Six Million Indonesian Women Now Working Abroad; Families Struggle

The number of women leaving Indonesia, legally or illegally, has been steadily climbing over the past decade, according to the National Authority for the Placement and Protection of Indonesian Overseas Workers.

An estimated six million Indonesian woman — some 90 percent of all Indonesian migrant labourers — are now working overseas, according to the authority.

Most go to the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Jordon and Qatar, with the rest are in Asia Pacific, including Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan.

Many Indonesian villages are left with a shortage of women. Men, such as Edin in Cimanggu village, in a rural farming community on Java Island, sometimes assume the role of a single parent for years at a time.

“It’s very difficult. I have to be very patient to raise them. The grandparents cannot take care of them, so it’s only me,” said Edin, who has two teenagers.

His wife worked in Saudi Arabia for almost seven years, enabling the couple to pay school fees and buy a motorcycle. But they still cannot afford their own land or a house, he said.

His wife returns in six months from what he hopes will be her last trip. “It is not worth it, I don’t want her to go again,” he said.

While their wives are away, many Indonesia men have been left to take care of their children alone.

According to the World Bank, the registered remittances Indonesian migrant workers send home account for more than US$6 billion annually, comprising the second-highest source of income after oil and gas.

But this contribution comes at a significant cost to women and their families.

“Most of the women are in debt because of placement fees and travel costs they have to pay the [employment] agents. It sometimes takes them the first 16 months to pay the agents back,” said Yoko Doi, a specialist in migrant labour at the World Bank in Jakarta. “They also lack financial planning.”

For many, the desperately sought-after prosperity for which they sacrificed so much remains elusive.

Nine-year-old Zikiri’s mother has been working for more than two years in Saudi Arabia and left when his sister was still a baby. She has only sent money home once.

“His father was supposed to take care of him, but he could not do it. The kids were dirty and did not get enough food, so we brought them here,” said Ai Syamsiyah, Zikiri’s aunt.

Some migrant workers build big houses, but cannot afford the maintenance and are forced to go back to work abroad. But most of the money is spent on daily costs for schooling, food and transportation.

Wages abroad are low and the workload sometimes involves looking after entire families alone without holidays.

Women make the most in Hong Kong, earning almost $500 per month, while in Malaysia, they make less then $150, according to Migrant Care, an Indonesian NGO.

But back home they make a fraction of that amount, and unemployment and poverty are rife.

The stories about the appalling conditions experienced by migrant workers are painful. Some women sleep in cupboards, or have no private space at all. Food is poor and insufficient. They often work extremely long hours and are the first to get up and the last to go to bed. An estimated 20 percent come back abused, raped, or without being paid, according to Migrant Care.

But for the women of Cimanggu, such horror stories do not deter women from leaving home.

“I was worried sick. If I was rich, I would not have let her go, but I could not even send her to school. She sacrificed herself for a better economic situation,” said Eneh, whose 18-year-old daughter went to Saudi Arabia. After two years of hard work there, her daughter returned with only $120.

Indra Patra

Indra Patra Fortress built by the Royal Lamuri, the first Hindu kingdom in Aceh (Indra Patra) in the period before the arrival of Islam in Aceh, namely in the seventh century AD.

This fort was built in a strategic position of dealing directly with the Strait of Malacca, which serves as a bulwark against the Portuguese fleet.
     At the time of Sultan Iskandar Muda, with a strong fleet under the command of Admiral Malahayati, as the first female admiral in the world, the fort was used as a defense of the kingdom of Aceh Darussalam. Unfortunately, the people of Aceh alone few know the history of this fortress.

Gatotkaca Lives!

Gatotkaca is a familiar character in wayang , the traditional shadow puppet shows in Java, which feature stories adapted from the ancient Indian epics Mahabharata and Ramayana. As a child, Gatotkaca is said to have been thrown into a volcano to toughen him up. He is described as having steely muscles and metallic bones.

Blessed with character traits that seem to be straight out of a superhero comic book, it was probably only a matter of time before artists like Yuwono Sigit, 35, and Surya M Iqbal, 34, attempted to introduce Gatotkaca to toy aficionados.

“Gatotkaca is iconic,” said Sigit, explaining why he and Surya chose the wayang character for their line of toys. “People just see the bottle-brush mustache and the yellow star on the chest and they are immediately able to identify the character as Gatotkaca. He also has a good, unique shape that adapts well into an action figure.”

Sigit and Surya share an interest in vinyl and designer toys, an offshoot of a movement that started in the 1990s that aimed to make art more practical and accessible to the public. As students at Trisakti University in Jakarta, the two often met up at a toy store in Taman Anggrek Mall. With Sigit’s expertise in miniatures and Surya’s experience with miniature military model kits, the two started to accept orders to make maquettes, or scale model toys, in 2000.

The road leading to the Gatotkaca toy was not smooth, however. In 2006, the duo organized a competition where participants could buy a figurine template of a design they called Suzuka and could modify it in whatever way they liked. This was fairly successful.

In 2008, the pair established their own company, Proxyfigures. Two years later, they attempted to launch a series of figurine templates, which they called Free as a Bird. These looked like penguins, except that they had beaks in nine different shapes. The concept didn’t fly.

“It’s hard to sell something completely new. [The product line] didn’t go so well with customers,” Sigit said. “They kept asking what the deal was with all the bird shapes.”

The men learned from this misstep and decided to review their strategy. With the help of Alvin Sasmita, who became their third partner and financier of their newest project, they made another foray into the designer toy market and came up with the Mythical Bean line, which they decided to model after familiar characters.

The first line of Mythical Bean toys featured wayang characters. The team decided to start with Gatotkaca. Turning a wayang character into a designer toy, however, was not easy. “Urban toys are characterized by simplicity in design,” Sigit said. And Gatotkaca was a character with flair and flourish. So Sigit and Surya decided to tone down the embellishments. They pared the curlicues on Gatotkaca’s wings and his head ornament, and simplified the batik motif on the cloth wrapped around his waist. The result was a stern, tough-looking chunky figurine who looked like he could give RoboCop a run for his money.

In late 2009, Proxyfigures previewed Gatotkaca during the Year-End Toyfest, an exhibition in Electronic City, Sudirman, to favorable reviews. “The visitors showed a lot of interest and many asked how they could obtain the figurine,” Sigit said.

Preorders for the figurines started on March 1 at Rp 350,000 for buyers in Indonesia and $40 for buyers overseas. “We were surprised to find out that it was customers abroad who preordered Gatotkaca,” Sigit said. “It means that people can appreciate its artistry even though they’re not familiar with the tradition behind it.”

Proxyfigures decided to issue only 100 copies of each of their figurines, which they say will include other wayang characters, to increase their value as collector’s items. “Most of the potential buyers are collectors. They even asked for certificates and our signatures to ensure that their figurine is genuine and rare,” Sigit said. “We plan to make a video of us destroying the mold for Gatotkaca when we’ve sold some 80 percent of the stock so people will know we’re not making more of them.”

On March 13, the team launched Gatotkaca at the Jakarta Toy Fair in Senayan. “I think the highlight of the event was when a man came to our booth and pointed out who Gatotkaca was to his son,” Sigit said. “There was also an old man who visited our booth and engaged us in a lengthy discussion about wayang. In a way, this shows that we’ve achieved our goal of combining Indonesian culture with a new art medium.”

Proxyfigures plans to release four more wayang figurines in 2010 as combo packages of Arjuna and Srikandi, and Bima and Hanuman. But in the meantime, Gatotkaca seems to be on his merry way to becoming a collectible.

The handbag: Fashionably cruel?

Fashion is always a statement. Carrying a US$6,000 Hermes “Birkin” bag could be intended to say “I am rich and special, and have discerning taste”.

Animal rights activists, however, are attempting to deconstruct this image. If they succeed, people who own Hermes bags will no longer be perceived as those “lucky enough to have gotten onto the waiting list to purchase one [a process that can take up to two years because of demand]”, but a “cruel slayer of snakes/lizards/crocodiles” instead.



Ten years ago the People for The Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) ran a campaign against wearing furs, in which supermodels — some of whom have since reverted to wearing fur again — stated their preference of nudity.

The same organization is now aiming to tell the fashion world that fashion items using animal skins not only cost thousands of dollars, but also the heads of reptiles sacrificed to support the trend.

PETA’s campaign against fur fashion had significant success, with people associating fur with trapped minks and blood and guts of chinchillas. But even this has not been able to keep fur completely off catwalks. And with snake, lizard and crocodile skin, PETA may still have work to do to convince the public to take pity on these less-cute animals.

To do so, PETA Asia Pacific recently released video footage from its yearlong undercover investigation of gruesome killing of snakes and lizards in five Indonesian cities. A National Geographic report shows that Indonesia is Southeast Asia’s biggest exporter of wildlife, including live animals for pets and animal parts.

The footage shows a man in Tangerang chopping off snake heads and skinning their slithering bodies while the mouths of their severed heads are still opening and closing. In another shot, a light green lizard monitor is held by two men while they drain the blood from its throat.

PETA also staged a protest, in which activists dressed in grim reaper costumes with hoods, masks and scythes and rallied in the main thoroughfare of Jakarta. The group had been refused entry by security guards at their planned location of Pacific Place Jakarta mall, home to a Hermes outlet.

PETA spokesperson Ashley Fruno said recently that each year around the world, millions of crocodiles, lizards and snakes are subjected to abuse and killed for their skins. National Geographic reports that 24,782,857 reptile parts were exported from Southeast Asia between 2000 and 2007. Reptile skins are used for handbags, belts, shoes and clothes, beautifully arranged in dove-lit displays of expensive stores.

The Birkin bag, named after model Jane Birkin, is one of the most prestigious items using reptile skin.

According to Hanifa Ambadar, editor-in-chief of influential fashion blog fashionesedaily.com, the Birkin is the “Holy Grail” of bags. Other international brands using reptile skins include Louis Vuitton, Loewe, Balmain, Roberto Cavalli and many others.

PETA has appealed to luxury goods producer Hermes International to immediately drop “exotic skins” from its lines. PETA said leading shoe producer Nike and its affiliate Cole Haan, as well as international fashion store H&M, had agreed to stop selling products made with exotic animal skins. Hermes International press office could not be reached for comment.

While the trade of animal parts is legal in Indonesia, the country is bound to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) that stipulates that endangered species must not be traded.

By law, only licensed wildlife hunters and traders are allowed to capture and trade animal parts in Indonesia. In its investigations, however, PETA found most hunters did not have permits, Fruno said.

The Forestry Ministry Directorate General of Nature Conservancy and Forest Protection (PHKA) oversees the licensing and quotas for wildlife trade in Indonesia. PHKA director general Darori said his office provided permits to groups of snakeskin collectors.

“The ones who trap the snakes and lizards are villagers. They sell the skins to licensed collectors. It’s not possible for every single villager to obtain a permit,” he said.

Every year, his office releases a quota for the wildlife trade, based on recommendations from the Indonesia Institute of Sciences (LIPI).

“LIPI checks whether there is an abundant stock or not. We’re bound to an international convention as well,” Darori said.

According to the PHKA data, the total quota for 2010 is 430,280 snakes; 413,100 monitor lizards, and 29,500 crocodiles.

However, PETA is completely opposed to trading in animal parts, even if it is legal here.

“PETA is against any kind of poaching. Even if they have permits PETA will always be against poaching,” Fruno said.

Darori said his office made sure animals were not tortured during the killings.

“So, when a snake’s head is cut off, it is not tortured,” he said. Laymen would torture snakes they encounter, out of fear, compared to professional hunters.

“Because the skin is what hunters are after, they do it swiftly so the skin is not damaged. Commoners would batter a snake with a stick if they found one,” he said.

Unlike PETA, which is opposed to animal killings, Darori said Indonesia’s local fashion industry should use animal parts and develop its own brands.

“We can make them as good as international brands. It’s just that our brands are not as big as international labels,” he said.

Fashion commentator Sony Muchlison said a lot of imitation fashion items with real crocodile skin could be found in Indonesia. At several of Jakarta’s markets, for example, one could find fake Gucci, Dior and LV handbags easily.

Indonesian handbag manufacturers also sometimes use real crocodile skin in their products, he said.

“Some people think wearing exotic rare leather is unique, and the more exotic and rare, the higher the appeal,” Sony said.

That is why PETA is aiming to change customers’ perceptions. Ashley said they aim to stop consumers from buying products that use animal parts. Once demand is no longer there, producers will no longer use them, she said.

Hanifa Ambadar said only a few individual fashion lovers in Indonesia thought about issues of animal rights.

“There are some concerned individuals. They spread the information on Twitter. They followed the protest,” she said.

However, in general people are not aware of the problem yet, she said.

PETA’s recent campaign did make some people start to talk about it, Hanifa said.

“Recently, in the Fashionese daily forum we had a discussion on the use of animal skins,” she said.

The term “ethical fashion”, Hanifa said, has entered the vocabulary of the local fashion industry.

People admire the British vegan designer Stella McCartney who refuses to use animal parts in her designs, she said. And people are also starting to realize that using organic cotton is better for the environment, she said.

Fruno said PETA had exposed video footage to allow consumers to be more critical in their purchases and to learn that animals suffered to fulfill humans’ fashion desires.

In the end it’s a matter of personal choice. Is a bag worth a snake’s head?

Gayo Art

Gay is one of the most beautiful country in Indonesia, precisely in Aceh. a district famous for its coffee. however, Gayo is also a country rich in arts and culture. very exotic and the music that was born from the Gayo very enjoyable to hear.


Photo:http://www.ogkl.com.my/l09TAMa.htm

When unrest Writing (Do not Throw Your Writing)

Writing, perhaps a job that is easy and lightweight. Seem trivial. Moreover, if a post only form of plagiarism (copy and paste this), very easy and not have to sweat and rack my brain to sit for hours in front of the table.

However, restlessness was present, when we try to write from the "zero". Feeling confused, tired, confused and all-suddenly invaded the minds and thoughts. Pages of the book's pages, thousands of words, often with "intentionally" or didelete we dispose of the computer.


why do we do about it? others do not because we feel the post is not worth reading, very bad to be said as a post.


This resentment, often affecting the "laziness" and "boredom" due sense of failure and inadequacy. Fatal!
Based on the experience of successful writers in the world, the results of their efforts pour in the brain that piece of paper, a pearl which must still be stored. Too expensive to throw away.

Perspiration, thoughts and energy that flowed when writing is a sacrifice that should not be thrown away.
This action would be futile and useless. Because, the pearls that have been written opinion result is, someday will be much needed and necessary. If we throw the occasional pearl-moment present moment when it was not a suspect, is a brilliant idea of the contents of our brains.
Why is that?

Because it could be, today we are still writing 'smells kencur "was not helpful and not suitable moment. However, when that moment comes, of course we produced pearls that have been able to open again and in publishing for a variety of interests.

Moment-important moment will not happen over and over for his second. Pun, if it occurs repeatedly, is not necessarily the way our thinking is still the same as when the early writings created. Of course, we delete posts, posts that we waste, ash and will be in vain.

Let unrest, turmoil when writing it is present. Because, unconsciously, turmoil and unrest when he wrote, is a metamorphosis that will guide the mind to be "ripe" for the birth of the writings better.
Unrest and turmoil is the arena for us as writers.

So, write. Let the pearls that dwells within the minds spilled into a string of words, a row of meaningless letters. Do not give up easily, by removing all of the pearl. Moment-moment, which is covered in writing, a time will be "hits".

Well, that's when the pearls we "consider" does not deserve it will be excreted. surprise!

One thing is certain. Assessment of the merits of a post, not just in personal spectacles. However, the assessment will come from other people, who have read that we produced pearls.

... ... ... ... ... .. ah want to learn to write first ... ... ... ... ...

Aceh Young Voter

HERMAN is busy flipping through the pages of the newspapers. He is looking for news on presidential election. He looks grouchy. Swear words flow from his mouth.

It is because he cannot vote on July 8 2009. As a result, he cannot take part in deciding the next leader of the country.

In the last legislative election on April 9 2009, Herman is able to cast his vote for the first time of his life as an Indonesian citizen. At that time, he voted for Democrat Party (Partai Demokrat).




Now, he faces a different situation. The Constitutional Court (Mahkamah Konstitusi/MK) issues a decision sating that those who are not registered voters can only go to the ballots if they bring along their ID card and Kartu Keluarga (KK).

Herman arrives at Banda Aceh to take a National State University Selection Test (Seleksi Nasional Mahasiswa Perguruan Tinggi Negeri/SNMPTN) in Syiah Kuala University on July 1 and 2 2009 – a week before the 2009 presidential election. So bringing his Family Identity Card (Kartu Keluarga/KK) simply escapes his mind.

Herman is not alone. Two of his mates face similar situation. They are of the same age – 18 years old. They come from Aceh Singkil district and reside temporarily in the room rented by a university student friend.

Muhammad Mursyid Hidayah or Mursyid also share the same fate with Herman and his friends. He is from East Aceh district. He complains all the time because he cannot vote for his favorite candidate.

”I am truly disappointed. I went to the ballot this morning but they refuse to register me because I did not bring my KK,” he explains.

In the last legislative election, he went to the local ballot in his own village.

”I voted for Aceh Party (PArtai Aceh) at that time,” Mursyid admits.

If he were presented with the chance to vote in the presidential election, he would cast his vote for Jusuf Kalla, whom he views as an honest person.

Decision issued by the Constitutional Court (Mahkamah Konstitusi/MK) on the requirement to vote for presidential election triggers protests. One of the protesters is Rahmat Djailani, a member of Central Leadership Council (Dewan Pimpinan Pusat) of Aceh People’s Party (Partai Rakyat Aceh/PRA). He views that MK’s decision is meaningless in the process of democracy because many still lose their opportunities to vote anyway – including university students whose KKs are left in their hometowns.

Young voters in this country comprise of men and women age 17 to 21. So far no accurate date has been gathered on the number of young voters in Aceh. However it is predicted that it is rather substantial. In Malaysia for example, an article written by Karim Raslan on the Star newspaper titled “Expectations of Young Voters”, states that according to UN statistitcs, young voters under 24 years old in Malaysia is 53 per cent of the total population.

In Aceh, they are one of the promising targets for political parties. Here, campaign team of each candidate set up separate division to cater the need of this particular group of people.

Masyarakat Aceh pro Jusuf Kalla (Mapro-JK) for example, attracts the young voters through the means of Suara Kaum Muda untuk Jusuf Kalla (SUKA-JK) (Voices of the Young People for Jusuf Kala), a forum set up on June 12 2008. It targets individuals from various youth organizations and students.

Dozens of students from various universities in Aceh also form a group called Kelompok Geutanyoe Aceh Peumenang – Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (GAP-SBY), which actively recruits young people to become SBY supporters.

This sort of group is proven to be influential to the political choices of the young people. Some of the young voters, including Herman, make up their mind to vote for SBY because of the endorsements from senior university students.

”I follow the decisions from my seniors to vote for SBY,” he says. He views that SBY deserves another term for his leadership ability last period. .***

All welcome to the Island of the Gods

In the 14th century a motley crew of English gathered together on a walking pilgrimage to Canterbury.

Spiritual tourism: Two people walk the chakras at what is through to be the largest yoga center in Southeast Asia. Markandeya Yoga City in Bedugul allows for more than 1,000 yoga practitioners per session. 

The scribe, Geoffrey Chaucer, opens a lead light window on the diversity of people seeking salvation or spiritual enlightenment by pilgrimage; he paints the bawdy Wife of Bath and her five husbands, The Prioress and her religious bigotry, the Lawyer, The Parson and more. All are welcome on this journey, both the deeply devout and those hoping to ascend to heavens lower rungs.

Jump ahead six centuries and airplanes, trains and buses carry more than 1.6 million souls to Mecca each year; another 5 million journey to Lourdes in France and more than 4 million to the Vatican museums, the advent of high speed travel offering more people the opportunity for pilgrimage.

It is not only recognized holy grounds that attract worshippers. Graceland in Memphis, home of Elvis, has its fair share with over half a million worshippers of The King a year.

A tiny percentage of them actually do pray, these are The Presleyite Disciples, a group who hail Elvis as God.

This God making of Elvis may come off as a bit of a giggle to most people, however the beliefs of The Presleyite Disciples would be respected in Bali.

And that is why Bali is fast becoming an important center for spiritual tourism, according to Bali Tourism Board Chairman, Ida Bagus Ngurah Wijaya.

“Because of the philosophy of Hinduism, [spirituality] is open to everyone. Due to this Bali is becoming a destination for spiritualism – a place where people from around the globe can meet other people on a spiritual path.

In Bali, people can exercise their spiritual beliefs and learn more. This can be seen also in music, art and dance, these are all related to spiritualism,” says Wijaya.

Percentages of people visiting the aptly named Island of the Gods in search of enlightenment, when compared to those visiting for a good time on the beaches or in the clubs is unknown, says Wijaya, however the developing trend of hotels and villas to offer yoga, meditation or other cultural and spiritual pursuits is growing, if the marketing is anything to go by.

Many hotels and villas offer these stress reducing exercises daily, with some hotels established specifically for spiritual tourism.

Everyone welcome: A Balinese Hindu woman has a smile of welcome for all to Bali.

“We don’t have data on numbers here for spiritual development.

People do come here for a combination of a holiday and spiritual learning, and of course for Bali’s scenery. But we believe more and more people are coming to Bali for these reasons. We see the tourism industry is now focusing on this,” says Wijaya.

He adds he is pleased to see this burgeoning direction in the province’s tourism sector, because spiritual tourism also demands a healthy environment if it is to succeed.

“The government here is also trying to ensure Bali becomes an eco-tourism destination. We currently have the 57th congress of geothermal power taking place here in Nusa Dua,” says Wijaya of potentially clean electricity generation on the island, but he would also like to see a halt on over development of the ever increasingly fragile local environment.

“We need to stop over development in Bali and maintain the province as a cultural tourism destination. Culture, religion and nature here are inextricably linked and I feel the most important role of the government currently is to make Bali more green, use more biologically clean technology, encourage farmers in organic farming and be aware of the potential for electricity generated geothermally,” says Wijaya of environmental protection as a foundation stone in spiritual tourism into the future.

He points succinctly to the difficulties faced in this task. “Controlling development is not only about enforcing the law, but about educating the people.

“We need to understand the needs of the local people and teach them how to have a better life in the future.

Planning must be regulated by the government and slow the issuance of building licenses to reflect true supply and demand.

“Bali has potentially 10 million tourists a year — there are just 3 million Balinese,” says Wijaya of a society that may, in the near future, be outnumbered three to one by visitors. Current figures are above 7 million, so already there are two visitors to every Balinese.

All sorts: Korean Tibetan and Chinese monks view look at relics in Bali. The Island of the Gods not only attracts the spiritual, but also plays host to Tibetan monks and the relics of Buddha.

So valuable is spiritual tourism to Bali’s economy, Udayana University has a department under Professor Nyoman Sirtha dedicated to its study.

“I see this is good for Bali and the people visiting for self reflection and spiritual growth. We have 32 students on the cultural tourism program, which reflects the Hindu philosophy of Tri Hita Karana or humans to God, human to human and human to the environment,” says Sirtha who began studying yoga 13 years ago, suffering illness and stress.

Today, he has no doubt the practice does heal mind and body.

It is this healing found in spiritual connections that dean of the tourism department at Udayana University Pak Anom, believes can bring relief to a stressed world.

“The greeting in Bali is Om Santi Santi Santi. Om is God and Santi is peace. I hope in future, spiritualism in Bali is not only Hindu, but a spiritual place for all religions.

“I feel that perhaps as many as 50 percent of tourists to Bali come here for nature, yoga practice and spiritual growth,” said Anom who traces his roots back to Bali’s first sage, Markandeya who in the eighth century founded Bali’s mother temple, Besakih.

Like Chaucer’s pilgrims, travelers to Bali come in all religious shapes and sizes, with the same foibles of character and unexpected virtues; on the Island of the Gods the overarching Hindu philosophy of acceptance recognizes each makes their own path to Heaven. The Wife of Bath would be pleased.

PAYA MEULIGOE

Nothing had changed. That initial impression was seen when stepped foot in the village of Paya Meuligo, Peureulak, East Aceh.

An area known to the base of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) during the conflict and that, until now still in appalling conditions. Gravel roads are not paved, the houses were reluctant to stand up for residents who brittle with age, including pasilitas-minimal pasilitas other community still adorn the village.

 

Villagers called Bandar Khalifah, the majority work as farmers. Almost nothing has changed. Villages with a population of 250 Head of the Family (KK), prior to the MoU as well as post MoU still looks bleak.  

According to Muhammad, one of the residents Meuligo Paya, after the MoU in 2005, many members of GAM returnees living life as usual. As a farmer. "Many of those who must repeat a living. Some burned their houses have not been replaced. Money diyat also largely not yet been obtained at all, "said Muhammad again.

Not only that. Not a few of the former GAM, has yet to receive aid, as promised.

This situation is also justified Geuchik Meuligo Paya, Ismail H. Joseph, when found at his home in August 2008. According Geuchik Ismail, before and after the MoU MoU, the condition of the same region. Post-MoU, almost all of the promises of no one realized. Geuchik Ismail gave an example. For the economy, whereas the ex-combatants had been promised to get two hectares of land.

  Related issues that have not been paved road, Geuchik Ismail claimed to have tired to create and send a proposal to local governments. But until now never be realized. "I do not know why, whether because of these base areas I do not know," said Ismail Geuchik resignation.

This is the picture Meuligo Paya, the struggle of the base region during the conflict. Will life after the MoU was able to bring a change for them, especially in terms of economic improvement? How about the Government of East Aceh? Really have to give the best, especially for people in rural Paya Meuligo? I dunno ...

Long Night

The sun began to rise, the beads of dew glittering lights doused. This morning, I had to get to school, like the previous days. 

There is no rice or other breakfast on the table. My father only gave me 500 rupiah for breakfast at school.
I must be patient with my condition. At that time, I could only walk a mile, to school every day. Burning hot and shivering in the rain falls from the sky. 

But that's not what makes me scream. My legs were still able to walk among the blazing sun, my body is still able to withstand rain. 

However, I have lost a mother when I needed it. I was at that time was twelve years old, 1st grade junior high school. But I do not feel the presence and maternal affection. 

My mother was a school principal who were expelled from our children. At that time, in 1989, only to the extent the conflict in Aceh in Aceh Timur, Aceh Utara and Pidie. 

Every at 19:00, we, the citizens in East Aceh inland imposed curfew. There was nothing we could do, besides waiting for morning sleep.

***
Ah .. 

Why do I always remember my last night with his mother. Wicked night that made my pulse is difficult to stop. My heart was beating hard as if to release the soul from the body. Ill.

*** 

I saw my mother, sat among his children our gaze, silence. Only tears and beating of our heart beat.
"Come on, why are you crying. Mother was not okay. Mother is still healthy, "said the mother tried to comfort us. 

No I say! I do not want mom to die! I cried. 

That night, the time seemed a long time, as if reluctant to move goods sedetikpun. I can not wait that night immediately changed the morning, so that mothers can quickly get out of homes and seek refuge in the grandmother's house in Takengon. 

I slept with my mother, looking at him, pray for him every second breath. Trying to keep it from any possibility that might happen. I do not want my mother to die as those who die by gunfire. 

I do not want my mother to be cast as the bodies are often seen edge of the road. Such as rigid bodies that I saw under the bridge. I do not want to! 

My father, though trying to tough but I know he is frantic. I saw my dad going back and forth along the road in the living room. Occasionally the situation outside the house peering through the window slit.
Me see my mother brooded in a long prostration. Can be clearly heard with a string of prayer between sobs she cried, "Do not separate me with my kids today." 

The night grew long. Whenever that end. 

Mother called me, so help him to go down under the bed. I helped him and gave him a pillow. By clutching the Koran, my mother a rest under the under the bed. 

I sat up. Shed tears watching the condition of the mother was deathly pale. 

Oh God, why tonight was so slow moving. Until when will the morning will pick up. Do not let me watch the seconds this painful. 

When my mother a little calm in her sleep, I tried to see the condition of my brother and sister. I left my mother while under the bed. 

In the living room, I saw my father's silent. Transfixed on the chair. No words can I say to comfort him. I hurried to my room where my sisters slept. 

Lilis, Son, heri, the three sisters sat. Without a sound.
Oh God, why so slow night walk ... ..

"Belief That Should Stay There"

By Faisal Naser 

Disputes within the Police Institution in fact unnecessary. Starting from the chaotic Cicak vs Crocodile, where one police frontman, Commissioner-General (Komjen) Susno Duadji, with the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) some time ago. However, this chaotic spread, and make the Supreme Court (MA) to intervene. 

This crocodile vs. Cicak was eventually dragged Seed - Candra. Nevertheless, the police have been working according to the Police Act and use the Book of the Law of Criminal Law (Penal Code). Thus, the detention of a person not because for the KPK discriminate or punish someone.


Many thought that a case that dragged members of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) when it was pointed out as an inappropriate action from the police. Many accusations that states there is "game", saying even the police action as a business that has been long prepared. This assumption, it is unfounded. Because, for what purposes, the police arrested KPK personnel? 

Through the Seeds and the Chandra case, many parties have planted hatred to the police corps. Moreover, with widespread cases of Susno Duadji. Community views on policing on the wane. Of course the situation is not what we want, moreover, all this happened while the police was taking shape. 

Actually, indirectly, the many problems facing the police today, inevitably, make extra police must work more. Because, not only menangangi simmering internal problem, Police also have to keep carrying out its duties in the field. Various major crime remains to be resolved. 

For example a terrorist problem, until now this issue should also receive intensive treatment. Moreover, after the shootout between police officers in the province of Aceh with a group of terrorists in March 2010, it has to convince police officers that terrorists operating in Indonesia started its invasion to the affected areas.
Not to mention the problems of drugs and other crimes that must be handled seriously. Indirectly, the internal problems in the body of the Police has increased the workload of the Police itself. 

Now, police institutions increasingly target the mass media and society. Especially to the statement issued by Susno Djuadi. 

Admittedly, what was said by Susno Duadji became Homework (PR) is the weight for the Police.
For example, parties from Susno Duadji can do to approach the police. If the problem was caught in the law, then it can be resolved according to law. So, the problem that arises not necessarily at gembar rant out. So that other people know everything. 

Even though with the police. There should be a general who personally approached Susno Duadji and solve this problem internally. Moreover, at Police Headquarters itself certainly no friends of Susno contemporaries, senior and junior. This relationship is of course, are emotionally closer and can provide inputs better.
It was like, do not let our own household noise, other people who saw it will know bobroknya applaud our own homes. 

A general should be able to conduct personal communication in this matter. Because, a general must have a capacity like this. 

Based on work experience, ability to solve problems while serving in the field and long working period, a general already should have the ability to communicate, including in terms of problem solving Susno Duadji.
A general already has the capacity both in terms of problem solving internally. Although there is some public opinion say, what do Susno well intentioned, but just how it is less precise. This should be viewed from various aspects and perspective. 

Police in existing internal rules that must be followed. 

If this can be done by both parties, then the personnel residing in the bottom line will see that the institutions were able to solve a problem with the wise, that some seniors at the center is capable of and increase the confidence of his subordinates throughout Indonesia. 

This is what should be done by both parties. Because, what happens now, it is not fair when viewed in terms of ethics, aesthetics and morals of an institution or organization. 

Problems in isukan Susno broker who actually is not new in Indonesia. Because, the activity was a case a broker or realtor project is often the case everywhere. Not just in the police, other institutions may also occur in the same way. 

In language, the broker is an intermediary. Broker in charge of bridging the interests between the seller and buyer. In practice various forms of work in the field work carried out by way of a broker.
Admittedly, not a few of the brokers who make a profit. Who want to profit from his own at the expense of the interests of one party (such as mark up the price of goods from the seller) and is not responsible for any risks that might occur, until a professional to actually bridge the interests of the parties are connected and accountable. 

Anyone can become a broker. Are subordinates and superiors, often indirectly mediate. However, the problem will arise if the broker is trying to seek personal advantage and disadvantage the other party.
Admittedly, the police are very susceptible to bribes. Why, because of the large number of police personnel in the community plus the condition of low-income personnel, certainly not a strange thing if the problem of bribery is very easy to happen. 

Seeing the condition of the field personnel, with minimal-paced conditions, particularly in terms of welfare, is a description that police officers are human too. The number of police officers there are currently about 400,000 personnel, with 85% of them non-commissioned officer. The number of noncommissioned officers is greater than either the first officer, and middle and high-ranking officers (General). 

Try us out into the field, and look at the conditions of the majority of personnel who do not have a place to live, even to provide for their families they must find another way to dig a hole and vent cap. And not a little into debt at the bank. For example, as much as 65 percent of police personnel in Aceh Police Telematics borrow money in the bank. So it is not surprising if the police are vulnerable to bribes. 

However the general view remains always different. If there is a police case being handled, given a negative outlook. In fact, police now have to reform the bureaucracy and make the acceleration of reform of the bureaucracy on a large scale (especially in the field of law enforcement so that a transparent, credible, accountable, and professional). All of this would have for society and law reform in Indonesia. 

Police asked to work professionally and proportionately. Unfortunately the people themselves are too often not applicable professional and proportionate in view of the police institution. Society must see that this time the police have been working as a professional. Because, police working under the umbrella of law and always to uphold the law in this country Bumi Persada. 

This is justified by one criminologist from the University of Indonesia, Adrianus Meliala, the Police are the most rigorous institutions in taking action against members who violate the rules than any other institution in the country. "No institution of the most courageous act against members regardless of rank other than the Police. Three-star generals prosecuted. There are hundreds of officers are not prosecuted and countless non-commissioned officer who dealt with, "said Adrian. 

And related problems Susno, in order to maintain the professionalism of the Police, the Chief of Police General (Pol) Bambang Hendarso Danuri, akahirnya has proved it by forming an independent team to investigate the allegation of a case a broker practices at Police Headquarters, as expressed by former Police Kabareskrim Komjen Susno Duadji. That team consisted of members of the Police and members of the National Police Commission. 

This independent team itself is a result of the collective agreement between the Task Force, police, and prosecutors, said Kuntoro, Task Force believes the alleged bribery case approximately USD 25 billion will be completed. "With the best and thoroughly," he said. 

According to task force report, the prosecution admitted there are irregularities in the process of being committed against Susno, while the police claimed there was a mistake, has increased by one person who is considered responsible, in addition to Gaius. 

See any irregularities in the investigation because there was something wrong. However, if done intentionally is a risk that must be borne. 

Once again, it should Susno can see the real conditions of personnel in the field. Was not a problem that can be delivered in a more prudent and not many people have hurt feelings. 

Susno police should be more loving as his house where he grew up. And should again, Susno view and help isntitusinya own, police honor guard, instead of throwing all the problems to the public. 

Problems in the center, indirectly have reduced public confidence in the police, as well as the subordinates in the police that there are huge numbers. 

Even so, with this case emerge, should the people who see can help solve problems, rather than participate heat-Manasi. Like a family, if there is an argument then the neighbors will come instead of trying to help mediate the cloud atmosphere. 

However, people still hope and believe, that the police will be able to solve this problem wisely. That the police will keep a good image. police is not as easily broken glass, and when we akans edih has broken a long and pensive. However, like in the old iron box that remains strong and will not be destroyed even slam.
Actually, the case is not as vibrant as Susno like reality shows. Susno party or parties if the Police responded with a wise and prudent, of course this issue will not drag on like this. 

National Police Chief General (Pol) Bambang Hendarso Danuri myself have tried to give the best for the Indonesian nation. Various problems have been well able to overcome, as well as in the case of this Susno, Chief of Police try to provide the best for the Indonesian nation and preserve the dignity of Police.
Therefore, to minimize problems like this in the future, the police already can create new policies for subordinates, and improving internal control them better. 

especially related to ethics and welfare. Because, well-being greatly affect performance, it is also felt by other institutions outside the Police. Hopefully!