Rabu, September 05, 2007

Puisi : Puisi VS Puisi

Buat Dede

Mentang-Mentang Dewan Dakwah
Berani Pake Label Islam Segala
Merasa Lebih Tuhan dari Malaikat
Malaikat Aja Gak Protes
Bahkan Tetap Mungkin beberapa diantaranya sedang nganggur
Gak ada kerjaan
Tugasnya diambil Dede IeIe
Mendingan seperti Dede yang lain
menulis (dede Nugroho Dewanto), menggambar (dede Erisupria)
Atau "dede" satunya, yang suka bangun di pagi hari
Udahlah Dakwah untuk kaum mu saja
yang masih miskin, papa
karena kamu melindungi koruptor atas nama agamamu
atau menjual agama untuk perutmu, keluarga dan kelompok
Urus saja "dede" mu dan perutmu.
Merdeka!

Malang, 17 Agustus 2007
A.T

Inilah sajak karya Saeful Badar yang membuat kantor harian Pikiran
>>Rakyat diteror oleh kelompok tertentu. Disinyalir, kelompok ini pula
>>yang mendemo Miss Universe saat bertandang ke Kota Kembang.
>> >
>> > Kang Saeful lahir di Tasikmalaya. Menulis puisi dalam bahasa
>>Indonesia dan Sunda. Hingga kini bersetia mengelola Sanggar Sastra
>>Tasik (SST), di samping aktif pula di Komunitas Azan.
>> >
>> >
>> > Malaikat
>> >
>> > Mentang-mentang punya sayap
>> > Malaikat begitu nyinyir dan cerewet
>> > Ia berlagak sebagai makhluk baik
>> > Tapi juga galak dan usil
>> > Ia meniup-niupkan wahyu
>> > Dan maut
>> > Ke saban penjuru
>> >
>> > 2007
>> >
>> >
>> > sumber:
>> > Pikiran Rakyat - Sabtu, 4 Agustus 2007 halaman 30

My Story : Journalist in Deep Fear

It was 3 o’clock early in the morning, when I arrived at my house. I have just escaped from a bitter experience at an international standard hotel and a police station, but I still could not calm myself. I went to a bathroom to take wudhu (Moslem ritual ablution before praying) and then I prayed. I thanked God because I could escape from the bad situation. I took away my Moslem dress and still wore my trouser.

Actually, I’m not used to sleep wearing a trouser. Usually, I wear sarong or pajama. My wife has lain in the bed with an 8-days-borned baby. My baby’s name consists of three syllables namely Ali Anzi Muntazhar, where the first name “Ali” I took it from a nickname for holly people, whereas the second or middle name “Anzi” I took and searched from a dictionary, a beautiful name means “my wellspring”. The last name “Muntazhar” is the nickname of the last Imam (Moslem leader), which was the waiting prophet.

I also did an Aqiqah (a Moslem ceremony on the occasion of childbirth) by chipping a billygoat and almsgiving of Arabian rice made by my mother for our neighbors in Condet, East of Jakarta. I didn’t do my first plan to do a “cutting hair ceremony” in the 7th day of the childbirth because I have not found an ustadz (a Moslem master or teacher) to do so. I also have not found a person who is willing to cut my baby’s hair.

Even my mother told that she would not come to the ceremony if I forced to cut her grand child’s hair, “Oh, what a pity! He is still a baby. I’m worry to see a bald baby,” she disclosed.

My family also suggested postponing the hair cut ceremony. I, who formerly insisted, finally yield because I have not find an ustadz or a person who can lead the ceremony accord with my religion.

In that early morning, I went to my bedroom and lay down on my bed next to my baby. He fasted asleep in the middle of my wife and me. “Darling, why don’t you change your trouser with sarong?” asked my wife intimately.

We actually agreed not to call each other by “mama - papa”. Indeed, the expression is also not accord with our religion and custom, which prohibited marrying the nearest relation decline. My wife also feels uncomfortable if she just calls my name although I suggested calling only my name without any expression.

I just quietly not answered and I took a deep breath. I hold tight my wife’s hands. I felt so sleepy, but mind were still dreaming of my last incident. Suddenly I pulled away my wife’s hand and then I moved backside. "Darling, what’s happened?" my wife asked softly.

I remained silent.

A few times later, I heard a strange sounds, “grasak-grusuk”. Someone walked into my house. He called a name but that wasn’t mine. "Burhan... Burhan..," he screamed.

When I took a peek behind a curtain, I saw a man who drove a black car that took me from hotel to the police station. ''Yes, that policeman," I said in my heart, which I knew later the Captain’s name, Indra Pramugari.

I calmed my wife, “Darling, just keep calm, ok.” My wife was silent. She still didn’t know anything. I quickly got up from my bed and then took a key to open the door.

The police were directly surrounded my house with a gun in their hands and ready to pull the trigger. "Come in, but ssssst my baby is sleeping. Don’t be noisy;” I said in relax.

I put away my fear, and when the door opened not only the Captain who entered but also six other people, with the creep faces and most of them were fat. Their eyes wildly stared at all corners and checked something in my house, which only has 12 x 5 meters wide. My stomach was suddenly upset when I saw their faces, “Just a moment, I want to go to restroom, my stomach is upset,” I said to the Captain.

Another fat policeman said sarcastically, “No, no need it! Follow us. Quick!”

But I didn’t care. I went to the restroom and the police tried to prevent the restroom’s door to keep open. Two police guarded. I didn’t care, because my stomach was too upset. I stayed in the toilet for a few minutes. At worst, I forced but nothings out, but then I washed. "So quick," said the Captain.

"Because of you, nothing bowels out!'' I bite slowly.

Yes, it was because they sat around in front of the restroom.

“Just a moment, I need to dress up,” I said to the Captain and I entered my bedroom. I only wanted to talk to the Captain, because I only know him and he is more sympathy than the others.

“No need to dress up!” said other police tried to prevent, but I didn’t care and I took a shirt from the wardrobe.

The door kept open and guarded by the police. The Captain stood in front of my bedroom watching my movements, whereas the others watched all over my house with their wild eyes.

I told my wife while I was dressing “I will go for a while. I have just come from police station, and then I went home. Just be calm, ok, keep calm!” I said.

My wife remained silent reflectively.

Afterwards, the fat policeman showed a red color sheet to my wife “We are from police force,” he said. Guarded by six policemen, I went out from my house in a village area of Condet, East Jakarta, in the dark early morning. I saw the head of neighborhood (in Indonesia we say “Ketua RT”) was walking to a small street on the way to his home. He has just finished doing his duty for telling police about one of his people to be arrested. The policemen and I walked for 300 meters along the village street.

***

Our village always closed by a portal from midnight until early in the morning, so the police car, a Toyota Kijang, could only park on the side street, exactly at Jalan Raya Condet. I forced to enter the Kijang. I saw another car, a Suzuki Cary, followed us. It was shown that the police faces were happy to tell about my detention story, "I’m sure he will go back home, because it is not criminal,'' said the Captain to his friend. I heard it from Handy Talky, which was continuously heard.

“Kijang is on hand,” reported the Captain. Well, the police usually call the hunted person by “Kijang”.

The Toyota Kijang was driven fast to the police station. “You, fled troublemaker!” one man with civies and a bit pallid face tried to hit me when we arrived at the police station, but I dodged and he also stopped it although the other police who guarded me didn’t prevent him to hit.

I was confronted to a fat man with mustache and hold a Major Commander. His name is Haji Abdullah, but he usually called Haji Mayor. He is a section head of a police unit in Jakarta Regional Police Station (Polda Metrojaya). After a while, I was confronted to another police, the Chief, Colonel Nurfaizi. A man with a white dress who seemed trying to bind his honor, although I know that he had just awakened up from his sleep. It looked from his misty face and eyes.

He immediately dropped of several questions and accused that I fled the police station without permission. I denied, “I have permitted to the post guard. But then… am I arrested?”

"Permission?! Who permitted you? Show me who!” insisted the Chief.

"Yes, permission from a police in the post guard,” I answered.

''Haji Mayor, take him to the post guard, make him show a person who permitted him to go away from this office,” commanded the Chief to Haji Mayor.

I was taken to the post guard by Haji Mayor, "Quick… show me who he is!” insisted Haji Mayor.

I looked around. “Show me! Quick!” he insisted another time.

"Gosh, no one. But if I see the name label, I can remember,” I answer calmly.

I knew the person was in that room but I didn’t have a heart to sacrifice a poor man only because of my freedom or only to help Haji Mayor pleased his Chief.
I was confronted again to the Chief room. “So, have you find the person?” asked the Chief.

“He said no, Sir,” answered Haji Mayor quickly.

Another police came; I remembered that he was the one who gave me a cup of tea last night when I locked up in the Chief’s data room. "That must be him, right?” asked the Chief while he was investigating me.

"Oh, no.. he’s not. I didn’t know this person,” I said in lie but I am sure that God permit me to make such lie in this condition.

Actually I knew him, this police was kind to me, but I kept quiet. This low level police are not included in a group of people who do bad things for their interest, unlike their superiors, who are willing to sacrifice his staffs for their needs and positions. I am sure of that, because when I was a journalist in Bandung, I often get duties in police force.

He seemed very upset, because the provost investigated him for giving permission to let me go away from the police station. "Why did you run away?” asked the Chief once more. "I was upset of taking here and locked up in a room without having attention,” I disclosed.

***

I was arrested in a Journalist Gathering held by The Alliance of Independent Journalist (Aliansi Jurnalis Independen that is known by AJI) at Wisata International Hotel in Jakarta, on the 16th of March 1995.

The Alliance of Independent Journalist (AJI) is a journalist organization formed to against “New Order” authoritarianism under Soeharto regime, where all organizations should be one unity to be deal with government under President Soeharto’s authoritarian and journalist organization was only permitted in a group of the Association of Indonesian Journalist (Persatuan Wartawan Indonesia that is known by PWI). The organization was not only supported journalists professions but also depressed journalists who were critically write about government, committed journalists into prison, had a share of closing down and forbid mass media that write improperly about the power and militaristic authoritarian. Despite having political power, PWI also under pressed mass media and became a place for corruption. AJI was formed on the 7th of August 1994, several months after three mass media, which are Tempo, Editor and Detik, closed down. Four organizations from Bandung, Yogyakarta, Surabaya, and Jakarta, knew that PWI was partied to government and not supported the closed down mass media without reason. I was elected as a Chief Presidium of AJI in the journalists meeting.

One of AJI’s activities was publishing an alternative mass media that called Independen, because mass media was mainstream and afraid of writing critical news about government, especially about Soeharto Family, their huge businesses and militaries. As a Chief Pesidium of AJI, my name was posted in that media together with the five presidium members. This media wrote the news from critical journalists who could not post their writings freely. This media is very simple, and can only be read by limited people. But, up to the 12th edition, the media could publish 12,000 copies for each month.

Well, at the AJI Journalist Gathering, the newest issue about the dispute in governmental cabinet was sold. Local and foreign journalists, politicians, diplomats and cultural observers who didn’t agree with Soeharto’s authorities, attended the gathering. As a Chief Presidium of AJI, I was honored to give a speech at that event before the speech of opposes.

Thursday evening, on the eve of ending event, about 09:00 p.m, a strange gang attended the gathering using pink shirts and black trousers with military style hair cut. My heart sang to feel frighten. Something bad would happen. A moment before, one of our guests, Marsilam Simanjuntak – who was a Minister of State Secretary under President Abdurrahman Wahid alias Gus Dur’s authority – has warned, “You will be arrested after this event!” and it was proven.

Eight people tried to stand around me. One of them was a woman called Captain Police Sundari. I was afraid and I held Liston P. Siregar’s hands, a journalist who was the Master of Ceremony at that event. Four people came when I went down by a lift. I quickly left and went down to the emergency stairs. They followed me. Soon I arrived at the lobby, tens of people surrounded and immediately held my arms to carry me out of the hotel. I saw one of government oppose politicians, Sri Bintang Pamungkas, was interviewed outside the hotel. I held his hands by reflect.
Bintang was shocked, “What’s going on?” he screamed.

“Don’t speak! Just follow us!” said the police.

A Toyota black car quickly moved back. Liston, Sri Bintang, and I were pushed into the car by force. The black car went fast from the hotel. The driver, Captain Indra Pramugari, took us without telling the direction. Apparently, we were taken into the Regional Police Station. We were brought into a room without any arrested reason. I thought it was a meeting room, because I saw Jakarta crimes map written on a board. We were locked up in that room without notification and they took our ID card. A law level police gave us three cups of tea and then we were left behind.

They left us almost two hours. Bintang claimed that he was intellectually offended and he looked for an exit way. Apparently the door wasn’t locked, “Come on, we can go off,” he said.

We walked off the room and found the post guard. We asked for the police who took our ID card, “Where’s Mr. Ferry?” I asked.

“He’s not here,” answered the police guard.

“Tell him that we are going out for a moment, ok,” Bintang convinced.

Afterwards, we went back to the hotel by taxi. Bintang and Liston’s cars were still parked in front of Wisata Hotel. I went with Liston’s car, while Bintang went back alone with his car. Liston picked me up to our office in Tebet. I heard that police have messed up AJI office and two of my colleagues, Eko “Item” Maryadi and Danang Kukuh Wardoyo, were also arrested and still stayed in Police Station. In the exhausted night, I went home remembering of my baby. My friend ever teased me by his Kijang car in front of the office, “You are under arrest!” he said.

***

In other place, at AJI office in Tanah Abang apartment, my friend Eko “Item” Maryadi was arrested and so did Danang, a 20 years-old-young man who worked for AJI as an office boy.

***

Now, back to the story at interrogation room in Polda Metrojaya.
The Chief asked Haji Mayor to write all my information. He asked about Independen bulletin and emphasized on the unlicensed issue. “This is a publication without license (SIUPP). You’re the one who publish it, aren’t you?” asked the Chief.

“No,” I answered shortly.

“Don’t lie! Your bank account was written in that bulletin,” disclosed the Chief, directly accused and concluded that I was responsible of the bulletin since my bank account was written on it.

"I don’t care. You must be the responsible person since your name is written on it!” noted the Chief full of authority.

I laughed bitterly. It’s difficult to talk with an authority person. What could I do? Whatever he said, it means he used all his power, no longer used the law or existing rules, presumption of innocence. “Whatever you said!” I shouted.

"Oh, journalist!” said the Captain surprised with my answer.

I remembered Rhoma Irama’s song and I sang loudly in front of the Chief, “Hey.. Just because you are superior.. You think you can do, as you want,” a proper dangdut song in this situation

***

I was then taken back to Haji Mayor’s room. I took his permission for subuh (morning) pray. I just wanted to be a bit polite, but apparently they considered, as it is my obedience. Another police prohibited, “No, you don’t have to pray!” he said.

“What? No pray? This is a human right offense, you know?” I disclosed.

"Look! The sun is rising. I don’t care. I want to pray. Come on, show me where’s the restroom?” I said out of control.

I took a wudhu and pray in Haji Mayor’s room, while other police guarded. After pray, I felt sleepy and a bit sick so I laid down on the sofa. “I feel so weak Sir, I want to sleep,” I said to Haji Mayor.

"Don’t sleep, I want to ask you some questions,” said Haji Mayor keeping me from falling asleep.

"But I’m so sleepy. It’s useful,” I noted and then slept on the sofa.

After I woke up, I investigated until midnight. It was an exhausted investigation. Two investigating officers kept repeating their questions. They seemed very stupid, but may be their custom made them to use force in investigating people. But fortunately, they didn’t use force in investigating me.

The questions were repeatedly asking about who were my friends and who were the people behind Independen publication, and I kept telling the names written on the bulletin. They were upset of my answer. They gave me a cup of coffee during the investigation and when it was empty, they gave again until 15 cups of coffee in a day.

Another way of making me feel inconvenience was by forcing me to eat instant noodle with hot chili sauce. “Come on, eat! You’ll be sick if you don’t eat and you’ll say that we didn’t give you any food during investigation,” said the police.

It made me suffer from stomach disorder, but the interrogation kept on going.
One of the investigators suggested taking me to another post unit because he kept receiving unsatisfied answer, “Take him to the murder and kidnap unit,” he said.

The murder and kidnap unit is one of a section unit in the police station that is related to murder and kidnap crime. I was brought to another room, entering a darker in a hidden corridor.

I was afraid of entering the dark room, where three men with terrifying face, big black and unfriendly intimidated me. “Well.. well.. here comes our dinner,” they said.

They told me to sit on a wood chair in front of their table. I imagined the crime stories about torturing on interrogation, where they could be pressed my fingernails or even a chair could hit my back. It was my horrifying mind, but fortunately it was not happened to me.

I was forced to tell my friend’s name of the Independen publication. I kept defending on and not answering their questions, so they put a gun against my head and ready to pull the trigger, “Come on, admit it!” he said intimidate.

I was not showed any fear – although I was afraid – I even challenged. “I don’t know, shoot me!” But the gun never exploded against my head.

He just intimidated me.

***

They didn’t succeed to get my information for almost 24 hours investigation. Half an hour before midnight, I was brought to a detention room underground. They told me to take off my jacket, shoes, shirts, and trouser, and then they brought me to the detention guard. They also took my wallet and opened it. There were four notes twenty thousands rupiah and three notes of one thousands rupiah, means there were eighty-three thousands rupiah in my wallet. Two Sergeants forced me to take off my trouser because I was not allowed to wear it in a detention room and I had to wear a short pant."I am afraid you’re going to use it for suicide because it happened once,” said the police tried to intimidate.

He told me to wear a dirty short pant that piled up in the corner of the investigation room. “No, I’m afraid of mangy,” I refused.

"Ok, but you have to wear a short pant. This is a razor, but don’t use it for suicide ok,” disclosed the police.

He gave me the razor and I cut my trouser below my knees. The Sergeant tried to intimidate once more about the terrifying stories of the prisoners who were mixed each other. "And.. this is your money, we’ll keep it ok. You’re not allowed to have money in the cell because it’s going to be stolen,” he noted.

In my lifetime, I had never been a prisoner although I used to visit prison many times, but it was only for interview. I negotiated to have a better place in order not to be mixed by other prisoners. “Ok, but you have to give them money. It’s for security,” said the police quickly.

In fact, his promise was never been fulfilled, although they had received the money. I kept brought to the relocation room. “Stay here. Other places are full,” said the police who received my money.

I was very afraid when I enter a dark corridor through the iron bars; the prisoner cells. I imagined like I was in a film, there were hundreds of prisoners shouted, as they wanted to eat us, like Dr. Hanibal Lecter in the Silence of The Lamb. But fortunately it wasn’t happened to me.

I entered A-13 room, which was dark with a bad smell. There were 18 prisoners laid disorderly on the plywood floor. Some of them had bump faces, blue eyes, and there was a man who only wore short pant, his name is Oman. I directly shook all the prisoners hands in A-13 cell before I walked to the corner of the room. “Sorry, I’m so sleepy. I want to sleep,” I said while sitting in the corner.

I saw the prisoners slept on the plywood crowdedly mixed by their criminal sections and also the bad smell. “Yes, go ahead. You can stay here, the smell is bad there.” said one of the prisoners whom I later knew that he was a street murderer from Pasar Minggu. I was then slept on the plywood together with murderers, burglars, drunker, cheaters, dope peddlers, and other criminals, whom I thought that they were kinder than the police.

The police, who had already received my money and promise me to give a better place, was only said, “Hey! I leave him here, ok?” he said and quickly went. His Handy Talky rang out “kreek…kreek…is Kijang already in the cell?”

"Huh, field mouse!" Oman shouted.

"Who said that?!" shouted the police back to the cell.

“Me! So what?” said Oman with angry eyes.

The police only stared at him and went out. A mouse is a police nickname given from the criminals.

***

In the beginning of our detention, our family and friends still didn’t get any news and information about us. No one could come and visit us. Even the lawyer, whom my friend’s prepared, also didn’t get any information where we were. All the police include the superiors, answered that they didn’t know about us. Lately, after mass media made a big fuss over our lost, Polda Metrojaya held a formal press conference. Head of Detective Directorate of Polda Metrojaya, Colonel (Police) Nurfaizi, and Head of Information Official of Polda Metrojaya, Colonel Lieutenant (Police) Bambang Haryoko stated that they have already arrested three AJI activists.

According to the police, we were arrested because we had published Independen bulletin without press publication license issued by the government. The police also were still examining whether the issues were insulted, backed bite, denigrated, or stated a feud on Indonesian government.

The police statement was lately proven. After police detention for almost two months (58 days) - normally the police detention limit was only 60 days otherwise should be free from punishment that was the rule - I moved to Salemba prison, in Central Jakarta.

We started a new life, prison and wait for trial court session. Waiting for administration, one of jailers told us to cower together with the other prisoners. Like the others criminals, we had to take off our shirt, being bare breasted, and when it was my turn, one of the jailers snapped, “Any tattoo?”

“No, Sir,” I answered

“Oh, don’t lie! Open your trouser!” he exclaimed

The official tried to force but I defended not to open my trouser. Tattoo is a sign for prisoners. According to the jailer, if I had a tattoo it means I am a recidivist, in other word I had done something criminal and ever been arrested before.

Finally I got a room with 1 x 1.5 meters in Blok K, under murderer and gambler supervision. I was under his “protection” and I didn’t have to pay like the other criminals and not being annoyed by others.

At first, started from 06:00 p.m my room locked from outside, and opened at 06:00 a.m. All the night activities, from eating to pass water, were only in a room. We usually prepare plastic and empty bottle to pass water because there wasn’t any toilet. But, after several months, I was allowed to lock my room with my own padlock.

I was just like being back as a human, because I could went to the toilet at night. Although I didn’t know more about prison life, I could see that there were senior prisoners who did sodomy to the new prisoner who was younger or joined ecstasy party with other prisoners who were also had a same freedom in our block.

In the prison, we saw many free lives. There was an ecstasy production in side the room, heroin party, sex, ball gamble (Italy and England league), Chinese gamble, card gamble and others. People who have money could do all the things. The jailers were very corrupt, so it could happen inside the prison and even the gambler or heroin gambler operated inside the prison.

Despite amateur criminal, pickpocket, heroin courier and gambler, torturer, murderer, death driver, I also made friend with corruptor, ex Director of a State Bank who was corrupted. In the prison we were all “friends” although remains to keep careful because may be “a friend can hit his own friend”, that’s why I always lock my door when I sleep.

I kept working in a prison; my fee as journalist in prison was much bigger than while I was outside the prison. I got many order from my friends in mass media to interview criminals who were untouchable outside. In contrast, I often offered my friends, who came to visit, for interviewing a resource person in prison. Some of the prisoners also requested my law advice in facing the attorney and juror in their trial. I helped some of them to make pleidoi (leg. Defense) since I had a law degree. One of heroin criminals, for example, could be free from punishment because he followed my advice in facing the trial.

***

After several months stayed in Salemba prison, I began the court session. In the first court, a detention car guarded by a police patrol car took my friend “Item” in one lawsuit, and me. We were just like a president or minister, because military police to avoid the traffic guarded us.

In the court, the attorney charged me of doing a crime as it was written in article 154 of Criminal Code, namely spreading out detestation and enmity to the government by publishing Independen without government permission (SIUPP). The writings in Independen, which complained, were for example about the issues of cabinet disunity and the issues of the Minister of Information who “pressed” mass media by getting the shares without paying any mass media companies.

It was a very noisy court, because it was full of activists, journalists, and also foreign diplomats and government intelligences attended the District Court of Central Jakarta.

At the end of the exhausted court, the juror verdict of prisoner for 2 years and 8 months according to the above attorney’s charged, that was the article of spreading detestation and enmity to government (In Dutch we say hatzaai artikelen). It was the inheritance law from Dutch colonial that has completely removed, because the article used to stop and limit activist movement who were against the authority of Dutch King/Queen. The Dutch used this law in Indonesia to frighten Indonesian patriots when they colonized us. At that time, Soekarno was punished with that article and so did Tirto Adi Soerjo, a journalist who bear his arms against Dutch authority by writings the issues of the movements against colonies.

I appealed to a higher court upon the juror decision. Several months later, Jakarta District Court verdict my prisoner punishment for 3 years. I again appealed cassation to the Supreme Court. The Juror corroborated the District Court case law for doing 3 years in prison. I lived for one year in Salemba Prison with happiness and sorrow and then I moved to Cipinang Prison, East Jakarta.

***

Lembaga Permasyarakatan Cipinang or Cipinang Prison has filed many many famous names, namely the number one murderer, famous corruptor, heroin criminals, activists, politicians of the 1965 Indonesian Communist Parties (PKI), and Indonesian enemies from Papua and East Timor. Of course, there were also common prisoners or convicted criminals.

In entering this prison, the jail administrator checked more intensive. I was forced to be naked by the investigation jailer, whereas other prisoners saved my luggage and laptop to be placed in my next room. Despite the naked force incident, there was no special incident in that investigation. I was placed in politic prisoners block in a room of 3 x 5 meters with five people, four of them were anti Soeharto activists, and one prisoner convicted common crime.

Some of our room neighbors were politicians who were involved in 1965 movement of a coup d’etat, namely Ground Forces Colonel Latief, Major Sergeant of Air Force Marsudi, Boengkoes, and ideologist of Indonesian Comunist Parties (PKI) who began to senile, Asep Suryaman alias Hamim, the ex leader of Pemuda Rakyat (a youth organization under PKI).

In other block, which was called BM, I found Xanana Gusmao (the insurgent and patriots of East Timor) who was finally became the first President of Timor Leste after Soeharto descend. I also met some of East Timor patriots, Fernando Lasama (the president candidate and also a parliament member) and the others.

At the same time, one of the biggest corruptors who took IDR 1.3 trillion, Eddy Tanzil, ran away from the prison. According to one prisoner who told me while we were together in toilet in one afternoon, the jailer escaped Eddy Tanzil, “I know it. It has happened since Saturday, two days ago,” he whispered. My reportage result about the “runaway” Eddy Tanzil from the prison published in Media Indonesia on Sunday edition, the last place I worked before being arrested.

In Cipinang, I also talked to Colonel Latief and politician of PKI about the blood incident on October 1, 1965, and I talked also with Xanana whom we can say untouchable by mass media. We played ball together and talked along the fishpond, because he didn’t want our meeting noticed by any jailer. We used to talk and interview in many hidden chances after playing a ball and I spread out the interview result through Internet.

The escape of Xanana interview from the prison has made the superiors angry. They became strict and carefully inspected when my family visit the prison. But the interview kept on going. I put it inside my baby “Ali Anzi” pants. Xanana is a child lover; he carries my baby every time it comes. Xanana called my baby “Kelly Kwalik” – a name of one patriot from Papua Independent Organization. Strange! May be his pronunciation was not used to call Ali Anzi, I didn’t know.

Politic situation was more critical. All information from the Cipinang prison were spread out through Internet and published in foreign mass media. The record could be heard from BBC London or Voice of America (VOA). Of course, it made the arbiters angrier and so did prison head. One day at midnight, before the commemoration of the independence day of the Republic Indonesia, while we were sleeping, we heard the iron bars in my room opened “klotak”.

Five jailers with weapons came, “Wake up! Quick!” they screamed.

I didn’t have time to wash my face or even changed my cloth. Under their weapons, I brought to the jail administration post. Once again, I forced to be naked and wore blue color prison uniform. My right hand was handcuff together with a police murderer who was punished for 10 years, and then we were gathered in 10 handcuff’s couple and pushed into a musty detention car. We didn’t know what would happen to us.

In the darkest night, I saw other atmosphere outside through the car’s window. I saw hardwood trees outside along the way. I asked myself, where did they take me? I imagined what I have seen in films and stories about government regime finished off the insurgents. May be we would be taken into the forest, being inline and then shoot. DOR! DOR! we died and then the shooter buried us without any sign. Who knows?

Fortunately, my terrifying imaginations were never proven. After more than seven hours, the car stopped in front of a gate, Lapas Class 1 Kesambi, Cirebon. The car entered the gate and passed two big doors. We got out from the car with all the bad smells, because some other prisoners threw their bowels in the car along the way to Cirebon. No choice.

We were separated each other and locked up in a special room with double dir. Usually, this place is known for a death punishment waiting for the execution. We were locked in that room for two weeks without any chances to go.

After two weeks, we pushed into a detention room mixed with twenty prisoners from Cipinang. We exercise and take breakfast every morning. Cirebon Prison, West Java, is known as limbo prisoners from Sumatera and Jakarta who were punished for more than 15 years. The prisoners, who stayed here, were mostly related to the murderer and heroin cases.

There were interesting stories when I stayed together with criminals in one room, but sometimes also made me upset, because they often got quarrel with small stuff. After more than one month living in temporary room, I finally got my own room with 1 x 1,5 meter without toilet. Again, I was locked from 06:00 pm to 06.00 am.

Even though the prison was far away from Jakarta, I still could write and report to media in Jakarta. I wrote about riot in Cirebon prison, and then about life story of Chinese from Ipoh, Malaysia who was punished to death because of the heroin case. I sent my writings through one of security jailers and I gave him extra tip.

Unfortunately, the head of prison read the writings and he was angry to me but he couldn’t take any action. He started to limit and watch my action. There was a sad situation, when my father died in Jakarta; I couldn’t leave the prison to visit him for the last time. Actually, there was a rule to permit a prisoner to go out from the prison with a police guard for two days (2 x 24 hours) to visit his family who died. Although I got permission from the Director General of Prison in Jakarta, the head of Cirebon Prison still didn’t give permission. “I have the power here, not Jakarta. You are a danger prisoner with politic case and you are under my responsibility,” said Zakaria, the chief of Kesambi Cirebon Prison.

What could I do? I didn’t have any power.

Other jailers who didn’t like the chief benefited my cold war with the head of prison. I should have finished my time in LP Cirebon but I finally moved again to a smaller prison, LP class II, in Kuningan, West Java, about 60 kilometers from Cirebon.

I kept writing about the interesting prisoners stories to be published in Jakarta. I also sent my poem to local radio and heard it with other prisoners. We also sent poem each other to prisoners in Kuningan and Cirebon through the radio. I even helped one jailer to finish his bachelor thesis, started from his research until his final writing.

After five months living in Kuningan prison, I finally free with conditional release. It means, I had to report to the jailer in Jakarta once a week. I did a stretch for 2 years and 7 month, which started from the beginning of my detention until I stated to be free.

***

The hassle kept going on. Several months later, in October 1997, I was invited to attend a meeting in Vancouver, Canada although I was still in conditional release. It was at the same time with the APEC meeting, which was attended by President Soeharto. Despite attending the activists’ summit, I received Press Freedom Award from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) in Vancouver, a non-profit institution located in New York, United States. I should have taken that Nobel in 1995, but because I was in a prison at that time, I received it in 1997.
In Vancouver, with other activists in a hotel room, I arranged anti Soeharto demonstration. Two Indonesian intelligences, with the information given from all my friends in Indonesia, were arrested while they were spying student actions in University of British Colombia - Vancouver. Indonesian government was angry about the anti Soeharto demonstration in Canada. The Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affair, Ali Alatas, threatened the anti Soeharto activists to be arrested when they arrived in Indonesia for their involvement in such demonstration, as Sri Bintang Pamungkas did with his friends in Dresden - Germany in 1996.

The action of anti Soeharto has spread out and even had a headline from mass media in Vancouver. The Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affair offered an asylum if the activists and I wanted to go back to Indonesia, because he was afraid we were being arrested or murdered. However, we refused the offer, “Precisely, our fight is started in Indonesia,” I answered.

I also wrote an article for mass media in United States with title “The Last APEC for Soeharto” and it was proven. In 1998 Soeharto descended from his power as a President and no longer attended the national leader meeting of APEC.

***

Soeharto failed, TEMPO magazine published again on Octover 1, 1998. I went back to work for TEMPO. I with my team took part to crack corruption cases, which was done by Akbar Tandjung, the Leader of Golkar Party (The Rulling Party), and so did the ex Minister of State Secretary who was ever on trial, although he was finally free in the supreme court.

Soeharto was no longer in power, and pres became more independent. But now, the danger is coming from the private and black businessmen.

The incident happened on Saturday, 8 March 2003. A group of people who worked for Tomy Winata, a gambler who owned illegal businesses, mobilized the mass, terrorized, and did crime action. Tomy is also known familiar with military and police authority. The incident happened because I wrote a tragedy behind conflagration in a market, which was Tanah Abang Market. I found a market development and renovation plan proposal before the market fired. It made Tomy Winata angry and his crew attacked our office.

On Saturday, March 8, 2003 around 10 o’clock in the morning, I attended a married ceremony that was also attended by Vice President |Hamzah Haz in Condet, East Jakarta. A friend called me, “Hey, Tomy is angry with TEMPO about Tanah Abang news.”

“Oh, ok thanks,” I said and told him about summation and Desmon Press conference for today (Saturday/11/03).

A short time later, an editorial secretary called me. “Pik, please come to office immediately. No one here, but the police has already stayed in front of the office. They said that Tomy Winata’s partisan would attack TEMPO.”

The married ceremony was totally unfinished; I went back home quickly after eating Arabian rice. I walked and searched for taxi on Jl. Raya Condet, it was too difficult because of the heavy traffic. Finally, after walking for 15 minutes, I saw an empty Blue Bird taxi; I gave a sign to the driver to turn back direction.

I finally went to my office by taxi. I saw 2 police trucks guarded in front of TEMPO gate for security. I went up to the 3rd floor to check e-mail, while several times looked outside the window above the car park. 15 minutes later, I saw a group of people, (may be about 100 people) joggled the gate of TEMPO with ill-fated face. They also screamed to shut down TEMPO, take out the license, fire, arrest, etc. I went down to the first floor and brought Tomy Winata’s power of attorney and summation sent by Desmon. I was on the back of police and looked around the demonstration, I felt in common although they were shouting. I told to one of the police (I remember his face if I saw him), “I need 2 or 5 delegations to enter our office”

But the police said, “No, you go there and give them explanation.”

Finally by saying bismilllah, I went to the gate, I thought I would be saved because the police were more than the protesters (but later I realized that all the police stayed behind the gate, inside TEMPO). In front of the mass, I said, “I’m now the responsible of this office. I’m going to explain to all of you,” I said while showing Tomy Winata’s power of attorney and Desmon Summation.

However, I was pulled away, there were 4 people who pulled me into the middle of the mass, one man who stood near the gate pulled my collar (the thin man with long hair and kept following stayed until I went to the police resort station). I was pulled in front of the gate and no one helped, I said to the police, “Open the gate! Help me!” But the gate was not open (may be the police had another reason, they were afraid the mass will enter the office).

I was really afraid, my white rimless cap, which I borrowed from my brother in law and I wore it since the marriage ceremony, taken out from my head, I didn’t know who took it. I saw a small door alongside the gate opened; it was only 1.5 meter from me. I struggled from the mass and ran away dragging my feet. (Alhamdulillah I was hopeless but God saved me). My hand was drawn in blood, I didn’t know why. I failed in front of the, two police with their stick tried to hit me. The stick was already swayed, but it was detained in a short time, I heard someone said he said “Don’t do it!” and the police made apologize at a glance, “Sorry, I think you’re demonstrant,” he said.

I wasn’t hearing what he said because my mind began to chaos. I remembered some of TEMPO friend only took a look from the window on the 3rd floor and some of them were inside the gate.

I talked to another police (not the one who forced me to face the mass), I request the protester’s delegation for 2 to 5 people only, and I would accept them, heard their complaint and gave explanation. I brought them to the 3rd floor. One of them (his name is Guntur Medan), said tired of going upstairs. I said, “Yes, it is different than Tomy Winata’s office, which uses lift to go up.” I took them to the meeting room on the 3rd floor that was still locked, but in 2 minutes, one of TEMPO’s employees opened the meeting room. I offered a drink, tea or coffee for the sake of courtesy, but they refused. I confused, the demonstrant were not only 5 as I requested, but there were tens. I looked at the police (I remembered his face) and told them to enter.

I asked who were them why they were so many. I worried the office would be messed up, or they might stole the equipments, because I didn’t know exactly who came. “Oh, they are journalist,” answered the police. Apparently, there were demonstrant and police in the meeting room. Abdul Manan accompanied me, he sat on my left with one of TEMPO’s general affair staff and later I also saw someone from English TEMPO. Some of my friends were outside the meeting room.

I asked what they were complaining. I introduced them my name, and I told that I was responsible person at that time because it was on Saturday and no one in the office. Someone named Yosep, intimidated that there were no one or the employees was off because they knew that protester would come. I told that day was Saturday and usually there were only the post guard and people who were not finished their writings. Finally, the unused debate finished. Someone named Teddy Uban - a man with white hair – (the “right hand” of Tomy Winata), talked angrily that because TEMPO wrote something incorrect, Bank Artha Graha at Jl. Jayakarta were thrown by the eggs. “Mr. Tomy also threatened. Even I heard the news that on Monday, a number of vendors who were the victim fired at Pasar Tanah Abang will attack Artha Graha office in Jl. Jend Sudirman. If you don’t believe, I call Kapolda (The Chief of Regional Police), do you want me to call him?” said Teddy.

“Yes please,” I said.

He tried to call, I didn’t know if he was really called Kapolda or only intimidating.

“He is in a meeting, cannot be disturbed,” Teddy said.

A number of Tomy’s participant in the meeting room screamed, answered back and forth.

“Enough!” I said, “I will explain the problem. I accepted summation from Mr. Tomy through his attorney, Desmon, and even today there will be a press conference. We accept your complaint and we also were trying to meet Mr. Tomy, may be on Monday, now Mr. Tomy is in Kendari. I accept your complaint.”

I haven’t finished talking, Teddy answered, “Hey, You are the writer. We want your informant. Tell me now! Show that you will be saved and we will save it.”

I said, “There is a process in this summation,” showing the summation, “Whatever the procedure, the wrong person will not directly enter the jail, but started from the police and process and then to the attorney, then trial, then jail.”

“Oh, Shit Journalist! You write and after that you came to my boss for money. Shit! “ said Teddy. He walked around the table, no more sat.

“Hey… don’t say that! This is humiliating! Where is the evidence? TEMPO is not like what you’ve said,” I answered.

“Hey… shut up! You’re bullshit!” he said with emotion and took a wood box tissue on the table then thrown to my head, I repulsed and it attacked my friend, Abdul Manan, who were on my left, hit exactly in the midlle of his eyes and nose. He was bleeding and one of General Affair staffs took betadine (iodine) to the injured, my hand also became much more bleeding after I repulsed the attack and I gave code with my finger requesting for betadine.

“Hey… Why they use force in my office?” I asked to the police who was silent stood on my right.

I directly called Bambang Hary Murti, “Ok, I’ll call my bos.”

“Call him to come here quickly!” said Teddy with a loud voice.

Yosep interrupted, “You know that our boss is in Kendari. It means, you follow wherever our boss goes, right?”

The conflict became bigger because many people talked dominated by Teddy, Yosep who under pressed to us, and the other were answering back and forth.

I called Bambang Hary Murti to his old first number I had, and then I called back again and said that I couldn’t overcome the situation. I got out of the meeting room and met the Kapolsek Menteng (The Chief of Sector Police in Menteng). I asked, “So, what should we do Mr. Kapolsek?”

“How? Just solve it! That’s your problem,” said Kapolsek Menteng.

Teddy called someone, “I found the writer, what should I do to him?” he asked.

In a short time, a white man wearing blue jeans went upstairs. His name is David alias A Miauw (Also known as the “right hand” of Tomy Winata). He was talking out of control and angry, he requested the news informant to be present in front of him immediately. Moreover, he told about racist, “Don’t say that because Tomy Winata is Chinese. I am also Chinese. I have discotheque and gambler, and then you think that you can write what you want.”

“It’s not true Mr. David,” I said, “We are pluralist here. We are not ethnic prejudice.”

“Bullshit! You twist someone’s words,” he answered sarcastically, and I looked at his eyes “Hey, don’t stared at me like that! If you say something, I’m going to kill you now!” David exclaimed emotionally.

A Flores guy also took a chair and tried to hit my face. It was already swayed and another Flores guy wearing dark blue safari costume with red color of PMD embroidered on his chest also came closer to me tried to hit, but I didn’t know exactly why they suddenly canceled their intention to hit me.

Karaniya (he was also Chinese) entered, I thank God, because David has already used racist expression. Karaniya took over the situation. All Karaniya’s explanation also didn’t noticed, and David shouted again, “You’re talking bullshit! I blow you die!”

My head bent over in faint, as a human I admitted that I’m afraid and being under pressure at that time. I just called back Bambang Hary Murti, he was on the way near BNI 46, Sudirman. David was impatient and pointed me to be arrested and brought to the police station, “I found the writer. He’s responsible. Took him!” said David.

Kapolsek Menteng also pressed me to solve the problem. I said, “Wait for my boss, Bambang Hary Murti, he’s coming at last for 10 minutes.” I entered the room. David went out to call someone. I tried to release the situation. I threw my arms around Yosep, a man with safari costume from NTT (West Timor). I asked, “Where are you from? Flores? Wow, we’re from the same place. My father is from Waingapu,”

“Oh, so we are from the same village. Thanks God I didn’t hit you,” said Yosep, “Why did you face the mass? Thanks God you’re saved.”

I said, “I braved because I thought all are from Flores, so I will be saved,” We were talking in courtesy, Yosep pressed me, “Just say who’s the informant. Come on, you’ll be saved. I guarantee. Don’t be afraid,” he persuaded.

I just smiled.

I got out of the room, in a short time later Bambang Hary Murti came and took over the responsibility to face the people who talked boastfully and threatened will kill, and fired this office, and they even said that TEMPO is small cases that can be bought by Tomy. They also called and restrained the mass outside the office to keep pressure.

Arrogantly, David told also about bomb in Bali, “Do you know who give information about bomb in Bali for the first time to Kapolri (the Chief of Police of the Republic of Indonesia)? It’s me. I already know before him.”

He also told about the fire in Tanah Abang. “What do you know about the fire in Tanah Abang? I know the first point of fire and why the fire department couldn’t enter the market. So, don’t wind up in trouble about it,” said David. What does he mean?

Finally, we went the police station in order to calm the mass in front off the office. Bambang Hary Murti requested for security guarantee and police barricade inside the office. It was raining outside. BHM got into the Timor car owned by police and tried to prepare the place for both of Karaniya and me.
But I was restrained by David not to get into the police car. I started to worry to be abducted and brought to other place. I kept hold tight Karaniya. We were pushed into a black Land Cruiser car owned by Artha Graha (it is seen from the ID sign in the right corner near the driver). There was already Tomy Winata’s crew inside the car, who pulled me in the middle of the mass in front off the office. Karaniya took one police, Dadang, to follow get into the car. That car was too full. Finally, the four of us, on my left was Haris Sumbi, a guy from Ambon who lived in Bendungan Hilir, I remembered because I ever met him for several times at Retro, Hotel Crown in front of Polta Metrojaya. Karaniya and Dadang were on my right. David and the driver sat in front of the car. Three people from Artha Graha and Yosep - a long hair cut and thin man, who pulled my collar in front off other mass – sat on the back of the car.

Finally, we were brought with the car serine’s sounds.
David called someone, “Seal that office! Don’t let any of TEMPO employee come out after this problem solved. Understand?” I don’t know whom he was calling to. Thanks God, we were brought to Central Jakarta Resort Police (Polres), not to other places.
Did we save in Polres office? Not yet. David said angrily to Yosep, “You know, I fired you! He is from Flores, you should have to killed him for the first time.”

Since then, Yosep face was no longer friendly and became pressured. He was the one hit Bambang Hary Murti’s face on the back of police station. “Buk!” It was hard until his glasses fall down. David, Teddy, and other man also shouted and pushed Bambang Hary Murti in front of Central Jakarta Resort Police Station.

I, Bambang Hary Murti, and Karaniya brought to the room of Unit Commander of Central Jakarta Resort Police (Kasat Serse Polres Jak-Pus) A.D. Yoyol. About 5 police (some with wearing civies) entered the room together with David, Teddy, Haris Sumbi, and other 5 David’s crew. David emphasizing that Bambang Hary Murti, as a leader and responsible, had to be killed. “I shoot you now! If I’m jailed and killed here, I’m not afraid. Give me a gun!” exclaimed David.

He kept shouting and pointed to Bambang Hary Murti and me. “You are smart people. I’m not, even I didn’t finished my elementary school, but I hold two gamblers in Harco Mangga Dua and survive 800 people. I pay them 50,000 IDR every day, can you?”
Bambang Hary Murti tried to answer David accusation, which didn’t make sense and has no basis whatever, and told the way of the existing procedural to solve the problem. Some of police also were in that room with Tomy Winata’s crew. From TEMPO, there were only Bambang Hary Murti, Karaniya, and I. David was in emotion and hit BHM stomach, kicked and hit his head, “This is for the most clever bald man!”

Karaniya was angry and protested on that humiliating action, but he also hit on the left face. It was hard and I only silent. I saw that David was not normal; because he was insulting many people include the police and army. “Enough! I paid all the police. I also buy for the lamp here, and I pay journalist 150,000 each month and I had the list of them. I also made Sutiyoso became a Governor, otherwise he couldn’t. You’re nothing! Don’t do all sort of things. This problem will be solved if Ciputra met my boss, Tomy Winata. Call him!” said David.

“Oh, I don’t have his number since my mobile was gone,” said Bambang Hary Murti.

“Ok, stupid leader. I’ll call him,” David said. He made a call.

“Hallo, someone wants to talk to you!” David gave the phone to Bambang Hary Murti.

Bambang Hary Murti talked to Ciputra, but only give information. Bambang Hary Murti said that Ciputra didn’t know about editor, “I just commissioner, you’re the one who handle it.”

The situation became more unstable, I, Bambang Hary Murti and Karaniya couldn’t say something to defend. Police just watched us without preventing all brutality. Later, Kasat Serse Yoyol came in, but David was still impolite with the police, and even he was underestimate, but the police accept it. This is ironic, even the law doesn’t exist in the police station.

In a short time later, David said, “Now, outside the news is spreading out that you’ve been kidnapped and arrested, but in fact you’re here to solve the problem, right?” asked David.

We were emphasized to talk to the other to agree and talk to press that we were not arrested, no violence, no beating. Fortunately, many journalists followed us to Police Station, so the pressure was subsided. We did press conference in data room in Polres, Bambang Hary Murti and someone called Habib Hamid Alhamid did it. Habib is a man from Ambon, who admits having group of Koran readers brought 50 masses with 2 small buses (metro mini) and worked for Tomy Winata.

When we were inside the room for press conference, we actually still being under pressure because Tomy Winata’s crew still stayed in front off the press conference room. Bambang Hary Murti answered diplomatically, avoiding direct answer. It was normal because we were hopeless, in the police station Tomy Winata’s crew can do whatever they want. Who can guarantee, regarding the office was still sealed and guarded by that people.

I remained silent and heard David arrogantly said, threatened, and insulted to journalist and police. It kept going on when we moved to Kapolres Jakpus room and Kapolres AKBP Sukrawarhi Dahlan came, who also couldn’t do much to calm the situation. Teddy Uban called Kapolda through his mobile and he gave to Kapolres after connected. I heard Kapolres talked, “Yes, General. Yes, General.” Afterwards, he told to Bambang Hary Murti, “This is superior case. Right now Kapolda is talking about my destiny to Kapolri.” Then he gave us advice; even Kapolres tends to push TEMPO to make apologize letter for Tomy Winata because of writing fictive news. But Bambang Hary Murti defended and didn’t want to make it.

Finally we did the statement, which was concepted by Karaniya and Haris Sumbi (from Tomy Winata side) in other room. Either David alias A Miauw and Kapolres requested that TEMPO should stated that all the problems had already finished and again emphasized for making an apologize letter. But Bambang Hary Murti didn’t notice and finally that statement has done, to give the problems to law. In that statement, David alias A Miaw stated as TOMY WINATA REPRESENTATIVE. We were got out off the Kapolres room and shook hand for courtesy. In fact, the problem was unsolved. Why the brutality can happen even in the police station? I was hopeless.

I worried of the journalist critics will be pawned by the fear and terror. It was only facing Tomy Winata, who has share in Hotel Borobudur, Artha Graha Group, a number of club and gamblers. May be the bigger pressure will continue going on from other people who has political power, has money, has weapon, has authority to arrest, abduct, killed and has mass. This problem should be clearly stopped. I requested David, Teddy, Yosep, Hamid Al Hamid and friends to process it fairly by the law according to what they did in this terror. Also Tomy Winata should give his responsibility. Otherwise, this incident can happened to everyone and every institution. This situation can be happened the same as we were in Soeharto period (new order) or even worse like what it happened in Columbia, Latin America, when cartel mafia of prohibit tools power the country. I didn’t know, what should I do?

***

Despite treating sarcastically, I also reported to the police by accusation of aspersion and made situation chaos. In the court, Tomy Winata didn’t admit his voice even there was a proven record. In the noisy court, the juror convicted me to be wrong, but because the responsibility was in the editor chief, I was free from that responsibility. The juror stated that I was free from indictment (in Dutch we say onslag van alle recht vervolging). The National Court of Central Jakarta, verdict one year prison for Bambang Hary Murti.

Bambang appealed to a high court. In the cassation of Supreme Court, Bambang convicted to be innocence. While me, until I write this story, I still do cassation to break of the adjudication, which convicted me to be wrong. Journalist is still in deep fear until now. Who knows when it will end? (The end)

Ahmad Taufik
for Book of 15 Asian Journalists publihed by Korea

Is the Ideal of Good Governance Achievable: a Journalist View

I think our discussion in this section is entitled with a question mark (?) and it is not a statement.
In Indonesia, we have a joke about corruption, “If you stoned at random, it must be hit a corruptor and even the effect will hit other corruptor.” It shows how complex the corruption problem occurred in Indonesia, because whenever we stoned in any old way, it will hit a corruptor or even will hit ourselves (as the corruptor). Well, I don’t know whether we can find such a joke here in Malaysia.
Furthermore, until this week my name is still written on the list as one of leader candidates of the Commission for Corruption Eradication (KPK), an institution known as a super body because it has an extensive authority to investigate a corruptor. The investigator, in asking the evidence, may tap a telephone, watching the house and even arresting without being claimed.
I have an experience when I did a medical check up in a hospital for getting a bill of health as one of the KPK candidacy’s requirement. I met some pensioners of police, attorney, diplomat, and Auditor Agency/Body. One of accountants, a pensioner from Auditor Agency, was waiting the bill of health from the doctor. I entered the same room with the same intention. A nurse came out from the doctor’s room and she apologized to the old man while telling him that the doctor could not yet give the bill of health, “You need an advance medical check up,” said the nurse.
The nurse went back to the doctor’s room and told the old man to wait for the next instruction. In a short time, the nurse came out back from the doctor’s room, but at that time she took an envelope and called my name, “You are healthy and have the right to take a bill of health,” she said. The old man was only smiling at me.
I remember the day before; someone asked the old man’s motivation to be enlisted as a candidate of KPK leader. “Well, it’s just for fun because I don’t feel comfortable of being unemployed after retired,” he said. Isn’t that crazy? Taking a position for putting his life on the line to face the corruptor is only for fun?
A friend, an activist from an NGO who suggested me to come after the candidacy, knew that the old man had not get the bill of health yet and said, “Sir, you’ve better enjoy your pension time. Don’t you’re your arms against the young if you are unhealthy,” while he left the old man who was completely dazed in the hospital waiting room.
The above experiences show that if we wanted to eradicate corruption, as one part of Good Governance, we need a proper human resource, not only for fun or even only for the job of pensioners
According to Professor Dr. Sofian Effendi, a former head of Gajah Mada University, Yogyakarta, there are three main pillars that supports the ability of a nation to carry out good governance, namely government (the state), civil society, and market or business scope. The implementation of good governance can be achieved only if the three elements have equivalent and synergic in its networks and interaction in applying the authority of politic, economic, and administration.
Usually, such interaction and partnership may favorably develop if there are trust, transparency, participation, and clear and fix regulation. The healthy good governance also will develop safely under the leadership, which has authority and clear vision.
Good Governance is related to a good method for a nation to distribute its power and manage its resources and other society’s problem. In its concept, good governance contains the elements of democratic, equitable or fair, transparent, rule of law, partisipative, and partnership. The exact definition is formulated by the International Institute of Administrative Sciences (IIAS); the process whereby elements in society wield power and authority, and influence and enact policies and decisions public life, economic and social development.
Up till now, the government has dominant power in implementing the authority of politic, economic, and administration. It is difficult to count on consciously and voluntarily will change and manifest to be an effective part of good governance. Therefore, the development of good governance in the future has to be done by external force from outside the bureaucracy or government, namely by using civil society to extend participation from various citizens in implementing the administration.
Other external power that can “force” the appearance of good governance is business. There is a collusive relation between business and government that has been developed and it should be changed to be more equitable and open relation.
Other prerequisite that needs to achieve good governance is the press freedom. Based on the research collections from various international experts that issued by The World Bank Institute in a book entitled The Right To Tell: The Role of Mass Media in Economic Development, the preface quotes of the World Bank President, James D. Wolfensohn, stated as follows:
“More than 1.2 billion people in the world live in the cost of less than one dollar per day. And many of these poor people are not only suffering from the lack of food and clothing, but also do not have voices in the process of decision making as a regard of their life. Moreover, corruption and the weak of administration are gnawing the effectiveness of other country’s assistance. Of course, there is an improvement of the poverty problem, but development is a complex problem that covers various activities in many aspects. A prominent prerequisite in developing effective strategy is using knowledge transmission and transparency efficiently.
To decrease the poverty, we have to set information access freely and improve the information quality. People who have better information will have more power to make a better choice.
Based on the above reasons, I could say that the press freedom is not luxurious. This is the core of a fair development. Mass media can expose corruption. Press can watch the public policy by watching government policy. Mass media allow people to express their various opinions about government and reformation, and help to create a consensus to arrange the change management. Such press will help the market performance for being more healthy, starting from a small scale activities of vegetable trading in Indonesia up to the foreign exchange trading in a global and capital market in London and New York. Press can facilitate trading, distribute ideas and innovations by passing through the country’s border. We have also seen that mass media has an important role in developing human, spreading education and health information to remote villages starting from Uganda to Nicaragua.”
Roumeen Islam, the book editor, concludes the workshop as follows:
“Clearly, as an important supplier of information, it is more possible for mass media to play a role in promoting a good economic performance if it is compiled with three requirements, namely the mass media is independence, give qualified information, and has a wide distribution. That is to say when mass media is able to decrease the nature trend of asymmetric information between the administration and public, which has to be served, and also between private entities. Such media industry will improve the business accountability and government through monitoring and forming reputation and pushing consumer ability at once in making a qualified decision.”
Consequently, if all the above requirements are already fulfilled include in Malaysia, the title in the above question can be answered immediately. Is the Ideal of Good Governance Achievable? This is what we hope and also what people hope in this world.

Jakarta, 31 Juli 2007
Ahmad Taufik
Journalist of Tempo Magazine, Indonesia
For the International Conference on “democratisation and Good Governance in the Malaysian Public Sector.” 13-14 August 2007 at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.Sources :
1. Membangun Good Governance : Tugas Kita Bersama, paper Prof.Dr. Sofian Effendi, 26 Desember 2005
2. The Right To Tell: The Role of Mass Media in Economic Development, World Bank, 2002
3. Pledoi Bambang Harymurti, Wartawan Menggugat, 16 Agustus 2004.

Ayat Setan : Mahound dan Sang Nabi

Ada bagian buku Ayat-ayat Setan yang membuat marah orang-orang Islam, termasuk Khomeini. Inilah kisah Mahound.

Seorang pengusaha, Mahound, yang suka merenung di atas bukit panas Hijaz. Ketika ia hendak menyebarkan keyakinan bahwa hanya ada satu Tuhan, ia dapat perlawanan dari para tokoh kota Jahiliah yang mempercayai banyak dewa dan dewi. Suatu ketika Mahound ditawari satu kompromi: Kota Jahiliah bersedia mengakui secara resmi adanya ajaran baru itu, dan Mahound akan diangkat jadi anggota dewan kota, asal tiga dewi: Lat, Uzza, dan Manat, diberi status yang terletak antara Tuhan dan manusia, setaraf malaikat dan setan.

Mahound tertarik: "Kadang-kadang aku pikir aku harus membuat orang mudah untuk beriman," katanya. Tetapi perdebatan di antara para pengikutnya terjadi. Hamza, paman Mahound, menganjurkan agar Mahound bertanya kepada Gibreel.

Mendengar ini, Gibreel sendiri cemas. Ia takut tak bisa menjawab. "Aku cuma seorang aktor idiot yang sedang mimpi buruk yang kacau balau," pikirnya. Sementara itu, Mahound juga gundah mencari jawab. Ia bertanya, tidakkah dirinya jadi lemah hanya karena tawaran satu kursi di dewan kota? Tapi haruskah Allah begitu tegar, tak hendak menerima tiga unsur lagi dalam kekuasaannya, dan orang banyak jadi menderita”


Nah, tokoh Mahound di sini diasosiasikan sebagai sosok Nabi Muhammad. Itulah yang bikin marah.

Inggris : Ksatria yang Membawa Amarah

Kerajaan Inggris memberikan gelar kehormatan kepada penulis buku Ayat-ayat Setan, Salman Rushdie. Kontan saja hal ini menyulut amarah di berbagai negeri.

Sri Ratu yang pekan lalu berulang tahun ke-81 itu mungkin tak pernah menyangka bahwa penganugerahan itu mendatangkan prahara.

Di Multan, kota di bagian timur Pakistan, sekitar seratus mahasiswa membakar boneka kertas diri Ratu Elizabeth II. Di Srinagar, India, 200 anak muda menunjukkan amarah atas keputusan Ratu itu. Di Malaysia, sekitar 20 aktivis Partai Aliansi Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) menggelar demo di depan gedung Komisi Tinggi Inggris di Kuala Lumpur. “Kami ingin Ratu Inggris dan pemerintahnya menarik anugerah itu dan meminta maaf kepada dunia muslim,” kata Mufti Besar Srinagar, Bashir-u-Din.

Entah di mana jalaran protes ini berhenti kelak. Yang jelas, sejak Ratu Inggris menyematkan gelar ksatria Inggris—Sir—di dada pengarang Salman Rushdie, bola salju itu menggelinding. Reaksi perdana mencuat dari negara-negara Persemakmuran, lantas Iran. Pernyataan keras dan fatwa susul-menyusul. Di Pakistan, Menteri untuk Urusan Agama Ijaz ul-Haq menyulut kobaran amarah: “Jika seorang melakukan bom bunuh diri demi kehormatan Nabi Muhammad, maka tindakannya dibenarkan.” Ul-Haq adalah putra eks pemimpin militer Zia ul-Haq.

Di Iran, tempat Salman Rushdie dinyatakan patut dihukum mati, Kementerian Luar Negeri Iran memanggil Duta Besar Inggris Geoffrey Adams. “Keputusan pemberian gelar bagi Rushdie merupakan langkah provokatif yang membuat berang kaum muslim,” kata juru bicara Kementerian Luar Negeri Iran, Mohammad-Ali Hosseini.

Rushdie adalah penulis The Satanic Verses, buku setebal 500 halaman yang membuat tegang hubungan Barat dengan Islam. Saat itu, 1989, belum ada setahun buku itu diterbitkan. Pemimpin revolusi Republik Islam Iran, Ayatullah Ruhullah Khomeini, memproklamasikan karangan itu menghina Islam, Nabi Muhammad, dan Quran.

“Saya informasikan kepada muslim di seluruh dunia yang bangga pada agamanya bahwa penulis buku The Satanic Verses telah secara terang-terangan menghina dan mengobarkan semangat perang terhadap Islam, Rasulullah, dan Kitab Suci Quran. Penulis buku itu, termasuk penerbitnya, kami nyatakan wajib dihukum mati. Barang siapa yang meninggal karena ingin membunuh Rusdhie, dia mati sebagai pejuang (mujahid) dan akan langsung masuk surga,” ujar Khomeini lewat Radio Teheran.

Seruan Imam Zaman—begitu dunia muslim menyebutnya—kontan disambut dengan gegap-gempita di seluruh dunia. Di Iran, ratusan ribu orang berbaris sambil melambai-lambaikan poster bergambar tampang Rushdie dengan tulisan di bawahnya "orang ini dihukum mati". Sumpah-serapah yang biasanya ditujukan kepada Amerika, hari itu berbelok kepada Inggris.

Di Bradford, Inggris, sekitar 1.500 orang protes membakar buku Ayat-ayat
Setan. Di Amerika Serikat, pelaku aksi tak cuma berdemonstrasi, tapi juga mengancam toko-toko buku yang memajang The Satanic Verses. Seorang penelepon gelap mengatakan akan memasang bom di kantor Viking Penguin bila penerbit itu tak segera menarik buku Rushdie dari peredaran. Tak lama setelah ancaman itu disampaikan, tiga jaringan toko buku terbesar di AS yang memiliki lebih dari 2.500 toko buku menarik Ayat-ayat Setan dari rak-rak penjualan mereka.

Api protes juga memercik di Pakistan, negeri kedua bagi Salman Rushdie—orang tua pengarang ini pindah dari India ke Pakistan. Di Islamabad, massa berdemonstrasi di depan Kedutaan Besar AS. Terjadi bentrokan massa dengan polisi yang mencoba menertibkan orang-orang yang marah dan mencaci Amerika itu. Mulanya cuma gas air mata disemprotkan, kemudian peluru tajam dilepaskan. Lima korban meninggal, sekitar 100 orang luka-luka dalam kejadian itu. Pada saat yang sama, seorang imam Belgia ditembak mati orang tak dikenal. Diduga, imam itu mengkritik Khomeini yang menjatuhkan hukuman tanpa lewat pengadilan.

Di India, pemerintah Rajiv Gandhi segera melarang beredarnya Ayat-ayat Setan. Bahkan pada sebuah protes di India terjadi bentrokan, seorang tewas, puluhan luka-luka. Larangan beredarnya buku itu juga terjadi di Arab Saudi, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afrika Selatan, dan banyak negara lainnya.

Seorang pejabat di Departemen Luar Negeri Pakistan menyatakan akan mengajak negeri-negeri Islam memboikot semua buku terbitan Viking Penguin bila penerbit ini tak segera menarik Ayat-ayat Setan. Dan ancaman mati bagi pengarangnya, kata orang Pakistan, jangan dianggap omong kosong. Di Indonesia, negeri muslim terbesar di dunia, buku itu tak tampak, tapi fotokopiannya beredar secara diam-diam di kalangan tertentu.

Sejumlah negara Eropa, antara lain Belanda dan Yunani, menangguhkan penerjemahan The Satanic. Pemerintah Kanada sempat mempertimbangkan impor buku tersebut walau pada akhirnya membolehkannya, karena buku itu dinilai bukan "propaganda buruk" dan tak menyalahi undang-undang kriminal.

Bukan hanya protes, Khomeini juga menjanjikan hadiah US$ 2,6 juta kepada siapa saja, termasuk orang yang bukan muslim, yang bisa membunuh Salman Rushdie. Seorang Iran menaikkan hadiah itu menjadi dua kali lipat, US$ 5,2 juta. Namun, Rushdie tidak menggigil sendirian. Seorang penerbit kaya-raya, Robert Maxwell, bahkan menyediakan hadiah bagi siapa saja yang bisa membuat Khomeini lebih “beradab” dan kemudian minta maaf. Hadiah yang disediakannya dua kali lipat, lebih dari US$ 10 juta.

Walaupun Khomeini sudah wafat, hadiah bagi yang bisa membunuh Rushdie tetap masih berlaku. “Mimpi buruk Rushdie selama sembilan belas tahun terakhir akan berlanjut. Sekalipun ia menyesali (dosa-dosanya), tetap menjadi kewajiban setiap muslim untuk membunuh dia," kata direktur jenderal lembaga "markas bagi pemberian penghargaan kepada syuhada gerakan Islam global", Farouz Rajaeifar. Kelompok lain, Yayasan Khordad Ke-15, suatu badan kebudayaan, menawarkan US$ 2,8 juta dolar bagi kepala Rushdie dan secara reguler menegaskan fatwa tersebut akan hidup selamanya.

Rushdie sebenarnya bukan penulis kacangan. Ada 13 buku karangannya yang telah memenangi sejumlah penghargaan, termasuk Booker Prize untuk Midnight's Children (1981) dan Booker of Bookers (1993). Karena itu, ia merasa terhormat menerima gelar tersebut. “Saya sangat berterima kasih bahwa karya saya diakui seperti ini," katanya. Ia punya dunia sendiri yang seolah tak tersentuh dunia di luar sana.

Ahmad Taufik (IRNA, AP, AFP dan Book Rags)
sumber : Majalah Tempo, 24 Juni 2007

Albania : Presiden Bush dan Arlojinya

Bush Presiden Amerika pertama yang berkunjung ke Albania. Pemerintah menerbitkan tiga prangko bergambar Bush, mengukuhkan Jalan Bush, dan memberinya gelar kehormatan.

Tangan Presiden Amerika Serikat George Walker Bush masih tampak melambai-lambai ke arah massa yang mengelu-elukannya di Fushe Kruja, 25 kilometer ke arah utara dari ibu kota Albania, Tirana. Melihat warga begitu antusias, Bush pun menjurakan tangannya ke tengah kepungan orang yang mengerumuninya. Bush tampak bahagia menemui para penggemarnya. Tangan, lengan, bahkan sesekali kepalanya disentuh warga Albania yang memujanya.

Kita dapat melihat keramaian itu di situs YouTube.com. Dalam tayangan berdurasi empat menit berjudul Bush in Albania - Cheering in Fushe Kruja yang diambil dari TVSH Albania itu, tampak beberapa orang memegangi tangan Bush. Pada menit ke-01.43, wuuut, jam di pergelangan tangannya sudah tak ada lagi. Jam berkulit hitam yang sebelumnya tampak melilit itu raib. Ajaib!

Hilangnya arloji Bush segera menjadi buah bibir banyak media di seluruh dunia. Di tengah penjagaan ketat lima bodyguard-nya, arloji Timex seharga US$ 50 itu hilang. Para pengkritiknya langsung mengejek: bila menjaga barang itu Bush dan pengawal-pengawalnya bisa sedemikian lalai, bagaimana dengan tentaranya yang berperang di Irak atau Afganistan?

Tapi berita raibnya jam dari tangan Bush kemudian disanggah banyak pihak. Dari Amerika Serikat, juru bicara Gedung Putih, Tony Snow, membantah kabar bahwa jam Presiden hilang dicopet. "Berita itu sama sekali tidak benar. Jam itu ditaruh di saku baju Presiden. Presiden sendiri yang memasukkan jam itu ke sakunya," ujarnya. Bahkan, untuk meyakinkan orang, Rabu pekan lalu, tiga hari setelah jam itu hilang, di kantornya, gedung oval, Bush memperlihatkan arloji yang kabarnya hilang itu.

Dari Albania, direktur polisi negeri Balkan itu, Ahmet Prenci, juga menolak kabar buruk tentang negerinya. “Itu tidak benar. Presiden Bush tak kehilangan jamnya di sini,” katanya. Seorang penjaga keamanan Albania yang mendampingi Bush mengaku melihat kolega Presiden Amerika membungkuk dan mengambil jam tangan yang terjatuh. Televisi terkemuka Albania memperlihatkan bodyguard yang membisiki Bush. “Mungkin ia mengatakan jam itu sudah berada di tangannya,” ujar pembaca berita Monica Stafa, berspekulasi.

Kunjungan Bush ke negeri kecil ini adalah kunjungan pertama dalam sejarah Presiden Amerika. Tak aneh jika pemerintah Albania menerbitkan tiga prangko khusus bergambar dirinya dan Patung Liberty serta mengganti nama jalan di depan gedung parlemen menjadi Jalan Bush. Presiden Negeri Abang Sam itu juga dianugerahi medali kehormatan tertinggi dan diangkat menjadi warga negara kehormatan Kota Fushe.

Albania terletak di bagian tenggara Eropa, berbatasan dengan Montenegro, Serbia Kosovo, Makedonia, dan Yunani. Sejak merdeka dari Kerajaan Islam Turki Usmani (Ottoman) pada 1912, negeri itu dijajah Italia dan Jerman. Setelah Perang Dunia II, komunis berkuasa selama 40 tahun.

Setelah kejatuhan komunis pada 1991, rakyat Albania mencoba memperbaiki keadaan ekonomi. Mereka mengusung demokrasi dan sistem multipartai. Sali Berisha dari Partai Demokratik menjadi presiden pertama yang dipilih secara demokratis. Namun, pada 1997, negeri itu kolaps karena korupsi dan salah urus ekonomi. Gelombang pengungsi pun mengalir ke negara-negara tetangganya di Eropa--sampai akhirnya pemilihan umum dilaksanakan. Kelompok sosialis menang hingga 2002. Dasar-dasar demokrasi, seperti kemerdekaan pers, kebebasan berorganisasi dan berbisnis, serta jaminan hukum, terus berkembang.

Agar tak lagi pecah perang saudara, tokoh nonpartisan, Alfred Moisiu, disumpah sebagai presiden. Hubungan dengan Eropa Barat dan Amerika semakin erat. Ekonomi terus membaik di negeri berpenduduk 3,5 juta orang itu. Tak aneh, saat berkunjung, Bush disambut hangat semua warga Albania.

Saking gembiranya masyarakat Albania, jam Presiden Bush pun ikut menguap.

Ahmad Taufik (NBC, Azcentral.com, China Daily)
sumber : Majalah Tempo, 18 Juni 2007

Inggris : Memburu Sampai Heiligendamm

Kejaksaan Inggris meminta Rusia mengekstradisi tersangka pembunuh Litvinenko. Mungkinkah Putin menyerahkan Lugovoi?

TUBUH Alexander Litvinenko memang telah dikebumikan di pemakaman Highgate, London. Tapi pembicaraan dan masalah yang muncul setelah kematian bekas agen intelijen Dinas Rahasia Uni Soviet (KGB) itu tak ikut terkubur.

Dalam pertemuan G-8 pekan lalu, di Heiligendamm, Perdana Menteri Inggris Tony Blair bahkan menyempatkan bertemu secara khusus dengan Presiden Rusia Vladimir Putin–khusus membicarakan kasus Litvinenko. Blair meminta Putin menyerahkan tersangka pembunuh Litvinenko, Andrei Lugovoi, ke Inggris.

Permohonan Blair itu berdasarkan penyelidikan dan permintaan Direktur Kejaksaan Inggris, Sir Ken Macdonald. Menurut dia, Lugovoi harus diekstradisi ke Inggris menghadapi pengadilan atas tuduhan pembunuhan--dengan sengaja meracuni Litvinenko. Tentu saja permintaan Kejaksaan Inggris dan Blair tak mudah dipenuhi Kremlin. Konstitusi Rusia menutup pintu terhadap kemungkinan ekstradisi warganya. Dan dari Rusia sendiri, Lugovoi pernah menyatakan keterlibatan agen rahasia Inggris dalam pembunuhan ini.

Sejauh ini sejumlah kalangan di Inggris menduga pembunuhan itu atas “restu” Putin. Litvinenko rajin mengkritik kebijakannya dari Inggris lewat tulisan, diskusi, dan ceramah di berbagai kesempatan dan tempat di luar negeri. Bahkan belakangan pria yang punya nama lengkap Alexander Valterovich Litvinenko itu pada 19 Oktober 2006, di depan anggota Frontline Club, sebuah organisasi wartawan Inggris, menyatakan tengah berusaha menyeret Presiden Putin ke pengadilan, karena membunuh jurnalis Rusia Anna Politkovskaya, 7 Oktober.

Rekaman jejak aksi pembunuhan itu bermula dari pertemuan Litvinenko dengan bekas agen KGB Lugovoi, 1 November, di Hotel Millennium London. Setelah itu Litvinenko pergi ke bar Itsu bertemu dengan akademisi Italia, Mario Scaramella, yang memperlihatkan sebuah email berisi identitas para imigran Rusia di Inggris yang menjadi target pembunuhan agen Rusia. Sekaligus memberi tahu ciri-ciri penembak Anna Politkovskaya. Setelah itu Litvinenko yang merasa tak enak badan itu dibawa ke Rumah Sakit London.

Selama sakit Litvinenko sempat membuat pernyataan untuk disiarkan ke Seksi Siaran Bahasa Rusia Radio BBC, London. Dalam pernyataan yang didiktekan lewat sahabatnya Alex Goldfarb itu, Litvinenko mengaku sangat sakit setelah terkena racun yang sangat mematikan. “Kamu mungkin dapat membungkam saya, tapi suara protes dari seluruh dunia akan terus menghunjam selama hidupmu, Tuan Putin,” katanya.

Kesehatannya terus menurun dan pada Kamis malam 23 November nyawa Litvinenko tak tertolong lagi. Ia meninggal beberapa jam sebelum pertemuan Putin dengan para pemimpin Eropa di Helsinki.

Litvinenko, 43 tahun, tewas terkontaminasi bahan radioaktif polonium-210. “Bukti yang dikirim ke kami oleh polisi telah cukup untuk menuntut Andrei Lugovoi sebagai pembunuh Litvinenko dengan racun," kata Ken Macdonald.

Lugovoi kepada radio Echo Moscow membantah membawa racun radioaktif saat bertemu Litvinenko. Dia mengaku hanya minum gin bersama temannya di Hotel Millennium London. “Litvinenko tak memesan apa pun saat itu,” ujarnya. Lugovoi dan teman bisnisnya Dmitry Kovtun mengaku bertemu dengan Litvinenko hanya untuk membicarakan bisnis. Dua hari kemudian ia pulang dengan British Airways dari Bandar Udara Heathrow London ke Moskow. Dalam pesawat itulah ditemukan polonium-210, bahan radioaktif yang sama dengan dalam tubuh Litvinenko.

Jika Putin tak bersedia menyerahkan Lugovoi, Blair mengancam investasi Inggris di Rusia. “Kami ingin ada komitmen yang jelas dulu terhadap demokrasi dan hak asasi manusia di Rusia,” ujarnya.

Ahmad Taufik (Guardian, AP dan AFP)
sumber : Majalah Tempo, 11 juni 2007

Iran : Gara-gara ‘Intel’ Amerika

Pemerintah Iran menahan warga negara Amerika dengan tuduhan mata-mata. Insiden yang memperparah perseteruan antara kedua negara.

IRAN dan Amerika Serikat sepertinya sudah “digariskan” tidak pernah bisa akur. Semula terbetik kabar gembira tentang pembicaraan antara pejabat tinggi AS, Iran, dan Irak di Bagdad, Selasa pekan lalu. Selain merupakan perundingan tingkat tinggi pertama Iran-AS sejak 27 tahun berseteru, pertemuan yang membicarakan masalah Irak dan keamanan kawasan itu diberitakan berhasil baik.

Ya, “Ada persamaan mendasar, yaitu dukungan bagi Irak yang aman, stabil, dan demokratis, sehingga Irak dapat mengatur keamanannya sendiri, serta berhubungan damai dengan negara-negara tetangganya,” kata Duta Besar AS untuk Irak, Ryan Crocker, tentang hasil pertemuan.

Namun, sehari setelah itu, Ali Shakeri, pengusaha dan aktivis perdamaian pendiri Irvine's Center for Citizen Peacebuilding Universitas California, AS, ditangkap polisi Iran. Sebelumnya, dua warga negara AS keturunan Iran, Haleh Esfandiari dan Kian Tajbakhsh, bernasib sama dengan Shakeri. Juga seorang jurnalis radio Free Europe seksi Persia, Parnaz Azima, yang hanya diperiksa--tidak ditahan. Kesemuanya kena tuduhan mata-mata dan melakukan propaganda menjatuhkan pemerintahan Presiden Mahmud Ahmadinejad. “Mereka mengacaukan Iran,” kata juru bicara Peradilan Iran, Ali Reza Jamshidi.

Esfandiari bekerja untuk Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars, lembaga kajian masalah Timur Tengah yang terkemuka di AS. Ia ditangkap dan diinterogasi aparat di Teheran setelah paspornya ditahan pada akhir Desember lalu, ketika dia akan kembali ke AS. Esfandiari datang ke Teheran untuk mengunjungi neneknya yang berusia 93 tahun.

Sedangkan Tajbakhsh bekerja sebagai konsultan di Open Society Institute (OSI) milik George Soros. Nah, OSI diminta pemerintah lokal di daerah Bam untuk membantu menangani kesehatan masyarakat serta proyek kemanusiaan dan kebudayaan, setelah gempa pada Desember 2003 di tempat itu merenggut sekitar 15 ribu jiwa. Tajbakhsh ditugasi menjalankan proyek tersebut di kawasan selatan Iran itu. Menurut penjelasan resmi OSI, Tajbakhsh sudah mendapat izin pemerintah Iran. Ia ditahan sejak 11 Mei.

Penangkapan keempat warga negara AS ini menimbulkan reaksi keras dari pihak Abang Sam. Lembaga yang diwakili para tahanan mendesak agar mereka segera dibebaskan dan diizinkan pergi dari Iran. Pemerintah AS juga menolak semua tuduhan Teheran. “Ini semua adalah penghinaan atas warga negara lain yang tak berdosa,” kata Tom Casey, juru bicara Kementerian Luar Negeri AS.

Namun “tak berdosa” menurut ukuran AS bukan seperti anggapan pemerintah Iran. Bukan rahasia jika pemerintah Presiden George W. Bush punya rencana menggulingkan pemerintah Ahmadinejad. Beberapa media massa AS mengungkapkan rencana tersebut. Salah satunya, serangan militer untuk menghancurkan fasilitas nuklir di Iran, seperti ditulis New Yorker beberapa waktu lalu. Contoh lainnya, “skenario” pergantian rezim dengan membantu persenjataan milisi dari beberapa suku di perbatasan Iran--yang memang punya masalah dengan pemerintah pusatnya--sampai yang lebih halus dengan mendanai proyek “prodemokrasi”. New York Post, dua pekan lalu, mengungkap dokumen Badan Intelijen AS (CIA) berisi operasi rahasia untuk mengacaukan stabilitas dan mendorong pergantian rezim di Iran.

Dari kacamata Teheran, semuanya klop. Soros dan OSI adalah pihak yang bekerja untuk ikut “menumbangkan” rezim otoriter seperti di Uni Soviet dan Yugoslavia. Sedangkan Wilson Center didirikan Lee H. Hamilton, mantan anggota Kongres dari Indiana. Hamilton adalah wakil ketua Komisi 9/11, sebuah komisi bentukan Kongres AS untuk mengkaji tragedi 11 September. “Semua tuduhan datang dari kementerian intelijen,” kata Jamshidi, juru bicara peradilan Iran. Dan para “mata-mata” itu sudah dipastikan akan diadili.

Ahmad Taufik (AFP, IRIB, Kayhan)
sumber : Majalah Tempo, 4 juni 2007

Portugal :Tujuh Tujuan Bisnis Dunia

Tujuh keajaiban baru di dunia baru saja diumumkan pekan lalu. Terjadi perubahan. Kepentingan bisnis diduga di balik itu.

Kota kuno itu berwarna merah muda bila terkena sinar matahari. Ya, Petra, kota peninggalan Romawi itu, memang luar biasa. Jordan Times mencatat, dua bulan menjelang berakhirnya tahun 2006, 56 ribu orang mengunjunginya, atau 25 persen lebih sedikit dibanding tahun sebelumnya.

Tapi segalanya berubah setelah Yayasan New7Wonders pimpinan Bernard Weber mengumumkan Petra sebagai salah satu tujuh keajaiban dunia, Senin pekan lalu. “Kami sangat bangga dan mendukung penuh pilihan Petra sebagai peninggalan yang mengagumkan di Timur Tengah,” ujar juru bicara yayasan terkait perusahaan Nissan Timur Tengah itu, Saleh Jafar.

Ratu Rania Abdullah dari Yordania sangat senang dengan hasil pengumuman itu. Saat pemilihan dia termasuk yang aktif menganjurkan agar rakyat Yordania memilih Petra sebagai salah satu keajaiban dunia. Dari 11 juta suara yang diperoleh Petra, tujuh juta pemilih berasal dari Yordania. Ada 100 juta orang di dunia yang mengakses situs ini.

Menurut sejarah, dari Petra inilah orang Arab Mekkah mengenal berhala-berhala, putri-putri tuhan Lata, Uzza, dan Manat. Sekitar enam jam perjalanan dari ibu kota Yordania, Amman, Petra terletak tak jauh dari Wadi (danau) Musa.

Selain Petra, mereka juga memilih Tembok Raksasa di Cina, Patung Yesus di Brasil, Machu Pichu di Peru, Chichen Itza di Meksiko, Koloseum di Roma, dan Taj Mahal di India. Sebenarnya ide menyusun ulang tujuh keajaiban dunia muncul dari Weber, petualang asal Swiss pada 1999. Lebih dari 200 nama tempat muncul dari usulan para juri yang terdiri atas arsitek terkemuka, termasuk bekas pimpinan UNESCO, Federico Mayor. Jumlah tersebut diciutkan menjadi 77, lalu dipersempit lagi hingga 21 tempat lewat sebuah pemungutan suara global sepanjang 2006. Nah, “21 besar” inilah yang kemudian diadu lewat pemungutan suara final melalui telepon, pesan pendek (SMS), dan klik internet sejak Januari lalu.

Pilihan persis model American Idol atau Indonesia Idol yang sedang tren ini menyisihkan 14 kandidat, antara lain Masjid Hagia Sophia di Turki, Masjid Alhambra di Spanyol, Kuil Angkor Wat di Kamboja, Patung Liberty di AS, gedung opera Sydney di Australia, Kuil Kiyomizu di Jepang, Katedral Basil dan gedung Kremlin di Rusia, Kapel Neuschwanstein di Jerman, Timbuktu di Mali, serta Stonehenge di Inggris.
Sabtu, tanggal yang istimewa 07-07-07, digunakan untuk mengumumkan hasil pilihan itu, yang mirip penyerahan Piala Oscar, di Lisabon, Portugal. Tapi setelah pengumuman yang disiarkan dan ditonton 1,6 miliar orang di seluruh dunia itu, kritik bermunculan. Metodenya dianggap tidak valid, bahkan daftar nama yang disodorkan para juri dinilai tak lepas dari unsur subyektivitas. Padahal, UNESCO memiliki daftar 850 monumen yang disebut situs peninggalan dunia. Ternyata, lembaga dunia itu tak dilibatkan dalam proyek Weber itu. ''Tujuh Keajaiban Dunia yang baru itu hanyalah hasil dari sebuah inisiatif pribadi. Ini takkan memberi kontribusi signifikan terhadap pemeliharaan situs tersebut,'' demikian pernyataan resmi UNESCO.

Tujuh Keajaiban Dunia terhampar di wilayah Mediterania dan Timur Tengah, seperti manuskrip Tujuh Keajaiban Dunia yang pertama kali ditulis pada abad ke-2 sebelum Masehi oleh petualang Yunani kuno, Antipater dari Sidon. Meliputi Taman Gantung Babilonia, Patung Zeus di Olimpia, Kuil Artemis di Ephesus, Makam Halicarnassus, Colossus dari Rhodes, dan Rumah Cahaya Pharos di Alexandria.

Pemerintah Indonesia termasuk pihak yang keberatan pada hasil jajak pendapat tersebut. Departemen Kebudayaan dan Pariwisata dalam rapat dengar pendapat di Dewan Perwakilan Daerah (DPD) di Jakarta, dua hari setelah pengumuman, Senin pekan lalu, melalui Dirjen Sejarah dan Purbakala Departemen Kebudayaan dan Pariwisata, Hari Untoro Drajat, menyatakan, kriteria yang digunakan dalam penentuan daftar Tujuh Keajaiban Dunia yang baru itu tidak jelas. ''Hasil polling itu hanyalah persepsi internasional mengenai keajaiban dunia. Keajaiban dunia itu tidak sama dengan warisan dunia. Borobudur masih masuk dalam warisan penting di dunia,” katanya.
Meski begitu, menurut Hari, hasil dari jajak pendapat tersebut perlu menjadi pelajaran bagi pemerintah untuk mengembangkan strategi baru dalam politik kebudayaan dan bisnis. Dengan adanya strategi yang bagus, dia berharap kebudayaan yang ada di negeri ini tetap dapat terpelihara dan dikenal secara luas.

Menteri Kebudayaan dan Pariwisata Jero Wacik mengaku telah mendengar kabar dikeluarkannya Candi Borobudur dari salah satu keajaiban dunia sejak tahun lalu. Ia sempat minta klarifikasi kepada UNESCO. "Memang, pernah ada bekas pegawai UNESCO yang membuat angket tentang mana saja di dunia ini yang bisa menjadi keajaiban dunia. Hasilnya Borobudur bukan termasuk tujuh besar keajaiban dunia," katanya.

Namun, menurut Menteri Jero Wacik, cara penilaian terhadap peninggalan dunia yang menjadi keajaiban dunia seharusnya tidak dilakukan dengan cara seperti itu. "Di mata kami dan UNESCO, Borobudur tetap salah satu keajaiban dunia. Angket bisa berubah, mana yang populer dan tidak," ujarnya.

Karena itu, Indonesia tetap optimistis untuk mempromosikan Candi Borobudur dan candi-candi lainnya, seperti Prambanan dan Mendut. “Sebab candi-candi itu adalah milik bangsa yang harus dibanggakan, ”katanya.
Bukan hanya Indonesia yang tak mengakui jajak pendapat Weber, pejabat Mesir marah dan tersinggung ketika Piramida Giza, satu-satunya keajaiban dari Tujuh Keajaiban Dunia Kuno yang masih tersisa, dimasukkan sebagai salah satu dari 21 kontestan. Kemarahan Mesir ini akhirnya membuat New7Wonders sebagai organisasi penyelenggara kontes menarik Giza dari jajak pendapat dan mengangkatnya sebagai kandidat kehormatan.

Bukan cuma Mesir yang menolak kontes ini. Vatikan menuding penyelenggara kontes dengan sengaja mengabaikan monumen Kristen. Kepala Komisi Budaya dan Arkeologi Kepausan Vatikan Uskup Agung Mauro Piacenza menyatakan tidak diikutsertakannya karya fresco Michelangelo di Sistine Chapel, "Sangat mengejutkan. Tidak dapat dipahami dan mencurigakan."

Namun, semua kritik dan protes itu tak membuat Weber, mundur. Petualang Swiss itu mengaku sulit bagi semua orang memilih hanya tujuh monumen yang layak menjadi keajaiban dunia baru. "Semua proses dilakukan secara demokratis lewat pemungutan suara terbanyak," kata Weber. "Kecuali untuk memilih 21 finalis, yang dilakukan oleh dewan juri yang dipimpin bekas Direktur Jenderal UNESCO Frederico Mayor Zaragoza lewat kriteria keindahan, kompleksitas, nilai historis, hubungan kebudayaan, dan makna arsitekturalnya."

Tujuh Keajaiban Dunia ternyata tak hanya dikeluarkan Weber, banyak versi Tujuh Keajaiban Dunia lainnya. Surat kabar Amerika, USA Today, misalnya, pada November tahun lalu mengeluarkan daftar Tujuh Keajaiban Dunia. Ketujuh tempat itu adalah Potala Palace (Tibet), kota tua Yerusalem, kubah es (kutub), Monumen Nasional Kelautan Papahanaumokuakea (Hawaii), reruntuhan Mayan (Mesoamerica), Great Migration of Serengeti and Masai Mara (Tanzania dan Kenya), serta internet.

Munculnya daftar tujuh keajaiban dunia baru versi Weber diduga sarat dengan urusan bisnis. Negeri tempat terdapat situs yang disebut itu akan diserbu turis di seluruh dunia. Iklan kampanye, rute penerbangan, dan pendukung bisnis wisata lainnya akan meningkat drastis. Weber tak banyak berharap. Dia hanya mengharapkan situs Buddha yang dihancurkan Taliban di Bamiyan, Afganistan, dibangun kembali dan dilindungi.

Ahmad Taufik (AFP, The Herald, Antara dan Wikipedia)
sumber : Majalah Tempo, edisi 16 Juli 2007

Haul ke-11- Sayyid Abubakar aljufri

Sambutan Keluarga besar Almarhum Sayyid Haji Abubakar bin Salim Aldjufri

Assalamu’alaikum warahmantullahi wa barakatuh,

Imam Ali Zainal Abidin cicit Rasulullah Muhammad SAW yang hidup pada tahun 38 – 95 Hijriyah, menulis sebuah do’a, ‘’O, Tuhan! Kau mengutus Muhammad sebagai pembawa risalah-Mu. Dengan kecintaan-Mu padanya dan keluarganya. Kau mengilhaminya dengan ilmu yang luar biasa dan menjadikan kami dengan kehormatan sebagai pewaris ilmunya. Dan menjadikan ilmu (hikmah) sebagai kekuatan kami dengan maksud memuliakan kami atas mereka yang tidak diberi kemampuan memahaminya. O, Tuhan! Karena Engkau yang menjadikan akal kami mampu memahaminya, dengan kasih dan sayang-Mu telah mengajarkan keutamaan-keutamaan pada kami, berkahilah Muhammad, penyeru kami, keluarganya dan pemelihara risalahnya.’’

Imam Ali Zainal Abidin adalah cucu Imam Ali bin Abi Thalib pasangan hidup Fatimah Az-Zahra, anak Rasulullah Muhammad SAW. Imam Ali Zainal Abidin adalah satu-satunya cucu Rasulullah yang dengan kuasa Allah SWT hidup dan terhindar dari pembantaian keji Yazid bin Muawiyah . Coba anda bayangkan apabila Imam Ali Zainal Abidin ikut terbunuh di Padang Karbala (sekarang berada di wilayah Irak), tak ada lagi penerus risalah Rasulullah Muhammad SAW. Kita akan hidup di dalam kegelapan, tak ada pegangan untuk membedakan mana yang benar, dan mana yang samar-samar dan mana yang salah. Semua bisa dimanipulasi, karena ada pepatah mengatakan ‘buku sejarah tergantung yang berkuasa’.

Tetapi, sejarah adalah sejarah, apapun kalau dimanipulasi akan terkuak juga mana yang benar dan mana yang salah. Akhirnya, karena ancaman dan tekanan yang begitu kuat, pegangan Imam Ali Zainal Abidin adalah do’a, bermunajat kepada Allah. Sehingga beliau digelari As-Sajjad yang artinya orang yang tekun bersembah sujud kepada Allah SWT.

Imam Ali Zainal Abidin tak mau tahu urusan politik, karena posisinya sebagai pembawa risalah Rasulullah SAW, dianggap ancaman terhadap penguasa yang memerintah secara zalim dan keluar dari ajaran Islam. Dengan cara bermunajat kepada Allah SWT, dan menyebarkan ajaran doa doanya diterima Allah SWT. Sehingga melalui anak cucu dan cicitnya yang disebut dalam Al-Qur’an dzuriyatnya, ajaran Rasullah menyebar ke seluruh bumi mulai dari Maroko sampai Merauke, dari California sampai Kalipasir dan juga sampai Greenland (tanah hijau) di ujung benua Amerika sana sampai di tanah Sunda ini.

Nah, dari anak cucu Imam Ali Zainal Abidin yang selalu dikejar-kejar penguasa yang benci pada keluarga Rasulullah menyebar ke seluruh jagat, membawa risalah. Para Habaib yang hidup di Indonesia ini juga bagian dari anak cucu Rasulullah. Termasuk diantaranya yang sedang kita peringati haul-ke 11 ini, Habib Abubakar bin Salim Al-Jufri.

Doa adalah jembatan, bukan hanya untuk yang telah meninggalkan kita, tetapi juga untuk kita yang juga akan meninggalkan dunia ini. Dalam kesempatan ini salah satunya kita bisa berdoa bersama-sama untuk yang sudah tiada dan yang akan segera tiada.

Atas kehadiran saudara-saudara kami se iman dan se bangsa dalam acara ini.

Kami keluarga mengucapkan banyak terima kasih.

Wassalamu’alaikum warrahmatullahi wa barakatuh.

Kebon Pala, 2 September 2007.

Atas nama keluarga besar Sayyid haji Abubakar bin Salim Aldjufri

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Sekelumit tentang Almarhum Habib Abubakar bin Salim Al-Jufri

Almarhum Habib Abubakar bin Salim Al-Jufri adalah keturunan ke-36 dari Rasulullah Muhammad SAW berdasarkan garis Imam Hussein, buah perkawinan Fatimah Az-Zahra dengan Imam Ali Bin abi Thalib. Menurut sejarah, pada akhir abad ke-19 datanglah ke Pulau Jawa tiga orang pemuda Abdurachman, Umar dan Mohammad, putera-putera dari Habib Abdul Kadir Al-Djufri dari Sewun, Hadramaut (sekarang berada di Republik Yaman). Ketiganya dari Pulau Jawa berangkat ke Pulau Sumba, Nusa Tenggara Timur dan berusaha dalam peternakan dan perdagangan hewan. Muhammad dan Umar membuat syarikat Firma Mohammad Aldjufri yang berhasil menjadi perusahaan besar di bidang perdagangan hewan sampai dengan tahun 1957. Sedangkan Abdurrahman lebih banyak mencurahkan waktunya untuk dakwah di Pulau Sumba ditunjang oleh kedua saudaranya. Ketiganya meninggal dan dimakamkan di Surabaya.

Tentang keluarga Al-Jufri terekam dalam Buku Sejarah Republik Indonesia tentang kepulauan Sunda Kecil yang diterbitkan oleh Kementerian Penerangan R.I. Kalau di daerah Sumba kini lebih kurang ada ratusan ribu orang penduduk yang menganut agama Islam dan mempunyai 2 buah sekolah madrasah, maka ini dapat dimengerti karena pada abad XX datang lagi seorang bernama Mochamad bin Aldjufri, seorang Arab pedagang hewan yang terbesar di daerah Sumba hingga sekarang ini.

Almarhum Habib Abubakar Al-Djufri ini adalah putera kandung dari Syarifah Sidah binti Mohammad Al-Djufri dan Habib Salim bin Abdurrahman Al-Djufri. Lahir di Gresik, Jawa Timur 21 Desember (17 Sya’ban) 1926. Anak ketiga dari sebelas bersaudara ini belajar di perguruan Al-Khairiyah dan Islamic Middlebare School di Surabaya. Ia sempat mencicipi sekolah singkat di International Marketing, Colombo Plan, Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, New Delhi, India.

Tamat sekolah, ia tertarik pada dunia pendidikan dan menjadi penilik sekolah Arab English School di Pandaan, Malang. Namun, seperti keluarganya yang lain akhirnya terjun juga dalam dunia usaha, tahun 1942 menjadi sekretaris Persatuan Pedagang Asia. Ketika Jepang berkuasa Abubakar Al-Djufri menjabat kepala Gudang Bongkar Muat perusahaan Ganebo. Juga aktif dalam Keibodan, 1944. Ketika Revolusi Kemerdekaan Indonesia pecah ia menggabungkan diri dalam Barisan pemberontakan Rakyat Indonesia, pimpinan Bung Tomo. Selain itu, ia menjadi wartawan berbagai media yang pro Republik Indonesia sampai tahun 1948. Pekerjaan wartawan ditekuninya pula sampai masa tuanya. Ia adalah wartawan Kantor Berita Antara dengan kode D-13, 1975-1980.

Almarhum Al-Habib Haji Abubakar Aljufri lalu aktif menekuni pekerjaannya sebagai pedagang sapi, dan pekerjaan jasa lainnya. Pemilik ranch di di Pare-pare Sulawesi Selatan dan Sumba, NTT ini juga menjadi penghubung utama para pedagang, petani dan pemerintah Indonesia dengan negara-negara di Timur Tengah. Organisasi Abubabar Aldjufri tak terbilang banyaknya, ia menjadi perintis beberapa asosiasi, antara lain menjadi ketua Pepehani, hampir sepanjang hayatnya, Ketua Indonesian Man Power Association (IMSA)-Perusahaan Pengerah tenaga Kerja Indonesia ke Luar Negeri- , Gabungan Penguisaha ekspor Indonesia (GPEI), Ketua Kamar Dagang Indonesia untuk Timur Tengah, Ketua Himpunan Kerukunan Tani Indonesia (HKTI), dan lain sebagainya. Karena aktifnya, beliau pernah memimpin delegasi petani Indonesia di Irak, dan akrab dengan Saddam Hussein.

Di Timur Tengah juga beliau pendukung aktif perjuangan kemerdekaan Palestina, dan dikenal dekat dengan pemimpin PLO, Yasser Arafat. Sayyid Abubakar Aldjufri juga pernah menjadi anggota Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat Daerah Surabaya pada tahun 1951. Di samping itu tidak melupakan tugas yang dikerjakan nenek moyangnya berdakwah untuk kaum papa di daerah Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT), ia tergabung dalam satuan ulama untuk daerah tersebut.

Ayah 15 orang anak ini meninggal di Jakarta pada 1996, di rumah isterinya Syarifah Fadilah binti Hasan bin Agil dan Zahra binti Abubakar Alhabsyi, putri Kebon Pala Tenabang. Sayyid Abubakar Aldjufri dikuburkan di Pemakaman Umum Karet, Jakarta Pusat.

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