Last sunday, we visited a small celebration of the PPI (Persatuan Pelajar Indonesia - some indonesian student organisation) in Cologne. The cause of this celebration was the indonesian independence day (well a bit too late, but whatever).
This kind of celebrations always proceed in a similair way. First, the national anthem will be sung (extremly patriotic, of course), after a radio played the cratchy recording of sukarnos independence adress a small speech will follow, held by some official (consul, diplomat etc.).
Finally it was time for some fun.
The rest of the day is consisting of eating indonesian food of all kind, playing, singing, dancing and whatever else is entertaining. Also this celebration was passed in the same way.
After we filled our stomaches with the delicious food (Saté, Kare Ayam, Nasi Campur etc.), we could marvel at some regional dances from Java and Bali.
The first dance presented the wayang figure Gatotkaca, who was fighting in a war, but he also thought about his loved one. The dance told of the fight and the sadness of Gatotkaca.
The second dance was sundanese and performed by two women.
The third dance was a typical balinese dance.
After the dances, the time was up for some games. First, just the children played, but after a while also some adults took part the games.
One of the funniest games was the krupuk-eating-contest. The krupuk (rice cakes) were hung on a string and the children had to eat them as fast as they could. Later, the adults tried their Krupuk-gulping abilities.
Also Vania, the co-author of this blog was part of this game, but she failed lousy (did we practise for nothing the last few month ?!).
Between the games some music was performed. The definition of the music could be charming-dilettantish and somewhat unrehearsed, but it still was fun.
Now, the spotlights were on myself in the costume contest, where woman, man and children presented traditional costumes of the different regions of Indonesia and in the man contest, I won the second place!
But stop! Before someone of the fashion industry wants to engage me as a model, the negative point of this incident should also be told. I reached second place of two male participants. But, anyway, I received a silver cup, also my stage walk was amused all spectators.
All in all a nice party, sadly we had to went home, before the dangdut dances started (too bad we missed it).
Till next year, we will train even more Krupuk-gulping. Also I will focus on my model carreer, so we can get the gold cup next year!
Works of Goethe, Schiller or Bertolt Brecht cannot only be found in German book shops but also in Indonesian ones. The German classics are well read in university classes on German literature, either in the original or in the translated version.As in many countries, Indonesian students encounter many differences due to the complexity of these authors. But there is one German author whose work is dearly loved in Indonesia: Karl May.
Karl May in Indonesia
Several adventures of Winnetou, Old Shatterhand and their friends have already been published in the Indonesian version (Winnetou I – II, Kara Ben Nemsi I, Gurun dan Prairie I, Anak Pemburu Beruang, Hantu Llano Estacado).
The readers even organized a Karl May fan club and an Indonesian Karl May society (see www.indokarlmay.com).
The dear friendship between Winnetou, the native American, and Karl May who is from Saxonia, East Germany, strikes the readers as being a rare example because both men are very different in terms of cultural beliefs, religion or nationality.
Nevertheless they actively promote peace and understanding between different groups, even between enemies. They therefore represent ideas which are greatly valued in Indonesia. Of course it is not only their social behaviour which attracts the readers but also the great adventures they experience.
Most of the Indonesian versions of Karl May’s books have been translated in Malang, an east javanese town with approximately 900.000 inhabitants. The translaters who mainly work as highschool teachers or university lecturers for German are currently translating “Old Surehand II”.
At the end of this summer “Old Surehand I” as well as “Raja Minyak” (the Oil Prince) will be published. The readers are longing for new adventures of their heros.
Thanks to Dr. Cornelia Bast for this article – For a long time, Dr. Cornelia worked as a tutor of DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst), at the university of Malang and Yogyakarta.
On the 8th of August governor election were held in Jakarta. The pollings opened at 7:30 a.m. in all districts of jakarta.
The results were announced yesterday, on August, the 16th. Fauzi Bowo won the governor elections along with his with party colleague Prijanto. 2,109 Mio (57.87 % ) voted for them.
Adang Darajatun and Dani Anwar received 1,535 Mio. votes (42,13%).
The committee for the control of the elections declared that 2,1 Mio. voters didn´t make use of the right to vote, despite the efforts to include all groups in the process of election.
For expample, prisoners, who are allowed to vote in indonesia, were brougnt to the voting boxes and also ill people and their families were be able to make their vote at home or in hospitals.
Despite this efforts, many people didn´t vote, because they partly didn´t know how to fill out the form to get registrated or they didn´t had any interest to vote.
The inhabitans of the islands, located a few miles at the coast in front of Jakarta (Pulau Seribu) were also able to vote, when a boat brought the voting boxes to their islands, but just a few used the possibility, also because they mostly didn´t even know the candidates.
Many people in the district of Cipayung in east-jakarta weren´t able to vote, because the forms to registrate for the voting weren´t sent to them, even though they were living in Jakarta for several years already and could provife all necessary documents to get registered.
In some disctricts even dieseased people along with four year old childs were found in the electoral register.
In other respects their were just small incidents. In the evening, the manual count of the ballot papers began.
Speech of the indonesian president on occasion of the independence day
Within the solemnisation of 62nd indonesian independence day, the indoensian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono held a speech in front of the parliament at the Nusantara III (Parliament Building) on the 16th of August 2007 at 10 o clock.
The speech was attended by most of the ministers, the vice president Jusuf Kalle and dimplomats from several countries.
The substance of his speech in headwords:
Strengthening of indonesias unity and co-operation.
Advancement of the national budget (APBN-Anggaran Pendapatan Belanja Negara), because the debts of indonesia grew in the last year, which could lead to a loss of trust by private investors and this could lead to deficiencies on the job market.
The salarys of state official will be raised by 20%
The investments in the health sector should be improved from 6,5 Trillion Rupiah (686 Mio. US $) to 18,8 Trillion Rupiah (2 Billion US $).
The budget for the social sector should be enhanced, from 47,5 Trillion Rupiah (5 Billion US $) to 67,45 Trillion Rupiah (7,8 Billion US $).
The enhancement of indonesia infrastructure has to get a main part of the efforts for the next year
The investments in the education should also be improved by ca. 200% to 48,3 Trillio Rupiah (ca. 5 Billion US $)
The economic growth for 2008 is estimated to 6,8%, the inflation is estimated to 6%
Disturbances in the province Aceh
In the run of the celebration of the indenpence day it came to several disturbences in Aceh, Indonesian flags, raised to celebrate the independece were burned.
The flag ceremonies had to be held under the protection of the poclice. The general surveillance by the police in aceh was intensified.
The government in Jakarta spoke of a violation of the helsinki agreement, which was signed on August, the 15th 2005 to secure the peace in the uneasy province and demanded the prompt seizure of the agitators.
The disturbances could be the result of disappointed expactations after the tsunamni catastrophy, when large amounts of donated funds got peculated.
Arraignment against Tommy Suharto
On August the 16th, Tommy Suharto was interrogated, in the presence of his lawyer, after he didn´t appeared on his first citation, because of a alleged illness.
The reason for the citation are allegations about the defalcation of Funds, during his work for the industry association BPPC (Badan Penyangga dan Pemasaran Cengkeh).
Also he was questioned, because he didn´t pay back two credits about 759 Billion Rupiah, he got from the banks KLBI (Bank Indonesia Liquidity Credit) and BBD (Dirut Bank Bumi Daya).
Tommy Suharto stated, that he already paid back both credits. After 7.5 hours of interrogation, the prosecution set up an accusal against Tommy Suharto.
He appealed against the accusal one day later, declaring, that he has enough arguments, that he already acquit his debt.
Already at January, the 25th 2007 he sued the bank BNP Paribas, because the blocked 60 Mio. of his funds, because they didn´t had any assertion of the origin of the money, which wasappointed to Tommy Suhartos company (Garnet Investment).
The government supported the bank and determined the bank not to pay the money.
Tommy Suharto and his network of companies have a monopoly position in the branches of Oil, Car production and the trade with cloves.
He owns about 24.000 hectars of estates adn a golf course in Britain. It could be assumed, that the suharto family owns more than 80 Mio. Dollars.
During the rule of his father, the suharto clan lined mor than 440 Mio. Euro in one´s pocket. An expert on the suharto family, George Junus Aditjondro comes to a pessimistic appraisementm that this money could be lost forever.
Art and culture
Celebrations of the indonesian independence day
Within the celebrations of the indonesian independence day may peformances and presentations will be held. In bigger cities a procession will be held also many small performances for children and adults will be organised.
The traditional flag ceremoney will be views live on the important TV stations.
Decline of the Achmad Bakrie award 2007 by Franz Magnis Suseno
On August, the 14th, the catholic priest Franz Magnis Suseno declined to accept the Achmad Bakrie award, which he should receive for his social engangement in indonesia.
He justified his decline with the unreadiness of the Bakrie Group to compensate the victims of the Sidoarjo mud flow.
The Sidoarjo mud flow was caused by drillings, which were arranged by a company of the Bakrie group.
The drilling encountered a subterranean mud sea, which started to drift out permanently. Several villages were buried under the masses of mud and thousands of farmers and villagers lost all of their assets.
Franz Magnis-Suseno demanded, that the Bakrie Group should better care about those victims, than about giving awards.
Franz Magnis Suseno is living more than 40 years in indonesia and if one of the most famous intellectuals.
Asmat Festival
The Asmat Festival will be held in a park, called Pantai Karnaval, Ancol, located in North Jakarta between August, the 12th and August the 19th.
The Asmat are a tribe from Papua, who will present their abilities in woodcarving. Ca. 100 members of the Asmat tribe will show about 11 wooden ships during the festival.The festival is held, within in the celebrations of Indonesias 62. Independence Day.
Nature and Science
Sumatra Tiger got captured
A sumatra tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) was captured and badly hurt in Sawahlunto, in West Sumatra on August, the 15th.
It was brought to Bukittingi, where his foot, which was hurt by a sling had to be amputeed. It has to be assumed, that the tiger is too badly hurt and traumatised to survive in nature, when he would get set free.
Since 2005 15 Sumatra Tiger were either captured or killed. On Sumatra are just 350 to 400 animals of these species left. It is assumed, that they will die out like their congener species on Java and Bali
Every year on august the 17th, the indonesian independence day is celebrated in whole indonesia and by indonesians throughout the world. Within the celebrations included are concerts, prayers, amusement and a flag ceremony. During the flag ceremony, the national anthem will be sung by a choir.
Also children have to learn and sing patriotic songs. For german like me, it is always a bit odd, to celebrate patriotism, but the patriotism is explicable, because of indonesias long and fierce fight for independence.
Some songs, which are sung at the Indepence Celebrations
Indonesia Raya
Text:
Indonesia tanah airku, Tanah tumpah darahku.
Disanalah aku berdiri, Jadi pandu ibuku.
Indonesia kebangsaanku, Bangsa dan Tanah Airku.
Marilah kita berseru Indonesia bersatu.
Hiduplah tanahku, Hiduplah negriku,
Bangsaku, Rakyatku, semuanya.
Bangunlah jiwanya, Bangunlah badannya
Untuk Indonesia Raya.
Refrain:
Indonesia Raya,
Merdeka, Merdeka
Tanahku, negriku yang kucinta.
Indonesia Raya,
Merdeka, Merdeka
Hiduplah Indonesia Raya.
Indonesia Raya,
Merdeka, Merdeka
Tanahku, negriku yang kucinta.
Indonesia Raya,
Merdeka, Merdeka
Hiduplah Indonesia Raya.
here you can find a freely translation: http://www.lexas.net/hymnen/suedostasien/indonesien/index.asp
The following songs are learned and sung by children in school. They are called “Lagu Wajib” and will be sung, after the flag was raised.
These songs are:
Berkibarlah Benderaku
Berkibarlah benderaku
Lambang suci gagah perwira
Di seluruh pantai Indonesia
Kau tetap pujaan bangsa
Siapa berani menurunkan engkau
Serentak rakyatmu membela
Sang Merah Putih yang perwira
Berkibarlah s’lama lamanya
Kami rakyat Indonesia
Bersedia setiap masa
Mencurahkan segenap tenaga
Supaya kau tetap cemerlang
Tak goyang jiwaku menahan rintangan
Tak gentar rakyatmu berkorban
Sang Merah Putih yang perwira
Berkibarlah s’lama lamanya
Freely translated song:
My flag is flauting
a symbol of holyness and strength
at all indonesian coasts.
you will be praised
if someone tries to turn you down
the people will fight for you
the red white flag
will be flaunting forever
At every time
i will give my power to you
so you will shine forever
my soul knows no fear of barriers
your people will fight for you
For you fatherland
we promise
For you fatherland
we are devoted
For you fatherland
We serve
For you fatherland
Our body, our soul
Rayuan Pulau Kelapa
Tanah airku Indonesia
Negeri elok amat kucinta
Tanah tumpah darahku yang mulia
Yang kupuja sepanjang masa
Tanah airku aman dan makmur
Pulau kelapa yang amat subur
Pulau melati pujaan bangsa
Sejak dulu kala
Refrain:
Melambai lambai
Nyiur di pantai
Berbisik bisik
Raja Kelana
Memuja pulau
Nan indah permai
Tanah Airku
Indonesia
Freie Übersetzung des Liedes:
Indonesien mein Vaterland
Ein schönes Land, das ich sehr liebe
Mein edles Land
Ich ehre dich für immer
My home is save and prosper
the fruitful coconut land
Praised as country of jasmine
since all times
waved
the coconut leaves
whispered
the wind
to honor the country
which is beautiful
My homland
Indonesia
Hari Merdeka
Tujuh belas agustus tahun empat lima
Itulah hari kemerdekaan kita
Hari Merdeka Nusa dan Bangsa
Hari lahirnya bangsa Indonesia
merdeka . . .
S’kali merdeka tetap merdeka
Selama hayat masih dikandung badan
Kita tetap setia tetap sedia
Mempertahankan Indonesia
Kita tetap setia tetap sedia
Membela negara kita
Freely translated version:
August, the 14th 1945
Iis our independence day
th day of independece for our nation
the birthday of indonesia
Indpendet
One time independent, independent forever
As long our soul stays in our bodys
we are loyal and ready
to defend indonesia
we are loyal and ready
to protect our nation
Syukur
Dari yakinku teguh, hati ikhlasku penuh
Akan karuniamu, tanah air pusaka
Indonesia merdeka
Syukur aku sembahkan, kehadiratMu Tuhan
Dari yakinku teguh, cinta ikhlasku penuh
Akan jasa usaha pahlawanku yang baka
Indonesia merdeka
Syukur aku hunjukkan ke bawah duli Tuhan
Dari yakinku teguh, bakti ikhlasku penuh
Akan azas rukunmu, pandu bangsa yang nyata
Indonesia merdeka
Syukur aku hunjukkan ke hadapanMu Tuhan
freely translated song:
From the faith in my heart
Our fatherland is a gift of god
Indonesia is independet
Thanks to god
From the faith of my heart
the glory of our heros
Indonesia is independet
Thanks to god
From the faith in my heart
solidarity, leader of the nation
Indonesia is independet
Thanks to god
The flag ceremony
The order of the flag ceremony after the law: PP 62/1990, KETENTUAN KEPROTOKOLAN MENGENAI TATA TEMPAT:
The flag will be raised and the naitonal anthem will be sung.
minute’s silence , the song “Syukur” will be sung by a choir.
the second of the proclamtion of independece (A Salute, Alarm, drums, church bells etc)
With this, im introducing a new category in our blog. Every week, we will provide some of the actual news, which were domonating in indonesias media the previous week.
End of July to August, 8th
Politics:
Accusation against Yudhoyono
The former vice chairman of the indonesian parliament, was forced to resignation in End of July by his own party (PBR, Partai Bintang Reformasi).
After a scandal grew up, in which Ma’arif was accused to be married to two wives, he had to resign from he was forced to resign.President Yudhoyono supported the demands for his demission.
Zaenal Ma’arif probably tried to pay Yudhoyono back, when he made the allegation, that Yudhoyono himself was already married, before he married his current wife and also that two children of this relationship were born.
To prove his allegations, he presented a video, on which a woman tells, that she would be the mother-in-law of Yudhoyono and also that her daughter has born two children during the supposedly marriage to Yudhoyono.
Yudhoyono responded with legal actions against Zaenal Ma’arif. Perhaps, because of this Zaenal Ma’arif s back pedaled and also accused the former leader of the indonesian army to have been the main source of the accusations against Yudhoyono.
The KPU comitee intervented in the run-up of governor elections in Jakarta
In the run-up of Jakartas governor elections the KPU (Kamitee Pemihilan Umum), an comitee, which is monitoring elections, intervented, because of several violation of a regulation, called “minggu tenang” (=Quiet week).
In the quiet week is the last week before the elections. It ist not allowed to do any propaganda for the upcoming elections, posters, campaign events etc. are not allowed.
Because campaign events, also poster campaigns and similair measures were going on, the KPU had to take action.
They forbid all campaings, poster and similair propaganda was removed in the area of jakarta.
The elections will be held on August, the 8th.
The candidates from the Party “PDIP (Partai Perjuangan =Party of democratic struggle)”:
Governor - Dr. Ing. H. Fauzi Bowo (current Vice Governor)
Vice Governor - Prijanto
On side of the PKS (Partai Keadilan Sosial = Islam social Party):
Governor - Adang Daradjatun (Chief of the Jakarta police)
Vice Governor - Dani Anwar
Nature and Science:
Gunung Semeru shows stronger activity
On August the 6th the volcano showed stronger activity. Two times small amounts of lava erupted and a cloud of smoke was uprising. The population near the volcano feared a strong eruption.
The Gunung Semeru is located near the City Lumajang (south of Surabaya) in East Java. It hast a height of 3676 meter and is the highest mountain on java. The gunung Semeru erupted last time in March 2007, when cold lava cause a damaged of 160 billion Rupiah (ca. 20 Mio Dollar).
The Gunung Talang is barred
After the Gunung Talang in western Sumatra showd increased activity it was blocked. The local observation ward told that after the expulsion of large amounts of smoke, it would be too dangerous for visitors, also the ward feared of an upcoming earthquake in the area.
Society and Culture:
Elections for Miss Indonesia
On friday, the 3rd the election for Miss Indonesia (Putri Indoensia) were held. 36 candidates from 36 indonesian provinces showed up. The winner of the election was Putri Raemaswasti (20) from east java.
Now, the winner, Putri Raemaswasti is preparing for the upcoming elections for Miss Universe.
Buddhists celebrate Adasa day
Hundreds of buddhists were part of a solemnly ritual at the temple Muaro in the province Jambi on Sumatra, in which 1 Mio. candles were lit.
The adasa day celebrates the point in time, when buddha first shared his message with the world.
Also in other parts of indoensia the occasion was celebrated. Altogether 50 Mio. candles were lit in whole indonesia.
Economy:
China stops import of indoensian seafood
At the beginning of the week, the chinese government forbid the import of indoensian seafood. After a released official statement the analysis of indonesian seafood prooved the existance of substances, that may cause cancer in imported seafood from indonesia.
The import stop could be the direct answer to indonesias ban of chinese cosmetics, in which contaminations were found.
The indonesian government hopes for bettering of the relations to china and a solution for this situation, because the export yearly value of seafood exports to china is amounting to 150 Mio. dollar.
Indonesia also demanded the analysis of its seafood products in european laboratories, to proove, that the chinese allegations are anchorless.
