Laneway Festival

 

Phew... Laneway Festival. Festival musik yang diadakan di beberapa kota di Australia plus Singapore dan gue sangat tertarik untuk datang kesini. Bukan biar gue dibilang 'anak gaul' atau sebagainya -_- tapi karena gue penasaran sama festival yang diadain negara lain. Pingin gue bandingin sama festival-festival yang ada di Indonesia kayak Java Rockin'Land dan kroninya dan juga gue pingin nambah ilmu buat bikin semacam festival musik, soalnya gue sekarang bercita-cita jadi seorang promotor. Hehehe.

Festival ini main-nya ada di Australia, diselenggarakan di kota Adelaide, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, dan Perth. Plus Singapore. Band-band yang akan tampil mungkin masih rada asing buat telinga musik Indonesia seperti !!! (chk chk chk), Yeasayer, Deerhunter, Beach House, Foals, Ladyhawke, Holy F@#K, The Temper Trap, Warpaint, Bear In Heaven, Blonde Redhead, PVT, Two Door Cinema Club, dan masih banyak lagi. Oiya, festival ini diselenggarain sepanjang bulan Januari.

Hmm beberapa waktu yang lalu gue ngeliat webzine Deathrockstar, dan mereka menawarkan semacam paket nonton Laneway Fest. yang di Singapore. Kisarannya 2jt-3jt lah. Naaaaaah, mungkin ada dari teman sekalian yang ingin mensponsori gue buat nonton ini? Gampanglah nanti feedback-nya, bisa didiskusikan hehehe :D

More info? Here and here

Surprise News

Baru mendengar, eh melihat deng hehe, di timeline twitter gue bahwa salah satu band favorit gue yang berasal dari Inggris, yaitu Bloc Party katanya akan manggung di Jakarta. Berita itu gue dapet kemarin sore dari orang yang gue follow, Adib Hidayat, yang merupakan salah satu orang majalah Rolling Stone Indonesia. 

Wow man! Gue super duper excited! Mengingat juga tanggal mainnya yang akan dirilis adalah 29 Desember. Beh, a perfect timing! Itu pas gue lagi liburan, jadi kemungkinan gue akan nonton Bloc Party sudah 70%. Tapi sayangnya, pihak promotor (Ismaya Live, red) belum sepenuhnya memastikan hal ini. Gue lihat di timeline Ismaya Live kalau mereka belum merilis pengumuman resmi kalau Bloc Party mau kesini. Tapi mereka sudah memberi semacam 'pertanda'. Ini dia foto dari Bloc Party yang kata promotornya ini merupakan foto official yang dikirim dari manajemen mereka...

Bagi yang penasaran dengan Bloc Party, bisa langsung lihat profil MySpace atau Official Website mereka. Hehehe.

Ngiler

Halo semua, sudah beberapa hari ini tak berblogria. Gue tiba-tiba keinget dengan sebuah foto yang gue dapet dari Flickr. Foto Erlend Oye yang lagi main gitar. Bukan dengan Eirik (Kings of Convenience) tapi dengan band sampingannya dia, The Whitest Boy Alive. Ini dia fotonya...

Disini gue bukan pingin ngebahas tentang The Whitest Boy Alive-nya. Tapi okelah gue akan kasih review. Whitest Boy Alive adalah band yang dibuat Erlend, mempunyai empat personel yang beraliran pop techno gitu. Menurut gue ini adalah pelampiasan Erlend yang dulu pernah solo karier dan itu berlarian pop techno juga. Terbentuk tahun 2003 kalo gak salah ini. Apa 2001 ya? Hehehe bisa lah ya cari di google atau wikipedia :P

Oke, yang pingin gue bahas itu gitarnya, man. Gitarnya! Hahaha. Gue ngiler banget-bangetan! Gitarnya Erlend tuh Fender Telecaster. Yang bikin gue ngiler ada warna gitarnya. Telecaster warna emas atau warna kayu terus strap Fendernya dengan bordir warna emas juga. Beeeeh kombinasi yang mantap! Gue juga pingin Telecaster karena buat main lagu yang beraliran techno pop. Enak diliat juga sih hehe.

Btw di rumah udah ada dua gitar, yaitu Espanola (gitar pertama gue nih haha) dan Fender Stratocaster. Rencana gue beberapa tahun ke depan sih gue pingin punya sedikitnya lima gitar. Selain dua yang udah gue sebutkan di atas, gue pingin Fender Telecaster  buat main pop techno/post-rock, Schecter buat main yang keras-keras kayak metal gitu, dan gue juga pingin satu gitar akustik string dan gue lebih memilih Martin&Co. Beeeh mantap banget kalau gue punya semuanya.

Semoga rencana dan impian gue diatas terwujud. Amin!

Masa SMA-ku (by Dewobroto Adhiwignyo)

Masa SMA-ku

Kuhabiskan selama tiga tahun

Di sekolah yang sarana dan prasarananya tidak terlalu baik memang

-Tapi tak jadi masalah buatku-

Di sana kotor

Yang jadi persoalan

bukan kotor lantainya, dindingnya, atau lingkungannya

(Jadi, apa yang kotor?)

Politiknya kotor.

Sekolah SMA-ku

yang penuh dengan para Primordialis...

OSIS-nya kotor, MPK-nya kotor

Bahkan beberapa organisasi lainnya juga kotor

Di SEKOLAH NEGERI itu

yang dapat menjadi pengurus OSIS dan pengurus MPK

hanyalah mereka yang (dianggap sebagai) Muslim (yang baik).

Yang dapat menjadi Ketua OSIS dan Ketua MPK hanyalah kaum Adam.

Mereka tidak peduli dengan hak asasi

Ya

Mereka... yang mengaku terpelajar dan menghormati Tuhannya.

Dan di balik itu semua mereka masih berkoar-koar menyuarakan kebebasan berpendapat dan nilai-nilai luhur kepemimpinan, etika, serta moral.

Yang Nasrani ada pula yang tak jauh berbeda.

Seringkali kutemui

orang-orang yang hanya bergaul dengan rekan seagama/sesukunya saja

Dibalut dengan sikap fanatik berlebih.

Tidak.

Aku tidak suka suasana kacau balau itu

Aku merasa tidak nyaman

Muak.

Memang sudah berlalu

Tapi sangat membekas. Seringkali terbesit di dalam pikiran...

Kenapa aku bisa masuk 'Kandang Primordialis' seperti itu?

Lalat saja tidak pilih-pilih sampah basah jenis apa yang mau ia jilat

Aku netral. Tidak membela siapa pun.

Juga tidak terpengaruh dan dipengaruhi siapa/apa pun.

Mungkin tidak bisa sepenuhnya disebut orang baik dan patuh

Tapi aku punya pendirian prinsipil.

Aku tidak akan pernah merekomendasikan siapa pun untuk masuk mendaftar ke sekolah itu.

Menjadi siswa di sana, berarti harus siap menerima kenyataan

Bahwa orang-orang di sana lebih mementingkan tradisi, ketimbang akal sehat dan hak asasi.

Kuakui, mereka (yang terlibat) bukanlah orang-orang bodoh

Hanya saja hati nurani mereka buram

Ya. Buram.

Ada, namun buram.

Tentang hak asasi -hak kehidupan manusia paling dasar- saja mereka berani langgar.

Dan aku yakin setiap manusia terlahir dengan hak asasi. Siapapun Tuhan mereka.

Apapun agama dan ras/suku mereka.

Menjemukan. Tamak. Egois.

Munafik.

Terkutuklah mereka yang memulai dan menjalankan sistem dalam tradisi hitam itu.

Namun, aku tahu

Di antara mereka (yang terlibat)

masih ada yang berpikiran kurang lebih sama denganku

dan sependapat dalam hal ini.

Dan di luar itu semua

Aku suka dengan masa SMA-ku

Aku rindu masa-masa itu.

Bandung, 18 November 2010

Dewobroto Adhiwignyo

sumber

Down Stroke

Akhir-akhir ini kesehatan sedang menurun. Semangat sekolah-pun juga menurun entah mengapa. Haduh, it's my down stroke now. Padahal sebentar lagi UAS, tapi semua serba menurun. Eh, untung semangat belajar gue masih on-fire hehe. Ya, gue lebih suka belajar di rumah atau di tempat les. Lebih nyaman, enak, tentram, lebih konsen, lebih segala-galanya deh. 

Sekolah? Bah.. adanya gue tidur mulu. Entah kenapa gue jadi ngantukan banget di sekolah, altough I had a proper 8 hrs sleep. Contoh, tadi pas pelajaran seni, pas guru lagi bincang-bincang dengan murid yang di depan, gue dengan innocent-nya tidur. Dapet kali 20 menit, sampai seorang teman gue ngebangunin gue kalo udah mau pulang. Beh, school really gets me bored these days, man. Ditambah lagi akhir-akhir ini banyak hari-hari gak efektif belajar karena libur nasional sampai penyambutan kepala sekolah sepulang dari tanah suci. Halah halah..

Gue lebih mencintai tempat les dan rumah sebagai tempat belajar yang paling efektif. Seperti yang udah gue bilang diatas dan juga gue mendapat teman baru yang unik, keren, dan wow dari sekolah lain. Oiya, dan juga tambatan hati (hehehehe). Gue terlanjur cinta dengan tempatnya, orang-orangnya, kakak-kakaknya, ...semuanya lah. Lot better than school. Rumah, rumahku istanaku. Nothing better and comforter than your own home. Even 5 stars hotel or hotel like Al-Burj in Dubai. Hahaha just trust me, man. In hotel you must pay, just for sleep. Home? Totally free. Karena gue lebih suka belajar menyendiri, rumah adalah tempat yang paling nyaman untuk belajar. Tapi ya diatas jam 9 malem hehehe. Tapi ya begitulah, I love course and home more than school.

Dan juga... Semoga cepat sembuh untuk gue sendiri. Dan juga nilai Try Out gue bagus dan bisa nembus 20 besar lagi (amin!), dan juga semoga jiwa raga gue siap menghadapi UAS yang sebentar lagi, agar mendapat nilai yang maksimal.

AMIN!

Liberidealis

Halo halo semua. Cuaca di luar agak mendung dan sepertinya akan hujan nanti. Semoga saja hujan, sudah cukup tadi merasakan di-oven sewaktu perjalanan pulang dari sekolah. Been a good week so far sih. Dalam seminggu, hari produktif-nya cuma ada tiga hari, dan gue meliburkan sehari, jadi buat gue cuma dua hari. Hehehe.

Oke cukup berbasa-basi-nya. Ada hal yang ingin gue bicarakan. Ini masalah prinsip gue sebagai human being. Ini cukup serius buat gue. Ada banyak ideologi dan pandangan di dunia ini dan gue rasa kita bisa memilih yang mana yang sesuai. Indonesia sendiri berideologi Pancasila. Ideologi yang ternyata secara tidak langsung sudah ada sejak zaman nenek moyang. Pancasila sendiri disebut orang-orang ideologi yang berbeda sendiri di dunia ini, karena Pancasila satu-satunya ideologi yang mengatur pengikutnya untuk beragama. Unik memang. Ialah Sang Proklamator, Bung Karno, yang pertama kali mengutarakan isi Pancasila ini yang akhirnya di-ubah sedikit oleh Panitia Sembilan di sila pertama, karena Indonesia adalah masyarakat yang majemuk. Karena tidak hanya masyarakat yang bergama Islam saja yang tinggal di Indonesia.

Tetapi gue agak berbeda. Gue tidak sepenuhnya menganut Pancasila. Mungkin ini disebabkan perkembangan zaman. Globalisasi, modernisasi, dan sifat alami masyarakat perkotaan yang invidualis yang membuat gue tidak sepenuhnya berPancasila. Hmm mulai menyinggung ke judul postingan ini, 'Liberidealis'. Ya, gue Liberidealis. Gabungan antara liberal dan ideal. Liberal itu sendiri cenderung ke paham orang-orang barat, yang bebas memilih dalam hal apapun dan tidak terikat oleh aturan namun masih dalam batas yang wajar. Dan ideal, ideal adalah yang kalau gue bilang sih pandangan seseorang yang cenderung semua-muanya harus 'pas' dengan diri seseorang itu. Hampir sama dengan perfeksionis, namun ideal masih memberi peluang untuk melakukan kesalahan.

Balik lagi, akhir-akhir ini, ehm gak akhir-akhir ini juga sih, dari dahulu mungkin yang tepat, gue sering mengkritik seseorang didasari dengan rasa ideal gue. Hmm pernah dua kali gue berdebat dengan beberapa orang yang gue rasa mereka tidak mengerti tentang pesan apa yang gue sampaikan dibalik pernyataan-pernyataan yang gue sendiri merasa itu adalah sebuah sindiran-satir yang hebat. Gue seperti itu karena merasa prihatin dengan kondisi remaja sekarang yang cenderung berpikiran sempit, menanggapi sesuatu yang berlebihan, dan selalu tunduk dengan arus sosial yang ada. Yang gue inginkan dari remaja sekarang adalah remaja yang berpikiran 'breakthrough' dan baru, bukan remaja yang bisanya mengkritik suatu pikiran 'breakthrough' tersebut yang malah membuat mereka stuck, malah bisa mundur. Mereka yang terlalu mengikuti tren-tren yang ada, agar stereotype mereka tetap terjaga di mata orang lain yang mereka-pun adalah orang-orang yang hanya bisa duduk di bangku penonton dan menjadi budak-budak modernisasi dan globalisasi ini. Prihatin.

Sedikit bayangan tentang betapa ideal-nya gue dan juga teman gue, disaat kita sedang ada di suatu event musik yang digelar di Jakarta Selatan. Disana gue dan teman gue banyak membicarakan musik, terutama musik lokal. Gue banyak mengkritik, mengomentari musik-musik yang ada sekarang. Kasarnya, mungkin setiap orang yang mendengar pembicaraan kita bakal berpikir "nih orang apa-apaan sih, sok tau banget" dan sebagainya. Gue rasa itu hal yang wajar, karena dengan kritik-kritik yang keluar dari kita, kita berusaha membuat sebuah tren yang baru di dunia musik, yang benar-benar breakthrough dan yang bakal menjadi kiblat orang-orang di masa mendatang. Dan juga terjadi lagi, gue mengkritik pikiran-pikiran remaja yang sekarang bisanya hanya menye-menye atau galau dan sebagainya setiap waktu. Hasilnya? Bisa ditebak. Bisa dibilang gue mendapat pertentangan yang cukup menantang buat gue sendiri. Gue berpikir kenapa sih orang-orang harus mempunyai pikiran yang sama? Satu galau, semua galau. Man, pikiran kalian sempit sekali kalau hanya cinta saja yang diurusi. Bagaimana Indonesia mau maju di masa depan kalau penerusnya saja kebanyakan seperti ini? Damn, bakal susah banget. Malah bisa saja terjadi kemunduran, terutama di bidang moral dan perilaku.

Memang, gue menyadari kalau mengubah sesuatu yang sudah tertanam kuat dan dianut oleh masyarakat luas itu bakal susah banget dan masyarakat pada umumnya akan mengatakan apa yang gue lakukan adalah hal yang radikal. Gue berharap bahwa ada orang-orang diluar sana yang berani melawan arus tren sosial. Gue juga berharap, mereka, orang yang gue sebut 'common people' itu, tersadarkan dan mulai membuat terobosan-terobosan baru dan tidak terbawa arus-arus yang malah membuat mereka terkesan bodoh.

- Rachmat Reksa Samudra | @reksamudra -

Well...

Okay, I want to talk about music concert that to be held in 2011 in Jakarta. Few days ago or maybe a week ago, Adrie Subono announced that Jimmy Eat World will come to Jakarta. For goat's sake that being torched at the moment, I'm fucking excited because Jimmy Eat World is one of my favorite band. But my exciteness turned into a huge disappointments because it's date. It will be held on April 3rd. Daaaaaamn! You know that's Sunday. And the next day is Monday. And Monday the 4th, the national exam will be held! Once again, for goat's sake that being torched at the moment. Damn! I won't come to their concert even I have much money.

And today, this afternoon exactly, Adrie Subono back announced another band that will come to Jakarta on April. Yep, this band pretty legend, Maroon 5. My childhood favorite, and they were everyone's favorite band at that moment. I'm sure that the euphorias will be awesome welcoming them. My friends on my Twitter's timeline were overwhelmed when Subono announced that. But unfortunately the ticket's price quiet expensive for student's wallet. Just for pre-sale start to 500k to 700k and that's more expensive than Placebo's, 395k to 495k. FYI, Placebo is the winner of EMA 2009 for best alternative band and their sounds are great. But, I think it's okay. They are legend, man. The expensive price maybe will be worthed for people statisfication, doesn't it? Hahaha.

And... Once again, I've prepared well the deepest condolences for myself not coming to JET and M5 concert. But, because I must fighting hard for my future, University of Indonesia, and also national exam, I won't regret that. Everythings that smells good, really needs sacrifices good too, doesn't it? :) 

Into Love

R: Eh serius lo dia nanyain gue?
A: Iyeee
R: Waaaah *diantara kesenengan dan kegeeran*
A: Disaat-saat yang kayak gini ya, dua kata itu berarti banget
R: Hahaha iya bener banget!

Setuju banget sama perkataan teman gue. Disaat-saat orang lagi mulai jatuh cinta, dua/tiga kata yang keluar dari orang yang kita sukai menjadi sangat bermakna. Seperti gue sekarang ini hehehe. Non sense? Almost.

Rollah-costah!

Yeah, this drawing was made by me special for my class, Canvast, Carnival of Social Three. So proud can make them happy with my drawing, and our plan is to put this picture to our sweater. Yeaaaaah love you all my mates!

(Rahasia)

Hehehe rada gak jelas ya sama judulnya? Maaf ya, bingung mau kasih judul apa :P

Begini, akhir-akhir ini banyak teman gue yang bertanya kenapa kok bisa muka gue bersih dari jerawat. Ehmm sebenarnya gak bersih-bersih banget sih. Eh tapi bener deng, muka gue emang bersih, terus terlihat putih bersinar gitu *habis ngaca* *geer parah*, tapi ini serius man. So, apakah ada yang mau tips rahasia turun temurun gue cara biar muka bersih???

Rahasia gue cuma satu, CUCI MUKA! (di-block biar keliatan :P) Gak lebih gak kurang. Ya pasti kalian bertanya-tanya kenapa dengan seperti itu saja muka gue bisa 'kinclong' gitu. Dari dulu, sejak kecil, gue selalu diajarkan untuk membersihkan diri sehabis bepergian, kayak cuci muka, tangan, kaki, dan sebagainya. NAH, itu dia man. Kalau ditanya berapa kali gue cuci muka dalam sehari, gue bakal jawab gak keitung. Itungannya setiap gue nyampe di suatu tempat atau gue baru pulang dari suatu tempat, pasti hal pertama yang gue cari adalah toilet, dan gue akan cuci muka dulu, itu belum termasuk membasuh muka pas wudhu loh ya. Jadi, yang pasti >5x gue cuci muka dalam sehari.

Anyway, dulu pas SMP gue juga pernah jerawatan tapi gak pernah parah, dan dulu juga gue pake produk anti jerawat gitu deh. Hehehe. But still, mencegah BENAR-BENAR LEBIH BAIK daripada mengobati. 

Jadi sekali lagi gue ingatkan masbro mbaksis semuanya yang ingin punya muka yang bersih dan bebas dari jerawat, rahasianya hanya satu, sering-sering cuci muka dengan air bersih ya! Simpel kan? :)

- Rachmat Reksa Samudra | @reksamudra -

Wah! Station Blogzine

Yes, finally I've made my music blogzine! I called it Wah! Station.

Senang sekali rasanya! Hehehe. Ini adalah langkah pertama gue untuk merambah ke bisnis dunia musik. Bukan bisnis juga sih, tapi lebih ke nyalurin hobi terpendam. Rencana kedepannya, blogzine gue mau gue bikin kayak Deathrockstar. Tapi konsepnya isinya diambil dari majalah Rolling Stone. Gue gak akan totally ngebahas musik dan musik, tapi juga ngereview film dan ngebahas tren musik yang lagi 'in'. Ya terus pokoknya gitu deh hehehe. Semoga blogzine gue bisa berkembang! :D

Transcipt of Obama's Speech in University of Indonesia

Remarks of President Barack Obama -  As Prepared for Delivery

Jakarta, Indonesia

November 10, 2010

As Prepared for Delivery—

 
Thank you for this wonderful welcome. Thank you to the people of Jakarta. And thank you to the people of Indonesia.
 
I am so glad that I made it to Indonesia, and that Michelle was able to join me. We had a couple of false starts this year, but I was determined to visit a country that has meant so much to me. Unfortunately, it’s a fairly quick visit, but I look forward to coming back a year from now, when Indonesia hosts the East Asia Summit.
 
Before I go any further, I want to say that our thoughts and prayers are with all of those Indonesians affected by the recent tsunami and volcanic eruptions – particularly those who have lost loved ones, and those who have been displaced. As always, the United States stands with Indonesia in responding to this natural disaster, and we are pleased to be able to help as needed. As neighbors help neighbors and families take in the displaced, I know that the strength and resilience of the Indonesian people will pull you through once more.  
 
Let me begin with a simple statement: Indonesia is a part of me. I first came to this country when my mother married an Indonesian man named Lolo Soetoro. As a young boy, I was coming to a different world. But the people of Indonesia quickly made me feel at home.
 
Jakarta looked very different in those days. The city was filled with buildings that were no more than a few stories tall. The Hotel Indonesia was one of the few high rises, and there was just one brand new shopping center called Sarinah. Betchaks outnumbered automobiles in those days, and the highway quickly gave way to unpaved roads and kampongs.
 
We moved to Menteng Dalam, where we lived in a small house with a mango tree out front. I learned to love Indonesia while flying kites, running along paddy fields, catching dragonflies, and buying satay and baso from the street vendors. Most of all, I remember the people – the old men and women who welcomed us with smiles; the children who made a foreigner feel like a neighbor; and the teachers who helped me learn about the wider world.
 
Because Indonesia is made up of thousands of islands, hundreds of languages, and people from scores of regions and ethnic groups, my times here helped me appreciate the common humanity of all people. And while my stepfather, like most Indonesians, was raised a Muslim, he firmly believed that all religions were worthy of respect. In this way, he reflected the spirit of religious tolerance that is enshrined in Indonesia’s Constitution, and that remains one of this country’s defining and inspiring characteristics.
 
I stayed here for four years – a time that helped shape my childhood; a time that saw the birth of my wonderful sister, Maya; and a time that made such an impression on my mother that she kept returning to Indonesia over the next twenty years to live, work and travel – pursuing her passion of promoting opportunity in Indonesia’s villages, particularly for women and girls. For her entire life, my mother held this place and its people close to her heart.
 
So much has changed in the four decades since I boarded a plane to move back to Hawaii. If you asked me – or any of my schoolmates who knew me back then – I don’t think any of us could have anticipated that I would one day come back to Jakarta as President of the United States. And few could have anticipated the remarkable story of Indonesia over these last four decades.
 
The Jakarta that I once knew has grown to a teeming city of nearly ten million, with skyscrapers that dwarf the Hotel Indonesia, and thriving centers of culture and commerce. While my Indonesian friends and I used to run in fields with water buffalo and goats, a new generation of Indonesians is among the most wired in the world – connected through cell phones and social networks. And while Indonesia as a young nation focused inward, a growing Indonesia now plays a key role in the Asia Pacific and the global economy.
 
This change extends to politics. When my step-father was a boy, he watched his own father and older brother leave home to fight and die in the struggle for Indonesian independence. I’m happy to be here on Heroes Day to honor the memory of so many Indonesians who have sacrificed on behalf of this great country.  
 
When I moved to Jakarta, it was 1967, a time that followed great suffering and conflict in parts of this country. Even though my step-father had served in the Army, the violence and killing during that time of political upheaval was largely unknown to me because it was unspoken by my Indonesian family and friends. In my household, like so many others across Indonesia, it was an invisible presence. Indonesians had their independence, but fear was not far away.  
 
In the years since then, Indonesia has charted its own course through an extraordinary democratic transformation – from the rule of an iron fist to the rule of the people. In recent years, the world has watched with hope and admiration, as Indonesians embraced the peaceful transfer of power and the direct election of leaders. And just as your democracy is symbolized by your elected President and legislature, your democracy is sustained and fortified by its checks and balances: a dynamic civil society; political parties and unions; a vibrant media and engaged citizens who have ensured that – in Indonesia -- there will be no turning back.
 
But even as this land of my youth has changed in so many ways, those things that I learned to love about Indonesia – that spirit of tolerance that is written into your Constitution; symbolized in your mosques and churches and temples; and embodied in your people – still lives on. Bhinneka Tunggal Ika – unity in diversity. This is the foundation of Indonesia’s example to the world, and this is why Indonesia will play such an important role in the 21st century.
 
So today, I return to Indonesia as a friend, but also as a President who seeks a deep and enduring partnership between our two countries. Because as vast and diverse countries; as neighbors on either side of the Pacific; and above all as democracies – the United States and Indonesia are bound together by shared interests and shared values.
 
Yesterday, President Yudhoyono and I announced a new, Comprehensive Partnership between the United States and Indonesia. We are increasing ties between our governments in many different areas, and – just as importantly – we are increasing ties among our people. This is a partnership of equals, grounded in mutual interests and mutual respect.
 
With the rest of my time today, I’d like to talk about why the story I just told – the story of Indonesia since the days when I lived here – is so important to the United States, and to the world. I will focus on three areas that are closely related, and fundamental to human progress – development, democracy, and religion.
 
First, the friendship between the United States and Indonesia can advance our mutual interest in development.
 
When I moved to Indonesia, it would have been hard to imagine a future in which the prosperity of families in Chicago and Jakarta would be connected. But our economies are now global, and Indonesians have experienced both the promise and perils of globalization: from the shock of the Asian financial crisis in the 1990s to the millions lifted out of poverty. What that means – and what we learned in the recent economic crisis – is that we have a stake in each other’s success.
 
America has a stake in an Indonesia that is growing, with prosperity that is broadly shared among the Indonesian people – because a rising middle class here means new markets for our goods, just as America is a market for yours. And so we are investing more in Indonesia, our exports have grown by nearly 50 percent, and we are opening doors for Americans and Indonesians to do business with one another.  
 
America has a stake in an Indonesia that plays its rightful role in shaping the global economy. Gone are the days when seven or eight countries could come together to determine the direction of global markets. That is why the G-20 is now the center of international economic cooperation, so that emerging economies like Indonesia have a greater voice and bear greater responsibility. And through its leadership of the G-20’s anti-corruption group, Indonesia should lead on the world stage and by example in embracing transparency and accountability.
 
America has a stake in an Indonesia that pursues sustainable development, because the way we grow will determine the quality of our lives and the health of our planet. That is why we are developing clean energy technologies that can power industry and preserve Indonesia’s precious natural resources – and America welcomes your country’s strong leadership in the global effort to combat climate change.  
 
Above all, America has a stake in the success of the Indonesian people. Underneath the headlines of the day, we must build bridges between our peoples, because our future security and prosperity is shared. That is exactly what we are doing – by increased collaboration among our scientists and researchers, and by working together to foster entrepreneurship. And I am especially pleased that we have committed to double the number of American and Indonesian students studying in our respective countries – we want more Indonesian students in our schools, and more American students to come study in this country, so that we can forge new ties that last well into this young century.
 
These are the issues that really matter in our daily lives. Development, after all, is not simply about growth rates and numbers on a balance sheet. It’s about whether a child can learn the skills they need to make it in a changing world. It’s about whether a good idea is allowed to grow into a business, and not be suffocated by corruption. It’s about whether those forces that have transformed the Jakarta that I once knew –technology and trade and the flow of people and goods – translate into a better life for human beings, a life marked by dignity and opportunity.
 
This kind of development is inseparable from the role of democracy.
 
Today, we sometimes hear that democracy stands in the way of economic progress. This is not a new argument. Particularly in times of change and economic uncertainty, some will say that it is easier to take a shortcut to development by trading away the rights of human beings for the power of the state. But that is not what I saw on my trip to India, and that is not what I see in Indonesia. Your achievements demonstrate that democracy and development reinforce one another.  
 
Like any democracy, you have known setbacks along the way. America is no different. Our own Constitution spoke of the effort to forge a “more perfect union,” and that is a journey we have travelled ever since, enduring Civil War and struggles to extend rights to all of our citizens. But it is precisely this effort that has allowed us to become stronger and more prosperous, while also becoming a more just and free society.
 
Like other countries that emerged from colonial rule in the last century, Indonesia struggled and sacrificed for the right to determine your destiny. That is what Heroes Day is all about – an Indonesia that belongs to Indonesians. But you also ultimately decided that freedom cannot mean replacing the strong hand of a colonizer with a strongman of your own.
 
Of course, democracy is messy. Not everyone likes the results of every election. You go through ups and downs. But the journey is worthwhile, and it goes beyond casting a ballot. It takes strong institutions to check the concentration of power. It takes open markets that allow individuals to thrive. It takes a free press and an independent justice system to root out abuse and excess, and to insist upon accountability. It takes open society and active citizens to reject inequality and injustice.
 
These are the forces that will propel Indonesia forward. And it will require a refusal to tolerate the corruption that stands in the way of opportunity; a commitment to transparency that gives every Indonesian a stake in their government; and a belief that the freedom that Indonesians have fought for is what holds this great nation together.
 
That is the message of the Indonesians who have advanced this democratic story – from those who fought in the Battle of Surabaya 55 years ago today; to the students who marched peacefully for democracy in the 1990s, to leaders who have embraced the peaceful transition of power in this young century. Because ultimately, it will be the rights of citizens that will stitch together this remarkable Nusantara that stretches from Sabang to Merauke – an insistence that every child born in this country should be treated equally, whether they come from Java or Aceh; Bali or Papua.
 
That effort extends to the example that Indonesia sets abroad. Indonesia took the initiative to establish the Bali Democracy Forum, an open forum for countries to share their experiences and best practices in fostering democracy. Indonesia has also been at the forefront of pushing for more attention to human rights within ASEAN.  The nations of Southeast Asia must have the right to determine their own destiny, and the United States will strongly support that right. But the people of Southeast Asia must have the right to determine their own destiny as well. That is why we condemned elections in Burma that were neither free nor fair. That is why we are supporting your vibrant civil society in working with counterparts across this region. Because there is no reason why respect for human rights should stop at the border of any country.
 
Hand in hand, that is what development and democracy are about – the notion that certain values are universal. Prosperity without freedom is just another form of poverty. Because there are aspirations that human beings share – the liberty of knowing that your leader is accountable to you, and that you won’t be locked up for disagreeing with them; the opportunity to get an education and to work with dignity; the freedom to practice your faith without fear or restriction.
 
Religion is the final topic that I want to address today, and – like democracy and development – it is fundamental to the Indonesian story.
 
Like the other Asian nations that I am visiting on this trip, Indonesia is steeped in spirituality – a place where people worship God in many different ways.  Along with this rich diversity, it is also home to the world’s largest Muslim population – a truth that I came to know as a boy when I heard the call to prayer across Jakarta.
 
Just as individuals are not defined solely by their faith, Indonesia is defined by more than its Muslim population. But we also know that relations between the United States and Muslim communities have frayed over many years. As President, I have made it a priority to begin to repair these relations. As a part of that effort, I went to Cairo last June, and called for a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world – one that creates a path for us to move beyond our differences.
 
I said then, and I will repeat now, that no single speech can eradicate years of mistrust. But I believed then, and I believe today, that we have a choice. We can choose to be defined by our differences, and give in to a future of suspicion and mistrust. Or we can choose to do the hard work of forging common ground, and commit ourselves to the steady pursuit of progress. And I can promise you – no matter what setbacks may come, the United States is committed to human progress. That is who we are. That is what we have done. That is what we will do.
 
We know well the issues that have caused tensions for many years – issues that I addressed in Cairo. In the 17 months that have passed we have made some progress, but much more work remains to be done.
 
Innocent civilians in America, Indonesia, and across the world are still targeted by violent extremists. I have made it clear that America is not, and never will be, at war with Islam. Instead, all of us must defeat al Qaeda and its affiliates, who have no claim to be leaders of any religion – certainly not a great, world religion like Islam. But those who want to build must not cede ground to terrorists who seek to destroy. This is not a task for America alone. Indeed, here in Indonesia, you have made progress in rooting out terrorists and combating violent extremism.
 
In Afghanistan, we continue to work with a coalition of nations to build the capacity of the Afghan government to secure its future. Our shared interest is in building peace in a war-torn land – a peace that provides no safe-haven for violent extremists, and that provides hope for the Afghan people.
 
Meanwhile, we have made progress on one of our core commitments - our effort to end the war in Iraq. 100,000 American troops have left Iraq. Iraqis have taken full responsibility for their security. And we will continue to support Iraq as it forms an inclusive government and we bring all of our troops home.
 
In the Middle East, we have faced false starts and setbacks, but we have been persistent in our pursuit of peace. Israelis and Palestinians restarted direct talks, but enormous obstacles remain. There should be no illusions that peace and security will come easy. But let there be no doubt: we will spare no effort in working for the outcome that is just, and that is in the interest of all the parties involved: two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security.
 
The stakes are high in resolving these issues, and the others I have spoken about today. For our world has grown smaller and while those forces that connect us have unleashed opportunity, they also empower those who seek to derail progress. One bomb in a marketplace can obliterate the bustle of daily commerce. One whispered rumor can obscure the truth, and set off violence between communities that once lived in peace. In an age of rapid change and colliding cultures, what we share as human beings can be lost.
 
But I believe that the history of both America and Indonesia gives us hope. It’s a story written into our national mottos. E pluribus unum – out of many, one. Bhinneka Tunggal Ika – unity in diversity. We are two nations, which have travelled different paths. Yet our nations show that hundreds of millions who hold different beliefs can be united in freedom under one flag. And we are now building on that shared humanity – through the young people who will study in each other’s schools; through the entrepreneurs forging ties that can lead to prosperity; and through our embrace of fundamental democratic values and human aspirations..
 
Earlier today, I visited the Istiqlal mosque – a place of worship that was still under construction when I lived in Jakarta. I admired its soaring minaret, imposing dome, and welcoming space. But its name and history also speak to what makes Indonesia great. Istiqlal means independence, and its construction was in part a testament to the nation’s struggle for freedom. Moreover, this house of worship for many thousands of Muslims was designed by a Christian architect.
 
Such is Indonesia’s spirit. Such is the message of Indonesia’s inclusive philosophy, Pancasila. Across an archipelago that contains some of God’s most beautiful creations, islands rising above an ocean named for peace, people choose to worship God as they please. Islam flourishes, but so do other faiths. Development is strengthened by an emerging democracy. Ancient traditions endure, even as a rising power is on the move.
 
That is not to say that Indonesia is without imperfections. No country is. But here can be found the ability to bridge divides of race and region and religion – that ability to see yourself in all individuals. As a child of a different race coming from a distant country, I found this spirit in the greeting that I received upon moving here: Selamat Datang. As a Christian visiting a mosque on this visit, I found it in the words of a leader who was asked about my visit and said, “Muslims are also allowed in churches. We are all God’s followers.”
 
That spark of the divine lies within each of us. We cannot give in to doubt or cynicism or despair. The stories of Indonesia and America tell us that history is on the side of human progress; that unity is more powerful than division; and that the people of this world can live together in peace. May our two nations work together, with faith and determination, to share these truths with all mankind.

Source

Menjual Doa

R: Eh eh gue liat dong jawaban lo, gue bingung nih.. Duh..
Z: Yaudah nih.. (ngasih liat jawaban)
(setelah nyalin jawaban)
R: Ya ampun, makasih ya lo baik banget! Gue doain lulus UN terus dapet PTN favorit deh. Amiiin!
Z: Ah elu jual doa aja. Amin deh!

Berkaca dengan pembicaraan diatas, gue dan teman-teman gue sebagai kelas 12, seringkali mendapat doa seperti itu dari guru-guru kalau habis berbuat sesuatu yang baik. Kalau sebaliknya? Ya maka doanya pun juga sebaliknya. Hahaha.

Di banyak kesempatan, banyak guru-guru ataupun orang-orang lainnya yang mendoakan "Semoga kamu semua lulus UN dan mendapatkan PTN yang kamu inginkan ya" dan murid-murid-pun menyahut dengan cepatnya dengan kata "Amiiiiiiiiiiiiiiin!!!" dengan semangat joeang '45.

Tak ayal, banyak yang mengumbar dan menjual doa pada kami yang akan menghadapi serentetan ujian tersebut. Gue rasa niat mereka, yang menjual doa, itu baik semua. Agar kata-kata yang di doa itu terealisasi nantinya. Tapi gue juga gak tahu apakah itu ada niat terselubung itu cuma mencari perhatian. Tidak tahu apakah itu hanya sebagai formalitas saja ke murid didiknya atau benar-benar ikhlas mengucapkannya. Gue sering ngeliat mimik wajah orang yang sedang menjual doa. Terkadang, gue melihat ada yang males-malesan sambil menjual doa itu, tapi ada juga yang menghayati sekali saat mengucapkan kata-kata pengharapan bagi seluruh murid SMA kelas 12 seluruh Indonesia ini.

Sekali lagi, Wallahualam. Hanya Tuhan yang mengetahui niat mereka saat mengucapkan kata-kata penyegar tersebut. Gue berharap, penjual doa mengucapkan doanya secara ikhlas benar-benar dari hati, not just bullshitting around us. Dan gue juga berharap doa itu terealisasi di kemudian hari, diimbangi dengan usaha dan kerja keras yang maksimal. Semoga kita semua, kelas 12, benar-benar lulus UN dan mendapatkan PTN favorit. Amin!

-Rachmat Reksa Samudra | @reksamudra- 

God Speak to Us

Dewasa ini, Indonesia sedang ditimpa banyak bencana. Dimulai dari banjir yang menyebabkan macet parah di Jakarta, banjir yang ada di Wasior, tsunami yang menerjang Mentawai, dan Merapi yang menggelora mengeluarkan awan panas nya. Yang membuat warga porak-poranda. Mulai dari yang tiba di rumah dini hari sampai orang yang meninggal karena terbawa arus dan sesak nafas. Dan juga sekarang, disaat gue membuat posting ini, pantai Papua diguncang gempa sebesar 6.0 skala richter (@thejakartaglobe's breaking news)

Do you realized that God speak to us? He is talking now, with his ways, to show the humankind how small they are.

Hmm gue selalu berfikir bahwa sebenernya ini ada hubungannya dengan keadaan masyarakat Indonesia sendiri. Coba liat kondisi negara kita, korupsi dimana-mana, aparatur negara amburadul, pejabat-pejabat negara kehilangan kharisma dan kepercayaan masyarakat dan seakan-akan aparat pemerintah kita menutup mata terhadap segala hal yang terjadi, yang membuat rakyat Indonesia sendiri menjadi sinis, bahkan apatis, terhadap pemerintahannya sendiri.

Sebagai contoh, bila ada kejadian di masyarakat dan itu sangat penting, seperti banjir, mereka (aparatur negara) menutup mata, seakan-akan hal itu adalah hal yang lumrah. Ya, mereka bisa saja berbicara seperti itu, karena gue yakin mereka gak pernah merasakan itu. Sama halnya dengan macet. Mereka bisa berbicara seperti itu karena mereka sudah biasa mendapat fasilitas yang 'lebih' dari pemerintah seperti pengawalan voorijder.

Mereka selalu menghindar bila ditanya tentang bencana ini bencana itu, tetapi mereka selalu bersemangat sekali ketika membicarakan renovasi 'gedung rakyat', studi banding keluar negeri, pemberian insentif, dll. Sampai-sampai mereka rela untuk lembur demi membuang-buang APBN negeri Pancasila ini.

Fuck with them! Mereka orang-orang yang tidak ber-peri-kemanusiaan! Gue salah, I shouldn't call them human. Mereka hanya binatang yang akan haus dengan harta, jabatan, dan kroni-kroninya. Hati mereka sudah tidak bisa lagi merasakan duka, iba, bahkan simpati pun mereka tidak. Lihat saja sekarang ini, disaat bencana menghantam bertubi-tubi. DIMANA MEREKA? MEREKA PARA WAKIL RAKYAT YANG SEHARUSNYA ADA UNTUK RAKYAT. Ternyata, mereka sedang berada di belahan bumi yang lain, beralasan studi banding WALAUPUN rakyatnya sedang mengalami musibah. Gak habis pikir gue, kenapa negara ini harus penuh dengan orang-orang seperti itu. Astaghfirullahaladzim.

Sekarang lihatlah apa yang secara tidak langsung dihasilkan oleh binatang-binatang itu. Tuhan menurunkan bencana ke kita semua agar kita sadar. Agar kita membuka mata. Agar kita turun dari kasta dan merasakan apa yang orang yang mempunyai kasta rendah rasakan.

Once again, fuck with them! Kita hanya bisa berdoa agar mereka, para binatang, berubah kembali menjadi manusia. Amin.

- Rachmat Reksa S. | @reksamudra -