NO ‘ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL’ IN TACKLING GLOBAL RECESSION

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/09/16/your-letters-no-one-size-fits-all-tackling-recession.html

As Christine Lagarde took center stage, all eyes turned to her. Flashlights of cameras rained down at her. Journalists flocked like moths around her. Her words were gold, luring 'miners' to just dig up for more. It was her highly anticipated speech the audience loved to hear the most. Sitting in the back rows, I could tell that she was the star of Bank Indonesia-IMF joint conference "Future of Asia's Finance: Financing for Development 2015."

The extensive debate and controversy over policies exercised by the IMF over these past years, did not stop experts, academicians, policy makers and practitioners around the globe to hope for more. Pinning down their aspiration on this international financial institution for remedies to cure the ongoing global economic recession, the words of its Commander in Chief on any given event drew all ears. Initially designed to ensure the stability of the worldwide financial system after World War II, the IMF's policies has changed over time, allegedly nuanced with political agenda and vested interest of the world superpowers.

Nonetheless, from my personal observation during the session, there's nothing new on Lagarde’s remarks. It's like an old repetitive forgotten recipe cooked all over again. The aroma was somewhat familiar, the overall presentation was inviting and the taste was delectable, yet it did not jolt my taste buds to yearn for more.

The four "I" formulas namely: Innovation, Infrastructure, Integration and Inclusion are not new concepts among emerging markets policy makers particularly Indonesia. They have been chased and pursued with perseverance albeit without great success due to factors as have been highlighted by the Indonesia's Minister of Finance in the session i.e: legal battle and cultural hindrance. These four strategies are as elusive as the mythical creature.

Notwithstanding, policy makers in Indonesia has launched efforts to maintain its financial stability and resilience right after the 1997/1998 economic crisis. Bank Indonesia is an ardent campaigner to promote financial inclusion, strengthen Islamic banking role in financing, upgrade an integrated payment system gateway and so forth to tackle challenges ahead in achieving financial stability.

Yet, the sharp sell-off in China’s stock market, the main engine of global growth in recent years, has sent shockwaves among market players. China's continued economic slowdown has cast doubt over the future of this Asian Giant. Panic attacks drove market players to make irrational actions.

Further, the uncertainty over the Fed's plan to raise its benchmark rate, gave rise to more volatility. The Eurozone economy hasn't shown any significant improvement either as if time froze into a standstill. The world economy is getting more volatile.

What I find interesting is the refreshing remarks presented by Andrew Sheng, the distinguished Fellow of Asia Global Institute and Chief Advisor to China Banking Regulatory Commission. His was not too technical and basically jargon free. He was matter of factly offered incisive views and critiques on the problems and issues of the current global financial world. The unconventional monetary policies of zero interest rate policy has created oceans of liquidity. The global economy faced increased risk of inflated bubbles as investors easily acquired mountains of highly-leveraged debt that increased their excessive risk taker appetite.

Against this backdrop, Andrew Sheng mentioned the fifth "I" which was actually the driver of inclusive participation in the economy, namely "Incentive" to tackle the global imbalances. He elaborated that Future Finance needed incentives to act or to persuade society to act against disaster myopia in the face of growing evidence of rising risks.

The future is about incentive. It is about long term investment.  It is about risk sharing and it is about ownership. It is no longer about mere personal gain but it should be about social gain for the overall economy to survive together.

He argued that there was a distinctive trait in the analysis of the role of incentives in the current financial reforms.  The combination of excessive management compensation schemes and moral hazard were the two most important incentives that led to excess risk building up in the system. It drove investors to build up empires of wealth with any means necessary. Greed becomes the norms.

One noteworthy lesson from his overview is how he advised that the world economy should adopt the concept of risk sharing as practiced in Islamic Finance. The system in Islamic finance as in Sukuk is about equality. It is about bringing the social benefits of any investment instead of solely personal benefit that leads to greed and social injustice.

In the end, I should agree with Andrew Sheng that there can be no ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution for global problems, because the world is too diverse and heterogenic. This also implies that we can only at best agree on major principles at the global level, with implementation differences for different countries.

Showcasing Indonesia’s Rich Culture in World’s Shariah Forum

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/04/11/citizen-journalism-showcasing-indonesia-s-rich-culture.html

As the lights in the Grand Ballroom of Kempinski Hotel Indonesia dimmed, a number of dancers entered the front stage, sitting in tight row.  Starting with slow movements, almost like child’s play, they accelerated into fast elaborative and cohesive movements. The dancers clapped their hands, slapped their chests, thighs and the ground, clicked their fingers, and swayed and twisted their bodies and heads in time with the shifting rhythm in unison or alternating with the moves of opposing dancers, resulting in percussive sounds that added into the performance. The cultural performance that showcased the transcultural blending of Islamic and Indonesian culture was well-received and applauded.

Following the pre-dinner drinks and greetings, all delegates were seated at their tables and were soon watching this beautiful Aceh Saman dance or the dance of thousand hands. The delegates had the unique opportunity to experience this colorful Indonesian culture which UNESCO has officially recognized as an intangible element of world cultural heritage.The welcoming dinner was sealed by another cultural performance of Rantak Dance which was dominated by Pencak Silat, the traditional martial art of West Sumatra, with movements such as taping, hand movements, waving and jumping. As with the former, this cultural expression has been applauded with enthusiasm. 

Hosted this prestigious event is Bank Indonesia which also became the host of  the 2014 Meeting of the Central Banks and Monetary Authorities of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Member Countries last November in Surabaya. As chairman of the IFSB, Bank Indonesia has been sucessful in bringing the culturally rich Indonesia to the fore which is intertwined with religion and age-old traditions.

Whereas the audience attending The Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB) Annual Meetings and Side Events which was held on 31 March to 2 April, 2015 represented 17 countries worldwide comprising of seven central bank governors, heads of regulatory and supervisory authorities, as well as 13 senior representatives from the Council and Full  members of the IFSB.

The three-day forum event was filled with a series of meetings and seminars to enhance financial inclusion through Islamic finance with speakers from central bankers, researchers and practitioners alike. Islamic banking may be one of the fastest-growing segments in international finance today, yet the challenge remains on how Islamic finance might help to alleviate poverty in most muslim countries and contribute towards sustainable economic growth since the Muslim-majority countries overall are among the world’s poorest

On this seminar, IFSB member countries tried to formulate policies and strategies in exploring the role of the Islamic finance in supporting financial inclusion, the building blocks necessary for the development and promotion of financial inclusion.

As for Indonesia, Islamic banking industry can be one of the tools to deepen the country’s financial markets as it has a large untapped potential in Indonesia, a country where about 13 percent of the total global Muslim population live. Having the world’s largest Muslim population with sustained moderate economic growth implies that Indonesia harbours great potential for Islamic finance. Developing this potential will help to make the country more resilient to global economic turmoil. However, with nearly 90 percent of the 250 million people in Indonesia adhering to Islam, the market share of sharia finance is remarkably low.

According to the Financial Services Authority (OJK), the market share of sharia bank in Indonesia only reached 4.85 percent of the country’s total banking assets in 2013, just miss by the margin from the five percent target set by the regulator. This is small compared to Malaysia where Islamic banking holds a 20 percent market share.

In this manner, hosting two major international events adressing the greater role of Islamic banking industries on financial inclusion should gain Indonesia full momentum to develop its Islamic banking industry. Indonesia should strenghten the ministerial-level coordination in this sector, improve highly qualified human capital with innovation and creativity as well as create legal business certainty environment.

As is Aceh Saman Dance, Indonesia has a great challenge ahead to bring this industry to the fore, transforming the region into the ‘Mecca’ of global Islamic banking.

Bring the Peaceful Islam to the Fore

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/11/12/your-letters-showcasing-ri-s-islam-int-l-event.html

“Ya nabi salam ‘alaika, ya rasul salam ‘alaika, ya habib salam ‘alaika, shalawatullah alaika.” (O Allah! Bestow complete blessings and perfect peace on Sayyidina Muhammad )

Amid ocean of people clad in white, the enchanting voice of Habib Syech bin Abdul Qodir Assegaf grew louder along with the drumming of the humble musical instruments. His melodious voice, venerating his love to The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) successfully packed the traditional mawlid recitation rhythm that made it more beautiful and seductive to ears that hear.

As if under a spell, people started to sway back and forth and left and right to the accelerating rhythm of the hymns. A sense of brotherhood prevailed as their human delights clearly found its way through the peaceful melody that promotes traditional Sufi piety and opposes religious and political violence. Their faces beamed with joy and ecstasy. The recitation is acceptable in public ears in tones and rhythms, regardless of their religion, ethnicity, gender, age or background.

On the two main stages, the Vice President, the Governor of Bank Indonesia, The Governor of East Java, The Former Chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama Organization and dignitaries from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) as well as World Bank and IMF bore witness as thousands of people solemnly chanted the mantra in unison. This incantation spoke of love and compassion. The Salawat (devotional prayers) is the manifestation of the ultimate call to love Allah, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his family and compassion for humanity. This is unerringly an antidote of fear, prejudice and hatred which have plagued the Muslim community.

This mass shalawat marked the grand opening of the OIC Central Bank Governors Meeting held in conjunction with the Indonesia Sharia Economic Festival (ISEF) in Surabaya, East Java, on Nov. 3-9. Despite attended by around thirty thousands of people, the humble feast went smoothly without any major incidents. People brought along little candle-like sticks in red and white color, a symbol of Indonesia's national flag and unity. They followed up closely the processions in an orderly manner. Minor incident occurred when out of the crowds, a green flashlight pointed matter of factly at the face of the Vice President when delivering his speech. The law enforcers immediately apprehended the culprit into custody.

All and all, the event was a success in showcasing another side of Islam in Indonesia. Participants from diverse countries were immersed in the joy and solemness of the auspicious event. Some hummed along while others were busy taking some pictures, immortalizing the moment. It was indeed a rare occasion to have ocean of masses in such jubilee.

This peaceful campaign of love and compassion defies any notion that Islam is filled by the nihilists who know only how to destroy and devastate. On contrary, the night’s show culminated that Islam is a peaceful religion based on the dignity of all human beings which was often hijacked by cowards whose actions are the cruelest insult of the religion. The shalawat sheds some lights that Islam brings peace and harmony instead of chaos.

In this spirit of brotherhood and peace, Bank Indonesia chose Surabaya as the venue for the first OIC Central Bank Governors Meeting held in Indonesia to have in-depth discussion about sharia-based economic development among OIC members, focusing on raising awareness regarding financial-deepening strategies incorporated with multinational initiatives in collecting zakat (alms) and increasing community participation in the industry. Having the highest number of pesantren (Islamic boarding schools) in Indonesia, Surabaya has the potential as a pilot project site in order to be named the center of sharia-based product development in Indonesia.

Also, Surabaya is the second largest city in Indonesia whose population mostly adheres to Islam. It is also the first birthplace of ‘Walisongo (the nine saints of Sufis in Java) whose role in the spread of Islam in Java has lasting effects throughout the island.  Known as the City of Heroes due to its historic role in galvanizing Indonesians the international support for independence, Surabaya has rich culture and historical heritage to attract visitors as well as home to huge market for syariah products.

Against these backdrops, it is no wonder Surabaya is considered the best place to be the pioneer city for flourishing syariah economic products campaign nationally and globally.

It is imperative to tap the potential revenue from Zakat which so far has not been managed in an improved and integrated system for financial deepening and thus improving people’s welfare. Statistics showed that in 2012, Indonesia had had potential revenue from zakat of Rp 217 billion (US$18 million), equal to 3.4% of the country’s Gross Development Product (GDP). Unfortunately, in reality it only managed to collect Rp 2.7 trillion.

Dr. Zamir Iqbal, Lead Investment Officer, World Bank who attended as discussant in the “Islamic Financial Sector Assessment Program (IFSAP): Implementation of Macroprudential Frameworks for Islamic Finance” expressed his satisfaction in joining the event as many beneficial discussion paved ways to the adoption of shariah economics. Further, he liked the city for its hospitality and the diverse arts found in the various souvenirs being sold.

It is also heartening to hear some participants said that the experience transported them to the presence of spiritual brotherhood and the beautiful face of Islam which is rarely exposed and seen.

Ghulam Muhammad Abbasi of Islamic State Bank of Pakistan said he flew home with “lots of excellent memories of Indonesia’s rich culture and hospitality”. Ammar Hiouani of Central Bank of Algeria, praised “”Indonesian people are the right Muslims.””

To bring the other Indonesia’s iconic cultural symbol to the fore, the OIC Central Bank Governors meeting was concluded by introducing the Karapan Sapi (Cow Race) of Madura and Reog Ponorogo dance to the dignitaries. These two cultural shows reflect the diversity of Indonesia’s 300 plus ethnic groups that have their own language, cuisine, traditional dance, arts shows and so forth. The rich cultural heritage is one of Indonesia’s true national riches in wait to be exposed and explored.

And I am truly blessed to be one among witnesses of such jubilant occasion.

I am an Introvert and I am Proud

Oneday day a friend said to me, "you know, X is afraid of you because you are too quiet and stubborn." He grinned guiltily and added, "So you know and take precaution." I looked at him dumbfounded but managed to extend a smile of gratitude.

Well, that really took me by surprise. I know that I am a total introvert. I am a loner and keep things to myself. My husband and my good friends said so. When I feel like recharging my depleted energy, they just know what I need. They leave me in my own solitary with a novel at my hand and a cup of tea at my bedside.

So to speak, I never thought my solitude and quietness gave someone uncomfortable feeling. Most of the time, people just leave me alone in peace. I was invisible and posed no threat to anybody's in particular? I do my working on assignments but do not think of career advancement. It is as simple as that.

But, hey, I used to work in smaller working unit so it was not too crowded. It was just a place I felt like home, small, less noisy and I knew each and everyone of them. They knew me and just accepted my presence.

In the end, large crowds with assertiveness and outspokenness is not really my nature. It does not mean that I don't like people. I occasionally enjoy large parties but want to sit and watch the action from the sidelines. I might be picky, choosing quality over quantity in relationships, preferring smaller circle of close friends rather than a large network of acquaintances.

I might have this feeling that it’s not people in and of themselves that pose the most daunting challenge; it’s fighting for air in a muddled conversation exerting ourselves to create the necessary I need. I’d rather just accede the territory and move on to quieter frontiers. It gives me peace.

Thus, I enjoy to observe, listen and write down what I learn. I enjoy such role. It's like living a quiet world in noisy world.I do feel like talking when I have nothing important to say or when everybody else are already say many things enough. I do not need attention for speaking up.

I thought something was wrong with me. Did I suffer a mental illness for not able to being more sociable and well-liked? I was constantly encouraged to speak up, to come out my shell and let the world know my voice.

To some extend, I have tried so hard to imitate the extroverts. But it killed me to be someone I was not. It was not an adventure. It was walking toward self-destruction. My adventure does not embark on such path of outspokenness, gregariousness and the alpha-role thing.

Neither my adventure involved swords, dragons or superpower. It does not require me to hike the Rinjani trail or steer a boat solo across the world. All I had to do was sip my cup of tea and tap away at my keyboard.

And now, I know there was nothing wrong with my introversion. It's a power I should tap the energy from to gain strength. I do not need to be someone whom I am not to be accepted and be happy 

An Ounce of Happiness Weighs More than a Pound of Gold

Swaying in rhythm with the commuter train, I can't help thinking of what others in the carriage might think of. Are they happy? Is there any unshed tears in those faces? I know, that is not my damn business! Yet, those silly queries linger.

Getting out of the station, queueing to get out, some street peddlers and buskers welcomed the snaking commuters. Some wearily sang melody out of tunes, hoping commuters might throw their lucky coins. A few with slumped shoulders just stood by their goods, relying on the good samaritans to make a deal. Yet, many with cheerful faces made a good offer to attract buyers, smiling genuinely all the while.

Are they happy despite their financial shortcoming? Even happier than the commuters who folded their faces, wrinkled with exhaustion?

There is always a nag in my feelings to feel the everyday stage of life in my commuting. Poverty is on display in every nook and cranny of any streets I passed by. Yet, there always exist an ounce of happiness in such places. It is sometimes better than a pound of gold in high-walled luxurious mansions.

In a world where misery, poverty, famine, malnutrition, conflicts and wars, natural disaster and catastrophe linger, diseases and plagues, happiness seem a distant away. Yet, there is always something alluring beautiful in such places where happiness come to pay a visit.

Everyone has moments of uncertainty, sadness, breakdown and despair. It's what makes us human. However, finding your own sense of happiness can make a liberating difference.

Sometimes and often, happiness is the accumulation of any small meaningful moments we have. Remain present in each moment. Just take time to feel, see, hear and touch the world around you. And perhaps make a different in any soul you touch.

What is then happiness to you?

Lik

The Edge Of Grace

Some colleagues say to me that they do not want to be stationed in certain Departments of our office due to the extreme work culture required. They dread the unusual working hours where staffs there often work into the wee hours of the morning just to get some reports done. Their weekends are spent constantly checking in with the office. Work begins to take up nearly their every waking hour. And it is contagious! My colleagues just avoid to enter the working to death environment.

Another story goes the opposite way. Some colleagues of mine often brag about on how they have to juggle their mundane tasks with the deadline. Their boss needs them as he relies on them constanty. It makes them feel important and worthy. Their goal of life is to work and save and build weath and assets until such time as they believe they can retire and ‘enjoy’ life. As a result, they always have outstanding work performance every year by working so hard with longer work hours. Yes, the company dubs them as exceptional employees who give an unremitting struggle to perform  their best and to sacrifice everything.

Of the two, I think I have been there in both vessels. I have worked arms and legs just to get my works done to my ideal. My job becomes my existence. Oh, how naive I was back then. Holding on desperately to my ideals, thinking that working hard nail to toes would bring happiness, one step closer to what I strive for in office. Then, a hard slap on my face brings me back to reality, waking me up from the dreadful dream. Overworking will not get me everywhere but to the land of physical and physhological strains. Work life balance is the answer to the psychosis environment. I work hard but I do not overwork.

Sadly to say, we live in a culture that applauds overworking. Overworking means role model employee who goes hand in hand with outstanding performance, bigger paycheck, boosted prestige, a success and land into the circle of the golden children. Working up to the wee hours will certainly be met with a pat on the back rather than a look of concern. Such employees become so emotionally tied to their job which provides fundamental source of meaning and recognition as well as helps them determine who they are. They would feel lost without it and desperate when it is threatened. Often, it is in the expense of life.

Then, the death of a Chinese banking regulator Li Jianhua who literally worked himself to death last June has again cast a spotlight on the extreme work culture in the financial industry. China is now facing an epidemic which a decade ago has threatened Japan. It is called karoshi, sudden death from overwork as it is called in Japan. The china Youth Daily reported that about 600,000

Chinese a year die from working too hard. What a scary statistic! Yes, believe it or not, the toll for achieving an economic success is dready!

In regards to this stunning reality, I remember having one senior colleague who tragically met the same fate. Barely fifty, he died from heart attack which was believed to be the result of his overworking lifestyle. The major medical causes of karoshi deaths are heart attack and stroke due to stress. I believe if a study conducted, we would have higher casualties in statistics. In emerging markets like Indonesia, I am sure the ethics of  overworking to gain success still prevails even in the cost of one’s health or well-being.

With unemployment on the rise, people are worried about losing their jobs. The working environment become so competitive. There goes the much befitting survival of the fittest.They need the pay check to make ends meet for their family. It is absolutely a noble cause to do, a grace of a man.

Yet, as companies cut back to squeeze more productivity out of the existing employees, many of us feel like we’re working at double-speed just to stay in place. Many will do overwork due to this circumstances, making them vulnerable to suffer sudden occupational death. Many might fall from grace.

Perhaps, in a perfect world, we would not do ‘this death by overwork thing’ anymore but the reality is that for very competitive jobs, people still expect it and many will do it if they want the job badly enough. In the end, it’s about how far will you go to reach your goal?

For me, given the fact that I’ve been on both sides of the arguments, I think I choose to have my monthly paycheck without having a karoshi. What’s more rewarding than getting home early to see you kids or soulmate await you with a smile, having normal conversation in normal hours, and just enjoy the new day unfolds before you.

The Inaugural Issuance of Rp. 10,000 to Mark the Indonesian Independence Day

The Inaugural Issuance of Rp. 10,000 to Mark

the Indonesian Independence Day

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/08/20/citizen-journalism-new-banknote-marks-independence-day.html

Something special is present in marking the most special day for Indonesia in my office today. Jubilant faces were lined up orderly in the field to follow the sacred procession of flag hoisting ceremony led by Agus D.W Martowardojo, the Governor of Bank Indonesia. In his speech, the Governor disclosed that this Indonesian Independence Day is also in coincidence with the inaugural issuance of Rp100,000.

The new redesigned bank notes—dubbed the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (Negara Kesatuan Republik Indonesia/NKRI) money is the first bill in compliance with Law No. 7 of 2011 on Currency that seeks to promote the use of Indonesian Rupiah in domestic transaction conducted in Indonesia. The law is among others stipulated to grant the Finance Minister the right to sign banknotes together with Bank Indonesia. This new banknote with the joint signature should be printed and circulated stating Aug. 17, 2014. The law would give the government a stronger legal base for managing the rupiah in the future.

However, the new bank note will not be replacing the one currently in circulation just yet. As Peruri's printing capacity is limited, the amount of new banknote printed is still small.

The scorching heat as the sun slowly set high, did not stop the annual feast, to commemorate the day when Indonesia acquires its freedom after more than three centuries of fear, terror, tear, and blood. Yes, we may not experience the bloody history, but we learn it by heart. Therefore, we feel the joy in celebrating the day. Freedom is priceless. It is our sacred duty to honor our fallen heroes and founding fathers by doing our best for the benefit of our country.

As the governor left the field, heading for the Sacred State Flag hoisting ceremony at the Palace, we were dismissed. Many took selfie pictures, posted in their social media page fan. Some were rushing to the parking lot, avoiding the traffic around the building, by departing early. While some others went straight to the cashier counters at C Building Complex to get the new Rp. 100,000 bill. I followed the latter, curious to know the atmosphere in the bill exchange room. Yes, we had the opportunity to collect the bills for the first liners.

Excited faces have queued in front of the cashiers. To my surprise, it was not overcrowded as I expected. Only tens of BI staffs joined the line, waiting expectantly to get the bill. All were served in a timely manner. Many took pictures of the new bill, waving the money with beaming face. I just smiled seeing the action.

On closer look, the new banknotes have "Negara Kesatuan Republik Indonesia" (Republic of Indonesia) written on them, replacing the name of the current issuer, Bank Indonesia. They still have the same denominations as the current notes, still have pictures of national figures, and are claimed to be harder to counterfeit. They also have Indonesia's first president and vice president, Soekarno and Hatta, on the observe side (face).  Another new design is the elimination of BI deputy governor's signature; replaced by the signature of the Finance Minister. The bills still hold BI Governor's signature.

This joint signature of BI Governor and Finance Minister indicates that another person and another institution are now also accountable over the money issued. In plain view, there are now two parties responsible for the Indonesian money: the government and the central bank. It means that the Indonesian currency is not only supported by the monetary sector, but also by the fiscal sector.

Asked as to why my colleagues collected the new bank notes, they voiced several reasons differently. Mega and Dony, staff at the Human Resources Department wanted the bill as this is its inaugural issuance so it would be totally cool to have it first. Nuki of Assets Management Department went to a great length for the new bank note out of curiosity while some others whom I interviewed said in a chorus that they wanted to show it off.

In Pursuit of Happiness over Promotion

I was struck by my friend’s plain matter-fact question related to promotion over lunch. I slightly raised an eyebrow.

“I have been working head to toe for about eight years with absolutely nothing to show for it. I thought that would secure me a promotion as a reward. But look at me now, still miserably at the same old spot. What have I done wrong? Was it because I come from second class job career path?” He blurted out in anger, then slumped down into the chair. His shoulders slumped forward in disappointment.

I held my breath, thinking to say something genius or just trying to find ‘proper words’ as not to offend him. I offered him a look of sympathy. In the end, words failed to materialize and we lost in our own thoughts.

He is one of the many people graduating from college with idealistic notions that being brilliant at college, then great at job would guarantee them a place in the corporate sun with their company. Reality often feels like a slap on the face.

He failed to notice that promotion is a tricky mix of advanced interpersonal skills, self-marketing, competent work, responsibility, strategy and sometimes ‘connection’. Missing any of these elements, you might end up working for ages for a company and never receive the promotion you deserve.

Being great is not enough. I know he’s great at what’s he’s doing, surpassing his team’s expectation. Unfortunately, he lacks of advanced interpersonal skills and rarely markets himself. Consequently, he becomes a shining diamond in the deepest end of the ocean. No one notices him, as he never comes to the surface of the deep ocean.

Another friend of mine had promotion recently. Oddly, she was not happy at all about it. She stubbornly said she wish she could turn back the hand of time.

“Congratulations! You’ve been promoted! Oh… um, by the way, we’re sorry we’re not going to pay you another nickel, even as you take greater responsibilities, work longer hours!” She said cynically, a flicker of fire lit in her black coal eyes.

I gaped in surprised. My jaw dropped. Are you kidding me? Seriously?

She rolled her eyes, annoyed and irritated.

I recollected myself and smiled awkwardly before giving her a sympathetic friendly embrace.

I view this jarring scenario as having an air of unreality about it. It’s hard to believe that something like this is happening. Then, a bitter recollection emerged on the surface of my consciousness. I have suffered similar scenario, well although it was not as tragic as that of my friend.

So, I should have known. It’s an ordinary reality. With so many workers running scared these days and job seekers flutter around in abundance, promotion-without-a-raise is a gambit some are forced to reckon with.  

Recounting these two tales, I smile lightly. I always have this silly motto that often invite criticism and skepticism from my colleagues, “I don’t want to go after promotion as long as I have decent job to feed my family and a handful of smiles from friends that keep me happyJ. Do the best and let God do the rest.”

They called me a pessimist, having no big dream at work. In my defense, I told them I was more interested to pursue happiness over promotion.

 Getting my head bald for working tirelessly to get promotion is absolutely not in my list . It’s enough having spent most of my precious time on clogged streets. There’s no room left for frustration of such silly promotion, lol. What matters is landing on the job I love that I’ll never have to work a day in my life, lol.

I remember once a renowned Indonesian author of short stories, essays, and movie scripts, Seno Gumira Ajidarma, said in his “Menjadi Tua di Jakarta” (Becoming Old in Jakarta):

"Alangkah mengerikannya menjadi tua dengan kenangan masa muda yang hanya berisi kemacetan jalan, ketakutan datang terlambat ke kantor, tugas-tugas rutin yang tidak menggugah semangat, dan kehidupan seperti mesin, yang hanya akan berakhir dengan pensiun tidak seberapa." 

"How terrible it would be to grow old with memories contains only road congestion, fear of coming late to the office, soulless routine tasks, and  a machine-like life, and  only end up with meager pensions."

Blood for Life

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2013/11/01/citizen-journalism-let-s-donate-blood.html

Arriving early this morning, I saw hundreds of people lining up to donate blood. There was a spark of joy in their eyes, full of enthusiasm to save life. Despite the long queue, they seemed eager to contribute.

Ibu Ani was one of dozens of volunteers who participated in the three-day blood donation event held by Bank Indonesia annually, in cooperation with the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI). She said it was her second time to donate blood. Asked the reason, she said it was the least act of charity she could make, a noble cause to save life.

“First time, I was afraid it would hurt and affect my health. To my surprise, it was easy and painless. I felt healthier afterwards. And I always get a goodie bag in return.” 

I knew the organizing committee always offered attractive gifts to attract more donors, from cheap smartphones to traveling bags. It is always a great success. 

According to the PMI, there is always a constant lack of blood despite the vigorous campaigns for blood donation. Indonesia needs to recruit more that 4.8 million regular blood donors annually, about 2 percent of the total population. However, only 3.5 million blood donations can be collected on a regular basis because so few people are aware of the importance of giving blood. 

This leaves a staggering shortfall of 1.3 million donors-worth of blood supply, preventing a substantial amount of life-saving blood transfusions. The PMI along with various institutions hold blood drives regularly to cope with the shortage. 

Blood centers around the country are increasingly relying on small tokens of appreciation — gift cards or goodie bags — to entice blood donors. At a time when fewer people are giving blood, these gifts can often lead to more donations, at least in the short term. 

I remember three years ago, my cousin suffered a severe hemorrhage after giving birth to a baby girl. Her face was ashen-white, as if a ferocious vampire had drained her blood.

Her doctor said she needed a blood transfusion immediately at least five ampoules (blood bags). The hospital could only provide three ampoules so we needed to immediately find blood donors to make up the shortfall.

Thank God, my aunt had a matching blood type. Some of the neighbors also volunteered to donate. It was a critical situation of life and death. We still regard it a miracle to get her back alive after such a crisis. It was indeed a gift of life. The experience relates to the idea that saving a life without doubt incites a feeling of heroism. 

In addition, the success of major medical operations is not without the essential, though often overlooked foundation: blood donors. What’s more is that research findings have discovered donating blood can help reduce the risk of heart attacks and cancer; and be beneficial for weight watchers as people burn up 650 calories with every pint donated.

A Glorified Servant

Have you ever giving a thought to become a secretary? Well, if you really want to choose this career, you should brace yourselves falling head to toes to brand your own image. There is nothing wrong with secretarial works or duties. If professionally committed, the career should offer you the same challenges as any other profession.


Formerly, an organization reduces the role of secretary as a stereotyped apple-cheeked woman in a pencil skirt seen on TV shows who does as they are told when they are told. In so doing, a secretary is often assigned to menial tasks such as screen calls, arrange meetings, manage calendars, type dictation, running errands and making coffee.


While in fact, in today’s changing world, such traditional role is ever transforming and evolving as well. Long gone are the days when secretaries now commonly known as personal assistant were just expected to type and answer the phone. Nowadays, executive secretaries are the gatekeeper to a top ranking executive in a business or establishment. They are their right hand and confidante. Secretaries’ vital role is to ensure the business runs smoothly on a day-to-day basis; managing the scheduling insanity and keep the wheels turning. They should be able to handle task with excellent organizing skill and thinking at least a step ahead of the game, as well as being a great communicator just like in a game of chess.

 Today’s executives even have taken the game into the next level. They require executive secretaries inside a boardroom doing more than just taking minutes. They should also required to spend time correlating activities for the executive outside of the office. Secretaries are responsible for making travel arrangements for their boss. This involves scheduling flights, making hotel arrangements and scheduling car service. It is essential for them to remember dates, numbers, appointments and many other tasks that must be orchestrated within the shortest possible time. They are expected to have the memory of an elephant and a brain of a sponge.

Further, the position requires them be always be ready for more duties at any given day. Their phones should always be stand by for twenty hours a day on any given day. She should stay in the office for as long as the boss is there. When the boss calls for her, she should drop everything she might be doing and rush to attend to him. Oh yes, the chores seem limitless and timeless. Others joke that secretary is called the boss’ “glorified servant” at office.

Unfortunately, vital as it might seem their role, the organization often unconsciously does not bother to improve their skills and career outside the role. It has low expectations on the profession except the traditional role assigned to the profession These are a few of the things other office workers take for granted, but from which secretaries cannot benefit:

 1. Career. Many organizations still draw incorrect assumptions secretaries are not bright, thus having few skills outside administrative areas. They cling to the image of traditional secretaries of typing and answering phones; reinforcing the marginalization of the profession. Thereby, they are trapped in the position forever, impossible to cross over another area. The only way up is being executive secretary to top executives.

 2. Competency. Secretaries will not usually get any workplace training or organization support for courses unless you want to do something related to secretarial work.

 3. Secretaries’ peripheral role, in most cases, will not enable them to learn enough to be able to rise through the ranks. They often will remain as low-skilled worker and will miss the benefits of being a highly skilled worker with negotiating power and able to choose the kind of work they want to do.

 Realizing the importance of secretary role, it is time for any organization to reevaluate and reassess their policies over this issue. Secretaries are more than just glorified servants. They should be entitled the same benefits as any other employees. They should be given the chance to improve their competency outside their areas so that they are competitive and not trapped in the same position for eternity.

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!

Defeating Boredom at Office

This morning I got a call from my colleague. At the other end of the line, she said in frustration, “My work is a drag; I’m deadly bored. Help me, please!” Well, actually I wanted to say, “Yeah, tell me about it! We’re on the same boat! Welcome to the club!” hahhahahhahahah… But the words stayed in my mouth, sealed and safely securedJ. I knew it would worsen her days if I said so. Being a good friend, I lent some words of comforts. “C’mon, get up and make plans. Do something spontaneous to kill your boredom. Go out to lunch somewhere outside your work area, get a manicure, you’re your camera and take some shots, go to rooftop and scream it aloud, go home on time today or just read a good book. YOU create your day!” “I read novels to kill my boredom.” I said enthusiastically, hoping to infect her with my jollyJ. I further said “If you want a perfect ending, you would never find it. Even the best poems don’t rhyme, and many great stories don’t have a perfect happy ending. Life is about not knowing, fighting through some bad days to earn the best days of your life, and taking a moment and making the best of it without knowing what’s going to happen next. Don’t let boredom defeats you.” In short, I composed some wonderful speech I used to read to cheer her up :-) (ehm…though I’m still struggling hard to apply this wisdom, lol).

To be honest, doing the same things the same way daily, one day identical to the next tends to leave you feeling unhappy, and discontent. It becomes routines as every day is the same thing; the same people, the same walls, the same colors, the same paperwork, the same uproars, the same ‘confinement’ at your desk as if you are glued to your chair for eternity, lol. Our days become dull because we no longer have to think about it–it’s set on autopilot. You simply do your work because that’s part of your routine. Our days become predictable, leaving no room to grow. We lose the challenge and the adrenalin especially when the company doesn’t offer any possibilities for growth and improvement. The feeling of having no opportunity for improvement and that you’re completely stuck in a rut helplessly can be very overwhelming sometimes. Often, an increased boredom affects the employee’s creativity and work performance. Absenteeism, increased tardiness, job dissatisfaction and apathetic mood are some warning signs for employees who get infected by such virus called ‘boredom’. It is one of the common problems faced by employees today. If it is not addressed properly, it might lead to lower job production. So, if one of your colleagues shows such signs, beware and try to give him/her support and encouragement :-).

Well, as I have said to my friend “Let’s face it! Sometimes, we don’t always get what we want. You have to accept that some things will never be yours, and learn to appreciate the things that are only yours. Sometimes, we think life in office is so unfair. But we shape OUR DAY! So, get up and make sunshine of our day!” Say goodbye to so many ‘whys’ in our head, “Why am I here?” How long am I going to slog it out out this way?” Don’t wait for the Management to make a move when you feel like having a Caramel Macchiato or Iced Apple Mojito Tea or a cup of hot ‘teh tarik’. You have to move and do it yourself! Don’t expect your Management to set things right for you. You have to make your own sunshine at office, things that keep you passionate and engaged :-)! In times of great stress, keeps in your mind that it’s always wise to keep busy, to cultivate your anger and frustration into something positive. Have fun at your work, it is our birth right to have fun :-)! Do things that keep you alive; blogging, read jokes to make you laugh; nail some pictures at your cubicles, drawing some cartoons of your annoying boss or colleagues, writing your novel, or you can always have a good conversation, a good read, a good walk, a good hug, a good smile, or a good friend. A workplace needs not be a boring, dull place :-). There are many ways to make your life ‘creamy’ and amusing :-).