards from Allah. They constantly told him the blessings and rewards that a fasting person received and the wisdom behind fasting.



I know the concept of rewards from Allah is still too abstract for him so his parents relates the prize to describe such reward.

2. Explaining the purpose of fasting in simple language.

Once, we took a drive. His parents asked him to look at the traffic light intersection with some little children begging in the scorching heat. Then his mum said, “Look at those less fortunate children. Instead of playing, they have to make money to eat. Now, tell me how do you feel when you go hungry like this?”

He looked bewilder, rubbed his stomach and said “It’s bad feeling hungry.”

His mother smiled and hugged him. “Yes, being hungry is miserable. Therefore, we are obliged to fast in order to feel what it’s like being hungry. Thus, we want to share our food with those less fortunate. Sharing and giving is a good way to help those in need.”

Well…it’s not completely the purpose of fasting, but I believe with such language, children are easier to grasp the idea. In the end, he dived in his pocket to find some small change, and gave the money to a child with a guitar. His mum then added extra money.

3. Offering positive reinforcement.

When breaking his fast after Maghrib, his parents would praise him. They gave him his most favorite food and drink. “Wonderful, that’s my boy, smart boy” are among praises uttered by his parents. Or when he was on the verge of giving up, his mum would gather him in her arms and said it was only a couple more hours to go before he could eat. Then, she would stay with him playing puzzle.

Further, they would tell him that at the end of Ramadhan, we would all celebrate the feisty day with Eid gifts and new clothes.

4. Keeping him occupied.

It helped him staying away from food and drinks. It offered distraction. Whenever, he whined, his parents would tell him stories, or let him play his favorite games or let him just doze off to sleep. As long as he was doing things he likes, he would easily forget his hunger.



Fasting is certainly more difficult and tougher for children than it is for adults in its most basic notion of absenting from food and drinks from dawn till dusk. Children who are extra active in their play may also have trouble fasting. Nevertheless, the parents should not be lax in the matter. It is important to introduce children on the importance of fasting in their early age. As long as a child is in good health, the child can be introduced to fasting in some manner or another. After all, children are like a sheet of white paper. It depends on how we write on that blank paper. It is during his early age, a child is easier to be instilled with good values and religious piousness.



Children who have a weak constitution might not be able to fast on the onset. Likewise, those who normally need to eat frequently can find fasting difficult. Children who are extra active in their play are also among those who have trouble fasting. It is the job of the parents to determine whether their children are ready to fast. They know their children's health...

Tahu and Tempe: From Abundance to Zero

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2012/08/06/imo-view-tempeh-from-abundance-zero.html

Two weeks ago, as I was buying groceries in my neighbor’s home stall, I was surprised to get a very small chunk of tempe for Rp. 2,000.-. Usually, with such a price, I could get large piece. Then, yesterday when I stopped by at the traditional market in the Depok Baru station, I could not find any tempe or tofu at all. Tempe and tahu are always available in my dining table since I was a kid. They have always been actually part of our main serving alongside with rice in my family for generations. The food is exceptionally cheap and nutritious, being a substantial source of protein. Thus, it is affordable by any household, and the majority of Indonesians always craved for tempe at all times. Wherever you go in Indonesia, you will always be able to find some variety of tempe with its distinctively nutty taste and nougat-like texture whether in its plain-fried, mendoan, tempe bacem, or sambal tumpang. There is also, among others, tempe gembus, which is made from the sediment left over from the tofu-making process, and tempe benguk, made from the benguk bean. However, the most popular and well known tempe is made from soybean. As for my parents and the older generation before them, they consume tempe and tahu to provide cheap qualified nutrition suitable with their meager income. And they were abundant during that time, having been a staple in Indonesia for over 2000 years.






However, nowadays tempe and tahu become rare commodity. If there are any, the price is rising sharply or the amount is being reduced into smaller hunks. Accordingly, I called my relatives who have been small tofu and tempe-producers since 1970s in Mampang, South Jakarta to ask their situation. They said the price of soybeans as the raw material for the products has skyrocketed in recent months, making it difficult for producers to stay afloat. It has increased to Rp 7,900 (80 cents) a kilogram, a substantial increase from March, when it was Rp 5,500 a kilogram, and the Rp 6,700 at the end of June. Now, the price has reached Rp. 8,000. With such price, they could hardly gain any profit at all. They have been halting their products, and waiting for price reduction as instructed by the chairman of the Jakarta chapter of the Association of Indonesian Tempe and Tofu Cooperative (Kopti). They hoped their outcries would be heard and the government could tackle the issue immediately. It was a great loss having no opportunity to raise production during approaching Idul Fitri. It is also a threat to loyal consumers like me and most families in Indonesia who enjoy the delicious and cheap traditional food. It means tempe or tahu is no longer abundant or affordable.



The current spike on the soybeans is triggered by a drop in production in the US which is the main supplier of soybeans for Indonesian to make items such as tempe and bread. Drought in the United States has sent prices for wheat and soybeans soaring. The soaring prices were also attributable to adverse weather in Brazil and Argentina, which were among the world’s largest soybean producers. As a result, the price of raw material imported by companies in Indonesia has risen sharply since Indonesia largely depended on imported soybeans for food production. It is an irony while Indonesia is renowned for its fertile agriculture, but many agricultural products are being imported. According to data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), the country imported 17.6 million tons of seven main commodities — rice, corn, wheat, soybeans, sugar, milk and beef — last year, for a total value of $9.4 billion. It exported 250,000 tons of the commodities, valued at $150,000. Indonesians consumed 2.2 million tons of soybeans per year, but the country was only able to produce 700,000 tons per year. Thus, the country needed at least 1 million tons of imported soybeans. To reduce such dependency remains as enormous tasks for the government to solve. So far, the government is still catching its breath in safeguarding the national food security. If no incentives whatsoever offered to soybeans farmers, then such problem will keep recurring because the nation will remain largely depended on imported products.



A few days ago, Metro TV has broadcasted a dialogue attended by Agriculture Minister Suswono; chairman of the Jakarta chapter of the Association of Indonesian Tempe and Tofu Cooperative (Kopti), Suharto, and an agricultural economist at the Institute for Development of Economy and Finance, Bustanul Arifin; discussing the shortage and skyrocketing price of the products. The chairman of the Jakarta chapter of the Association of Indonesian Tempe and Tofu Cooperative (Kopti), said the price of soybeans had increased 35 percent this year, making it difficult for producers to stay afloat. He asked the government to interfere in stabilizing the price. He also stressed the importance for Kopti to import soybeans on their own, in contrast to importing them through third parties, a factor contributing to the high prices. Meanwhile, the minister said that the soybean production decline constantly because the price of the the product wasn’t not encouraging farmers to keep on producing. Thus, the rise the product’s price was indirectly perceived as a blessing in disguise for the local producers. It was deemed as incentive for the planters to grow the product if the price was fair and promising profit. Second problem was the fact that the cultivated land to grow for the products was declining. It would be difficult for Indonesia to increase domestic soybean production, as the country only had 600,000 hectares of soybean farms in contrast to the 1.5 million hectares needed. Combined, the two problems stand as the major hindrance to achieve domestic soybeans productivity. As a result, price stability will be greatly affected by the imprted products. However, he promised to closely coordinate with related departments to increase the land for planting the soybeans and stabilized the price so that both consumers and producers would have a win-win solution. Further, he said his department was still reviewing to put Bulog as means to maintain food security. Bustanul said the government had failed to show the same commitment to boosting production as it did for rice. He suggested reviving the role of BULOG in safeguarding the price stability for main agricultural products including soybeans. Further, he emphasized the role of government to provide incentives to farmers as well as to develop developed researches on agricultural products particularly soybeans. Such research could invent products profitable and suitable for Indonesia's land nature. Thus, it could in return boost the production and quality of the products.





So far, the Indonesian government has decided to remove its 5 percent import tax on soybeans in response as announced by Coordinating Minister for the Economy Hatta Rajasa on Wednesday after a meeting on the issue at his office in Jakarta. The tariff’s removal would be temporary, until soybean prices returned to normal. The policy was taken in the hope of sellers would immediately lower the prices and not take excessive profits. And last Friday, the Jakarta’s Cooperatives Agency and the Confederation of Indonesian Tofu and Tempe Producers Cooperative (Primkopti) have reached an agreement on the skyrocketing price of soybeans. Thus, tempe and tahu will be back at our plates again starting by Saturday when the soybean-based products producers were expected to be back on production again.



Safeguarding the national food security is an arduous task that needs to be addressed seriously. With the constantly declining production, it is important to create incentives and supporting regulations that guarantee the stabilization of such important commodities. As a loyal consumer, I am glad if tahu and tempe will be back at market again. It means I can keep enjoying the delectable food, and save some money to provide protein. Afterall tahu and tempe is considered as 'makanan rakyat' for generations :-). And so glad, last Sunday, tofu and tempe were already available on my dining plates 

My Worst Nightmare Ever

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2012/07/16/imo-view-safety-first-bike-riding.html

Last week, I got my worst nightmare ever when I watched in helpless horror my nephew tumbling down off his bike. He slammed his left shoulder first so hard (it's like watching bikers flew off their bike, and crushed hard on solid concrete during a race on live television) and I couldn't get to him- it was nightmarish. He had been able to ride on a four wheels bicycle since he was four. It was always an easy ride with him. Then, he turned 6 this June and the bike was suddenly a dwarf for him. It’s odd to see him still riding with training wheels. People we encountered during our morning ride had started to throw some comments that he needed a two wheel bicycle for his age. One day, at his school, he managed to ride a two wheel bike. It was his friend actually and twice bigger of my nephew's bike. We were all so excited seeing him waving and smiling widely, saying “Look, I can ride this bike! I don’t need the training wheels!” His face beamed with pride. He kept pedaling in such sweet proud stature. It's like seeing him taking his first step 5 years ago. So, my brother bought him a new bike suitable for his age. It had no training wheels, and its seat could be adjusted to various heights. Even, I could ride on it when it was adjusted to my height. But my nephew found it a bit too big for him. He was terrified and we have tried several times to encourage him to ride. He freaked out and preferred his old four wheels bike. In the end, my brother removed the the training wheels so he would be accustomed to ride in two wheels. He loosened up, and enjoyed the ride. He practiced his balancing & steering, pedaling, and braking in the lane.




So, last Saturday, my brother and I took him for a ride with us with one of his friend next door. He was 8 and my nephew was 6. We took our usual track on weekend. They raced along the way while we followed them close by. I found it hard to stop them from racing. They just ignored our warning. We were thrown off guard when the road forked into a descending slope. Instead of riding ahead like our usual track, my nephew and his friend swerved swiftly into the dangerous lane. He was heading to his future school, and wanted to show it off to his friend. He has been enrolled in that school, and would just begin his 1st grade this July 14. They were speeding down the steep road. I screamed aloud “Stop…slow down!” to no avail. It was too late. I watched in agony as my nephew sped in such clumsy movement. He had a hard time to get hold of his balance on his bike. The bike was too small to support his weight and he’s not yet accustomed to ride in such difficult descending road without the training wheels. Everything suddenly went into a slow motion as my nephew lost his balance. The bike threw him off his bike into a sharp tumble on the hard concrete. I heard a loud crack sound of solid substance smashed into solid concrete “Braaaaakkkk”. “Zakiiiiii…!” I choked in breath as I rushed my bike forward in desperation. He smashed his shoulder first, rolled over twice, before halted into a stop. He managed to sit in an awkward position when I arrived seconds later. He stifled a cry. I secured my bike on the side of the road, and rushed to hold him. He was now crying in pain. I assessed the damage. I firsthand checked his head and face, looking for some internal injuries. To my relieved, his head was all OK. I saw only minor scratch on his left temple. Despite his sharp fall, it was a miracle he did not suffer a head trauma. I was glad but I still felt like a really bad auntie. My brother joined us and inspected further. His knees and elbow was bleeding, some bruises on his left arm and leg. It all seemed minor external injuries. It was when I touched his shoulder, he cried out in pain. I hold him in my lap, trying to comfort him. “It hurt,” He kept saying anytime we touched his shoulder. He didn’t dare to move so I just cradled him in my lap while he cried.



People started to come, offering some help. I knew that something had gone wrong with his left shoulder. The impact of the blow must create a bone fracture. We were so afraid. So, when someone said there’s a traditional massage therapist living nearby the vicinity, I carried him to his house which was only meters away. He was said to have developed a reputation for the ability to cure bone-, joint- and muscle-related complaints. The skills have been handed down from generation to generation, a tradition accompanied by a kind of mystic aura. Yes, we are lucky that in Indonesia, there are "tukang pijit" in every nook and cranny of the country, in every village, town and city. I laid him on the wooden bed on his porch, and the ‘tukang pijit’ started to work his miracle, so I hoped. The elderly ‘tukang pijit’ said he would be OK. It was just a dislocated joint and asked us to come again by the next day in case the injury got swollen. My nephew had stopped crying. I called my husband later on to fetch us. His mother soon arrived, and took him to her care.



As much as we believe in such traditional therapy (my uncle broke his leg a few years back and the doctor advised him to get a surgery. He refused and went to such ‘tukang pijit’ instead. His leg was saved miraculously), we went to E.R and took x-rays to be sure. The tech/doc said my nephew suffered a bone fracture on his shoulder blade. He needed the surgery soon to make the bone intact by inserting a pen. We were all shocked to hear this. He was just 6. It was just too much for him to undergo such surgery. I felt miserable. “I was a lousy auntie for not taking good care of him…I should have known it’s coming.” My brother went on some phone calls to ask for second opinion. We didn’t want him having surgery. The docs finally called the orthopedic doctor/surgeon, and to our relief, he instructed the junior docs to put my nephew under observation for the day until he arrived at the hospital in the evening. We immediately booked a room by 9 a.m and waited there. He was only given a pain killer and some iodine on his external injuries. The orthopedic doctor/surgeon arrived at 8.30 p.m. He examined the injuries and the bone, also the x-rays result. He said since my nephew was still so young and weighted no more than 22 kilos, he didn’t have to get a surgery. The doctor said he was lucky he didn’t suffer any serious wounds, and that he hasn't suffered a concussion or other internal damage, including a serious head injury (such as a skull fracture or intracranial injury). The doctor only put on an elastic bandage under his two armpits up to his neck to align the broken bone of his shoulder blade in its proper place. He said an elastic bandage wrapped around an injured shoulder will help prevent over-extension of the shoulder and protect it by providing added padding. The elastic bandage should still allow my nephew for some movement in the shoulder. He said his young age could speed up the healing process. We were all so glad. My nephew fell asleep almost immediately afterwards.



We were all so tired that day. It was a real nightmare to watch helplessly the one we loved dearly got such accident because of our foolish mistake, “for not keep an eye on him.” And we should have him wrist, elbow and knee pads plus helmet to ensure his safety. So, next time we take a ride “keep in our mind, safety first.”

A bicycle serves as the first mode of transportation for many children. I remember my first bike when I was in kindergarten. I fell many times before I was able to ride on it. For me, a bicycle is more of a vehicle than a toy during that day. My childhood friends and I used to ride for hours for fun. Many used them as means of transport to school. The entertainment value of riding bikes sometimes overshadows the potential dangers of whizzing down the street on two wheels. Therefore, bike safety instruction makes children more aware of the potential risks and how to reduce the chances of serious injury, including head injuries and broken bones. It is an obligatory for parents to teach their children bicycle safety before they pedal a bike for the first time. The most important is to equip the children with safety gears before embark on a ride; wrist, elbow and knee pads plus helmet, and gloves if necessary.