Saturday, November 24, 2007
Matheos Viktor Messakh, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Indonesian karatekas have set a modest target of four gold medals at the 24th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, from Dec. 6-15.
Head coach Willem Mantiri is upbeat his athletes will reach the target despite the absence of veteran Umar Syarif -- who suffered a knee injury at the Asian Games in Doha last December.
Mantiri pointed to the good results by his karatekas at several tournaments, including the Students Championship in Vietnam last June where Indonesia won six gold, six silver and six bronze, and the Australian Open in July where Hendro Salim won the men's over 75 kilogram division.
Hendro, 19, will replace Umar at the SEA Games.
"He has fought in four international tournaments in the past 12 months and always brought home medals," said Mantiri on Friday during a final training session at the Bung Karno Sports Complex in Senayan, Central Jakarta.
Other gold medals are expected from Christo Mondolu (-75kg), who also won gold in Doha, and in the men's and women's kata team events.
The men's kata team is comprised of Ismail Aswar, Fidelys Lolobua and Faizal Zainuddin, while the women's team consists of Yuli Eka Yanti, Dewi Yulianti and Alit Tresna.
Mantiri, however, warned his fighters to remain vigilant of their rivals from Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam.
"We are really prepared for the SEA Games but we have to be careful with Malaysia because they are powerful in most of the categories," he said.
"While Vietnam proved their strength by winning five golds at the 2005 SEA Games."
"Thai fighters will have the advantage as the host and we have to be watchful because they can do anything to win the fight," he said.
Indonesia will send nine female and 11 male fighters to the SEA Games to compete in 17 events.
At the last SEA Games, two years ago, the national squad won five gold, five silver and four bronze, followed by Vietnam, Malaysia and host Philippines.
One afternoon, on a visit to his family, he had summoned up the courage to tell his father that he didn't want to become a priest. That he wanted to travel.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
RI insists on sending U-23 soccer team to SEA Games
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Matheos Viktor Messakh, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Indonesia says it will send a (men's) soccer team to the 24th Southeast (SEA) Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, despite Sunday's humbling 7-0 loss to Syria in their 2010 World Cup pre-qualifying match in Damascus.
"Don't judge them by that result. Look at their progress over the last three months," an executive with the national task force overseeing soccer, Wianto Soehardjo, told reporters Monday.
Wianto said the national under 23-year-old team, which will represent Indonesia next month at the SEA Games, showed their fighting spirit up until the final whistle.
"Despite the defeat, national coach Ivan Venkov Kolev made a brave decision with a shake-up in the middle of the match to try some new tactics," Wianto said.
With the defeat, Indonesia's hopes of making it to the next round of World Cup qualifying matches were dashed. It lost to Syria 4-1 earlier last week in Jakarta.
Despite the outcome, the national task force for the SEA Games still expects the squad to reach the finals next month at the biannual sporting event in Thailand.
Another official from the national task force in charge of soccer, Setia Dharma Madjid, said they would not drop the team from the Indonesian contingent for the SEA Games.
"The Damascus match was only a warm-up for the team ahead of the Games ... The team already met targets set by the task force," Setia said.
He refused to compare the soccer team to the women's national basketball team, who were taken off the Indonesian SEA games contingent following a poor performance at the Southeast Asia Basketball Association (SEABA) championship in Thailand last month. During the championship Indonesia finished fourth after Thailand, the Philippines and Malaysia, not reaching the finals as required by the task force.
At the Nakhon Ratchasima SEA Games, the U-23 soccer team led by skipper Eka Ramdani will play in group A, together with host Thailand, Myanmar and Cambodia. Indonesia will take on Cambodia on Dec. 2, Myanmar on Dec. 4 and Thailand on Dec. 7. The group leader and runner-up will advance to the semifinals.
"Our toughest rival in the group is Thailand, so if we can beat Vietnam and Myanmar we will reach the semifinal and then the final. This is the target set by the PSSI," Wianto said.
To gear up for the event, PSSI sent the U-23 team for a one-month overseas stint in Argentina which cost around Rp 2 billion.
Indonesia last won gold in soccer at the 16th SEA Games in Manila in 1991. At the most recent 2005 SEA Games, also in Manila, the team finished third.
Matheos Viktor Messakh, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Indonesia says it will send a (men's) soccer team to the 24th Southeast (SEA) Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, despite Sunday's humbling 7-0 loss to Syria in their 2010 World Cup pre-qualifying match in Damascus.
"Don't judge them by that result. Look at their progress over the last three months," an executive with the national task force overseeing soccer, Wianto Soehardjo, told reporters Monday.
Wianto said the national under 23-year-old team, which will represent Indonesia next month at the SEA Games, showed their fighting spirit up until the final whistle.
"Despite the defeat, national coach Ivan Venkov Kolev made a brave decision with a shake-up in the middle of the match to try some new tactics," Wianto said.
With the defeat, Indonesia's hopes of making it to the next round of World Cup qualifying matches were dashed. It lost to Syria 4-1 earlier last week in Jakarta.
Despite the outcome, the national task force for the SEA Games still expects the squad to reach the finals next month at the biannual sporting event in Thailand.
Another official from the national task force in charge of soccer, Setia Dharma Madjid, said they would not drop the team from the Indonesian contingent for the SEA Games.
"The Damascus match was only a warm-up for the team ahead of the Games ... The team already met targets set by the task force," Setia said.
He refused to compare the soccer team to the women's national basketball team, who were taken off the Indonesian SEA games contingent following a poor performance at the Southeast Asia Basketball Association (SEABA) championship in Thailand last month. During the championship Indonesia finished fourth after Thailand, the Philippines and Malaysia, not reaching the finals as required by the task force.
At the Nakhon Ratchasima SEA Games, the U-23 soccer team led by skipper Eka Ramdani will play in group A, together with host Thailand, Myanmar and Cambodia. Indonesia will take on Cambodia on Dec. 2, Myanmar on Dec. 4 and Thailand on Dec. 7. The group leader and runner-up will advance to the semifinals.
"Our toughest rival in the group is Thailand, so if we can beat Vietnam and Myanmar we will reach the semifinal and then the final. This is the target set by the PSSI," Wianto said.
To gear up for the event, PSSI sent the U-23 team for a one-month overseas stint in Argentina which cost around Rp 2 billion.
Indonesia last won gold in soccer at the 16th SEA Games in Manila in 1991. At the most recent 2005 SEA Games, also in Manila, the team finished third.
Court told to drop Sports Law article
Matheos Viktor Messakh, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
A lawmaker and a governor have asked the Constitutional Court to review and annul an article of the Sports Law deemed contradictory to the spirit of the 1945 Constitution.
Head of Commission E on Welfare affairs at the East Java Legislative Council Saleh Ismail Mukadar and South Sumatra Governor Syahrial Oesman on Tuesday filed a lawsuit against the 2005 Law on the National Sports System.
They argued article 40 of the law contradicted Constitutional article 27 and 28. The law's article stipulates that public officials are prohibited from holding management seats on provincial or municipality sports councils.
Saleh, who is also chairman of the Surabaya Sports Council, and Syahrial, chairman of the South Sumatra Sports Council, argued the article had denied them the right to contribute to sports development in the country.
"The article has nullified the right of public officials to support sports development in the country. If a governor, mayor or regent serves their local sports council, the council will receive valuable support in terms of funding," Syahrial's lawyer, Umbu Samapaty, told the court.
The plaintiffs also questioned why the restriction only applied to double positions in local sports councils but not to sports organizations.
"We totally agree that the government should not interfere with sports development and should let the professionals do their jobs. But why does such a prohibition only apply to the sports council and not to individual sports disciplines?" Umbu said.
Saleh's lawyer, Muhammad Soleh, said the article had violated the rights of public officials in East Java, who had been denied the right to take part in helping develop the country's sports.
In response to the accusations, State Minister for Youth and Sports Affairs Adhyaksa Dault, who represented the government in court, argued public officials with dual functions on sports councils would not "focus" on sports development and would create "a conflict of interests".
"If they want to contribute to sports, they can do it through various means. They could help manage sports organizations or provide funding for sports.
"Those who challenge the regulation are those who have enjoyed the comfort zone with their current positions and who are trying to pursue more comfort in other positions," Adhyaksa said.
The minister was accompanied by around 20 staff members, who defended the government position in the case, prompting the comment from the president of the constitutional court, Jimly Asshiddiqie: "Moving the office to the court".
Lawyer for the House of Representatives, Akil Muchtar, supported the government's argument, saying double positions would create opportunities for public officers to abuse their power, as occurred during the New Order regime.
"It will be confusing if a governor, mayor or regent who determines the local (provincial/municipality) budget also receives some of the same budget," Akil told the court.
After more than two hours, the hearing -- presided over by justices Jimly Asshiddiqie, I Dewa Gede Palguna, HAS Natabaya, Laica Marzuki, Achmad Roestandi, Mukthie Fadjar, Maruarar Siahaan, Harjono and Soedarsono -- was adjourned indefinitely and will resume with testimonies from experts and witnesses.
The plaintiffs said they would call on experts to testify, including member of the national human rights commission Hesti Armi Wulan.
A lawmaker and a governor have asked the Constitutional Court to review and annul an article of the Sports Law deemed contradictory to the spirit of the 1945 Constitution.
Head of Commission E on Welfare affairs at the East Java Legislative Council Saleh Ismail Mukadar and South Sumatra Governor Syahrial Oesman on Tuesday filed a lawsuit against the 2005 Law on the National Sports System.
They argued article 40 of the law contradicted Constitutional article 27 and 28. The law's article stipulates that public officials are prohibited from holding management seats on provincial or municipality sports councils.
Saleh, who is also chairman of the Surabaya Sports Council, and Syahrial, chairman of the South Sumatra Sports Council, argued the article had denied them the right to contribute to sports development in the country.
"The article has nullified the right of public officials to support sports development in the country. If a governor, mayor or regent serves their local sports council, the council will receive valuable support in terms of funding," Syahrial's lawyer, Umbu Samapaty, told the court.
The plaintiffs also questioned why the restriction only applied to double positions in local sports councils but not to sports organizations.
"We totally agree that the government should not interfere with sports development and should let the professionals do their jobs. But why does such a prohibition only apply to the sports council and not to individual sports disciplines?" Umbu said.
Saleh's lawyer, Muhammad Soleh, said the article had violated the rights of public officials in East Java, who had been denied the right to take part in helping develop the country's sports.
In response to the accusations, State Minister for Youth and Sports Affairs Adhyaksa Dault, who represented the government in court, argued public officials with dual functions on sports councils would not "focus" on sports development and would create "a conflict of interests".
"If they want to contribute to sports, they can do it through various means. They could help manage sports organizations or provide funding for sports.
"Those who challenge the regulation are those who have enjoyed the comfort zone with their current positions and who are trying to pursue more comfort in other positions," Adhyaksa said.
The minister was accompanied by around 20 staff members, who defended the government position in the case, prompting the comment from the president of the constitutional court, Jimly Asshiddiqie: "Moving the office to the court".
Lawyer for the House of Representatives, Akil Muchtar, supported the government's argument, saying double positions would create opportunities for public officers to abuse their power, as occurred during the New Order regime.
"It will be confusing if a governor, mayor or regent who determines the local (provincial/municipality) budget also receives some of the same budget," Akil told the court.
After more than two hours, the hearing -- presided over by justices Jimly Asshiddiqie, I Dewa Gede Palguna, HAS Natabaya, Laica Marzuki, Achmad Roestandi, Mukthie Fadjar, Maruarar Siahaan, Harjono and Soedarsono -- was adjourned indefinitely and will resume with testimonies from experts and witnesses.
The plaintiffs said they would call on experts to testify, including member of the national human rights commission Hesti Armi Wulan.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Surat dari Negeri Kincir Angin tentang lagu 'Hidup di Bui' dan 'Genjer-genjer'
Hersri Setiawan
DUA lagu itu, "Hidup di Bui" dan "Genjer-Genjer" mengalami nasib yang sama. Diperkosa dan dikorup. Itu sebabnya, maka saya merasa terpanggil untuk ikut "memberikan kesaksian" tentangnya. Kepada Samin di Jakarta dan Anwar Pr di Aachen saya mengucapkan terimakasih, untuk masukan data dan pengiriman kaset lagu "Hidup di Bui". Maka Surat Negri Kincir bagian pertama ini saya tulis khususnya buat mereka berdua.
Adapun tentang "Genjer-Genjer" lebih khusus saya tujukan pada beberapa sobat, yang belum lama ini mengangkat soal sekitar lagu ini. Mereka itu ialah Samiadji dan Umar Said, dua-duanya dari Paris, dan Aini Patria, yang mungkin dari Semarang atau entah dari mana. Dengan sendiri juga pada para pembaca tulisan sobat-sobat tersebut, baik yang liwat internet maupun yang liwat media cetak "Suara Merdeka" Semarang, "korannya Pak Hetami", di mana "dahulu kala" saya pernah magang. Tapi selain itu secara khusus juga buat sobat baik saya dari pinggir Bengawan Rhein di Belanda, yang pertama kali melempar umpan pada saya tentang "Genjer-Genjer" ini. Sobat baik itu Robert Nio alias Mang Ucup Maranatha yang, sayang sekali, konon berkeputusan mau lengser sebagai kolumnis spiritual urakan pers-internet yang luas cakupan temanya dan yang sangat produktif karyanya.
Mari kita mulai, dengan lebih dulu membicarakan lagu "Hidup di Bui".
Hidup Di Bui
untuk Samin dan Anwar Pr
Bulan Maret 2000 yang lalu, melalui jaringan internet SiaR, saya menerima sambutan dari Samin atas tulisan saya tentang lagu ini, yang telah diorbitkan oleh jarnet yang sama beberapa waktu sebelumnya.
Sambutan itu berisi masukan yang informatif dan penting, yaitu: pertama, bahwa lagu yang saya sebut menjadi "tophit" para tahanan itu ternyata juga terkenal luas di luar tahanan, dan dikenal sebagai "lagunya" band D'Lloyd; kedua, bahwa karenanya dalam tahun awal 70-an lagu ini sempat dilarang oleh Kopkamtib; ketiga, bahwa penyanyi lagu itu adalah vokalis band "D'Lloyd" bernama Sjamsudin; dan keempat, bahwa lagu itu kini (akhir 90-an alias akhir abad) direkam ulang di Indonesia dan konon kaset rekamannya terjual laris.
Sebelum saya meneruskan surat ini, barangkali ada baiknya saya tulis sekali lagi syair lagu itu.
Hidup di bui bagaikan burung
Bangun pagi makan nasi jagung
Tidur di ubin pikiran bingung
Apadaya badanku terkurung
Terompet pagi harus bangun
Makan diantri nasinya jagung
Mau merokok rokoknya puntung
Mau mandi tidak ada sabun
Oh kawan dengar lagu ini
Hidup di bui menyiksa diri
Jangan sampai kawan mengalami
Badan hidup terasa mati
Apalagi penjara Tangerang
Masuk gemuk pulang
tinggal pulang
Karena kerja secara paksa
Tua muda turun ke sawah.
Cobalah, silakan baca dengan cermat syair lagu di atas. Kata-kata apa yang membikin Kopkamtib menjadi ketakutan, sehingga merasa perlu melarangnya? Seandainya berita tentang peri kehidupan penjara -- apalagi penjara Tangerang -- yang serba kesrakat tidak beredar dalam tahun 70-an, barangkali tidak akan lagu itu ditindak dan ditindas. Tahun 70-an ada dalam rentang waktu 1965-1979, ketika penjara Salemba dan Tangerang bukan rumah penjara biasa, dalam arti tempat "pesakitan" kriminal dipenjarakan. Ketika itu penjara Salemba dan Tangerang merupakan "Rumah Tahanan Khusus" atau disingkat (dalam ejaan saat itu) "RTC". Mendapat nama resmi demikian, dengan sebutan "khusus", karena yang dipenjarakan di Rumah Tahanan itu ialah para "pesakitan" khusus, yaitu pesakitan politik bin G30S bin PKI!
Padahal bukan mereka yang di dalam Rumah Tahanan itu yang pesakitan. Tapi para petinggi Kopkamtib khususnya, dan penggede Orba umumnya itulah yang pesakitan berat. Yaitu oleh penyakit yang oleh Bung Karno (sejak tahun 20-an) disebut sebagai "komunisto fobi", dan yang saking parahnya membuat si penderita menjadi mengidap sejenis penyakit jiwa yang disebut angst psychose. Mereka itu menjadi kalang kabut. "Hidup di Bui" lalu hendak dimitoskan -- karena mereka memang lahir dan tumbuh dari mitos ke mitos, dari sejak "G30S-PKI", Pancasila Sakti, Supersemar, Bapak Pembangunan dan seribu satu mitos lainnya. "Hidup di Bui" hendak ditiup menjadi Hantu G30S-PKI yang bergentayangan di udara Orde Baru, dan para kaula negri diperintahkannya agar ikut gentar bersama mereka!
Jadi jelas sekali, "Hidup di Bui" dilarang karena Kopkamtib gentar terbayang pada curriculum vitae lagu D'Lloyd yang berhasil memasyarakat itu. Apa dan siapakah D'Lloyd yang punya band dan vokalis menggentarkan itu?
Lloyd dahulu nama organisasi besar, mengikuti nama pendirinya Edward Lloyd (1643-1713), para petugas asuransi di London, yang mempunyai agen-agennya di seluruh dunia. Kemudian Lloyd juga menjadi nama perusahaan perkapalan dan pelayaran. "D'Lloyd" dalam konteks tulisan ini, tidak ayal lagi, pastilah perusahaan pelayaran dan perkapalan "Djakarta Lloyd", yang salah satu kantornya terletak di Jalan Raden Saleh Jakarta Pusat di bilangan Cikini. Perusahaan asing ini telah menjadi milik RI sejak "jaman aksi ambil alih" perusahaan-perusahaan asing di awal tahun 50-an.
Melalui SBPP (Serikat Buruh Pelayaran dan Perkapalan), PKI menanamkan pengaruhnya yang kuat di perusahaan vital, yang bergerak di bidang kelautan ini. Tidak terlalu salah kiranya, jika saya katakan, bahwa pada saat itu Djakarya Lloyd merupakan salah satu basis penting PKI di kalangan buruh laut dan kapal. Maka tidak aneh jika sesudah Peristiwa G30S, banyak dari buruh Djakarta Lloyd, baik yang dari tingkat masa maupun tingkat pimpinan, saya jumpai sebagai sesama tapol di RTC Salemba,Tangerang, bahkan sampai di Buru.
Karena itu menjadi tidak aneh, apabila satu kali "Hidup di Bui" mendapat kesempatan menyelinap keluar dari Rumah Tahanan, maka di luar sana ia pun segera dibukakan pintu oleh keluarga Band "D'Lloyd".
Sementara itu, jika demam kegentaran Kopkamtib menjadi makin tinggi, juga bisa dimengerti dengan mudah. "Hidup di Bui" ialah nama salah satu jenis Hantu Komunis. Lahan di tempat ia kemudian inkubasi pun bekas Sarang Gestapu! Saya lalu teringat kata-kata almarhum Prof. Wertheim. Mengusut fakta dan kejadian sekitar Peristiwa G30S, katanya suatu ketika, mirip seperti mengusut cerita detektif. Rupanya memang harus begitu. Karena G30S/PKI adalah satu mitos, yang dibangun melalui manuver-manuver terorisme ala bandit.
Sesungguhnya ucapan terimakasih dan ungkapan rasa hormat perlu disampaikan pada Band "D'Lloyd" dan vokalis Syamsudin, yang telah berani menyanyikan lagu Hantu Komunis Kopkamtib: "Hidup di Bui". Baik Band "D'Lloyd" maupun Syamsudin tidak pernah mengumumkan siapa pengarang lagu itu, tapi sementara itu pun tidak pernah mereka mendaku (meng-klaim) lagu itu sebagai buah ciptaan mereka. Mereka berani mengambil resiko, sekaligus menunjukkan akhlak mereka yang tidak korup. Itu sama sekali berbeda dari apa yang akan saya ceritakan di bawah ini.
Pada awal tulisan sudah saya sebut, masukan Samin juga mengatakan: bahwa, "Hidup di Bui" akhir-akhir ini telah direkam ulang; dan bahwa, kaset rekaman ulang itu laris di pasaran kaset ibukota. Kemudian belum lama ini, dari sobat di Aachen Anwar Pr, saya menerima kiriman kopi kaset yang berisi lagu itu (tengkyu, Mas!). Pada label aseli kaset ini terbaca sebagai diproduksi oleh PT Surya Panorama Sakti, Risky Record tahun 1999; sedang pencipta lagu dicantumkannya seorang bernama Bartje van Houten (sic!). Seorang komponis Belanda, jika kita melihat namanya. Di samping itu juga terdapat sedikit perbedaan pada syair lagu.
Mungkin perbedaan itu timbul dari pengubahan yang disengaja, sebagai cara untuk menyelubungi tindakannya yang korup itu. Perubahan yang seakan kecil dan sedikit, tapi sangat besar dan banyak keganjilan-keganjilan yang ditimbulkannya -- nota bene timbul dari kebodohan si produser sendiri.
Perbedaan syair "Bartje van Houten" terdapat pada baris ke-3 dan ke-4 dari bait kedua, yaitu sekedar mengulang baris-baris yang sama dari bait pertama, sehingga bait itu menjadi berbunyi (perhatikan sanjak akhir tiap-tiap baris):
Terompet pagi kita harus bangun [un]
Makan diantri nasinya jagung [ung]
Tidur di ubin pikiran bingung [ung]
Apa daya badan terkurung [ung].
Bandingkanlah dengan syair aseli dari komponis anonim:
Terompet pagi kita harus bangun [un]
Makan diantri nasinya jagung [ung]
Mau merokok rokoknya puntung [ung]
Mau mandi tidak ada sabun [un].
Perubahan kecil tapi sangat besar, yang sekaligus mencerminkan watak pengubahnya yang pengecut selain korup, terdapat pada baris ke-1 bait terakhir. Jadi, bait terakhir syair Bartje van Houten, perhatikan, berbunyi:
Apalagi penjara jaman perang
Masuk gemuk ... dst.
Bandingkan dengan syair komponis anonim:
Apalagi penjara Tangerang
Masuk gemuk ... dst.
Hai Meneer Bartje! Mengapa jij takut sama kata "Tangerang", sehingga perlu diganti menjadi "jaman perang"? Jaman perang kapan itu? "Jaman Bersiap" atau "Jaman Soekarno", jij punya maksud? Pernahkah di jaman-jaman itu orang-orang Nica dan Belanda, yang ditahan Pemuda dan Republik, dikasih umpan ransum nasi jagung yang harus diantri? Pernahkah di jaman-jaman itu, jaman perang itu (sic!), tahanan tua-muda disuruh kerja paksa turun ke sawah?
Tuan Bartje! Ketahuilah. Tidak ada tahanan di penjara mana pun di Indonesia dan di jaman apa pun, entah bangsa apa saja mereka itu, yang disuruh kerja paksa menggarap sawah. Selain pada satu kurun jaman, yaitu Jaman Orde Baru. Itu pun hanya terhadap tahanan politik G30S/PKI.
Karena mereka menjadi tahanan, tetapi harus menghidupi diri sendiri dan bahkan menjadi sapi perahan para penahannya. Karena itulah, maka Kodam V Jaya Jakarta Raya membuka proyek pertanian di Cikokol, yang mempekerjakan tenaga tapol sebagai pekerja rodi.
Kembali pada lagu "Hidup di Bui". Saya ingin menggunakan kesempatan ini untuk menyeru pada teman-teman pemusik, yang pernah bertahun-tahun menghuni RTC Salemba dan Tangerang. Mereka itu, antara lain Martin Lapanguli, M. Karatem, Suripto, (sayang Nurjaslan sudah beberapa waktu lalu meninggal), Pardede ... Bicaralah! Siapa sebenarnya penggubah lagu tophit penjara Orba ini?***
DUA lagu itu, "Hidup di Bui" dan "Genjer-Genjer" mengalami nasib yang sama. Diperkosa dan dikorup. Itu sebabnya, maka saya merasa terpanggil untuk ikut "memberikan kesaksian" tentangnya. Kepada Samin di Jakarta dan Anwar Pr di Aachen saya mengucapkan terimakasih, untuk masukan data dan pengiriman kaset lagu "Hidup di Bui". Maka Surat Negri Kincir bagian pertama ini saya tulis khususnya buat mereka berdua.
Adapun tentang "Genjer-Genjer" lebih khusus saya tujukan pada beberapa sobat, yang belum lama ini mengangkat soal sekitar lagu ini. Mereka itu ialah Samiadji dan Umar Said, dua-duanya dari Paris, dan Aini Patria, yang mungkin dari Semarang atau entah dari mana. Dengan sendiri juga pada para pembaca tulisan sobat-sobat tersebut, baik yang liwat internet maupun yang liwat media cetak "Suara Merdeka" Semarang, "korannya Pak Hetami", di mana "dahulu kala" saya pernah magang. Tapi selain itu secara khusus juga buat sobat baik saya dari pinggir Bengawan Rhein di Belanda, yang pertama kali melempar umpan pada saya tentang "Genjer-Genjer" ini. Sobat baik itu Robert Nio alias Mang Ucup Maranatha yang, sayang sekali, konon berkeputusan mau lengser sebagai kolumnis spiritual urakan pers-internet yang luas cakupan temanya dan yang sangat produktif karyanya.
Mari kita mulai, dengan lebih dulu membicarakan lagu "Hidup di Bui".
Hidup Di Bui
untuk Samin dan Anwar Pr
Bulan Maret 2000 yang lalu, melalui jaringan internet SiaR, saya menerima sambutan dari Samin atas tulisan saya tentang lagu ini, yang telah diorbitkan oleh jarnet yang sama beberapa waktu sebelumnya.
Sambutan itu berisi masukan yang informatif dan penting, yaitu: pertama, bahwa lagu yang saya sebut menjadi "tophit" para tahanan itu ternyata juga terkenal luas di luar tahanan, dan dikenal sebagai "lagunya" band D'Lloyd; kedua, bahwa karenanya dalam tahun awal 70-an lagu ini sempat dilarang oleh Kopkamtib; ketiga, bahwa penyanyi lagu itu adalah vokalis band "D'Lloyd" bernama Sjamsudin; dan keempat, bahwa lagu itu kini (akhir 90-an alias akhir abad) direkam ulang di Indonesia dan konon kaset rekamannya terjual laris.
Sebelum saya meneruskan surat ini, barangkali ada baiknya saya tulis sekali lagi syair lagu itu.
Hidup di bui bagaikan burung
Bangun pagi makan nasi jagung
Tidur di ubin pikiran bingung
Apadaya badanku terkurung
Terompet pagi harus bangun
Makan diantri nasinya jagung
Mau merokok rokoknya puntung
Mau mandi tidak ada sabun
Oh kawan dengar lagu ini
Hidup di bui menyiksa diri
Jangan sampai kawan mengalami
Badan hidup terasa mati
Apalagi penjara Tangerang
Masuk gemuk pulang
tinggal pulang
Karena kerja secara paksa
Tua muda turun ke sawah.
Cobalah, silakan baca dengan cermat syair lagu di atas. Kata-kata apa yang membikin Kopkamtib menjadi ketakutan, sehingga merasa perlu melarangnya? Seandainya berita tentang peri kehidupan penjara -- apalagi penjara Tangerang -- yang serba kesrakat tidak beredar dalam tahun 70-an, barangkali tidak akan lagu itu ditindak dan ditindas. Tahun 70-an ada dalam rentang waktu 1965-1979, ketika penjara Salemba dan Tangerang bukan rumah penjara biasa, dalam arti tempat "pesakitan" kriminal dipenjarakan. Ketika itu penjara Salemba dan Tangerang merupakan "Rumah Tahanan Khusus" atau disingkat (dalam ejaan saat itu) "RTC". Mendapat nama resmi demikian, dengan sebutan "khusus", karena yang dipenjarakan di Rumah Tahanan itu ialah para "pesakitan" khusus, yaitu pesakitan politik bin G30S bin PKI!
Padahal bukan mereka yang di dalam Rumah Tahanan itu yang pesakitan. Tapi para petinggi Kopkamtib khususnya, dan penggede Orba umumnya itulah yang pesakitan berat. Yaitu oleh penyakit yang oleh Bung Karno (sejak tahun 20-an) disebut sebagai "komunisto fobi", dan yang saking parahnya membuat si penderita menjadi mengidap sejenis penyakit jiwa yang disebut angst psychose. Mereka itu menjadi kalang kabut. "Hidup di Bui" lalu hendak dimitoskan -- karena mereka memang lahir dan tumbuh dari mitos ke mitos, dari sejak "G30S-PKI", Pancasila Sakti, Supersemar, Bapak Pembangunan dan seribu satu mitos lainnya. "Hidup di Bui" hendak ditiup menjadi Hantu G30S-PKI yang bergentayangan di udara Orde Baru, dan para kaula negri diperintahkannya agar ikut gentar bersama mereka!
Jadi jelas sekali, "Hidup di Bui" dilarang karena Kopkamtib gentar terbayang pada curriculum vitae lagu D'Lloyd yang berhasil memasyarakat itu. Apa dan siapakah D'Lloyd yang punya band dan vokalis menggentarkan itu?
Lloyd dahulu nama organisasi besar, mengikuti nama pendirinya Edward Lloyd (1643-1713), para petugas asuransi di London, yang mempunyai agen-agennya di seluruh dunia. Kemudian Lloyd juga menjadi nama perusahaan perkapalan dan pelayaran. "D'Lloyd" dalam konteks tulisan ini, tidak ayal lagi, pastilah perusahaan pelayaran dan perkapalan "Djakarta Lloyd", yang salah satu kantornya terletak di Jalan Raden Saleh Jakarta Pusat di bilangan Cikini. Perusahaan asing ini telah menjadi milik RI sejak "jaman aksi ambil alih" perusahaan-perusahaan asing di awal tahun 50-an.
Melalui SBPP (Serikat Buruh Pelayaran dan Perkapalan), PKI menanamkan pengaruhnya yang kuat di perusahaan vital, yang bergerak di bidang kelautan ini. Tidak terlalu salah kiranya, jika saya katakan, bahwa pada saat itu Djakarya Lloyd merupakan salah satu basis penting PKI di kalangan buruh laut dan kapal. Maka tidak aneh jika sesudah Peristiwa G30S, banyak dari buruh Djakarta Lloyd, baik yang dari tingkat masa maupun tingkat pimpinan, saya jumpai sebagai sesama tapol di RTC Salemba,Tangerang, bahkan sampai di Buru.
Karena itu menjadi tidak aneh, apabila satu kali "Hidup di Bui" mendapat kesempatan menyelinap keluar dari Rumah Tahanan, maka di luar sana ia pun segera dibukakan pintu oleh keluarga Band "D'Lloyd".
Sementara itu, jika demam kegentaran Kopkamtib menjadi makin tinggi, juga bisa dimengerti dengan mudah. "Hidup di Bui" ialah nama salah satu jenis Hantu Komunis. Lahan di tempat ia kemudian inkubasi pun bekas Sarang Gestapu! Saya lalu teringat kata-kata almarhum Prof. Wertheim. Mengusut fakta dan kejadian sekitar Peristiwa G30S, katanya suatu ketika, mirip seperti mengusut cerita detektif. Rupanya memang harus begitu. Karena G30S/PKI adalah satu mitos, yang dibangun melalui manuver-manuver terorisme ala bandit.
Sesungguhnya ucapan terimakasih dan ungkapan rasa hormat perlu disampaikan pada Band "D'Lloyd" dan vokalis Syamsudin, yang telah berani menyanyikan lagu Hantu Komunis Kopkamtib: "Hidup di Bui". Baik Band "D'Lloyd" maupun Syamsudin tidak pernah mengumumkan siapa pengarang lagu itu, tapi sementara itu pun tidak pernah mereka mendaku (meng-klaim) lagu itu sebagai buah ciptaan mereka. Mereka berani mengambil resiko, sekaligus menunjukkan akhlak mereka yang tidak korup. Itu sama sekali berbeda dari apa yang akan saya ceritakan di bawah ini.
Pada awal tulisan sudah saya sebut, masukan Samin juga mengatakan: bahwa, "Hidup di Bui" akhir-akhir ini telah direkam ulang; dan bahwa, kaset rekaman ulang itu laris di pasaran kaset ibukota. Kemudian belum lama ini, dari sobat di Aachen Anwar Pr, saya menerima kiriman kopi kaset yang berisi lagu itu (tengkyu, Mas!). Pada label aseli kaset ini terbaca sebagai diproduksi oleh PT Surya Panorama Sakti, Risky Record tahun 1999; sedang pencipta lagu dicantumkannya seorang bernama Bartje van Houten (sic!). Seorang komponis Belanda, jika kita melihat namanya. Di samping itu juga terdapat sedikit perbedaan pada syair lagu.
Mungkin perbedaan itu timbul dari pengubahan yang disengaja, sebagai cara untuk menyelubungi tindakannya yang korup itu. Perubahan yang seakan kecil dan sedikit, tapi sangat besar dan banyak keganjilan-keganjilan yang ditimbulkannya -- nota bene timbul dari kebodohan si produser sendiri.
Perbedaan syair "Bartje van Houten" terdapat pada baris ke-3 dan ke-4 dari bait kedua, yaitu sekedar mengulang baris-baris yang sama dari bait pertama, sehingga bait itu menjadi berbunyi (perhatikan sanjak akhir tiap-tiap baris):
Terompet pagi kita harus bangun [un]
Makan diantri nasinya jagung [ung]
Tidur di ubin pikiran bingung [ung]
Apa daya badan terkurung [ung].
Bandingkanlah dengan syair aseli dari komponis anonim:
Terompet pagi kita harus bangun [un]
Makan diantri nasinya jagung [ung]
Mau merokok rokoknya puntung [ung]
Mau mandi tidak ada sabun [un].
Perubahan kecil tapi sangat besar, yang sekaligus mencerminkan watak pengubahnya yang pengecut selain korup, terdapat pada baris ke-1 bait terakhir. Jadi, bait terakhir syair Bartje van Houten, perhatikan, berbunyi:
Apalagi penjara jaman perang
Masuk gemuk ... dst.
Bandingkan dengan syair komponis anonim:
Apalagi penjara Tangerang
Masuk gemuk ... dst.
Hai Meneer Bartje! Mengapa jij takut sama kata "Tangerang", sehingga perlu diganti menjadi "jaman perang"? Jaman perang kapan itu? "Jaman Bersiap" atau "Jaman Soekarno", jij punya maksud? Pernahkah di jaman-jaman itu orang-orang Nica dan Belanda, yang ditahan Pemuda dan Republik, dikasih umpan ransum nasi jagung yang harus diantri? Pernahkah di jaman-jaman itu, jaman perang itu (sic!), tahanan tua-muda disuruh kerja paksa turun ke sawah?
Tuan Bartje! Ketahuilah. Tidak ada tahanan di penjara mana pun di Indonesia dan di jaman apa pun, entah bangsa apa saja mereka itu, yang disuruh kerja paksa menggarap sawah. Selain pada satu kurun jaman, yaitu Jaman Orde Baru. Itu pun hanya terhadap tahanan politik G30S/PKI.
Karena mereka menjadi tahanan, tetapi harus menghidupi diri sendiri dan bahkan menjadi sapi perahan para penahannya. Karena itulah, maka Kodam V Jaya Jakarta Raya membuka proyek pertanian di Cikokol, yang mempekerjakan tenaga tapol sebagai pekerja rodi.
Kembali pada lagu "Hidup di Bui". Saya ingin menggunakan kesempatan ini untuk menyeru pada teman-teman pemusik, yang pernah bertahun-tahun menghuni RTC Salemba dan Tangerang. Mereka itu, antara lain Martin Lapanguli, M. Karatem, Suripto, (sayang Nurjaslan sudah beberapa waktu lalu meninggal), Pardede ... Bicaralah! Siapa sebenarnya penggubah lagu tophit penjara Orba ini?***
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
‘It’s very, very alarming. It’s a warning signal.’ (Michel Jarraud, Secretary-general of the World Meteorological Organization)
As six months of winter darkness descend over the top of the world, temperatures are falling and the Arctic Ocean is again freezing. But the damage has been done. The National Snow and Ice Data Center reports that just 1.65 million sq. mi. (about 4.3 million sq km) of Arctic sea ice survived the summer’s annual melt. That’s the smallest amount left over after September since scientists began keeping records. And they estimated the Arctic ice may have shrunk by half since the 1950s. Worse, the melt is accelerating. The Arctic may be ice-free by the summer of 2030, far earlier than previous predictions. Though melting sea ice doesn’t cause oceans to rise, it can speed global warming by exposing more dark water to sunlight. The machinery of the Arctic climate is mysterious, but this much seems clear: what begins in the north will eventually touch all of us.
By Bryan Walsh.
By Bryan Walsh.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Change the world 9 to five: # 1. Avoid Waste
"If each one of the UK's ten million office workers used one less staple a day, 120 tonnes of steel would be saved every year"(Leo Hickman's A Good Life)
OK, this sounds like a boring, worthy bit of advice.
And maybe it is.
Someone has calculated that if everyone in UK offices saved one staple a day, that would be 120 tonnes of metal saved a year.
As the old blues song nearly had it, '120 tonnes and what do you get?
Another day older and deeper in debt.'
I can't take staples very seriously, to be honest. But the person who worked out that calculation takes all this stuff very seriously.
And if they've gone to all that trouble, the least you can do is think about it.
I mean, look at this staplefree stapled page. It's pretty cool, isn't it?
FYI: This page has been stapled with a Stapless Stapler available to buy from our shop.
Iniuriarum remedium est oblivio
LUPA adalah jalan terbaik yang ditempuh banyak manusia dalam sejumlah peradaban untuk menyembuhkan masalah, sakit, luka, kesalahan, noda, duka, ketidakdilan yang tak terselesaikan.
Manusia datang dan pergi, peradaban timbul dan tenggelam, tetapi masalah manusia tetap sama: bagaimana menerima dan memelihara kehidupan. Dalam merawat kehidupan itulah luka dan ketidakadilan sering timbul.
Alam mengajar kita bahwa satu-satunya jalan adalah menyembuhkan atau menyelesaikan masalah-masalah dan ketidakadilan itu, tapi kenyataan sering berkata lain. Tidak semua yang melukai suka menyembuhkan, demikian juga yang terluka seringkali tak gampang disembuhkan.
Luka atau ketidakadilan sosial pun demikian adanya. Tak semua mekanisme sosial sanggup menyembuhkan sebuah luka secara sungguh. Banyak yang hanya memamerkan simbolisme tanpa makna, tanpa menyentuh akar persoalan. Yang melukai tetap tak merasa bersalah (walaupun mengaku salah secar verbal), yang terluka tentu saja tak akan sembuh dengan sebuah pengakuan, hukuman kurungan atau bahkan pengorbanan nyawa sekalipun.
Lalu orang berusaha melupa seiring waktu. Time will heal, kata peribahasa Inggris.
Satu masalah ramai dibicarakan orang, ramai dipublikasikan di media massa, beberapa hari kemudian tenggelam tak berbekas. "Media massa punya logika dan mekanisme sendiri yang tak mungkin melayani suatu isu secara terus-menerus", kata para pemilik dan pengelola media.
Suatu isu muncul menutup isu yang lain, seakan hilang tak berbekas. Hari ini korupsi, besok kerusakan lingkungan, lusa pembunuhan politik, berikutnya penggusuran dst..dst.. Sayangnya, seringkali kita lupa bahwa masalah yang sama telah terjadi sebelumnya. Tidak ada yang baru di bawah matahari, kata sang Pengkhotbah. Kasus boleh berbeda tapi pola adalah pengulangan dari masa ke masa.
Lalu kita lupa lagi dan lagi, untuk memberi kesempatan kepada kejadian yang serupa. Seneca pernah bilang mereka yang tidak mau belajar dari sejarah akan DIHUKUM untuk mengulangi sejarah itu.
Judul tulisan di atas adalah peribahasa latin yang berarti: "Lupa adalah penawar ketidakadilan-ketidakadilan". Ya, seringkali manusia menemukan penyelesaian atas ketidakadilan yang tak terselesaikan di dalam lupa. Mirip upaya orang tua yang mengalihkan perhatian anak dari kesakitan yang dialami, dalam budaya tertentu. Tetapi seiring sang anak beranjak dewasa trik masa kanak-kanak itu tidak akan mempan lagi. Sayangnya, tingkat perkembangan masyarakat kita seringkali hanya selevel perkembangan anak-anak.
Kita sangat suka dibohongi bahwa "everything gonna be ok", padahal kita ngak ok. Kita diajari untuk melupakan segala macam ketidakadilan dan sakit yang kita lihat dan alami. Kita tidak diajar untuk menyelesaikan atau menyembuhkan tapi melupakan.
Tapi sekanak-kanaknya psikologi kemasyarakatan kita, kadang naral dan logika kedewasaan kita berontak juga. Maka muncullah amok dan kekerasan di mana-mana. Sayangnya amok-amok itupun seringkali salah arah dan sasaran. Maka sakit dan luka baru muncul bertumpuk-tumpuk. Yang pasti, selalu ada obat untuk semua itu: LUPAKAN SAJA..
Manusia datang dan pergi, peradaban timbul dan tenggelam, tetapi masalah manusia tetap sama: bagaimana menerima dan memelihara kehidupan. Dalam merawat kehidupan itulah luka dan ketidakadilan sering timbul.
Alam mengajar kita bahwa satu-satunya jalan adalah menyembuhkan atau menyelesaikan masalah-masalah dan ketidakadilan itu, tapi kenyataan sering berkata lain. Tidak semua yang melukai suka menyembuhkan, demikian juga yang terluka seringkali tak gampang disembuhkan.
Luka atau ketidakadilan sosial pun demikian adanya. Tak semua mekanisme sosial sanggup menyembuhkan sebuah luka secara sungguh. Banyak yang hanya memamerkan simbolisme tanpa makna, tanpa menyentuh akar persoalan. Yang melukai tetap tak merasa bersalah (walaupun mengaku salah secar verbal), yang terluka tentu saja tak akan sembuh dengan sebuah pengakuan, hukuman kurungan atau bahkan pengorbanan nyawa sekalipun.
Lalu orang berusaha melupa seiring waktu. Time will heal, kata peribahasa Inggris.
Satu masalah ramai dibicarakan orang, ramai dipublikasikan di media massa, beberapa hari kemudian tenggelam tak berbekas. "Media massa punya logika dan mekanisme sendiri yang tak mungkin melayani suatu isu secara terus-menerus", kata para pemilik dan pengelola media.
Suatu isu muncul menutup isu yang lain, seakan hilang tak berbekas. Hari ini korupsi, besok kerusakan lingkungan, lusa pembunuhan politik, berikutnya penggusuran dst..dst.. Sayangnya, seringkali kita lupa bahwa masalah yang sama telah terjadi sebelumnya. Tidak ada yang baru di bawah matahari, kata sang Pengkhotbah. Kasus boleh berbeda tapi pola adalah pengulangan dari masa ke masa.
Lalu kita lupa lagi dan lagi, untuk memberi kesempatan kepada kejadian yang serupa. Seneca pernah bilang mereka yang tidak mau belajar dari sejarah akan DIHUKUM untuk mengulangi sejarah itu.
Judul tulisan di atas adalah peribahasa latin yang berarti: "Lupa adalah penawar ketidakadilan-ketidakadilan". Ya, seringkali manusia menemukan penyelesaian atas ketidakadilan yang tak terselesaikan di dalam lupa. Mirip upaya orang tua yang mengalihkan perhatian anak dari kesakitan yang dialami, dalam budaya tertentu. Tetapi seiring sang anak beranjak dewasa trik masa kanak-kanak itu tidak akan mempan lagi. Sayangnya, tingkat perkembangan masyarakat kita seringkali hanya selevel perkembangan anak-anak.
Kita sangat suka dibohongi bahwa "everything gonna be ok", padahal kita ngak ok. Kita diajari untuk melupakan segala macam ketidakadilan dan sakit yang kita lihat dan alami. Kita tidak diajar untuk menyelesaikan atau menyembuhkan tapi melupakan.
Tapi sekanak-kanaknya psikologi kemasyarakatan kita, kadang naral dan logika kedewasaan kita berontak juga. Maka muncullah amok dan kekerasan di mana-mana. Sayangnya amok-amok itupun seringkali salah arah dan sasaran. Maka sakit dan luka baru muncul bertumpuk-tumpuk. Yang pasti, selalu ada obat untuk semua itu: LUPAKAN SAJA..
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Astro hopes to score big with English Premier League soccer
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Pay-TV operator PT Astro Direct Vision had some 80,000 subscribers signed up as of the end of the first semester, and hopes to more than double that figure by the year-end now that it has secured the rights to broadcast the hugely-popular English Premier League (EPL).
Astro Direct Vision, the local unit of Astro, a Malaysia-based pay-TV company, is now the sole holder of both the pay-TV and free-to-air TV rights to EPL matches.
While it also offers other channels, Astro is pinning its hopes on the EPL to help the company sign up at least 200,000 subscribers by the end of the year.
"The number of Astro subscribers has significantly increased since we purchased the EPL rights. We expect that we will be able to achieve our full-year target," Astro's corporate affairs vice president, Halim Mahfudz, told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.
The demand for Astro is so big that a would-be subscriber has to now wait for two weeks before the service can be installed.
Before Astro purchased the EPL rights for the 2007-2008 season, Indonesians could watch the matches free on terrestrial TV.
Now, EPL fans will have to pay around Rp 200,000 per month to subscribe to Astro -- in addition to a one-off Rp 200,000 installation fee -- if they want to watch their favorite teams.
For the first three months, however, Astro will waive the monthly subscription fee.
While the company is hoping to benefit hugely from the EPL, some hurdles have emerged.
On Tuesday, Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) chairman Sasa Djuarsa Sendjaja said the commission had sent a letter to Astro asking for the EPL coverage to be opened to the public.
It had also asked the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) to examine whether Astro's exclusive rights had breached the antimonopoly law.
"There are two aspects to this matter, business interests and the public interest. What we have done is designed to protect the public interest," said Sasa.
Responding to that, Halim said Astro was currently negotiating with ESPN Star Sport (ESS), which holds the rights to broadcast the matches in Asia, to share access with Indonesian soccer fans.
"ESS is now developing packages to be sold to local TV stations. It takes quite a while as they need the consent of various parties."
Besides the EPL, Astro also provides other forms of entertainment.
During Ramadhan, for instance, the channel will broadcast movies from different parts of the world, including movies from Iran and Uzbekistan.
"We want to give our audience other movie alternatives besides Hollywood movies so that they can learn about the cultures in other countries," said Alexander Siregar, senior programing executive of Astro Kirana, Astro's movie unit.(14/02)
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Pay-TV operator PT Astro Direct Vision had some 80,000 subscribers signed up as of the end of the first semester, and hopes to more than double that figure by the year-end now that it has secured the rights to broadcast the hugely-popular English Premier League (EPL).
Astro Direct Vision, the local unit of Astro, a Malaysia-based pay-TV company, is now the sole holder of both the pay-TV and free-to-air TV rights to EPL matches.
While it also offers other channels, Astro is pinning its hopes on the EPL to help the company sign up at least 200,000 subscribers by the end of the year.
"The number of Astro subscribers has significantly increased since we purchased the EPL rights. We expect that we will be able to achieve our full-year target," Astro's corporate affairs vice president, Halim Mahfudz, told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.
The demand for Astro is so big that a would-be subscriber has to now wait for two weeks before the service can be installed.
Before Astro purchased the EPL rights for the 2007-2008 season, Indonesians could watch the matches free on terrestrial TV.
Now, EPL fans will have to pay around Rp 200,000 per month to subscribe to Astro -- in addition to a one-off Rp 200,000 installation fee -- if they want to watch their favorite teams.
For the first three months, however, Astro will waive the monthly subscription fee.
While the company is hoping to benefit hugely from the EPL, some hurdles have emerged.
On Tuesday, Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) chairman Sasa Djuarsa Sendjaja said the commission had sent a letter to Astro asking for the EPL coverage to be opened to the public.
It had also asked the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) to examine whether Astro's exclusive rights had breached the antimonopoly law.
"There are two aspects to this matter, business interests and the public interest. What we have done is designed to protect the public interest," said Sasa.
Responding to that, Halim said Astro was currently negotiating with ESPN Star Sport (ESS), which holds the rights to broadcast the matches in Asia, to share access with Indonesian soccer fans.
"ESS is now developing packages to be sold to local TV stations. It takes quite a while as they need the consent of various parties."
Besides the EPL, Astro also provides other forms of entertainment.
During Ramadhan, for instance, the channel will broadcast movies from different parts of the world, including movies from Iran and Uzbekistan.
"We want to give our audience other movie alternatives besides Hollywood movies so that they can learn about the cultures in other countries," said Alexander Siregar, senior programing executive of Astro Kirana, Astro's movie unit.(14/02)
Indonesian volleyball sets new target for upcoming SEA Games
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Though the men's volleyball team failed to qualify for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, the team has more than enough talent to medal at the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand in December, said assistant coach Machfud Irsyada.
"If nothing happens to the members of the team in the last three months before the SEA Games, our chance is 50-50 of beating Thailand in the final," Machfud told The Jakarta Post on Monday.
Machfud said Thailand, Vietnam and Myanmar were seen as the biggest threats to Indonesia at the SEA Games, with Thailand being seen as especially dangerous because it has home advantage.
"Experience tells us that Thailand is usually dominant if it hosts a game," said Machfud.
After the recently concluded Asian Volleyball Championship, an evaluation of the team determined they lacked a fighting spirit and big game experience, Machfud said.
"In the first three matches we played very well. We had some hard-fought games against tough teams like Chinese Taipei and China. But after three matches, the team's receiving went bad and we kept losing; it was not because the team was tired, but they lacked fighting spirit," Machfud said.
He said the team would use most of the time before the SEA Games improving their skills and spirit.
Coach Hu Xin Yu will lead the team to a training camp in China's Si Chuan province from Oct. 10-21, where they will play Chinese club teams.
"Looking for a real event in the last three months before the SEA Games is impossible. Therefore we will have our players face local teams in Sichuan province, which is considered competitive enough. This is more real than just conducting training in Indonesia," said Machfud.
He said Vietnam had also invited all the SEA Games teams to participate in a warm-up event before the SEA Games, but Indonesia had not yet decided whether to participate.
"The timing is too close to the SEA Games ...," Machfud said.
Indonesia failed to gain a berth in the Beijing Olympics after its poor showing in the Asian Volleyball Championship, held from Aug. 31 to Sept. 9 in Jakarta.
As the host, Indonesia started in the round of the final eight by edging Thailand 3-2 in a five-set thriller on Sept. 3. It then lost to Chinese Taipei, powerhouse China, Japan, Iran and South Korea.
In the last match on Sunday, Indonesia to South Korea 3-0 (17-25, 17-25, 21-25), which marked the end of Indonesia's ambition for Olympic qualification.
"We tried our best, but this is the result. We will evaluate everything including using match statistics," Machfud said soon after the last match. (02)
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Though the men's volleyball team failed to qualify for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, the team has more than enough talent to medal at the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand in December, said assistant coach Machfud Irsyada.
"If nothing happens to the members of the team in the last three months before the SEA Games, our chance is 50-50 of beating Thailand in the final," Machfud told The Jakarta Post on Monday.
Machfud said Thailand, Vietnam and Myanmar were seen as the biggest threats to Indonesia at the SEA Games, with Thailand being seen as especially dangerous because it has home advantage.
"Experience tells us that Thailand is usually dominant if it hosts a game," said Machfud.
After the recently concluded Asian Volleyball Championship, an evaluation of the team determined they lacked a fighting spirit and big game experience, Machfud said.
"In the first three matches we played very well. We had some hard-fought games against tough teams like Chinese Taipei and China. But after three matches, the team's receiving went bad and we kept losing; it was not because the team was tired, but they lacked fighting spirit," Machfud said.
He said the team would use most of the time before the SEA Games improving their skills and spirit.
Coach Hu Xin Yu will lead the team to a training camp in China's Si Chuan province from Oct. 10-21, where they will play Chinese club teams.
"Looking for a real event in the last three months before the SEA Games is impossible. Therefore we will have our players face local teams in Sichuan province, which is considered competitive enough. This is more real than just conducting training in Indonesia," said Machfud.
He said Vietnam had also invited all the SEA Games teams to participate in a warm-up event before the SEA Games, but Indonesia had not yet decided whether to participate.
"The timing is too close to the SEA Games ...," Machfud said.
Indonesia failed to gain a berth in the Beijing Olympics after its poor showing in the Asian Volleyball Championship, held from Aug. 31 to Sept. 9 in Jakarta.
As the host, Indonesia started in the round of the final eight by edging Thailand 3-2 in a five-set thriller on Sept. 3. It then lost to Chinese Taipei, powerhouse China, Japan, Iran and South Korea.
In the last match on Sunday, Indonesia to South Korea 3-0 (17-25, 17-25, 21-25), which marked the end of Indonesia's ambition for Olympic qualification.
"We tried our best, but this is the result. We will evaluate everything including using match statistics," Machfud said soon after the last match. (02)
Angie likely to join SEAG squad
Friday, September 07, 2007
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Although Angelique "Angie" Widjaja has not set a return date from her long hiatus from professional tennis, she is most likely to join the national tennis squad for the 2007 SEA Games in Thailand this December.
"I haven't signed a contract yet (to play in the SEA Games). But I have told them (the committee) I'm 95 percent ready to play," said Angie on the sidelines of a tennis coaching clinic program with nine-time Wimbledon doubles champion Todd Woodbridge of Australia.
The coaching clinic was held as part of a promotion for the Commonwealth Bank Tennis Classic, previously known as the Wismilak International, which begins next week on the resort island of Bali.
Angie said that earlier this year the national task force for the SEA Games had sent her a letter requesting she join the tennis squad, but she rejected the offer.
She changed her mind following several intent approaches made by the task force and Indonesian Tennis Association (Pelti) bigwigs.
"They tried to persuade me. Finally, I agreed to play but I said I couldn't play singles as it would be too late to prepare (for singles)," said the 22-year-old 2001 Wimbledon junior champ.
Pelti deputy secretary-general August Ferry Raturandang confirmed Angie's statement.
"Angie will join training along with other players Sandy Gumulya, Romana Tedjakusuma, Lavinia Tananta and Wynne Prakusya in the women's team and Christopher Rungkat, Elbert Sie and Suwandi in the men's team," Ferry told The Jakarta Post over the phone.
Ferry said Angie would possibly play women's doubles, teaming up with 2005 Philippine SEA Games gold medalist Wynne Prakusya, or mixed doubles, pairing with Elbert Sie or Christopher Rungkat.
Indonesia has set a lower target of two gold medals, compared to the three gold medals won at the Philippine SEA Games amid injuries to its main athletes, like Angie and Wynne.
Angie, whose world rank dropped to 390th as of Aug. 27 due to a seven-month layoff, said despite her participation in the SEA Games, she is still undecided over whether or not she will hang up her racket or continue her pro tennis career.
"I don't know whether to just stop for a short while or take a real break. I don't know if I will continue after that (the SEA Games)."
She said she would not take the wild card offered to her by the organizers of the Commonwealth Bank Tennis Classic to play in the tournament she once won in 2001 in order to "give the chance to her juniors".
"Commonwealth has a different class of quality. Three months of preparation is not enough for me. My principle is if you don't prepare properly, then you'd better not participate," she said.
"Moreover, I should not take the chance away from the juniors. Their ranks might lift (given the chance), as happened for me when I was given the chance a few years ago." (02)
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Although Angelique "Angie" Widjaja has not set a return date from her long hiatus from professional tennis, she is most likely to join the national tennis squad for the 2007 SEA Games in Thailand this December.
"I haven't signed a contract yet (to play in the SEA Games). But I have told them (the committee) I'm 95 percent ready to play," said Angie on the sidelines of a tennis coaching clinic program with nine-time Wimbledon doubles champion Todd Woodbridge of Australia.
The coaching clinic was held as part of a promotion for the Commonwealth Bank Tennis Classic, previously known as the Wismilak International, which begins next week on the resort island of Bali.
Angie said that earlier this year the national task force for the SEA Games had sent her a letter requesting she join the tennis squad, but she rejected the offer.
She changed her mind following several intent approaches made by the task force and Indonesian Tennis Association (Pelti) bigwigs.
"They tried to persuade me. Finally, I agreed to play but I said I couldn't play singles as it would be too late to prepare (for singles)," said the 22-year-old 2001 Wimbledon junior champ.
Pelti deputy secretary-general August Ferry Raturandang confirmed Angie's statement.
"Angie will join training along with other players Sandy Gumulya, Romana Tedjakusuma, Lavinia Tananta and Wynne Prakusya in the women's team and Christopher Rungkat, Elbert Sie and Suwandi in the men's team," Ferry told The Jakarta Post over the phone.
Ferry said Angie would possibly play women's doubles, teaming up with 2005 Philippine SEA Games gold medalist Wynne Prakusya, or mixed doubles, pairing with Elbert Sie or Christopher Rungkat.
Indonesia has set a lower target of two gold medals, compared to the three gold medals won at the Philippine SEA Games amid injuries to its main athletes, like Angie and Wynne.
Angie, whose world rank dropped to 390th as of Aug. 27 due to a seven-month layoff, said despite her participation in the SEA Games, she is still undecided over whether or not she will hang up her racket or continue her pro tennis career.
"I don't know whether to just stop for a short while or take a real break. I don't know if I will continue after that (the SEA Games)."
She said she would not take the wild card offered to her by the organizers of the Commonwealth Bank Tennis Classic to play in the tournament she once won in 2001 in order to "give the chance to her juniors".
"Commonwealth has a different class of quality. Three months of preparation is not enough for me. My principle is if you don't prepare properly, then you'd better not participate," she said.
"Moreover, I should not take the chance away from the juniors. Their ranks might lift (given the chance), as happened for me when I was given the chance a few years ago." (02)
Indonesia hosts first ASEAN golf event
Thursday, September 06, 2007
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Around 120 golfers from Southeast Asia are participating in the inaugural event of the ASEAN Golf Tour being held at Imperial Klub in Tangerang, Banten, from Sep. 5-8.
Organizers said the tournament was designed help professional and amateur golfers in the region hone their skills.
"Many talented golfers do not have enough chances to play competitive golf. We hope this tournament will therefore be one they have to put on their schedule," tour chairman A C Wong told reporters Wednesday.
Wong said the first tournament was held exclusively for golfers from countries grouped in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, but organizers would eventually open the event to participants from outside the 10 ASEAN member countries.
"We will bring in additional players as the competition gets stronger. Although it will be of course within Asian countries," he asserted.
Indonesia Professional Golfers Association (PGPI) chairman Nursalam A Tabusala hoped the tournament could become a stepping-stone for the development of golfers in the region to compete in the higher level Asian Tour.
On the first day of the tournament rookie Lim Eng Seng of Malaysia took charge with a three-under 69.
One shot back was Filipino Marvin Dumandan.
Two Malaysian golfers Danny Chia and S. Sivachandran shared third place at one-under-par 71.
The Tangerang event is the first of five events scheduled by organizers of the tour. After Indonesia, the tour will move to Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam and Singapore.
Each event will offer total prize money of US$30,000.(02)
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Around 120 golfers from Southeast Asia are participating in the inaugural event of the ASEAN Golf Tour being held at Imperial Klub in Tangerang, Banten, from Sep. 5-8.
Organizers said the tournament was designed help professional and amateur golfers in the region hone their skills.
"Many talented golfers do not have enough chances to play competitive golf. We hope this tournament will therefore be one they have to put on their schedule," tour chairman A C Wong told reporters Wednesday.
Wong said the first tournament was held exclusively for golfers from countries grouped in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, but organizers would eventually open the event to participants from outside the 10 ASEAN member countries.
"We will bring in additional players as the competition gets stronger. Although it will be of course within Asian countries," he asserted.
Indonesia Professional Golfers Association (PGPI) chairman Nursalam A Tabusala hoped the tournament could become a stepping-stone for the development of golfers in the region to compete in the higher level Asian Tour.
On the first day of the tournament rookie Lim Eng Seng of Malaysia took charge with a three-under 69.
One shot back was Filipino Marvin Dumandan.
Two Malaysian golfers Danny Chia and S. Sivachandran shared third place at one-under-par 71.
The Tangerang event is the first of five events scheduled by organizers of the tour. After Indonesia, the tour will move to Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam and Singapore.
Each event will offer total prize money of US$30,000.(02)
IMI promises fast track for motorsports talents
Thursday, September 06, 2007
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The State Ministry for Youth and Sports Affairs and the Indonesia Motorsports Association (IMI) on Tuesday launched the Indonesia World of Motorsports, a task force to train young and talented drivers to compete internationally.
The task force was established under a decree by the state minister and will be responsible for selecting drivers with potential, especially those with limited financial means, and providing them the necessary assistance to participate in international events.
"We aim to provide a fast track for potential drivers. We are focusing on athletes who are likely to become champions in international events," the task force's chairman, Juliari P. Batubara, said Tuesday.
"There are lots of such athletes but usually it is hard for them to acquire sponsorships and financial support," he said.
Batubara, who also chairs the IMI, said the task force would immediately start identifying talented drivers from all branches of motorsports and help them find sponsors and participate in international events.
"The task force will also decide on priority races or events we will take part in and the human resources needed for those races," said Batubara.
So far, he said, the task force has identified the GP2 and Speed Car series as the most suitable grounds for Indonesian drivers to gain experience and grow.
"There are lots of international events, but we have to choose those which help our drivers gain experience as well as get world ranks," said Batubara.
Earlier, State Minister for Youth and Sports Affairs Adhyaksa Dault said Indonesia would not host the A1 Grand Prix of Nations again after negotiations broke down between the host and the management over the franchise fee.
Adhyaksa said the organizers wanted Indonesia to pay US$6 million in fees, an amount considered too costly. (02)
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The State Ministry for Youth and Sports Affairs and the Indonesia Motorsports Association (IMI) on Tuesday launched the Indonesia World of Motorsports, a task force to train young and talented drivers to compete internationally.
The task force was established under a decree by the state minister and will be responsible for selecting drivers with potential, especially those with limited financial means, and providing them the necessary assistance to participate in international events.
"We aim to provide a fast track for potential drivers. We are focusing on athletes who are likely to become champions in international events," the task force's chairman, Juliari P. Batubara, said Tuesday.
"There are lots of such athletes but usually it is hard for them to acquire sponsorships and financial support," he said.
Batubara, who also chairs the IMI, said the task force would immediately start identifying talented drivers from all branches of motorsports and help them find sponsors and participate in international events.
"The task force will also decide on priority races or events we will take part in and the human resources needed for those races," said Batubara.
So far, he said, the task force has identified the GP2 and Speed Car series as the most suitable grounds for Indonesian drivers to gain experience and grow.
"There are lots of international events, but we have to choose those which help our drivers gain experience as well as get world ranks," said Batubara.
Earlier, State Minister for Youth and Sports Affairs Adhyaksa Dault said Indonesia would not host the A1 Grand Prix of Nations again after negotiations broke down between the host and the management over the franchise fee.
Adhyaksa said the organizers wanted Indonesia to pay US$6 million in fees, an amount considered too costly. (02)
Indonesia loses to China by whisker
Thursday, September 06, 2007
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Minnow Indonesia proved itself to be a team worth reckoning with after pushing three-time Asian champions China to five sets at the Asian Volleyball Championship here on Wednesday.
However, the host missed the chance to stun the Asian heavyweights after dropping the last set to lose 3-2 to the much-taller Chinese volleyballers.
"We lost the first two sets as our players were too nervous," Indonesian assistant coach Mahfud Irsyada said at the post-match press conference.
"Fortunately, they got their confidence back in the third and fourth sets," he said.
China romped to an easy 25-16 win in the first set and then took the second set 25-15.
Playing in front of more than 4,000 vociferous fans, Indonesia caught its stride in the third set and began playing more relaxed.
Indonesia won the third set 25-21 and then evened things up 2-2 by taking the fourth set 25-23.
However, the upset was not to be, as China regained its form and dominated the deciding set 15-10.
"Despite the loss, I am still pleased with the way the team played. The players performed their best. We are just unlucky," Mahfud said.
China's head coach Zhou Jian'an said he was a bit surprised by Indonesia's solid defense.
"I think we are lucky. Indonesia played very well especially at blocking. Even if we broke in to their blocking, their defenders were ready to receive the ball," said Zhou.
He said the shorter Indonesian players used good timing to block the smashes by the taller Chinese. (02)
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Minnow Indonesia proved itself to be a team worth reckoning with after pushing three-time Asian champions China to five sets at the Asian Volleyball Championship here on Wednesday.
However, the host missed the chance to stun the Asian heavyweights after dropping the last set to lose 3-2 to the much-taller Chinese volleyballers.
"We lost the first two sets as our players were too nervous," Indonesian assistant coach Mahfud Irsyada said at the post-match press conference.
"Fortunately, they got their confidence back in the third and fourth sets," he said.
China romped to an easy 25-16 win in the first set and then took the second set 25-15.
Playing in front of more than 4,000 vociferous fans, Indonesia caught its stride in the third set and began playing more relaxed.
Indonesia won the third set 25-21 and then evened things up 2-2 by taking the fourth set 25-23.
However, the upset was not to be, as China regained its form and dominated the deciding set 15-10.
"Despite the loss, I am still pleased with the way the team played. The players performed their best. We are just unlucky," Mahfud said.
China's head coach Zhou Jian'an said he was a bit surprised by Indonesia's solid defense.
"I think we are lucky. Indonesia played very well especially at blocking. Even if we broke in to their blocking, their defenders were ready to receive the ball," said Zhou.
He said the shorter Indonesian players used good timing to block the smashes by the taller Chinese. (02)
RI suffer narrow Taiwan defeat
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Indonesia was forced to bow out to Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) in a tough match Tuesday, despite a strong game marked by energetic blocking and smashes by the likes of spiker Muhamad Riviansyah.
"Indonesia played very well. We didn't think we could play five sets with Chinese Taipei. But we made some mistakes, especially when we were at that critical point," Indonesia's head coach assistant Machfud Irsyada said after the match.
"Maybe this was because our players were not confident enough," he added.
Chinese Taipei, which managed to recover to top form after an earlier 3-1 defeat from favorite China, was dominant in the first set thanks to a combination of skills and good blocking, winning the first set 25-17.
In the second set, Indonesia, which enjoyed strong support from the 1,500-odd crowd at the Bung Karno main stadium, worked against the pressure, managing to steal the second set 25-17.
The third set belonged to the much taller Taiwanese, who won the dramatic set by a nail-biting 33-31.
Unperturbed by the setback, Indonesia fought back to even the score 2-2 by winning the fourth set.
But the comeback was short-lived, with exhausted Indonesian players in the final set making several unforced errors that handed the set to the visiting team 18-16. (02)
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Indonesia was forced to bow out to Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) in a tough match Tuesday, despite a strong game marked by energetic blocking and smashes by the likes of spiker Muhamad Riviansyah.
"Indonesia played very well. We didn't think we could play five sets with Chinese Taipei. But we made some mistakes, especially when we were at that critical point," Indonesia's head coach assistant Machfud Irsyada said after the match.
"Maybe this was because our players were not confident enough," he added.
Chinese Taipei, which managed to recover to top form after an earlier 3-1 defeat from favorite China, was dominant in the first set thanks to a combination of skills and good blocking, winning the first set 25-17.
In the second set, Indonesia, which enjoyed strong support from the 1,500-odd crowd at the Bung Karno main stadium, worked against the pressure, managing to steal the second set 25-17.
The third set belonged to the much taller Taiwanese, who won the dramatic set by a nail-biting 33-31.
Unperturbed by the setback, Indonesia fought back to even the score 2-2 by winning the fourth set.
But the comeback was short-lived, with exhausted Indonesian players in the final set making several unforced errors that handed the set to the visiting team 18-16. (02)
RI, Oz shine in Asian volleyball matches
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Host Indonesia edged traditional rival Thailand 3-2 on Monday in the round of eight at the Asian Men's Volleyball Championship.
With the support of a boisterous crowd at the Bung Karno main stadium in Senayan, Central Jakarta, Indonesia came storming out in the first set and managed to hold on to take it 25-23.
Thailand set the pace in the second set, which it won 25-22.
The two sides split the next two sets, with Indonesia rolling 25-18 in the third before Thailand evened things up again by taking the fourth set 25-22.
In the fifth and deciding set, Indonesia took charge from the beginning and won the set and the match 15-12.
"The team played very well. Every thing seems to be proceeding as planned. The defense was good. The attack was also quick," said Indonesian assistant coach Machfud Irsyada at the post-match press conference.
Although happy with the result, Machfud said Indonesia's next opponent, Chinese Taipei, would be tougher because the players are taller and the overall team defense better.
Indonesia will meet Chinese Taipei on Tuesday.
Monday was not a good day for defending champion Japan, which fell to Australia 3-2.
Japan, seeking its seventh title at the tournament, looked out of synch as it dropped the first set 25-21.
Japan bounce back and grabbed the second set 25-19 and then extended its lead by taking the third set 25-20.
The Australian players, however, fought back, playing an aggressive brand of volleyball to take the next set 25-20 and even things up at two sets apiece.
In the decisive set, Australia flexed its muscles and dominated with strong blocking. Big serving David Ferguson and spiker Benjamin Hardy helped Australia take the set and the match 15-9.
"We lost a little effectiveness on the outside positions, we had Howard killing the ball but we needed some support from the other guys to also kill the ball and attack," said Australia coach Russel Borgeaud.
"Japan played very well to counter our attacks."
"Japan is a great team and to beat a team like Japan you have to play very well and consistently. We had our ups and downs throughout the game, but there were outstanding efforts by many of our players to turn the match," said Borgeaud.
He said the team was now focused on upcoming matches with South Korea and Iran, which he said would be a test.
Australian captain Benjamin Hardy hailed his team's solid play.
"We were doing a good job, building toward this game," he said.
"Japan is a good team. It was good to have them in the first match and beat them. It's a pretty good day for us," Borgeaud told reporters after the game.
Japan's coach Tatsuya Ueta said Australia played very well, especially with their blocking scheme.
"We had difficulty breaking their blocking," he said.(02)
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Host Indonesia edged traditional rival Thailand 3-2 on Monday in the round of eight at the Asian Men's Volleyball Championship.
With the support of a boisterous crowd at the Bung Karno main stadium in Senayan, Central Jakarta, Indonesia came storming out in the first set and managed to hold on to take it 25-23.
Thailand set the pace in the second set, which it won 25-22.
The two sides split the next two sets, with Indonesia rolling 25-18 in the third before Thailand evened things up again by taking the fourth set 25-22.
In the fifth and deciding set, Indonesia took charge from the beginning and won the set and the match 15-12.
"The team played very well. Every thing seems to be proceeding as planned. The defense was good. The attack was also quick," said Indonesian assistant coach Machfud Irsyada at the post-match press conference.
Although happy with the result, Machfud said Indonesia's next opponent, Chinese Taipei, would be tougher because the players are taller and the overall team defense better.
Indonesia will meet Chinese Taipei on Tuesday.
Monday was not a good day for defending champion Japan, which fell to Australia 3-2.
Japan, seeking its seventh title at the tournament, looked out of synch as it dropped the first set 25-21.
Japan bounce back and grabbed the second set 25-19 and then extended its lead by taking the third set 25-20.
The Australian players, however, fought back, playing an aggressive brand of volleyball to take the next set 25-20 and even things up at two sets apiece.
In the decisive set, Australia flexed its muscles and dominated with strong blocking. Big serving David Ferguson and spiker Benjamin Hardy helped Australia take the set and the match 15-9.
"We lost a little effectiveness on the outside positions, we had Howard killing the ball but we needed some support from the other guys to also kill the ball and attack," said Australia coach Russel Borgeaud.
"Japan played very well to counter our attacks."
"Japan is a great team and to beat a team like Japan you have to play very well and consistently. We had our ups and downs throughout the game, but there were outstanding efforts by many of our players to turn the match," said Borgeaud.
He said the team was now focused on upcoming matches with South Korea and Iran, which he said would be a test.
Australian captain Benjamin Hardy hailed his team's solid play.
"We were doing a good job, building toward this game," he said.
"Japan is a good team. It was good to have them in the first match and beat them. It's a pretty good day for us," Borgeaud told reporters after the game.
Japan's coach Tatsuya Ueta said Australia played very well, especially with their blocking scheme.
"We had difficulty breaking their blocking," he said.(02)
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