Why You Should Not Have To Shave Your Newborn Baby's Hair Until Bald

Baby's Hair Cut Ceremony.
Photo credit: ummu uswah.

In Javanese culture, shaving a newborn baby's hair until bald, after the age of 35 days, is a common thing. Back then, I was experienced the same thing as in Javanese culture, had my hair shaved until bald by my late grandmother.

But, I was not doing it to both of my children. My first daughter had a thick and black hair when she was born. It seemed a little bit weird, if I had to shave her hair until bald. Unlike me when I was a baby, I only cut a little bit of my children's hair after they aged 35 days.

The Javanese Culture of Selapanan

The Javanese ritual of cutting newborn baby's hair aged 35 days, or called as selapan age, exactly at the baby's Javanese weton day of birth. For example: If a baby was born in Sabtu Legi, June 1, 2013. Then the baby's selapanan ceremony will be held in Sabtu Legi, July 6, 2013.

The second Javanese ritual is for a baby aged seven lapan, or 245 days is called tedak sinten, which means to get down in the ground ceremony. Based on the book of Primbon Betaljemur Adammakna by Kanjeng Pangeran Harya Tjakraningrat, the ritual ceremony may not only be held when the baby is at the age of 245 days, but also at the age of 70 days, 105 days, 140 days, 175 days and 210 days. The book is also not mentioned that the newborn baby's hair should be shaved until bald.

The Moslem Tradition of Akika

90% of Indonesian people are moslem, and shaving a newborn baby's hair until bald is a must thing to do, while performing aqiqah, or akika, within seven days after birth, according to the hadith of Ashabussunah (HR: Imam Ahmad, Ashhabus Sunan, and At Tirmidzi).

Is it true that shaving a newborn baby's hair until bald, will make the hair grows thicker?

Indonesian people, especially the Javanese believed that shaving a newborn baby's hair until bald, will make the hair grows thicker. Just like when grasses or leaves are cut, to grow them faster.

The fact, hair is different from grasses or leaves. Hair grows from the follicle beneath the surface of the scalp. The hair growth rates are different in every people. The genetics play a key role in the hair growth. The average rate is about one and a half inch per month. So, whatever we do to the hair on the outside, will have no effects on the hair that is growing in the follicle. Both my children's hair from they were born with, had lost all them, a little by litle, until the age of a year old.

Fontanel, The Door of The Soul

If the eyes are the window of soul, the Javanese people believed that human's ubun-ubun, or fontanel, the crown of the head, is the door of the soul. When a man die, his soul is came out from his fontanel to be taken by the death angel. And so is when a three months fetus in the uterus is given a life by The Lord through its fontanel.

Based on my children's experience, both of them were more immune to diseases, and only sufferred from a light cough, cold or fever, that should not have to stay in the hospital to receive intensive medication. I believed that their immunity had to do with their fontanel, in which was still covered with their hair.

My second son had a thin fontanel in his bald hair since birth. Until he was at the age of four months, his fontanel was still softer than his elder sister when she was at the same age. Because it, I grew my son hair until he was at the age of three years old, and only cut it once when he aged selapan, or 35 days old. Back then, everybody always thought that my son was a pretty girl, due to his long thin hair.

Why do I say that fontanel is the door of the soul? Have you ever been with a person who is at the end of his life? Did you notice the temperature of the his body? The cold of his body rise up from the feet to the head?

So, the Javanese ritual was different from the Moslem tradition, in doing the shaving of a newborn baby's hair. Nowadays, most Indonesian people are combined both ritual, not just in seven days, but after the baby aged 35 days old, whether it will be until the hair is bald, or just a little bit.

Noken, The Near Extinction Heritage

Photo from indonesiaberprestasi.web.id, courtesy of Shinji Kawai.

Noken, a traditional handmade bag by the people in Papua and West Papua, Indonesia, is near its extinction. More than 200 tribes in Papua Island have been using noken to carry many things. Different from an ordinary bag, the tribes people of Papua use their forehead to carry noken.

Just like Mbaru Niang of Flores, which already received the UNESCO's Award of Excellence, in Bangkok, on August 27, 2012. Noken has officially recognised by the UNESCO in the Intangible Cultural Heritage list, which needs an urgent safeguarding, in Paris, on December 4, 2012.

Photo from Arjuna/Jubi.

Titus Pekei, the Chairman of the Papua Institute of Ecology, is the man who concerns about the near extinction of noken. The idea to list noken to UNESCO was started in 2008, after Batik and Keris was recognised by the UNESCO as Indonesia national heritage. After the Ministry of Culture and Tourism agreed to his idea, in February 2011, Titus began his research.

Titus felt sad to see many factory-made noken which were sold from IDR 55,000 to IDR 200,000. While the price of original handmade noken could cost between IDR 500,000 to IDR one million. The original noken is expensive because it needs a long time to finish making a noken.

Noken is made from knotted wood fibre. The finest material is from Melinjo (Gnetum gnemon) wood fibre. While the orchid noken, or gold noken is made from yellow or brown color toya orchid.

In Paniai district, Titus with his team from Ministry of Culture and Tourism, found 50 women of noken artists, and 20 men who mastered of making orchid noken. What boasts more, there is a school that includes noken craft making as one of local curriculum, said Titus.

Titus Pekei hard work was finally paid off after the noken proposal was accepted by the UNESCO Committee. But, this is only the beginning, the problem in saving the noken heritage lies on its marketing. The people of Papua and West Papua cannot grow the market outside their home. So, the Indonesian Government should pay more intention to save this near extinction heritage.

References:

Titus Pekei, Penggagas Pengusulan Noken Papua hingga Diakui UNESCO
Jawa Pos, Headline, January 26, 2013.

UNESCO Culture Sector - Intangible Heritage
Noken multifunctional knotted or woven bag, handcraft of the people of Papua
http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/index.php?lg=en&pg=00011&USL=00619

Early Moral Education For Pre-School Children

In Indonesia, an easy way to make money is by being a parking-lot guard. The one that was really irritated me, was when I saw corruptions doing by parking-lot guard. I've described this on my early post.

Corruptions in Indonesia had reached to very concern level. Not only for those powerful politicians who had been caught by KPK, Indonesian Corruption Buster Commission, for suspicion on doing corruptions. But after farther investigating, KPK move seemed to be blocked by some slippy rocks.

It often happened that the whistle-blower ended in jail, or even died, because there was no effective witness protection programs. How come, a small grade employee became billionair from his corruption works by doing it alone? It seemed impossible that his manager was not also enjoying the money.

Early Moral Education

A breakthrough had been made by KPK with the launch of children books series titled Tunas Integritas, or in English, The Buds of Integrity. The books are aimed to target for children at Play Groups, or Pre-School.

The books series are composed of six packages in which titled, Wuush, Byuur, Ungu di Mana Kamu?, Ya Ampun!, Ini, Itu?, and Hujan Warna-warni, said the Director of Education and Community Services of KPK, Dedie A. Rachim.

The book's commitment and the efforts of the creators are to eradicating corruptions in Indonesia, in which starts from small community, that is family. In the books itself is represented by the character of Kumbi Family, a dung beetle.

If beetles play a major role in making soil conditions conducive to the growth of shoots plants, the book's aim is trying to provide stimulation for all Indonesian children to grow up with the values of integrity, said Dedie.

To implement laws corruption prevention, the KPK must conduct anti-corruption education at all levels of education. Children who are currently 4-5 years old must be equipped with a weapon (moral) to fight corruption, Dedie added.

The publishing of Tunas Integritas books series are the result of collaboration among KPK and FPBA (Forum Penulis Bacaan Anak, or Children Books Author Forum). The book begins with the training and corruption workshop that was held in Bandung, by the end of 2011, followed by the authors of children books.

FPBA itself is a non-profit organization consisting of authors, illustrators, editors, designers, publishers, participants, journalists, media, and observers of children books. Since established on May 2, 2010, FPBA has the membership of more than 2000 people.

References:

Photo Credit: Dian Nafi

Komisi Pemberantasan Korupsi
Kenalkan Nilai-Nilai Antikorupsi, KPK Luncurkan Buku Anak Tunas Integritas di Indonesia Book Fair 2012. (archive)

7 Wonders of Indonesian Houses

After the Komodo Island National Park was dumped from New 7 Wonders last year, the good news came from its neighbour island, the Flores Island. On August 27, 2012, at the announcement of the 2012 Asia Pacific Heritage Award, in Bangkok, Thailand, Mbaru Niang received the UNESCO's Award of Excellence.

The 10 Centuries Civilization

Mbaru Niang, which in Manggarai language means cone house, a traditional house of Wae Rebo village, Manggarai district, Flores Island, East Nusa Tenggara. There is only 7 houses left in the world, so that it makes 7 Wonders of Indonesian Houses.

Wae Rebo village is located about 1,100 meters above sea level, an isolated village surrounded by panoramic mountains and dense jungle. Wae Rebo village had survived for more than 1000 years, its people now are the 17th generation. Isidorus Ingkul, 84, is the living elder of the 16th generation. According to Isidorus, the life expectancy of every generations in Wae Rebo was about 60 years.

The Journey

A visit to Wae Rebo is made through the district's capital of Ruteng. From the nearest big city of Ruteng, the journey continued with a hard ride to Denge village. Based on the journey by Jawa Pos Reporter, Doan Widhiandono, on September 7, 2012, there are still 4 routes before reaching the Wae Rebo village, that must be on foot to be arrived there.

The Tour de Wae Rebo, said Doan, was started exacly at 2.12 pm East Indonesia Time (UTC+9). The 1st route is Denge - Wae Lomba, across the Coffee and Cacao field. Normally can be finished in 45 minutes, but for Doan the 1st route was far away from normal. Accompanied by Romanus Monde, his guide, he finished the 1st route in 90 minutes, due lots of taking a break.

The 2nd route is Wae Lomba - Posoroko, in which the road was more softer, no more big rocks that must be jumped. Only flat ground which climbed, and keep on climbing. The 2nd route track was not so steep, with the steep slope was only about 30 degrees. He took about an hour on the 2nd route.

On the short 3rd route, Posoroko - Nampe Bakok, Doan was still felt the same torture just as both route before. He arrived to the 3rd post of Nampe Bakok after 30 minutes.

The last route, the final one, Nampe Bakok - Wae Rebo, was a downhill track. He finally arrived in Wae Rebo at 5.58 pm. Crossing in the middle of the small village towards Mbaru Tembong, the main and the biggest of Mbaru Niang in Wae Rebo.

The Cone House

Mbaru Niang has ngando, the main pillar made from Worok wood. While the frame hood of the cone is made from bamboo. Every Mbaru Niang also has paratongang, unique traditional windows. All the houses were built without the use of nail.

Mbaru Tembong is on the East side of Wae Rebo, and at the center amongs others 6 Mbaru Gena, the ordinary Mbaru Niang, on its left and right. Mbaru Tembong has 15 meter of height and the cone diameter. The others 6 Mbaru Gena only have 11 meter of height and the cone diameter.

All 7 Mbaru Niang were built in 5 levels. The 1st level, lutur, is for living. Mbaru Tembong is filled with 8 families, direct descendants of Maro, the 1st generation of Wae Rebo. Other Mbaru Niang is filled with 6 families.

The 2nd level, lobo mehe, is to store foods and goods. The 3rd level, lentar, is to store seeds. The 4th level, lemparae, is for foods stocks. At the 5th level, hekang kode, there's a room called, kilikiang, to keep offerings to the ancestors.

Saving The Heritage

In 2008, Mbaru Niang was almost extinct, due to was only 4 houses left, that is Mbaru Tembong, a house on the left side, and 2 houses on the right side. 3 other houses were vanished because of age.

According to Vitalis Haman, one of the elders of the 17th generation, the number of Mbaru Niang in Wae Rebo must not more than 7 houses. Seven is represented of the seven powers which guard our village, said Vitalis.

In 2011, the community-led rebuilding project, initiated by the Rumah Asuh Foundation, had re-built 3 other houses. The project were also helped by the donations from Tirto Utomo Foundation, Arifin Panigoro, a businessman, and Admiral Sukardi, former Indonesian Minister. The cost to build each Mbaru Niang was more than IDR Rp300 Million (USD $32,000).

References:

• Photo Credit: Leonardus Nyoman
• Jawa Pos, Headline, September 15 & 16, 2012
  Menyinggahi Wae Rebo, Desa di NTT Peraih Penghargaan Tertinggi UNESCO (2),(3/Habis)
• JPNN.COM : Menyinggahi Wae Rebo, Desa di NTT Peraih Penghargaan Tertinggi UNESCO (1)
• UNESCO Office in Bangkok
  UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation
  Winners of the 2012 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards (archive)

Update: July 17, 2024

When Mother's Words Were No Longer Be Heard

The Sampang Riot

I still remember the words from the elder neighbour, when I was at young age. It's better for kids to be naughty, when they were still children, rather than they become naughty adults. That words suddenly came up in my mind after reading the news about what happened in Sampang, Madura Island, last Sunday, August 26, 2012.

Mass anarchist that have been acted by Ustadz Rois Alhukama's sunni muslims followers to his older brother's shia muslims followers, Ustadz Tajul Muluk, was made 1 man killed, some were injured, and more than 9 houses were burn, in Karang Gayam village, Sampang. The police had arrested Rois as the primary suspect, while his brother Tajul had been already received 2 years in jail conviction for sentence of blasphemy.

The riot actually was started because of personal matter between the 2 brothers who had been conflicted each other, then spreaded into their own religious belief, sunni and shia. According to Khairu Ummah, Tajul's and Rois' mother, little Rois was a decent boy, on the other hand, little Tajul was a naughty boy. She never thought that after they were adults, Rois became the one who never listened her words.

Ummah said that the riot will not happen, if her husband, Makmun was still alive. Makmun, who died 7 years ago, was the one who mediated when his sons conflicted. If only Father were still here, there would not be anything like this. Because of what Father had said, always be obeyed by the children. If it me who said so, it will be ignored by them, said Ummah, whose head was also injured by a thrown stone from angry mobs who attacked her house. I was so sad and embarrassed. It is a personal matter which has long tails, moreover, it involved in a life of a man, said Ummah to Harian Pagi Surya.

According to the Human Rights activist, the attact to Shia community was ever happened before, exactly in December 2011. The suspects were the same mobs. Only there're new mobs added due to many donations, said Vice Executive Director of Human Rights Working Group, Chairul Anam.

Meanwhile, Komnas HAM (Indonesian National Committee of Human Rights) claimed since earlier had already known that there were potential conflicts between Shia Muslims with other Sunni Muslims around them. Our recomendation was being ignored. Several our investigation results were never been reacted, until that attack was happened, said Chief of Komnas HAM, Ifdhal Kasim to Jawa Pos, in Jakarta.

The tolerance between religious Maduranese communities was very high. Maduranese Sunni muslims also memorized Shia muslims salawat, said Mahfud MD, Chairman of Mahkamah Konstitusional (Constitutional Court), a Maduranese figure, to Jawa Pos reporter.

Education is the key point for people who live in cultural diversity, to not get easily be provoked by well educated whom they called master.

If you are parents, teach your kids well enough educations! And not only from any institutions, but also from your own family educations and affections. Be parents that treated your children as friends, not like adults talked to kids!

References:

• Harian Pagi Surya, Headline, August 29, 2012.
• Jawa Pos, Headline, August 29 & 30, 2012.

Formaldehyde Chicken Satay

Portrait of a satay seller with its customers in 1870, courtesy of Tropenmuseum

Satay, or sate is consider one of many famous Indonesian cuisine originally from Java. And then became widely in almost all regions of Indonesia. Sate is considered to be the national dish and one of Indonesia's best dishes, added with its regions specific ingredients recipes, different from my favorite original East Java satay that is only used peanut pasta with sweet soy sauce.

Last week, my mom was visiting my aunty house, and having a chat with her. After talking about family and etc., my aunt told my mom about her neighbour who live next door. My aunt's neighbour is a chicken satay seller. Couple of nights earlier, my aunt spotted her neighbour, was putting lots sticks of fresh chicken satay on a wood table, outside their house.

When my aunt saw the husband, she then asked him, Why do you put those satay, on your porch, without covered with anything?. Don't you worry about it. My satay won't smell stinky, he answered. My aunt then felt more curious. It's impossible for those fresh chicken meat, which are laid outside without even smell stink, and there're no flies come approach.

Still in my aunt's memory, recent local TV news about bread that was using borax as preservative. He might have done the same thing with those satays, said my aunt to my mom. Her point of view about satay then suddenly changed. She told my mom that she will never buy, or even eat satay no more.

My aunt's neighbour satay seller act was definitely scarred one of Indonesian most famous cuisine, in which I do really love most. As long borax and formaldehyde are easily to be bought in the nearest drugstore, this kind of practice will still continue. Though not all of satay sellers also doing those cheat thing, but we must be awared of it!

We should prioritize the well-being of our family, particularly our children. It would be better for us to cook our foods by ourselves, using fresh vegetables, meat, or fish, which are chosen by ourselves, without any preservatives added.

Related articles:

Bread Cancer Trigger

Danger Threatened in Seafood Dishes

Formaldehyde on Food Products

Healthy Labelled Foods

Soegija (a Film by Garin Nugroho)

A film by Garin Nugroho about the life of Mgr. Albertus Soegijapranata, S.J., the 1st Indonesian native bishop and also a national hero, which will be released in all movie theatres in Indonesia, in June 7, 2012. Whether Garin Nugroho, or Nirwan Dewanto, the actor who played as Soegija are not a Catholic.

Nirwan Dewanto is also not a real movie actor, he was known as an Indonesian Humanist. The tecnical problem, was because I'm not an actor, said Nirwan. Nirwan was choosen by Father F.X. Murti Hadi Wijayanto S.J., the film producer, due to Nirwan has similiar face like Mgr. Soegija

Nirwan Dewanto was willing to work hard to act by studying lots of Catholic literatures, including learned the Latin, Greek, and Dutch languages. Besides English, Mgr. Soegija was capable of mastering those 3 languages.

The Soegija film controversy was formerly discussed in the internet and through Blackberry Messenger (BBM). Many Indonesian sceptic people who haven't see the film, considered that this film will affect to one's faith after he watched it, a Christianitation. Such a short minded thinking, living in the country with so many differences, races, faiths, cultures and languages, with Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Differences but one) as its motto. Don't call yourself as an Indonesian if you have that kind of thought!

Butet Kertaradjasa, one of the film actors also deplored the existence of such opinions. There will be no one's faith is changed simply because of watching a work of art. I feel pity for people who think so shallow. It similar to people who buy food, then ask what is the chef's faith? Had the chaf been circumcised or not? That's very funny. I think the rumor was a free promotional ads, said Butet in the interview at the Gran Melia Hotel, Jakarta, May 16, 2012. This film purpose is to foster the values of nationalism, humanity and how to behave in an unstable situation, he added.

This 12 billion IDR budget film is inspired by Mgr. Soegija's diary during his nomination as apostolic vicar of Semarang in 1940 and the end of the war with the Dutch in 1949. Mgr. Soegija's fight was not phisically, but by his articles that had sent to foreign media, or so called as silent diplomacy.

The film begins in the courtyard of the Church of Gedangan, in Semarang. Soegijapranata has just been ordained Apostolic Vicar, upon ratification by Mgr. Montini who would later become Pope Paul VI. Indonesia was still occupied by the Dutch, but in 1941, the Dutch surrendered to Japan, which begun to conquer South East Asia.

The Indonesians welcomed the Japanese as their saviour. Mgr. Soegija knows everything what had already happened in the Church in Japan. He had predicted that soon the saviour would do the same as the Dutch. Torture Indonesian people with force labour called romusa, causing millions of deaths by starvation, and teaching native Indonesian to raise weapons to build their defense against the U.S. Allied Forces. Though the last one has benefit for Indonesia to build Tentara Nasional Indonesia (Indonesian National Army).

Mgr. Soegija's memorable words was when he broadcasted on the radio in 1947.

We are Indonesian Catholics side with the republic will achieve a real and complete independence

Mgr. Soegija's wish came true on December 27, 1947, when the Dutch was willing to recognized Negara Kesatuan Republik Indonesia, the United States of the Republic of Indonesia.

The People's Tongue Connector

Mgr. Albertus Soegijapranata, S.J. was born by the child name Soegija in Solo (Oldest=Soerakarta), Central Java, November 25, 1896. In July 26, 1963, based on Presidential Decree no. 152 of 1963, the 1st President of the United States of the Republic of Indonesia (PotUSoRI), Soekarno, awarded him as Indonesian National Hero, shortly after he passed away in Netherlands. He was buried in the Giri Tunggal Heroes Cemetery, in Semarang, Central Java. To honour the Rama Kanjeng, a street in Solo and a Catholic University in Semarang were named after his.

Image from Wikimedia

Reconciled with Cancer

Endang Rahayu Sedyaningsih (February 1, 1955 – May 2, 2012)

Since diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer on October 22, 2010, former Health Minister of Indonesia, Endang Rahayu Sedyaningsih, finally had to reconcile with her disease. She died on May 2, 2012 at the RSCM Kencana, Jakarta, after struggling for nearly two years. Such a spirit of living with cancer, while many others are willing to just gave up the hope. Endang had never complained about her illness, and always showed her tender and warm smile to everyone she met, while she suffered from cancer.

For her, suffering lung cancer is considered to be a gift from God. If I was given a disease, I must be grateful. Why should I be glad, if I were given the gift of happiness, while given the disease was not?, said Endang in front of dozens of cancer patients who survived.

A Harvard University of U.S. graduate who was always repeatedly explained, that her illness wasn't caused by smoking. Endang wasn't an active or passive smoker. In her home environment, there are nobody who smoked. Despite by smoking itself, air pollutions and some chemical substances are also known as lung cancer trigger.

I do not smoke. I don't know what caused it, the cancer was suddenly appeared. Many diseases are known of having unknown causes, said Endang in an interview on January 18, 2011. On the contrary to other cancers, lung cancer can't be detected. It doesn't even show early symptoms at all, though it had reached the advanced stage.

Cigarettes and Lung Cancer

Lung cancer has changed in status from an uncommon disease to one that now represents the most common cause of death from cancer of any site in men. Chemical and biological studies have indicated that there are at least 8 compounds present in tobacco smoke from cigarettes which can cause cancer in experimental animals.

This has moved many leading governments, to issue statements concerning the health hazard of cigarette smoking, and to conclude that smoking is the principle cause of the increase in lung cancer. Such statements have also come from the Surgeon General of the United States Public Health Service, the Medical Research Council of Great Britain, The Research Council of Sweden, the Health Council of Holland, and the National Cancer Institute of Canada.

Some scientific investigators have expressed doubt as the significance of the association between smoking and lung cancer. They have criticized the statistical studies as failing to take into account constitutional differences, and other environmental factors, which may influence the development of lung cancer. Others feel that producing cancer in animals by painting their skins with tobacco extracts, doesn't demonstrate that human lung cancers are caused by the same substances.

An extensive study of 402 men at autopsy has given added weight to the correlation between cigarette smoking and lung cancer. The report, based on microscopic examination of 19,797 lung sections, showed that changes in the air passageways (the tracheo-bronchial tree) varied dramatically with the amount of cigarettes smoked. The pathologists were not told of the type of case, or smoking history during the reading of the slides.

The smallest number of changes were found in those who never smoked, or smoked only occasionally. With the increase in amount of cigarettes smoked, there was a progressive increase in the number of abnormal changes present. The greatest number of changes were present in those who smoked 2 or more packs of cigarettes per day.

Sources :

• Jawa Pos, Headlines, May 3, 2012.
• Cigarettes and Lung Cancer article is part of my previous post by Sylvia Frank, Research Reports Coordinator, Research Department, American Cancer Society.

Dahlan Iskan for PoRI 2014

Dahlan Iskan was born on August 17, 1951 in Magetan, East Java, former Jawa Pos CEO. His son, Asrul Ananda was succeeded him to become CEO of the biggest newspaper based in Surabaya.

Former Managing Director of PLN (State Electric Company) since October 19, 2011, due to ask by Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) to become the State Minister of BUMN (State-Owned Enterprises), is the right figure to succeed SBY to become PoRI (President of Republic Indonesia) for 2014.

One of the most famous book written by Dahlan Iskan titled Ganti Hati (Replacing Liver) in 2008, which was based on his personal experience, living with a transplant liver, became Indonesian best seller book. He wrote the book after he was performing liver transplant operations in China, which has managed to inspire many of Indonesian people, that there's always a sunlight after the rain.

The one that I love from him was from lots of his innovations since he became Managing Director of PLN. Also he was not based from any political party in Indonesia, just like Budiono, the vice PoRI. The non political party based figure is sometimes more concern to what actually happen in their own neighbourhood.

If Dahlan Iskan doesn't become the candidate for PoRI in the next Indonesian national election on 2014, I guess must free myself to not giving my vote. Because my best figure for PoRI 2014, who is SBY, can't be voted again for the 3rd times.

Dahlan Iskan's book sold at Amazon

The Hat Squad

The Hat Squad TV Show

I have an interesting story when I was still at high school. The story about a carefully dressed criminal groups, when they acted on the city bus. My school was included to be one of favorite public schools at the center of Surabaya.

A school which surrounded by many entertainment centers, such as malls and cinemas. As a stress release after a day study, I always brought a shirt from home to change my uniform when I was entering the mall after school. That is one of my reason in choosing the school.

At that time I was living in Sidoarjo, which is 23 km from my school. I chose school which was far from home, to collect more pocket money from my parents, that's my major reason. I always used the city bus for my transportation to school, later moved to other transport at Surabaya City's border toward my home. The total time of journey was about an hour.

I always remembered a group of criminals in the city bus, I named them 'Hat Squad'. Why I named them so? Because before they got into a crowded city bus, they all wore jackets and hats. While in the city bus, they put their hat and tucked in the back pocket, with jacket folded in their arms.

The Hat Squad was a group of 5 men, 2 men up from the front door and 3 men went up from the back door. On the bus, 2 men were standing at the front and back door, while 3 other men were playing around on the city bus. I'd get lucky to have a seat, after a man got off from his seat, and went down to the city bus.

Unfortunately for him, his wallet that was in his back pocket was taken very quickly by a man that stood on the back door. Apparently almost all the passengers in the bus had been touched by all members of the Hat Squad without mutiny none of them to shout.

Coincidentally, I sat on the far back left, precisely near the back door, so I could see clearly up to the position of the front seat. Over the course of approximately a km, I watched the Hat Squad in action, without totally ignored by the bus conductor. Conductor probably had already knew, if they were a group of robbers.

They were also not drawn to pay the bus ticket by the conductor. When they went down on Wonokromo, Surabaya, a famous area in Surabaya which was known for its crime situation, those 5 men were immediately put on their jacket and hat, as they walked hand in hand, just like a scene in one of my favorite TV serial titled The Hat Squad.

Sandals, Indonesian Symbols of Justice

Sandals collecting solidarity action to liberate AAL, a 15 year-old boy on trial in State Court of Palu, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, because stealing sandal continues to grow. Most sandals are collected starting handed over to police as a symbol of how expensive justice for the poor.

If only slippers that were stolen does not belong to a police officer, his case would not continue to trial. Moreover, the price of a pair of sandals is not worth the high cost of litigation. Similar to the term for justice seeker, namely ' Lost your chicken, if you report to the police, you may lost your cow '.

The case became hot news in Indonesia, a reality that actually happened in the world of law in Indonesia. For the poor, justice becomes a luxury that must be redeemed at a very expensive price. This does not apply to those who are rich, and for those who close to the legal world, they can easily get justice. Because justice is blind indeed.

Such irony, if the case of AAL is comparing with corruption cases in Indonesia. AAL object crime of not more than IDR 30,000 (US$ 3) are treated as equal to corrupt billions of Rupiah. Strong reaction from the people of Indonesia is a voice of conscience for a substantive justice.

Obviously there is something wrong in AAL legal process, and AAL trial process is really violated conscience. But reality says another, on January 4, 2012, the judge decided AAL proven guilty according to article 362 of the Criminal Code. Punishment received by AAL is returned to his parents to be fostered, in accordance with Law No. 3 of 1997 on The Protection of Children.

Law in Indonesia seemed to be in its own world and no longer becomes a product of society. Hopefully the case of AAL will become last case in Indonesia.

Source : Jawa Pos, Jan 5, 2012, Jati Diri, page 4.