Saturday, September 15, 2007

Cerita Pendek: Para Jin Unjuk Rasa


Cerpen Ahmad Syam
(Lampung Post, Minggu, 2 September 2007)
(Sastra Koran Indonesia : www.sriti.com)

Saya baru akan memulai pelajaran pertama tatkala seorang siswa mengetuk pintu kelas. Saya membuka pintu dan menemuinya.
"Ada apa?"
"Anu, dua siswa-siswi kelas satu kesurupan, Pak!"
"Kesurupan? Kenapa bisa?"
"Aku juga kurang tahu, Pak! Tetapi Bapak diminta menolong siswa-siswi yang kesurupan itu!"
"Loh, kok saya yang dimintai tolong? Katakan kepada wali kelasnya bapak tidak pernah mengatasi orang kesurupan sebelumnya! Bapak tidak bisa membantu!"
"Baik, Pak!"
Tanpa sedikit pun terpengaruh dengan peristiwa tersebut, saya kembali melanjutkan pelajaran. Namun, ketika akan memulai menjelaskan pokok bahasan hari ini, tiba-tiba seorang siswa lainnya datang. Kali ini ketua organisasi lembaga pelajar di sekolah, si Andi.
"Ada apa lagi, Di?" tanya saya.
"Aku disuruh bapak kepala sekolah menemui Bapak!"
"Tentang siswa-siswi yang kesurupan itu juga?" tanya saya lagi.
"Benar, Pak! Jumlah siswa-siswi terus bertambah. Kini seluruh siswa-siswi dalam kelas yang jumlahnya empat puluh orang kesurupan. Mereka menjerit-jerit. Menangis sekeras-kerasnya. Membentur-benturkan kepala ke tembok. Berguling-gulingan di lantai. Malahan, seorang siswi membanting semua kursi dan meja yang ada dalam kelas. Jika ada yang mencoba memegangnya, dia meronta-ronta melepaskan diri. Dia menghardik, menyerang, menendang, menempeleng, dan menjambat rambut siapa pun yang berusaha mendekat!"
"Baik, Nak! Katakan kepada bapak kepala sekolah saya akan segera menyusul ke sana," ujar saya memotong Andi cepat-cepat karena tidak tahan mendengar kisahnya lebih banyak.
Selama dua puluh tahun saya mengabdi sebaga guru di sekolah ini baru kali ini ada kejadian siswa-siswi kesurupan. Tidak tanggung-tanggung pertama terjadi langsung dalam jumlah besar.
Hal itu tentu saja membuat pihak sekolah kelabakan. Dan, sayalah yang dianggap mumpuni mengatasi kejadian tersebut. Pertimbangannya, karena saya seorang guru agama yang mengerti hal-hal gaib.
Tentu saja saya mengelak dan mengusulkan supaya memanggil orang yang sudah biasa menghadapi hal demikian. Saya jelaskan kepada kepala sekolah dan seluruh guru yang hadir saat itu bahwa saya bukanlah orang yang tepat meski pernah melihat bagaimana orang kesurupan dihadapi dan diobati.
***
Peristiwanya masih dulu sekali di kampung istri saya di sebuah desa kecil di Jawa. Seorang anak yang sedang bermain di dekat kuburan tua, tidak jauh dari pohon asam yang telah berumur puluhan tahun, tanpa tahu kenapa tiba-tiba mengelepar-gelepar di tanah. Dia menjerit dan meraung sangat kuat. Teman sepermainannya datang mengabarkan kepada orang tuanya dan warga desa.
Si anak kemudian dibawa ke balai desa dan salah seorang warga bergegas memanggil orang pintar, seorang dukun kampung. Warga desa sering memanggilnya Mbah Tumi. Dia terkenal bukan saja di desanya tetapi sampai ke desa-desa tetangga. Seluruh warga desa mempercayainya akan sanggup mengusir roh jahat yang dianggap sering masuk ke jasad warga.
Dalam kepercayaan orang-orang di kampung istri saya saat itu, sebenarnya roh jahat yang masuk ke dalam jasad warga berasal dari roh leluhur yang biasa disebut "Mbah". Mbah itu meninggal beberapa puluh tahun yang lalu. Dia dikuburkan di dekat pohon asam itu.
Masih menurut cerita orang di kampung istri saya, si mbah itu dikenal sakti. Karena itu, ketika dia meninggal rohnya tidak sampai ke langit. Entah mengapa rohnya tertahan di pintu langit. Roh tersebut kemudian gentayangan yang sewaktu-waktu berubah wujud menjadi kelelawar yang terlihat di pohon asam pada malam hari. Terkadang juga masuk ke jasad warga.
Begitu Mbah Tumi mulai beraksi dengan membaca mantra-mantra seraya menjepit ibu jari kaki si anak dengan kuat, kontan mata si anak melotot ke arahnya. Tatapannya begitu tajam dan menyala. Tetapi Mbah Tumi yang sudah terbiasa itu terlihat tidak gentar. Tidak lama kemudian, perlahan dia mulai dapat mengatasi hingga berlangsung dialog diantara keduanya.
"Siapa kamu?" tanya Mbak Tumi.
"Apa perlunya kamu menanyakan itu, heh!" katanya lantang dengan suara serak, menyerupai suara kakek-kakek.
"Jangan banyak bertingkah, cepat kamu keluar dari jasad anak ini!" perintah Mbah Tumi tidak kalah lantang.
"Kalau saya tidak mau keluar!"
"Apa yang kamu inginkan? Anak ini tidak bersalah!"
"Siapa bilang tidak bersalah. Dia nakal karena selalu bermain di sekitar rumahku!"
"Di mana rumah kamu?"
"Ah, kamu bertanya segala lagi. Puih! Apa kamu pura-pura tidak tahu?" katanya dengan nada sinis .
Dialog antara Mbah Tumi dengan roh dalam jasad anak itu berlangsung lama. Tetapi, bukan Mbah Tumi jika tidak berhasil memenangkan pertarungan tersebut. Mbah Tumi lalu menyarankan warga desa untuk merawat kuburan tua dan pohon besar itu. Membersihkan dari daun-daun kering yang jatuh. Memagarinya supaya anak-anak mereka tidak lagi memasuki wilayah itu untuk bermain.
Saat itu, saya setengah yakin setengah tidak dengan kepercayaan itu. Namun, semenjak saya mendapat kesempatan mempelajari agama lebih banyak di perguruan tinggi saya kemudian menolaknya sama sekali.
Masak ada roh gentayangan? Hakikatnya semua roh yang telah berpisah dengan jasadnya akan kembali kepada pemiliknya, yakni Tuhan. Lagi pula sangat tidak pantas jika roh manusia yang mulia itu berubah menjadi kelelawar atau sejenis binatang lainnya.
Menurut saya, sesungguhnya bukan roh jahat yang masuk ke tubuh warga kampung melainkan sebangsa jin yang berperilaku jahat.
"Kok, ada jin yang senang berperilaku jahat?" tanya seorang warga sekembali saya ke kampung setelah menamatkan kuliah.
"Karena ada juga jin yang baik!" jawab saya datar.
"Kalau ada jin baik, kenapa harus ada jin yang jahat?" tanyanya lagi.
"Sebenarnya tidak pantas disebut jin jahat. Jin-jin itu pada dasarnya sama dengan manusia. Ya sama-sama ciptaan Tuhan. Mereka juga terdiri atas jenis laki-laki dan perempuan sehingga mereka bisa kawin dan beranak pinak. Para jin itu menetap di mana saja. Bisa di pohon-pohon besar, di gedung-gedung bertingkat, di hutan ataupun di kota. Di rumah-rumah kita juga banyak jin yang numpang tinggal, hanya saja kita tidak melihatnya. Bahkan, mereka juga bisa menetap dalam tubuh kita. Kelebihan jin dibanding manusia karena mereka bisa mengubah diri mereka menjadi apa saja. Bisa kelelawar, kerbau, kuda, pokoknya apa saja!" urai saya panjang lebar.
"Tetapi kenapa jin itu sering iseng atau nakal kepada manusia? Apa mereka kurang kerjaan?"
"Saya kira bukan itu masalahnya! Sebagai sesama makhluk jin juga mendambakan hidup damai dan berdampingan secara baik-baik dengan manusia. Kalau mereka banyak yang nakal dan menganggu kehidupan manusia jangan-jangan justru manusia yang lebih dahulu iseng mengusik kehidupan mereka!"
"Lalu bagaimana dengan cerita roh gentayangan?"
"Menurut saya, ya, itu jin yang menyerupai jasad manusia yang telah meninggal!"
***
Meski para guru dan siswa lainya sedikit kewalahan, semua siswa-siswi yang kesurupan sudah berhasil ditenangkan. Memang sulit dipercaya dengan akal sehat bila seseorang kesurupan. Bayangkan, seorang siswi mampu melepaskan diri dari beberapa guru pria yang mencoba menenangkannya. Siswi tersebut seperti memiliki kekuatan yang lebih besar dari kekuatan lima orang guru pria.
Saya mengumpulkan keberanian untuk mengusir jin-jin dalam tubuh siswa-siswi. Akhirnya dengan susah payah saya mampu meyakinkan diri dapat melakukannya. Tetapi saya tidak mungkin mengobati satu per satu siswa-siswi yang kesurupan sebab akan mengambil waktu yang lama. Mungkin diperlukan waktu berjam-jam jika saya mengatasi jin-jin yang berada dalam jasad empat puluh siswa-siswi.
Saya lalu mengelilingi mereka semua yang kini dibaringkan di aula. Setiap siswa atau siswi dipegangi sekurangnya lima orang. Saya sengaja berkeliling dengan harapan menemukan wajah siswa-siswi paling merah, marah, dan beringas. Biasanya, bos jin berada pada tubuh yang paling kuat meronta-ronta.
Tetapi dengan cara demikian saya masih mendapatkan kesulitan. Hampir semua siswa-siswi yang kesurupan menujukkan wajah yang sama. Wajah penuh amarah. Memandang dengan sinis. Sorot mata yang tajam. Dan, dari mulut mereka semua keluar suara-suara seperti sedang mendesis.
Menyaksikan hal tersebut nyali saya kembali turun. Saya sudah mundur kalau saja bukan faktor kasihan melihat siswa-siswi itu. Belum lagi bila menatap wajah kepala sekolah dan guru-guru yang begitu menaruh harapan besar kepada saya.
Sekali lagi saya mengumpulkan keberanian dan perlahan mendekati salah seorang siswi. Dia dipegangi lima orang. Tangannya yang terentang dijaga oleh dua orang. Begitu pula pada kakinya terdapat dua orang. Satu orang lagi berjaga-jaga di bagian kepala kalau-kalau dia berusaha bangkit.
Begitu jarak saya dengannya berkisar setengah meter, siswa tersebut meludah ke atas dan tepat mengenai wajah saya. Dugaan saya, inilah cara jin yang berada dalam jasad memancing kemarahan sehingga konsentrasi saya terganggu.
Saya membaca doa-doa dan menjepit ibu jari kakinya dengan kuat. Tidak lama kemudian jin dalam jasad siswa mau angkat bicara.
"Aku dan teman-temanku tidak akan keluar sebelum tuntutan kami dipenuhi!" katanya dengan suara serak dan begitu emosional.
"Apa tuntutan kalian? Kalian salah karena menganggu siswa-siswi yang tidak bersalah ini!"
"Tetapi manusia yang lebih dahulu mengusik kami! Masak kami diburu-buru!"
"Siapa yang memburu kalian?"
"Itu para tim pemburu jin. Bahkan yang lebih menyakitkan karena manusia menyajikannya lewat sebuah tayangan langsung di sejumlah televisi swasta!"
"Kalau begitu kalian salah alamat! Ganggu saja manusia-manusia yang memburu, menangkap, dan memasukkan sebangsa kalian dalam TV untuk kepentingan komersil!" tegas saya yang seketika itu teringat istri dan anak-anak. Bukankah itu tayangan yang mereka tunggu-tunggu setiap malam?

Salatiga-Canberra, 2005-2006

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Sunday, September 9, 2007

Article: Indonesian students perform dance at Open Day


The Jakarta Post, September 9, 2007
Ahmad Syam, Contributor, Canberra


Eight dancers -- a group of Indonesian, Japanese, Taiwanese, Singaporean and Australian students -- performed brilliantly, charming University of Canberra (UC) Open Day visitors recently.

As representatives of UC Indonesia Students Societies (UCISS), they performed the Likok Pulo dance. The traditional dance from Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam opened the annual event.

Their costumes sparkled in the sunlight. They wore gold-colored hats that were very bright under the sun. The sarongs worn by the women featured rich colors including red, green, yellow, pink, brown and orange.
The students performed impressively. They successfully captured the spirit of the Likok Pulo dance, with its rhythms and dynamic motion.

Open Day is an event in Australia held every Aug. 25 to promote schools and universities as well as other institutions.

Likok Pulo, in the Acehnese tradition, begins with greetings, as it is a dance to welcome guests -- a symbol of respect and apologies if something unpleasant has happened. The motion, on the other hand, depicts the dynamic of life. Even for Aceh people, all dances, including Likok Pulo, are dedicated to Prophet Muhammad.

UCISS as part of PPIA-UC (Indonesia Australia Student Association University of Canberra) not only presents dance, but also has an Indonesia stall.Information about Indonesia is contained in pamphlets, posters, booklets and many other items. In order to attract visitors, UCISS also provide traditional Indonesian food such as rissoles, jenang (porridge) and wajik (sweet steamed rice) at stalls. For Indonesians, the stall will remedy their longing for Indonesian food while for others it is an opportunity to taste appetizing Indonesian cakes.

Something that make the UCISS stall unique is that they produce rissoles live on stage. The team brought kitchen equipment to demonstrate the entire cooking method for rissoles. In less than two hours the special food from Indonesia was sold out.

At 1.45 p.m. UCISS performed the Likok Pulo dance again. The second performance was in order to join in the Master Talent Contest. The contest was open to anyone -- individuals or groups -- to demonstrate their talent. The contest is an additional program at every Open Day event. The winners will be divided into several categories; most courageous, humongous (enormous), humorous and glamorous. The UCISS dancers team was most glamorous. UCISS president Sadewa Herwindu told The Jakarta Post Indonesian students continuously promote Indonesian culture in Australia.

UCISS, founded in March 2001, brings Indonesian UC students together. Its main purpose is to expand networking between UCISS and UC through education, social and cultural programs. This year UCISS launched Forum Indonesia as a monthly discussion program. Internally, the objective of the program is to enhance students' understanding of Indonesia problems. Beside, it is aimed at strengthening students' presentation ability in English. The program also strengthens the Indonesia-Australia relationship. Since its launch, Forum Indonesia has held two events. The first took the topic of climate change and Indonesia's forests; the second was on the general election and challenge for policy-making in Aceh.
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2006/05/28/riaustralian-ties-expands-through-literature.html

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Short Story: A young man and two tellers


(The Jakarta Post, January 28, 2007)

By Ahmad Syam

All the customers standing in line for the bank teller shouted when a young man pushed in at the front of the queue.
He was wearing a blue shirt, black trousers, red tie and a black blazer and ignored others who had been patiently waiting in the long queue.
Both tellers, on the other hand, welcomed him and smiled at him sweetly. One must have said to him: "Good afternoon, Sir! What can I do for you?" He whispered something to her and she just kept nodding.
He put his bag on the counter in front of the teller.
In the meantime, a number of customers who had been standing in line for what seemed like hours got annoyed when the teller served him.
"Damn! He must be a rich man!"
"He can't do that, though!"
"I think he might be a bureaucrat!"
"Whoever he is, he must join the queue for bank service!"
"You're right! He shouldn't jump the queue!"
*****
It was 6.30 a.m. when I had left home. I had hoped I could avoid a long queue if I arrived early. Besides, it took about an hour to get to the bank on Jl. Diponegoro, Salatiga.
However, many customers had had the same idea; that was why there was already a long queue by 7.45 a.m. outside the bank, which would be open at 8 am.
It was to be expected as this was the last day of business before a long break. Banks would be closed for a week due to the Lebaran holiday; hence, customers had to anticipate what they might need during that time.
As a result they waited patiently in line, even though it seemed to take hours. There was no other choice. Leaving the queue would only bring other problems.
My wife, for instance, would be waiting for me at home and she would ask many questions. "How much cash did you get, honey? Is it enough to cover our expenses during Lebaran and a week after?"
"We're also going to go to visit our parents, you have taken that into account, haven't you?"
Knowing that I had withdrawn money, my children, of course, would say, "I want a new shirt!" Then, my second child would say, "I need new shoes, Dad!"
All this came to mind as I stood a long way back in the queue. Basically, if all customers had followed the bank's advice they would not have needed to be stuck in a long queue every year as Lebaran approached.
The bank had advised customers to get an automatic teller machine (ATM) card. They had even offered them one. With such a card customers could avoid queues.
Administration costs however, had alienated customers, especially those on a low salary. They seemed to prefer to stand in endless queues.
They didn't want to waste hard-earned money on bank charges.
*****
The tellers, both young women, were busy with the young man who seemed to be withdrawing a huge amount of money. One of them had to take boxes of money from other tellers. They both looked exhausted.
The appearance of the teller infuriated me. I felt tellers should not show any nervous tension when serving customers. They had been trained, as tellers, to perform their job in a cheerful manner, hadn't they?
Meanwhile, the young man stood at the counter. He sometimes looked impatient. He leaned over toward the window several times.
"Damn! A rich man with a bad temper! Look at him! Even though the tellers have given him top priority he is still displeased!"
"Probably, he is a rich man or a bureaucrat!"
"He has no sense of courtesy!"
"He's too rude!"
"He's putting both tellers under pressure, that is why they look awkward."
The customers stood in the long queue and didn't stop grumbling. Initially, they grumbled because the tellers had let the young man jump the queue.
However, they stopped blaming the tellers when they saw how the young man was harassing them.
I kept silent because this was the fasting month. At such time Muslims should not only fast but also avoid getting angry. I worried it could break my fast. To keep calm I told myself that this was to be expected in a big city.
Not only were the customers grumbling but they begun stamping their feet on the floor making strange noises. The young man ignored them.
Now, one of the tellers was filling the young gentleman's bag with money. The bag was getting fuller all the time.
The tellers had spent about 20 minutes serving the young man. I thought that was an appropriate time, considering he had withdrawn such a lot of money. Usually, each transaction only took five minutes if a customer made a small withdrawal. Most transactions only took five minutes.
After receiving his bag the young gentleman whispered something to the tellers, who just nodded.
Then the young man left hurriedly.
The bank returned to normal. The customers were cooling down.
However, when a customer stepped up to the counter both tellers began to shout, "Oh no, don't come here! That man just left a time bomb. Also, he robbed our bank!
Salatiga, December 2005
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2007/01/28/young-man-and-two-tellers.html

Sunday, August 12, 2007

Article: Independence Day commemoration: Fun and games for all in Canberra

Although some fall over in the sack race in their attempt to be first to cross the finish line, 
the participants keep smiling. (JP/Ahmad Syam)
________________________________________
The Jakarta Post, August 12,2007
Ahmad Syam, Contributor, Canberra

The Willows Oval at Australian National University (ANU) is still quiet at 9:30 a.m. Only a few people have shown up, although the event should start at 9 a.m., according to the timetable. 

It is a lovely sunny morning. The sky is clear and blue. The green of the Willows Oval's grass is quite brilliant in the sunlight. However, the weather is very cold. The temperature is only five degrees Celsius. According to the TV weather forecast, on Sunday, July 29, the temperature was to be from minus one to 12 degrees Celsius. Today will be mostly sunny.

One by one, the Indonesian community in Canberra, children and their parents, dressed in warm jackets and jumpers, have been gathering at the Willows Oval to play Aussie rules football. They have come, not just for the games, but to commemorate an historic Indonesian day even though they have to fight against a freezing morning and wake up earlier than usual for a Sunday. They are paying tribute to Indonesia's 62nd anniversary of independence.

The games committee has set up the event well. A group from the Indonesian Embassy is preparing a barbecue party while a committee drawn from the students arranges the fun games. Nine children stand facing kerupuk (fish crackers) at 10 a.m. They will take part in the race to eat the kerupuk on a string -- in Australia this game is known as eating apples on a string. Two sessions have been arranged for children according to their age.

After about two-and-a-half hours all the games for children are finished. The winners of each heat for kerupuk-eating, the egg-and-spoon race, the sack race and the tug-of-war have emerged. The spectators, about 60 adults and children, shout "hip-hip hooray" for the participants, especially the winners.

Before holding the adult games, everyone breaks for lunch at 1 p.m. The smell of beef barbecue and other foods such as fried chicken and pumpkin cake for desert seduce all present. Also, there is Betawi asinan (salad to Indonesia taste from the Betawi in Jakarta). The asinan is very special for the Indonesian community in Canberra as people will not find it at any supermarket: They have to wait for a special occasion or party like today's.

The participants of the games, and also the spectators, have been working up an appetite and thirst. Meanwhile, it's warming up. The temperature is now about 12 degrees Celsius. Everyone enjoys the food and fine weather. The embassy staff have forgotten their routine activities in the office and the students have abandoned their assignments for a moment. They immerse themselves as one in the atmosphere, having great fun in the party.

Every year, the Indonesian Students Association of Australia (PPIA) collaborates with the Indonesian Embassy to organize events to commemorate Independence Day. Besides fun games, the committee also holds sporting events such as badminton, tennis, indoor soccer, volley ball and table-tennis. Like last year, some events have been held several weeks beforehand. 

Sporting and fun games are held on the weekend as most of the committee and the participants are students.
After the barbecue, the adult games begin. The games are the same as those for the children. Postgraduate and undergraduate students participate as one: There is no gap between PhD students or undergraduates. They are also from different universities -- ANU and the University of Canberra.

In the kerupuk-eating contest, all participants compete very seriously. The delicacy on offer is Palembang kerupuk, as can be found at Asian stores. In the sack race, another example of a keenly fought competition, the participants fall down all over the place as they attempt to run. Although everyone wants to win, the most important thing is that they have participated in the Independence Day party.

By 3 p.m. it's all over. Everyone shakes hands and expresses their appreciation to the organizing committees.
The games have been a source of joy for everyone. Most important of all, the games have revived everyone's sense of nationalism and brought them all together. (The Jakarta Post, August 12, 2007)

Buku kumpulan cerpen-ku

Buku kumpulan cerpen-ku bisa dicari di sini :

http://catalogue.nla.gov.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi

Saturday, July 28, 2007

Book Review: Using Australia as a Literary Mirror


Satu Pertanyaan dari Selatan: Kumpulan Cerpen Berlatar Australia
(A question from the south: Short stories set in Australia)
Putu Liza, et al
A. Helmy Fuady, Farid A. Wibowo, Della Temenggung, eds.
Bentang, January 2006
268 pp.
Bahasa Indonesia




Using Australia as a Literary Mirror

By Ahmad Syam, Contributor, Canberra

(The Jakara Post, May 28, 2006)


Sarip, a Javanese, falls in love with Joanne, an Australian girl who speaks his language. Joanne is ready to marry Sarip, but he has his doubts. He remembers that his mother and uncle advised him, before he left for Australia, not marry someone from a different culture.This is the outline of a story by Farid Arif Wibowo, "A Question from the South" ("Satu Pertanyaan dari Selatan"), from which the anthology takes its title.

The Australia-Indonesia Student Association (PPIA) of The Australian National University (ANU) held a short story writing competition in 2005. More than 40 entries were received and the judges finally selected 15 short stories for publication in the anthology Satu Pertanyaan dari Selatan: Kumpulan Cerpen Berlatar Australia (A question from the south: Short stories set in Australia). The anthology was published in January 2006 by Bentang Publisher, in cooperation with the PPIA and the Australia-Indonesia Institute.

A short story, like other works of literature, reproduces social reality through the authors' unique sensitivity, which enables them to examine social situations. This anthology explores the reality experience by the authors during their temporary residence in Australia. Of the 14 authors whose short stories appear in this anthology --one author contributed two stories-- 13 are students on scholarship by the Australian government, and the other is a housewife.

Although all authors come from Indonesia, their educational, social and cultural backgrounds are varied, influencing the way they express themselves. Furthermore, this makes the anthology more interesting because it reminds us of gado-gado, an Indonesian "salad" that contains a variety of ingredients, from leafy greens to fried tofu. Reading this anthology is like eating gado-gado: a delicious mix of flavors and spices.

For example. Ridwan Arifin Hasibuan elaborates on the dark side of Melbourne in "Reality Show" --not only its busy economic life, but also social issues such as Third World immigrants who are prepared to work long hours for low pay, thus threatening the working conditions of the Australian workforce.

"Antheia" by Putu Liza explores the theme that it is not possible to adapt to some places. Elang, the protagonist, is a young man from Bali who can adapt to the American winter or to Lembata Island.

Another theme of "Antheia" is human relationships and Elang's love for the title character Antheia. Amrih Widodo, one of the writing competition judges, writes in the preface that Elang's and Antheia's love is like drinking the Penfolds Grange Hermitage 1986 wine, rich and deep.

"De'Nong" by Ana A. Hermawan talks about cultural differences. De'Nong, a housekeeper from Java, and John, an Australian sociology professor at Flinders University, fall in love. Both try to adjust to each other's cultural differences. They finally resolve their differences and form a happy family.

While these three stories talk about cultural issues, the next three stories address personal conflicts. "Walking at Night" ("Perjalanan Malam") by Ira Tanca; "I, Tapi, and He" ("Saya, Tapi, dan Dia") by Ariane J. Utomo and "The Party isn't Over Yet" ("Ternyata Pesta Belum Bubar") by Agung Fatwanto are all set in Canberra, with its modern buildings, street lights and television programs. The characters face many conflicts, especially in finding their identity in a modern city that imprisons them.

Two stories, "The Bridge" ("Jembatan") by Farid Arif Wibowo and "A Hundred Smiles" ("Seratus Senyum") by Kurniawati Hastuti Dewi) deal with the contemporary issue of terrorism. Both authors show their concern over this problem in the context of bilateral relations between Indonesia and Australia.

Meanwhile, "Perhaps Because the Marhaen People are Still Hungry" ("Mungkin Karena Kaum Marhaen Masih Lapar") by Firman Noor, and "Uncle Heli" ("Om Heli") by Dwi Elyono, consider Australia as a mirror image of Indonesian culture and behavior. Firman observes how disciplined Australia traffic is, whereas Dwi deals with the serious concerns that Australians have over a sustainable environment.

Australia as a mirror image over Indonesian culture and behavior also appears in "The Diary of Nara" ("Catatan Harian Nara") by Bima Arya Sugiarto and "A Hundred Smiles" ("Seratus Senyum") by Kurniawati Hastuti Dewi. Both stories explore how Australians base their human interactions on concepts of equality. "The Diary of Nara" illustrates political equality in students who can express their opinions freely to their lecturers, while "A Hundred Smiles" demonstrates gender equality.

Even though most of the stories in Satu Pertanyaan dari Selatan reflect respect for the Australian lifestyle, some authors cannot hide their anxiety about esoteric social issues. "Violet in the Dawn" ("Senja Kelabu") by Joyce Anshory explores the life of a Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, who are lonely because their children have left the area; their condition reflects the life of many elderly Australians.

Generally, most stories in this anthology possess interesting themes, but some authors have technical problems with plot, so that they do not flow smoothly; this may bother some readers.
Competition judge Amrih Widodo believes the anthology gives readers a new perspective on the relationship between Indonesia and Australia, one that goes deeper than cooperation in economics and politics.
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2006/05/28/using-australia-literary-mirror.html

Friday, July 27, 2007

Short story: Flowers for the Bedroom


By Ahmad Syam
(The Jakarta Post, July 10, 2005)

Hamdan's plants would never come into flower. Their roots gradually dried up, their stalks blackened, then their leaves turned yellow before they faded and died.
 
Everyone knows that kerosene shouldn't be poured over plants. Not only do the newly cultivated plants die, but so do others that have been growing for years.
 
Plants are sensitive and susceptible, even to the weather, and need special care to grow. They could die simply if their owner forgot to water them.
 
"Honey, the plants you have just cultivated...!" Hamidah cried out from their garden that morning.
 
"What is it?" Hamdan replied from the living room and walked out to the garden.
 
"Come here, you can see them for yourself," Hamidah shouted.
 
Looking around, her husband asked, "What did they die of? Who did it?"
 
"Please don't ask me things like that, honey! There are only three people in our house. You, our driver Pak Timun and me. Don't you trust me and Pak Timun?" Hamidah said sharply.
 
"I'm sorry, honey! I didn't mean to accuse you. I just wonder how this could be happened. Do you think our neighbors did this? Perhaps they're jealous of our pretty garden," Hamdan sighed and gazed down at the dead plants.
 
"Do you think you cultivated them in the right way?"
 
"I'm sure, honey! I dig up the soil deep enough before planting the seeds. I also never forget fertilize them," Hamdan told her desperately.
 
"You might have sprayed them with too much fertilizer?" Hamidah asked softly.
 
"It's impossible. I followed the instruction on the fertilizer bottle to the letter. Hmm... It smells of kerosene. Somebody must have poured kerosene onto these plants! But who?"
 
***
It was almost a year since Hamdan fell in love with flowers.
 
Every Saturday after leaving for work, he passed by a flower shop and bought some seedlings, whatever their price.
 
His wife was very surprised when she found several packets of flower seeds inside Hamdan's car the first time he brought them home. She thought she knew her husband well. It had been seven years they had lived together, and she knew that Hamdan didn't like flowers at all.
 
Nevertheless, Hamidah was terribly excited about the change of her husband's attitude toward flowers. Earlier, she had asked him to buy her flower seeds frequently. Hamdan had agreed to bring seedlings home, but he didn't fulfill his promise.
 
He had many reasons not to. The seeds and seedlings were expensive, he said one day. At another time, he complained that the flowers would only disrupt his activities.
 
"Hamidah, for what would you cultivate flowers? They take up all your time!" he said when she told him her plans to create a garden in the front yard.
 
"Oh, of course not, honey, I need some other activity to do during my leisure time aside from watching TV." Hamidah said, flirting.
 
"Honey, I don't want to see you tired because of flowers. You have to tidy the garden, as the leaves falls every day. Moreover, you must water the plants in order to keep them alive." Hamdan tried to dissuade his wife. "It is better for you to take up sewing or knitting if you want to kill your loneliness when I'm at work. You will get more benefits compared to gardening," he added.
 
"Sewing? Knitting? Gardening is much more relaxing than either!"
 
"But I don't believe you can do it by yourself. Look! Our yard is too large. It takes considerable time and a great deal of energy to keep it tidy, sweep and cut the grass," Hamdan tried to explain.
 
"I know. Our yard even inspired me to design a lovely garden. You will see... Without plants, it looks like a drought hit it. Can you imagine how peaceful it will look with fresh, colorful flowers? They will relieve your stress after work." Hamidah persuaded gently.
 
"Ok, it's up to you. I'll buy the seeds and seedlings for you. But you must remember your responsibility in tending to them ... and of course, I don't want to see you tired when I'm home," Hamdan said firmly.
 
"That's more than enough! If you do not want to help me care for them, I'll have Pak Timun help me," Hamidah replied calmly.
 
Back then, Hamdan wasn't concerned about flowers. Hamidah smiled, remembering his refusal to design a garden. She couldn't believe that Hamdan could have changed his mind.
This also caused Hamdan's behavior to change profoundly, especially in what he read and talked about. He didn't let himself miss any news on plants and flowers, and he always made sure to watch a gardening program on TV and collected any books that could help broaden his knowledge of varieties of flowering plants.
 
Hamdan took over Pak Timun's duties in the garden. He pruned the stalks happily, planted seeds and made a small fence to protect the garden from his neighbors' chickens.
 
His wife was delighted. Finally, Hamdan's heart had been touched by flowers, Hamidah thought. Furthermore, Hamdan's efforts in the garden had reduced her workload. Now, she was only responsible for watering the plants every morning and afternoon.
 
"Honey, why do you like flowers now? It's surprising to me. I used to have to force you to help me create a garden, which you rejected firmly. And now, you're the one with the drive...?" she asked with great curiosity.
 
"Is it forbidden for men to like flowers so that you think it's amazing?" he replied.
 
"I'm not saying that, nobody said that men aren't allowed to love flowers. I just wonder why you changed. You used to hate flowers, but now you can't be away from them."
 
"My reason may be the same as yours. Flowers are beautiful. Moreover, I needed something else to do home. It was just a matter of time." Hamdan said, enthusiastic.
 
His explanation, of course, didn't satisfy Hamidah's curiosity. But she tried to put aside the question as the change in him inevitably pleased her. She just hoped this could turn Hamdan into a romantic husband.
 
As time went by, the garden grew full of plants. A great variety of flowers grew in Hamdan's garden -- orchids, roses, jasmines and others besides. It was very colorful as well. If an edelweiss, which can only be found on mountains, could thrive in his garden, then he must have planted it.
 
Hamdan placed an antique chair in the garden so he could enjoy the sweet scent of the blooms during afternoon chats with his wife, and in the evening over a cup of tea.
 
He kept adding new plants after work, even there was no more space. His car was always full of seedlings. It was no wonder that Hamdan was now known as a flower lover in his office.
 
His friends often asked him for advice on how to cultivate plants. He seemed to be an expert on flowers.
 
It was undeniable that Hamdan was deeply immersed in gardening. The first thing he looked at when he arrived got home were the flowers, and in the morning, before going to work, he gazed at them. Furthermore, every day off, he spent all day in the garden.
 
"Honey, you don't need to buy any more flower seeds! Look, the garden is teeming with plants! There's no space for new plants," Hamidah worried.
 
"Hamidah, don't you remember that you used to force me buy flowers, asked me to love flowers? Now I love them, but you object."
 
"That's not what I mean, honey. You are too much. Will you grow plants inside our house?"
 
"Absolutely not, my lovely wife. I just buy new varieties of flowers. I don't want to miss them."
 
"But you seem to be addicted to flowers, honey! You devote all your time gardening and enjoying flowers," she complained.
 
"What should I do instead of gardening, Hamidah? I wish I had kids... It would be better for me to take care of them rather than spend my time with the plants. But we don't have any choice, do we?"
 
Children were always the last word between them.
 
Hamidah tried to stop the conversation because it hurt her terribly. She realized that Hamdan missed having a baby as much as she did. Nevertheless, she felt that Hamdan seemed to blame her for not having kids. She simply kept silent when Hamdan started to talking about children, although she knew Hamdan never intended to offend her.
 
She worried Hamdan might talk about kids even further...
 
She cared about how much Hamdan was concerned about the flowers, because she realized she didn't know how to draw his attention off them. She thought it was much better because Hamdan was likely to stay at home rather than going out for fun.
 
This, however, must have made her lonely.
 
Hamdan started bringing plants into the house after replanting them into flowerpots, as he thought Hamidah let him go on gardening. He put flowers in the living room and the dining room.
 
At first, they looked beautiful. A week later, they looked a mess because there were simply too many flowerpots.
 
One day, Hamidah warned her husband. She said she didn't mind the plants at first. At least, Hamdan didn't need to go outside if he wanted to admire the flowers. Moreover, the indoor flowers erased loneliness in the house. What she didn't like was the dirt they left after they were watered.
 
Unfortunately, Hamdan ignored her warning. He even hung several orchids in the bathroom. Now, the only place without any flowers was their bedroom.
 
One night, Hamdan talked about his plan to put several potted flowers in the bedroom. He thought they would make the room more beautiful. He was surprised when Hamidah refused ... then her face filled with tears.
 
"I thought I was the one who could make you happy! I was wrong, the flowers have replaced me," she cried.
 
***
Hamdan was angry, realizing that someone had poured kerosene on his beloved plants.
This was not all, and every day, the flowers dried one by one.
 
One day, he pitched a tent in the yard. He spent the night in it to apprehend the culprit, and frequently looked tired and sleepy. If he was, he took a day off from work. This week, he had already missed three days of work, but he still hadn't caught the culprit.
 
At first, he suspected his neighbors. But he couldn't gather any proof. Besides, it was impossible for his neighbors to have done it during the day. They would have had to have done it at night.
 
Then his suspicions turned to Pak Timun and his wife. They were obvious suspects because he had often asked them for help in the garden. Hamdan would question them carefully.
 
"Pak Timun, I think of you as family. It's almost seven years you've lived with Hamidah and me. You wouldn't hide anything from me, would you?" he said to Pak Timun one day as he left for work.
 
"I'm sorry, Pak Hamdan? Are you going to fire me?" Timun replied.
 
"Of course not, Pak Timun! Tell me the truth. Who poured kerosene on my flowers?"
 
At the question, Pak Timun suddenly broke out into a sweat. He began to tremble, his face became pale with fear and his heart began to beat faster.
 
After a long silence, he decided to tell the truth, although he thought he knew what would happen afterward. He decided to take the chance.
 
"Sorry, Pak Timun? Do you know who poured kerosene on my flowers?" Hamdan repeated.
 
"I'm sorry, Pak Hamdan! In truth, I did it, but it wasn't my idea. Somebody else told me to!" cried a shaking Timun.
 
-- Makassar, June, 2005
 
*) Picture: www.desertcart.ae






Indonesian students in Australia play an important role


Satay ... satay ... satay ...!" A member tries to persuade visitors to the PPIA stand to buy Indonesian food at the Australian National University Orientation Day last February.
(JP/Ahmad Syam)


Indonesian students in Australia play an important role
The Jakarta Post, July 15, 2007

About 18,000 students from Indonesia, most privately funded and partly sponsored, are studying in Australia now -- the second-largest contingent of Indonesian students overseas after those in the U.S.

They are spread wide, all over Australia. They are studying for undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in a variety of subjects.

These lucky youngsters are the face of Indonesia in Australia. They are in effect a microcosm of what Indonesia will be like in the future. Consequently, they occupy a strategic position as unofficial "diplomats".

The Indonesian Students Association of Australia (PPIA) regards the students as having enormous potential for Indonesia. So far, how has PPIA handled this potential?

Although the students are Indonesian, in reality most are not active PPIA members. Therefore, PPIA has tried to encourage them to play a more active role within the organization.

This has been a PPIA objective since it was established in Canberra in 1981. (Previously, the Indonesian Lecturer and Researcher Association of Australia (HPPIA) was founded in 1975.)

If students wish to become PPIA members they have to be registered, said PPIA head Della Temenggung.

Another reality is that not all of the registered members are involved actively in PPIA programs.

Della, a PhD student at the Australian National University (ANU) explained PPIA's progress over the last 27 years.

There are 26 branch (state-level) and stem (university-level) organizations within PPIA.

Externally, some people think that PPIA is part of the Indonesian Embassy in Australia, as it was founded by the Indonesian government.

PPIA is an independent organization, Della insisted, although some think that PPIA has yet to achieve financial independence.

PPIA celebrates its anniversary every March 8 and has played a significant role in Indonesia-Australia relations.

Examples include members acting as facilitators for meetings of legislators from the two countries. On the diplomatic side, PPIA took on the role of catalyst in discussions on the recent Papua cases. In 2006 Australia gave visas to 42 asylum-seekers from Papua.

For Indonesia the policy had the potential to damage the diplomatic relationship between both countries. PPIA made recommendations for stabilizing Indonesia-Australia relations, and President Susilo Bambang Yudoyodo invited a PPIA delegation to discuss the issue in Jakarta.

The PPIA also holds cultural events. Every August, the month of the Indonesian independence, PPIA holds special events in some states and cities.
Examples include Pesta Rakyat (People's Party) in Sydney, Pesta Kampung (Village Party) in Melbourne and Festival Indonesia in Adelaide.

PPIA has a social program. When the Asian tsunami damaged much of Aceh and Nias in 2004 and an earthquake destroyed Yogyakarta in 2006, PPIA donated funds to survivors. PPIA and Australian Communities collaborated to form Network for Tsunami Aceh (NTA).

In Melbourne, PPIA members performed street music to collect funds, Della explained.
As a student association, of course, PPIA has academic and sports-oriented programs.
This year, Della said, PPIA would hold the International Conference for Indonesian Students (KIPI) in Sydney, in September.

The participants are not only students around Australia but also Indonesian students from other countries. If those from other countries cannot attend in person they may participate via teleconferencing to minimize costs, Della asserted.

There are several short-term objectives that PPIA intends to achieve from the event.
These are to persuade the government to accept students who possess an undergraduate certificate when they return to Indonesia and apply for a job in the government; also, to make a database of Indonesian experts overseas.

PPIA's future success therefore depends very much on its ability to demonstrate that it can assist students in fulfilling their own potential. (Ahmad Syam, Contributor, Canberra)