Is it what’s called Democracy??

Every five year Indonesia holds a general election or commonly said as pesta demokrasi or democracy celebration. All parties are busy with all preparation towards the election. There are almost 40 parties which compete one another, some are old parties from the old & new order and some are new parties which were just established a year or two years ago. Basically there are two general elections, one is legislative election and the other one is presidential election.
The old parties like Golkar, PPP & PDIP have certainly more experiences than new parties, especially Golkar which was the ruling party in the era of the new order, the era which had brought Indonesia to not only dictatorship but also as the most corrupt country in the world which is very pathetic. Indonesia citizens especially those who were members of KOPRI were “forced” to vote for the ruling party. Golkar always defeated the other two parties with majority seats in parliament. It really didn’t portray democracy at all, one would rather keep silent than speak up and end up in jail. And I would say that there was no use to even hold the general election if one could not vote as he/she wished.

There are crucial changes which had occurred after the reform took place in 1998, now people are more open to speak up, they’re no longer worried of being caught or put in jail by the government. The myth of being silenced has been broken. And the new political system took in place; people are urged to be more active in the world of politics. New parties and new political figures emerged, some just emerged from nowhere, and suddenly there were many heroes who wanted to be involved in politics and to determine the new Indonesia for years ahead. It sounds like a good thing but not all of them were capable and competent enough, they should have asked themselves why they wanted to play the role, they should have done it because they knew they were capable and do it for the sake of the people and nation.

The domination of Golkar doesn’t seem to continue, Golkar won in the legislative election in 2004, but now in 2009 legislative election, it’s likely to be only number 3 after PDIP and Democratic Party. And among all parties only about 10 parties have reached parliamentary threshold, people should now be aware that there are too many parties involved and it’s just too confusing to most people, why not make major coalitions among those small parties which have the same vision and platform and do more educating activities toward the real democracy and not to mention the money used for the campaign and the cost for selecting all legislators. We should be sad seeing hundreds or thousands of people wanting to be caleg or legislators and willing to spend hundreds of millions or even sold their houses and assets so that they could use it for campaign, well I am not saying that one must not want to be a legislator but doing it for the wrong reasons and is only tempted to have a high earning is something all should avoid.

Unlike developed countries like in USA people are already mature enough in doing politics but here we still see many people are mobilized to gather in mass campaigns and the sad thing is they gather not because they understand about what is all about or want to listen to the vision of the party but because they hope for small money promised by a party or caleg if not for the small money then they gather because they know there will be dangdut music show. It’s really not educating at all but that’s the reality which still happens in Indonesia.

In real democracy countries, people vote with reasons, people vote because they want to, and people use his/her right without intimidation and force, the system is already well organized but still people can choose not to use his/her right without a threat. The more people participating in the election indicates the success of the election, of course all the elements play its role in making it happen peacefully, the election commission works hand in hand with the government and other related bodies such as election supervisory agency and other private agencies which help monitor the smooth process of the election, hopefully the coming presidential election will be better. Let’s hope for better Indonesia, let’s hope for better world.

-ARRASY- 10 April 2009

World’s euphoria

Tonight at Indonesia time is the time where US president-elect Barack Hussein Obama to be inaugurated. Obama is said to be the first black American president who will lead America for the next four years. Obama is the first African-American who will be the top highest official in America. Who is Obama and why he is so popular not only in America but also around the word which includes Indonesia.

Obama’s father Barrack Hussein Obama Sr comes from poor Muslim family in Kenya, Africa where as his mother Anne Dunham is from Wichita, Kansas. After the divorce with his father his mother was remarried with Lolo Soetoro from Indonesia. Obama spent his childhood for e few years in Jakarta and his friends used to call him as Barry. And after the death of his mother he was raised by his grandmother Madelyn Dunham. People have known Obama for the first time when he gave speech in Democratic national convention(DNC) back in 2004. He was also nominated as the most influencing people in the world (Time magazine, 2005) who was believed to be able to change the world, and as people of the year (Rolling stone magazine 2004). His candidacy from the Democratic Party got supports from most of American people and of course from Indonesia too. His step sister Maya Soetoro Ng with no exception gave full support to him. Besides Obama has written two very successful memoirs, they are “Dreams from My Father” (1995) and “The Audacity of Hope” (2006). In his second book he wrote about his political aspiration enriched with unexpected literature writing style that amazed many readers.

I’ve been following Obama’s journey so far, his speeches have inspired many people in America and the world. He seems to be talking with his heart. Without a shadow of doubts he has become a new hope for new America, hope for a change, and hope for a better world. But there are also some people who are pessimistic about dreams and hopes he has promised.

But still the optimism outweighs the pessimism. So will Obama be able to realize his promises? That’s the question most people have in mind.

America’s image has been bad especially since Bush’s administration; will Obama be able to change it? America’s foreign policy on Israel-Palestine has been on Israel side, will Obama be able to be fairer? America’s troops have been in Iraq interfering too much on Iraqi’s internal affair, Will Obama keep his words to withdraw America’s troops from Iraq the day he becomes president? Economic crisis that has hit America for the past few months, will Obama be able to restore the economic condition? Islam has been likened to so-called terrorist, will Obama be able to differentiate between the two and make it clear to the rest of the world? Those are the questions that not only need to be answered but also to be proved. Last but not least CONTRATULATION OBAMA the world is watching over you, God bless You, God bless USA, God bless The Palestine, God bless the World

-AR-

What happened to the world?

Hundreds or maybe thousands of people died in Gaza

The Israeli bombarded the Palestinian without mercy

People got killed

Kids and women with no exception

The Israeli brutality is still going on

We see this happening right now and the world can do nothing about it

What happened to the world?

The Western nations are good friends of Israel

America is the best among others

They often claim themselves to be very concerned about human right

They always talk out loud when the human right gets violated

When Iraq invaded Kuwait

When Iran tested its nuclear weapons

When Hamas won the election in the Palestine

When bombs exploded in Bali

When people of Afghanistan supported Osama Bin Laden

But they speak no words when Israel did aggression to the Palestine

They speak no words when Israel ignore the world’s warning to cease fire

They speak no words when Israel turned against United Nation’s resolution

They try hard to justify the deeds of the Israeli

They put the blame on Hamas for launching rocket bombs

They wouldn’t care much with the fate of the Palestinians

They wouldn’t care much if they hurt Muslim’s heart for what Israel did

What happened to world?

Today is the 18^th day of the Israeli aggression to the Palestine

More than 900 people died including 300 children and women

What an expensive cost the innocent Palestinians have to pay

Will we just let it happen to our brothers in the Palestine?

For it’s clear they are being tortured and killed

Will we still need to have a talk with the Zionist Israel?

For it’s clear they started the war

Will we just send prayers without taking the real action against Israel?

For it’s clear the Palestinians needs food, medicines, and logistics

Why don’t we Muslims around the world get united and give help to our bothers in the Palestine

Why are we busy collecting aids while it’s backup they urgently need, back up for soldiers or syuhada, back up for weapons and ammunitions

For it’s clear the Zionist Israeli has more weapons and cavalries than the Palestinians

What happened to the world?

-AR-

Being Single

I think there would be no difference of being single for guys and girls or men and women. Being single can be heaven or hell for both guys and girls. but I would say human beings need to have company, no one on earth really wants to be single, if there were people who chose to be single, there's gotta be reasons behind it. I met a lot of single guys and girls who keep saying that they are so happy with what they are now (being single) I am pretty sure deep in their heart they are not, well maybe occasionally I should agree that they are, but not if we talk about being single as human beings in general. They have been crying until no tears left, but they don't want to show that in public that they are, they don't want to look sad all the times. The point I am trying to say is they are tired of showing others about their sad feelings, and they always wish they will have and live with their partners until they die.
So if you still haven’t found what you’re looking for, who are still single. Keep the faith, keep searching, your soul mate is out there waiting for you so don’t give up. But remember the true one is the one that stays with you even when you're at the lowest. Love is not about finding the right person, but creating the right relationship. It’s not how much you have in the beginning. But how much u love till the end. Love is one, not one in a million, not one of a kind, when you find true love with someone, there is only one. God bless you, God bless us, God bless single people :)

Resolution for 2009

Everyone in the world without exception are now celebrating the New Year’s Eve. What’s New Year's Eve? It is a time to celebrate the year that was and to look forward to the year to come. It is also a time to make resolutions for the future. Every corner of the world are expressing their happiness and their joy through the party and biggest fireworks attractions the can possibly make to make their people happy, to make their people forget their problem for awhile, to make world record, etc. People would mostly gather in many places like stadiums, gardens, fields, clubs, discotheques, restaurants, shopping centers, hotel function rooms, beaches, and other open places. The sound of firecrackers, fireworks, trumpets, heard from long distant places. Can we imagine how much money spent for that New Year’s Eve parties round the world.

People may have choices where they will spend the New Year’s Eve. They can join the party at places I mentioned earlier. Those who have money will pick some best New Year’s Eve parties at 5 Star hotels. The party may include a top-shelf open bar, a champagne toast to ring in the New Year, human sushi plate display, Asian Dim Sum station, Cashew Wok Chicken and dessert, silent auction, party favors and much more Those who are not party goers, they can gather for a quieter moment to the religious ceremonies held at churches, temples, mosques and homes. Or they can just stay at homes with families, watching TV or maybe they don’t celebrate at all and would rather just sleep like nothing special.

I personally usually celebrate it with friends and the places will be different each year, sometimes even with wild party, I mean having party with lots of drinks, progressive house music, Hip Hop music, R & B, etc. I make certain that all of us will get drunk like there’s no tomorrow. There is also time where we have quiet moment and then pray together for better futures. The point is having or not having party people will usually make resolutions for the coming new year.

What is actually resolution? Well its fixity or boldness of determination, it’s something we resolve to do in a new year. So the next question is what your resolutions are for year 2009? Some people want to lose some pounds, while others may vow to eat better, while others may try to be a better person. There are also people who think for charity to make New Year resolutions to help others. It really started by raising a question of what would happen if people made a resolution, in addition to ones for their own lives, to help the lives of others. Whether people are committed to our kind of (family) issues or other issues, it ultimately benefits the community. Those who are rich may make a promise that they will give a thousand dozens of shoes to foster children in orphanage houses. They may help feed the homeless, while another wants to establish a training center where youths can hopefully translate game skills from playing chess into life skills. Another started knitting to be able to make baby blankets. Facing a new year can be a daunting task, especially with war like what’s happening in the Palestine now which was bombarded by the Zionist Israel, an economy in the dumps and uncertainty around just about every corner. But for many there is hope and a time of reflection.

I make resolutions every year, but most of them never realized and the reasons might be as follows:

· Thinking that my time is not limited, and often wasting it

· Not using time wisely

· Not planning my own success

· Thinking only the possibility of failing, and not focusing on maximizing the possibility of my success.

· Not doing things that change my future

· Not increasing value on what I am doing to others

· Quitting learning

· Demanding love from others without giving it first

· Giving only not loving

· Doing less than being paid

· Worrying things too much

· Not being friendly with changes

· Holding grudge

· Complaining too much

· Not being careful with my performance

· Not being original

· Not focusing on one wish

So do I really need to make another resolution for 2009? I don’t know guys, maybe yes I still need to, or no I don’t need anymore because most of my previous resolutions have never realized. All I am thinking now is only one, apart from my previous resolutions to happen in 2009 that is how to be a really better person for 2009. Now the question for you, what do you resolve to do in 2009? Please hare your thoughts with usJ

-AR-

Ill Feeling

Have you ever had an ill feeling to some one??? Maybe you have or you haven’t… basically no body really wants to have such a feeling, but for some reasons sometimes it just happens. That kind of feeling might happen against our friends, our boss, our relatives, even our families.

What actually make us have an ill feeling to somebody??? The causes may vary, from the way someone speaks, laughs, dresses, treats us, from someone’s characters such as too snobbish or arrogant, too confident, too humble or modest, too fussy, from someone’s look or physics such as ugly, scary, beggy, too short/tall, bad hairstyle, smelly, etc. those things I just mentioned are the most common and because of that we are not comfortable being with that someone we have an ill feeling with. Now the question is…do you think it’s normal as human beings to have an ill feeling???? Sure you’ve ever heard these phrases “ Muka siy cakep eh pas dia ngomong bikin ill feel tau gak” “Ill feel neh gw ngeliat tampang dia, cabut yuk”

Ok…we know sometimes just small things can make us have ill feeling to somebody. So…how to avoid us from having such a feeling?

-AR

Past and Friendship

We often question what friendhip really is??? We as human beings may have ever experinced difficult times in our life….maybe it’s only small problems or big problems even. How we get over the problems, it all depends on how we handle it.

Everytime the proplem comes to us we are also given the choices, to face it or to run away. which would you choose??? to run away or to face it??? some people will choose to run away for some reasons, that means we’re avoiding to be responsible, we’re hiding from the reality. But for sure there are people who dare enough to choose to face it and be responsible. being responsible does not necessarily mean admiting something that we didn’t do, but more to standing up for our right and sticking with the firm life principles. Trust me Evil will never conquer the good.

A few years ago was really the hardest time I have ever had in my life. The experience that taught me a lot about life and what friendhip really is. the saying "A friend in need is a friend indeed" truly reflected the experince I had, maybe I couldn’t put all the blame to those who were not on my side & backing me up as they were probably too scared or too weak or too tricky rather. yup…I couldn’t put the blame on them for not being brave, for not being gentle, for not being united, for not being as I expected. too many disappointments caused because we expect too much on things. but for those who were uncompromisingly supporting and backing me up, MY SINCERE GRATITUDE & HIGHEST APPRECIATION should go to them, I couldn’t have surived without them, I couldn’t have gone through the path.They indeed made me strong, they indeed made me as I am now. It reallly taught me what friendship really is. Certainly….this wouldn’t have happened without help from GOD the almighty.

Now….it has been more than two years since it happened. I started my life all over again, restructured it to the best form of my life, hopefully I learnt much, hopefully I can be a more mature and better person.

-AR-