Thursday, May 23, 2013

Holier Than Thou

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2013/06/03/imo-view-more-grafts-meat-import.html



It’s not that we don’t get a kick in the stomach to learn a certain person or organization succumbs to corruption when they don’t wear a cloak of any religion. It’s just that we get less surprised or stunned.


Conversely, it always leaves us with utter disbelief and disgust when such deed is committed by a person or organization cloaked in a religion. They claim longing to purge the world of vice and sin; and see corruption everywhere — except within.

I am totally flabbergasted to learn top politicians who supposed to be religious since they come from religious party are no better that secular ones. It seems that one doesn't need to be religious to be good, nor secular to be evil. We are so sick at corrupt practices that empty the state coffers; in which we all pay the taxes. In every nook and corner of our nation we see corruption.

I am disgusted to see religion is being traded like some kind of merchandise. It is being auctioned and the highest bidder gets the deal in the name of political party livelihood.

I am sick to my stomach to watch such people being caught red-handed with a naked escort in some fancy hotel. More investigation revealed more beauties allegedly involved in such acts by taking lavish gifts and money. It’s like a parade of beauty pageants. The prettier, the fancier. It’s really a sickening display of outlandish lewdness.

The worst part of the bad drama is the person in custody is the close aide of top brass religious politician. Following the arrest, the evidence led to another arrest of suspects from prominent religious party in this nation. The spark ignited raging wild fire, dragging other politicians in the party to a disgrace. It’s just the tip of the iceberg!

To my dismay, instead of pledging to cleanse the party from such disgracing acts, they blindly take refuge into an insane self-defense. Pointing fingers to a planned plot to bring down the party to legal tangle of document legitimacy to seize their asset is not helping at all! Such maneuvers only tarnish their reputation further.

When you are caught red-handed, you can’t just keep repeating the slogan “I am holier than thou!” It’s not working that way.

I for instance used to admire such persona brand of such party. For the past few years of their existence, they are proven to be a clean and religious party. It’s in their blood and every myriad of their cells. Sadly, along the way, the cancerous disease of corruption succeeded to find a way to infect them.

Selfishness and greed drive them to corrupt. Once, they have a taste of worldly pleasures from wealth and women, they are at their greatest battle to test themselves. It’s within such moments their true color shows. So far, most of the prominent figures lost the battle, thus integrity. Religion as their moral compass is no longer valid as they use it as a cloak to hide their true shape.

Once a corrupt party stops valuing integrity, virtue or moral principles, it changes for the worse. Such party will eventually begin to decay and set itself on the road to self destruction

For that reason, I lost my trust as well. To gain my trust, they should prove they are worthy of it again instead of staging a blame game!

They won’t ever regain their integrity so long they still vulgarly display blind loyalty to their corps. To climb out from their hellish downpours of outrage from the public, they should cure the disease starting from within. Kill and amputate the infected cells. Don’t show mercy to such evilness.

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

A Wild Ride to Karimun Jawa

Ever giving a thought to travel with a bunch of strangers? Scared? Too shy? Or having less courage to do such crazy thing? Well...you might give it a new perspective to think over again. Who knows you might find some fun and acquire new friendship.



To feel the taste of such feeling, I decided to join the backpacking community that offered 2 days adventure in Karimun Jawa. The temptation to take a wild ride in this renowned icon was impossible to resist. Without thinking too much, I joined the pack despite my poor experience in backpacking. To be honest, it was my first time to travel with the community

The budget was minimal as it was arranged for backpacking style. You just have to brace yourself not to get a luxury in terms of accommodation nor transport. Yet, the experience far exceeded the inconveniences. It cost me only around Rp. 850,000.

The meeting point was at Senin Station. We boarded on the economic train to Semarang at 10 p.m. The ticket now cost at around Rp. 80,000. There were around 33 other backpackers joining the trip to this now famous haven for snorkeling from Jakarta, Salatiga, Kediri, Surabaya and other areas in Java. Some met us at Jepara port.

Arriving in Semarang at 7 a.m, we headed to Jepara by three minivans provided by the travel agent. It took four hours to get to Jepara (including a stop at local restaurant and Friday Pray). We reached Jepara port at around 1.15 p.m. After a few minutes, we continued our journey by Cantika Express Boat in economic class at 2 p.m. The ticket cost only Rp 80,000.



We were lucky the sea was a bit calm. The boat cut through the ocean in one swift graceful dance. All passenger seats were taken. Many tourists (probably Europeans as some conversed in French) were among these exciting travelers, hungry to feel the taste of a thrilling adventure.

We arrived at Karimun Jawa at 4.05 p.m. Our local guides escorted our group to the home stays for our two nights excursion. One modest tiny room cost around Rp 60,000. If you wanted an upgrade into a cozier room with AC, you had to pay extra Rp 20,000 up to 30,000.


According to the local fisherman I met the following morning, Karimunjawa archipelago consists of 27 islands scattered along the Java Sea. Five of them; Karimunjawa, Kemujan, Parang, Nyamuk and Genting, are inhabited while other smaller islands are vacant. Most of these islands are untouched and beautiful, where visitors can indulge in diving, fishing and sunbathing in pristine white sand.



Some islands are formed by coral reefs and covered with a sand layer. The coast is mostly overgrown with mangrove and other marine plants. The ecosystems, consists of five types: coral reef, sea grass and seaweed, mangrove forest, coastal forest and low land tropical rain forest, offering maritime tourism object and natural adventure. Due to its unique and natural marine life, the islands are conserved and declared as a National Marine Park.


Ibu Nurul, the one whom we rented our room from said PLN still hasn't functioned fully there. Electricity services in Karimunjawa are supplied by local community generator. Power cuts in the electrical supply during the day are their daily routine. Water is still abundance as each home mostly has its own artesian well. The local government also provided such man-made well for the community located right in front of Bu Nurul's home.  

Ibu Nurul use artesian well that is perfectly safe to drink after cooked. Water in some areas still tastes pleasant and fresh as they are close to the hill of National Park. Bu Nurul's home is located in an area where the water isn't taste particularly pleasant. She used mineral water for cooking and filtered water for washing dishes and bathing. They have a black out from 6 a.m until 6 p.m regularly due to power shortage. She said the company promised it would be able to fully support the area by 2014.


It never had occurred to my mind that life in that island was a bit better than those in kepulauan seribu especially in Tidung Island. I saw Puskesmas, Bank BRI, ATM, police station, mini shops, street vendors, other governmental offices even TNI post were neatly adorned the small island. I thought it would be something out of nowhere. I was wrong. From my observation the island is pretty well-advanced.


The people were amazing. They were friendly, helpful, and honest and have dignity. Being a Javanese myself, I felt like home. Bu Nurul told me about how life was like in that island. It was just life in any other parts of Javanese villages except that the main bread and butter of the villagers came from fishing. At least until 2005 they were mostly fishermen.


Then, the virgin and lustrous landscape of its beaches was discovered at 2005. Tourism helped to boost other economic opportunities for them ranging from home stays business, rented boats, guides, etc. For domestic visitors, we chose these home stays since they were affordable. The kura-kura resort in Menyawakan is definitely too expensive for us.

The voyage to the snorkeling spots was thrilling. To rent fisherman boat to explore the wealth of these islands' marine life, you would have to pay only Rp. 350,000 per boat. The boat could accommodate 15 to 20 people. We rented two boats. The more, the cheaper.

As we had rough waves during the excursion, some suffered a sea sickness. I thought myself was tough but my stomach revolted. My head got fuzzy along with the harsh swing of the boat. We were like boarding on a paper boat rocked back and forth in the middle of the vast sea. We screamed, laughed, and then threw up. I was glad I could make it in one piece.


The snorkeling itself was amazing. I found it much more alluring than Kepulauan Seribu. We were shepherded to Menjangan Kecil, Pulau Cemara Besar, and Pulau Kecil that gave us a breathtaking under sea views. These islands offered more diverse fisheries, coral reef, sea plants and other marine creatures. During your diving time, you'll be accompanying by amazing 240 or more variety of fish. Their various color and size will give you a kind of feeling that you're living in giant aquarium. Unfortunately, too many snorkelers sometimes drove these beautiful marine fish away.

The water around this resort island is pristine and the reef is clearly visible from the surface. The light green color is visible around the beaches. Further away, the color turned into darker blue. I was mystified to see the abundant of colorful coral reef, coral fishes and other underwater species live here. Imagine you are able to dance and play hide and seek among the wonderful corals underwater.

At a closer look, my eyes caught a glimpse of Sea-Urchin (Echinoidea) or bulu babi. This marine animal has round shape, prickly thorns, and black in color. They hide underneath the coral. The guide warned us these creatures have various color like black, green, brown, purple, and red. A single prick of its sharp thorn, can results into an instantaneous throbbing pain to its victim. We were rescued from such minor disaster.

Nonetheless, one of the participants got the taste of the fire coral. Her arm got one long nasty red scratch. It caused burning and itching sensation, redness and swelling where the contact was made. She was ok...just a bit stingy, she said.

If diving and snorkeling are not enough for you, swimming with sharks will give you more adrenalin rush. Our guide took us to shark's captivity near the Rumah Apung resort. With numbers of various sharks swam around the conservation, their keepers kept ensuring the visitors that it was OK to swim near them as long as you didn't any blood-leaking wound. That's the reason why I got disappointed not being able to have the adrenalin pumped up to the highest level. I definitely envied those who dared jumping to the spot!



Most of these backpackers are way my juniors in terms of age. But they had far more experience in backpacking. I felt intimidated and far too old for backpacking..lol. They are working already but still pursuing their college education. I found it hard to mingle with them. I was having this kind of introvert gist while they were extroverts. I enjoyed sometimes their bantering and jokes but I always had the urge to be alone and just watched the beauty of the underwater.



Overall, it was totally awesome experience. I would forever cherish this adventure.



A Horror Emerges from Shadows

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2013/05/20/imo-view-a-horror-emerges-shadows.html



Slavery has been abolished centuries ago and declared illegal in every country in the modern world. Yet, its practices in the narrowest definition, is still rampant, taking the many forms from forced labor, people trafficking, to women and children forced into prostitution.

As a nation that had been enslaved for more than three centuries by imperialist and colonialist, Indonesia knows better how it feels to be in the servitude of others. It is degrading and humiliating. It cast dark shadows in our history.

For that reason, we quickly condemn any kind of abuse and exploitation inflicted on any workers. Such abuse is morally, ethically, and legally wrong. These sweatshops exploit their workers in various ways, paying them meager wages for long hours of toil in difficult circumstances, even using violence and threat to intimidate. We strongly condemn such wickedness.

Sadly, a vicious evil managed to slither from the shadows, unleashing an imaginable horror. We are struck with disbelief and contempt to learn that such unspeakable atrocity takes place right under our own nose. A wave of indignation is rapidly ravaging our civil society over the shocking revelation of enslavement of 34 workers from West Java who were detained and forced to work in horrific condition in Sepatan, Tangerang regency, about 20 km from Jakarta.

They were held against their will as modern-day slaves. Unbearable to stand the hellish condition any longer, two of these unfortunate workers run away from their captivity. Their escape led to a police raid of the factory for recycling of waste material, freeing the bonded workers.

The police found them being forced to live in a dirty room of 6 feet by 8 without windows or proper sanitation for almost four months. Their cellular phones, clothes and wallets were confiscated. They had to work at least 18 hours a day with only two miserable meals and little to drink without pay.

Working behind closed doors, beyond the reach of personnel policies, and often without freedom, they are subject to the whims of their cruel employer. Five ferocious foremen guarded them round the clock like they were some kind of brutish cattle. They suffered from malnutrition, anemia and skin-burnt.

Meanwhile, the owner of the factory acted like he was a kind of powerful landlord who had all but a heart. Living in a grand house right next to his impoverished men, he played his role well as a cruel king while at the same time wearing a mask of a generous merchant by distributing alms to his neighbors. His well played role had successfully fooled the people around him.

To make matter worse, the public official in the residence has strong familial ties with him. Some military personnel were allegedly offered protection for such inhumane practices. Money buys the perpetrator secret silence and protection.

It was only the dramatic escape of the two workers that disclosed the barbaric practices of the colonial past. Nothing so far could appease the wrath and contempt of the public.

There’s something is irremissibly wrong with the man who could enslave his fellow citizens in such a cruel way. He should be also insane to such a degree for he had no regard for those helpless workers. He has ripped apart the fabric of reality that such monstrosity can take place in any society regardless of race, religion, or ideology.

For me personally, it is always baffling to know that sometimes people just don’t see the obvious lesson learnt from our history. An act of disrespect, unfairness, and justice will only breed contempt and hatred. Violence breeds violence. Love breeds love.

When you treat your subordinates fairly you will create stronger, better relationships with your employees based on trust and respect. Failing to treat them fairly and with respect can result in lost productivity, disgruntled workers and a lack of trust, even chaos and violence.

You always reap what you sow!



Diffusing the time bomb: Cut the Baby in Halves

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2013/05/13/imo-view-cut-baby-halves.html


After a dual pricing system for subsidized Premium gasoline was met with skepticism and harsh critics, the Government stepped back from the brink last week. Once again, the President sent confusing signal as he was not yet sure with the option to raise the prices or cut fuel subsidy. As a result, the government has for the many time prolonged and created an ambience of uncertainty for business and the economy. The longer it delays to deliver the solution, the worse the situation would get. It creates a deadly time bomb!


The dual price policy came as a compromise in hope to avoid mass protests lead to violence and ease the ballooning budget deficit. The Indonesia’s gingerly President, mindful of his legacy after reaching his constitutional two-term limit, is always reluctant to raise the fuel price. The policy is considered terribly unpopular and costly politically and economically.

Politics always cast negative light. While fuel subsidy is not a matter of politics; nor is a matter of being isolationist or protectionist, it is always traded as political issue. Various plans to either cutting or removing the burdening fuel subsidy have been debated, fought over, amended and then dropped amid political opposition and procrastination.

Fuel subsidy is simply a matter of the bottom line, the best possible survival for the nation. The government has the means to diffuse the bomb! To save the nation from bankruptcy! Yet, it is too busy to escape from the intricate knots of the warring machines of the political parties. The time bomb keeps on ticking. The decision to save the nation from the imminent threat remains on the shoulder of our leader.

A great leader always comes with wisdom in time of peace or crisis. He is almost always a great simplifier, who can cut through argument, debate, and doubt to offer a solution everybody can understand. He is the anchor to keep the nation intact.

The suspense drama over the tangle of fuel price reminds me of one such great leader whose legacy has become an archetypal example of a judge displaying wisdom in making a ruling. With his most legendary expression "splitting the baby" or "cutting the baby in half", King Solomon has been successful to settle a great argument of two young mothers claiming as the true mother of an infant in their care.

Splitting the baby is essentially an unreasonable decision, a total madness that men consider a barbaric cruel act. Yet, the Wise King has seen it as the most logic solution to the case. He sternly gave an order to cut the baby in two; each woman shall receive half of the son.

He certainly doesn’t mean to literally cut the infant. He uses the ruling to reveal the true feelings of the two mothers. Cruel as it may seem, the decision has offered a solution to know the real mother of the baby.

Against this backdrop, I see the Indonesia’s current leader has been trying to apply such policy by implementing the dual price policy. Sadly, King Solomon’s wisdom has been translated incorrectly. The grand idea of the ruling is to save the baby as well as find the true mother and not the other way around.

Similarly, the Government intended to satisfy all parties; the people, the political parties; while at the same time safeguarding his legacy to save the government’s budget deficit. Each received a fair share according to the ruling of splitting the state coffer (the baby).

However, instead of saving the state coffer from unnecessary spending, the government literally cut and distributes the money in waste. It considered only the short term remedy for the complex case. It was almost as if rather than saving the baby, the policy taken by the government would accidentally kill the baby in the most horrific scheme.

Without doubt, any logical thinking would voice a protest of the bizarre ruling. No parties would benefit such policy in the long run. It would only delay the bomb to explode. While in reality, the time bomb keeps on ticking faster by the minutes.

Fuel subsidy scheme in Indonesia, at least in the last eight years, is no longer sustainable since 2004 Indonesia was no longer a net oil-exporting country. Thus, an increase in international crude price (ICP) would create oil trade deficit. It hurts the economy, causing a chronic illness that gets worse and worse every year. It needs a cure that could guarantee permanent healing.

Slashing the fuel subsidy is a politically-sensitive issue and will trigger massive demonstrations as seen in the past. The policy will hurt the economy in the short run. It will create an economy tsunami. Price levels will increase as prices of goods and services adjust. It will also put great pressure on the achievement of the country's inflation targets. The poor will be hardest hit. They will face more economic hardships. There’ll be politically and economically great costs if not buffered properly.

Nonetheless, to postpone the policy will only hinder the sustainability of Indonesia economic growth in the long run. It will rain down acids upon state finances and upon other macroeconomic fundamentals. Consequently, it will make the economy vulnerable to external shocks.

Therefore, to save the state coffer from bankruptcy, the government should execute the painful and agonizing measure. People might consider the policy madness. It tortures the poors. But, it is the most feasible solution for the long run to achieve sustainability. To raise fuel price is inevitable if the country wants to get benefits in the long run. It is the tool to diffuse the ticking bomb.

First, there is an urgent need to reduce the burgeoning fuel subsidy bill to prevent the 2013 budget deficit expanding beyond a legal limit of 3 percent of gross domestic product. Providing fuel at around half the real market price eats up a large chunk of the coffers. Billions of rupiah are spent annually to keep the fuel price low, intended to help lower-income citizens. People in turn have taken it for granted for a long time that to live without it would be terribly scary and choking.

While "the poor" get some crumbs from energy subsidies, the middle classes and rich use much more energy per capita and get the vast majority of fuel subsidies.Yet, by the end of the day, the lion’s share of such scheme accrues to the car-driving middle class rather than the motorbike and bicycle-riding poor.

Second, cutting fuel subsidies would reduce fuel smuggling. It is the natural law that price difference between subsidized and non-subsidized fuel opens opportunities for smuggling. If there was no price difference, such corruption could be mitigated and stopped.

Third, the money saved from these subsidies can be channeled to finance other important programs, particularly in health care, education, and other spending such as compensation programs for the poor (Bantuan Langsung Tunai) to improve their lives. The fuel subsidy should also be allocated to infrastructure development to lure more investors and other government programs to sustain economic sustainability.

Fourth, the policy will help to support innovative alternatives for renewable energy and curb the nation’s reliance on carbon-intensive fuels. As shown by supply and demand law, the rare commodity would tend to having increasing price over time. Fossil fuel is non-renewable resource that would someday exhaust.

For those reasons, the government should be more careful and wise in managing its policy. It is not just a playful impression to entertain the public. It is a real serious business to deal with as it has wide-ranging impact and great economic magnitude.

Like the Great King Solomon, a leader should use his wisdom to lead in time of peace or crisis.