Am I Free?
In: Uncategorized
18 Aug 2008There was something interesting that I read in the newspaper a few days ago, regarding the Indonesian Independence Day, in which the author wrote that there was a reason why Indonesians always stick to the word Merdeka instead of Bebas when talking about being Independent.
Now we all know that Bebas is usually associated with freedom and liberty, so what is it about the word Merdeka that holds such a dear place in the hearts of Indonesians?
It’s because deep inside they all know they’re not exactly free in the literal sense. Oh, of course they are free from the colonization of the Dutch and the Japs, but wasn’t that yonks ago? Surely the novelty has finally worn out?
Not for most Indonesians, it hasn’t. The media – either printed or electronic – always say the same boring thing; Woohoo! we were free from the Dutch! Let’s look at the past, let’s visit our veteran soldiers, let’s reminisce how difficult it was back then for our founding fathers and the leaders of our nation to fight for justice and freedom, yada yada yada…
Not that there’s anything wrong for doing all those things, but really, what exactly have we learnt from the past that we’ve overcome in the present? Can we actually talk about being free (or independent, if you like) without thinking about the consequences?
Let’s take a few simple examples, shall we?
Can I say, I am free to walk out of the house wearing a tank-top and a mini skirt without risking the chance of being randomly harassed by some guy and feel powerless because if I report it to the police they would just shrug their shoulders and tell me that ‘I asked for it’?
Am I free to apply for a job as a government official without having to be judged by the way I look, the religion I believe and the principles I stand for (although personally I would rather jaga warung instead of work for the government but let’s not get into that now)?
Am I free to throw a cream pie to our president’s face because he is a freaking idiot who has sunk this country into a terrible condition ever since it fell under his reign – without being arrested for slandering?
Am I free to attend a church without it being burned down by some irresponsible religious extremist the next day? Although freedom must be in favor to them because they can roam the streets and destroy whatever they fancy and yet, they are untouchables by the law.
Those are only a few of what I have in mind right now, but I’m sure you’ve all caught my drift right now.
We’re nowhere near free. We’re nowhere near independent.
To the average Indonesians, living in Indonesia is a day-by-day struggle. We might feel safe today, but who knows what might happen tomorrow?
Who knows what the stupid government might concoct during their so-called important meetings to drive this country into an even deeper shit than it already has?
Who knows what the government can do for you, when your own independency, your freedom and rights as a human being, has been violated?
No, this country is nowhere near freedom at all. After all it is still busy reminiscing about the past. So let’s all visit our grandparents at the retirement houses and ask them what it was like back in the day. You’re lucky if you have an ancestor who took part in the country’s struggle for independence, but if you don’t – hey, at least it being the Independence Day and everything, gives you reasons to visit them.
Although who knows what might happen once all the veterans have died – we’ll all run out of reasons to celebrate the Independence Day! And soon we all must come up with another new reason, which is to break free from being colonized by our own people!
I’m sure the government is looking forward to that.
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Therrysays.com is a personal blog where I share my thoughts, opinions and rants about life in Indonesia and beyond. If this all sounds good to you, enjoy your stay, but if it isn't your cuppa tea, then kindly leave and let me be! Cheers.
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9 Responses to Am I Free?
the writer
August 18th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
Great piece of opinion Ther, you should send it somewhere!
rimafauzi
August 18th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
Bah… kita emang sehati!!!!!
I can’t believe we have similar thoughts about this!
I swear, my post is not far off from yours. lol..
we are soulmates, babe..
Elyani
August 18th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
I don’t really bother about mini skirts and tank tops. You wont be harassed wearing one if you do not take public transportation and head to the malls (not to a traditional market of course)…where nobody will harass you unless you’re wearing a bikini. At least this is what I see in the malls near my area. I don’t know about your place.
What really got me the most is the SBKRI (Evidence of
Indonesian Citizenship Certificates for ethnic Chinese) things. Despite being born here, speak and write Indonesian language fluently, spent all my education years here, I still get discrimination when I needed to apply for passport, for example. Isn’t weird when I wanted to extend my passport last week, I had to complete the documents right from the start again? That means my late dad SBKRI, all the papers I had that had been legalized by the Dept. of Justice etc, etc. The fact that I had nothing to do with mainland China, I dont speak the language, I don’t really know the culture…do not stop them from asking the stupid papers.
In July 2006, the newspaper reported that SBKRI is no longer needed. But in practice, this paper is still being asked for again and again. This way the official can ask for an extra money to get your papers done. What do I need to prove that I am a legal Indoensian citizen??? do they need to cut me open to see how Indonesian is my blood? The SBKRI things are plainly stupid and un-necessary.
the writer
August 18th, 2008 at 10:37 pm
err……yeah ,I was going to say so, but they would “smooth” your article out, so don’t worry. It’s too nice to be left here in a personal blog, a lot of people should read your piece……I think
Jen
August 18th, 2008 at 11:51 pm
One of your best pieces, Therry. I totally agree. I have been harassed sexually, emotionally, mentally, and financially in Indonesia. That’s the price I paid for being a triple minority.
I’m writing a column on “being a Chinese is not a problem.” Guess who is the real “problem”?
Eru Reed
August 19th, 2008 at 10:57 am
* fastreading *
For the day where mini skirts and tank-tops are Free!!
merdeka!
* long pause… *
Yeah.. our so-called-freedom
ecky
August 19th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Therry & Rima, indeed you are soul mate
Ivy
August 19th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
so totally agree with u!!!
norick
August 21st, 2008 at 9:51 am
Yes, i think many of indonesian govt. official must be replaced. Even my self (not oriental face) feel that govt off always think that i am rich. A person who apply for a passport must be rich he he. Even apply for a KTP/KK always like that. Hopefully they will be replaced to a better person. Praise the Lord.
I send my daughter to a school that tought mandarins. So Me and my daugther who always at school morning and in the afternoont (gue anter dan jemput ya bukan ikutan sekolah hehe) Got the feeling that i am minority. Yes indeed eventhough the majority are Indonesian…, but we cant mingling. Am I a minority in my own Country? Dalam hati gue berbicara… muke loe jawa sich hehe ( you know what i mean) nyekolahin nya di sekolah yang mayoritasnya beretnis kulit kuning & India face.
Kalau gue ke Mall, anak gue sering mendapat sambutan dari orang2 yang beretnis tertentu, begitu lihat gue…cuma senyum kecil sambil menjauh (anak gue kulitnya kuning bersih (Ibunya dari Minang dan emang kuning bersih) kalau gue agak gelap. Apakah ini diskriminasi? Gue rasa bukan.
Ketika gue mau jemput sekolah…banyak petugas keamanan yang menanyakan ID for jemput anak. Tapi gue lirik ke tempat lain..semua orangtua yang berkulit bersih/tertentu bebas masuk walaupun tanpa senyum. Apakah ini diskriminasi? Gue rasa bukan….
Kesimpulan gue sementara adalah Mayoritas orang sering memiliki pandangan/opini dari sekilas pandangan….yang akhirnya keterusan. Dibuat membudaya…
Seperti Orang berkulit Hitam Nigeria di Jakarta yang dicap Bandar Narkoba…. Orang berkulit Coklat Melayu/Jawa dicap sebagai Tenaga Kerja/pembantu/suster…. Orang berkulit kuning China..dicap orang kaya/pedagang/cerdik/licik… Orang berkulit seperti India…dicap pedagang/licik/cerdik dllsb.
Tapi Indonesian Founding Father … Ir Soekarno/M Hatta memahami pentingnya Unity in Diversity. Sayang Pak Harto melakukan kebijakan penyelamatan ekonomi yang membawa kearah Diskriminasi.
Kalau ada yang salah dari opini gue … mohon dimaklumi karena keterbatasan wawasan. Awalnya aja bahasa Inggris…ujung2nya gak bisa nerusin tanpa Mother Tounge.
Salam Kenal
Norick