Guebukanmonyet is Back!

Celebrating this 66th independence day, there’s one question every Indonesian needs to ask themselves: Do they have the independence they deserve?

Although this nation gained its independence a long time ago, through long, bloody wars against the Dutch occupation, it wasn’t until 1998 that we really could say whatever we wanted to say. Although many think Suharto was able to improve our economy greatly, the fact that his 32-year dictatorship oppressed us politically and culturally was not debatable. It was simply another kind of occupation.

But is it right to claim that conditions are so much better now? Is everyone finally enjoying the independence in this country?

Sadly, I don’t think so.

As we’ve been practicing democracy for more than a decade, it may be a valid claim that we finally have the political right that we never had in the past. If there are things that go wrong, people can easily criticize the government or lawmakers, an act that would send someone to jail during Suharto’s regime.

Even though this nation may be a role model of democracy in the region, by providing its people the independence to speak freely and criticize, Indonesians still don’t have their independence in many other areas.

Countless times, the president and his ministers have announced how our economy has been improving very significantly. It’s true that Indonesia’s economic growth looks very confident — it is now predicted to reach 6.6 percent, surpassing the government official target of 6.5 percent — and is stubbornly unaffected by the downfall of American and European economies. 

Looking from this perspective, it’s easy to say that the government has successfully improved the prosperity of the people. But as shown by the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) in early July, there are still 30 million poor people in Indonesia, a slight improvement from last year’s number, 31 million. Is it just me, or are the rich getting richer and the poor, well, staying very poor?

As has been revealed through a number of corruption cases — the most high-profile involving the likes of Gayus Tambunan, Susno Duadji and now Muhammad Nazaruddin — the justice system is controlled by little other than power and money. 

People were clearly hurt to find out that former tax man Gayus could miraculously travel to Bali, Singapore, Macau and Hong Kong while supposedly in police detention during his graft trial.

The Gayus case clearly made us understand even better than before how justice can still be bought in this country. As long as you have money, the chances are you can fix things here and there, whether you’re right or wrong.

The public is watching another political circus show, with Democratic lawmaker Nazaruddin as its main star. Not only is he alleged to have a key role in the Southeast Asian Games graft scandal, but the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has also stated that the disgraced politician is also involved in other corruption cases, worth more than a staggering Rp 6 trillion ($700 million) in total.

Looking at the amount of money involved, if true, Nazaruddin could not have done this by himself; many other politicians and government officials must have played a role in the scandal.

But based on previous corruption cases, my hunch tells me that only a few will be sacrificed, while many others will walk free as if nothing has happened.

And this is all happening when a poor man can easily spend months, or even years, in jail just for stealing a pair of slippers from the mosque or a chicken from his neighbor’s house.

Try to talk about independence to those in the Ahmadiyah sect, a religious minority group whose 500,000 members are receiving threats all over the country. Among many of these incidents, one stands out. In February, Ahmadiyah members in Cikeusik, West Java, were attacked by a 1,500-strong mob who wanted to kick them out from the village. Three Ahmadis died. 

A court has now jailed 12 members of the Sunni Muslim mob for, at most, just six months each, although they were caught on film violently attacking Ahmadiyah members in clear sight of police officers. As if this was not weird enough, the same court this week jailed one of the Ahmadiyah survivors for six months. Deden Sudjana, the Ahmadiyah member, afterwards bitterly questioned why he had been treated the same as — or even worse than — the people who had murdered his three friends.

When he asked “Where is the justice?” what he was essentially saying was that he and many other minority counterparts did not have the privilege to enjoy this country’s independence. Believing in whatever god and religion you wish to is supposed to be a basic right here, yet Deden and his friends cannot do this.

If our founding fathers and national heroes could come back and see all this, I’m sure they would cry. They would be shocked to see how their noble values have been stamped on by today’s leaders in the interests of people’s egos.

When our heroes bravely fought for independence, all they wanted to do was ensure that their grandchildren could live freely, happily and prosperously. To achieve that goal, they did not mind having a humble life. 

But look at us now, we’ve become a shameless nation whose “independence” seems to be nothing but a rhetorical term in the history books.

I’m not a backpacker. I haven’t had the guts to just take off and go somewhere far on a whim. But every time I visit a place, especially a place that I’ve never been to before, I always try to enjoy it like a true traveler. 

It’s those unique, sometimes crazy, things that I don’t find in Jakarta that make me so interested in exploring. 

The best moments come from exploring the natural beauty, the people and their entire culture. 

And of all the places that I’ve been to so far, I’m proud to say that Bali is the best. 

There are those who disagree, who say the tourist paradise is now just tourists. And I’ve been hearing from some friends lately that they have found better beaches in other places. 

But you don’t travel to Bali just to see the beaches. 

There’s something about the island that I can’t really explain. As my uncle Iwan Iskandar described it: “Even the soil is different, there’s something very magical about this island.” 

My uncle moved to the Island of the Gods around two years ago. He told me he didn’t believe the magic until he felt it himself. “I feel completely peaceful to be here,” he said” 

My admiration for Bali grew after an inspired conversation with renowned photographer John Stanmeyer. 

Having worked in more than 70 countries, Stanmeyer and his family lived in Canggu, Bali, for five years. 

Living in a house in the middle of a rice field, Stanmeyer said that he was incredibly inspired by the local culture. 

“This ancient culture is one of the most unique cultures on earth. It’s amazing that it’s still practiced every day by the Balinese.” 

It’s always an inspiring moment to see a Balinese family — father, mother and children all in traditional clothes — going to a temple to pray together. 

The sight always teaches me that being connected to the earth and all its inhabitants is not only a must, it’s a gift. 

In my wildest dreams, I want to be Balinese. A real one, not like the bules who buy traditional Balinese clothes at the Sukawati art market and think they’re transformed. 

I wonder how it would feel to have people call me bli, a Balinese word for “man.” 

On sunny afternoons I would ride my motorcycle to the temple in my sarong, white shirt and udeng head cloth. The feeling, I bet, would be sensational. 

I can understand how many people hate that attractions in Bali are so overcrowded. 

One of the many victims is the area around Kuta Beach, where you can’t find a moment’s peace due to its busy streets and numerous stores. 

That’s a sad truth about Bali: because of its rapid development in the name of the dollar, Bali is having what Stanmeyer calls “culture stress.” 

This happens largely because people like you and me come every year without realizing the consequences. 

At the same time, the Balinese feel they have to cater to every tourist whim because tourists bring food to the table. 

And every day, another small part of the island’s ecosystem is sacrificed to let investors build hotels and resorts in the most strategic locations. 

On Sunday, Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika said that the island was facing an overpopulation crisis. 

He said the island could only support 1.5 million people, far below the current 3.9 million now living there. 

The governor’s concern is accurate. If you go around the island, you’ll see how traffic jams are now common in many places. 

If not solved, I’m afraid Denpasar will soon be like Jakarta. 

Fortunately, there’s still a large area of Bali that hasn’t been exploited by greed. I went to Bali a year ago to visit an old friend who was working there. 

With a rented motorcycle, he took me to several places where tourists were nowhere to be found. 

At one white sandy beach, I laid my head on the ground and closed my eyes. I heard the sound of the waves and birds singing in the thick trees above. 

I felt the warmth of the sun on my skin, while the wind gently blew across my face. 

Half asleep, I heard the sound of gamelan and the chanting of kecak dancers in my mind. 

I asked my friend where we were, and he said, “Welcome brother, you’re in heaven.”

The night was late, but for the horde of young spectators, it was just about to begin. When the music became louder, the audience cheered, raised their hands and started to dance in time to the heavy rhythms. A group of teenage boys in boots and jackets, some wearing their sunglasses inside the darkened venue, sang along to the lyrics of each and every song like they had listened to them a hundred times before. 

“This is what I call music!” one of them shouted over the noise. 

He was referring to the oft-maligned genre of ska, which reached the peak of its popularity in the 1990s. Interest in the style might have plummeted over the last decade, but a local group of ska devotees has not lost its enthusiasm. 

An underground music movement called Return of the Rootbois is trying to raise the at-times misunderstood genre up once again. 

The movement was initiated by 33-year-old Boris Herlambang, a production and distribution manager for a magazine in Jakarta. As a dedicated fan of Jamaican music, in 2006 Boris created Revival, an event organizer and independent record label focusing on ska and reggae. Working with local bands, Boris began to arrange small concerts around the capital. 

After more than four years of promoting ska in the city, he has developed a loyal following for his bands. The Return of the Rootbois movement now holds a monthly event, which goes by the same name, to showcase the best local ska acts. 

“Boris is the father of ska in Jakarta,” said Christo Putra, the drummer of a reggae and ska band called D’jenks. 

Although many people associate ska with the popular bands that spearheaded the genre’s moment of glory in the ’90s — such as The Mighty Mighty Bosstones and No Doubt — ska was actually first developed in Jamaica in the late 1950s. In fact, most music historians see ska as the predecessor to reggae. 

It is known for its fusion of earlier Jamaican styles such as mento and calypso with American jazz and R&B. Ska is also known for being one of the main musical inspirations for punk music in the United States and the United Kingdom in the early 1980s. 

Ska arrived a bit late in Indonesia — around 1995, according to Boris. In the late 1990s, ska successfully entered the Indonesian mainstream music industry, popularized by bands such as Tipe X, Shaggydog and Jun Fan Gung Foo. 

But ska’s popularity did not last long. By the early 2000s, ska was being slowly abandoned by its fans, which Boris attributes to the genre becoming over-exposed by record companies who forced bands to play ska for commercial reasons. 

Although ska may have gone out of fashion long ago, Boris said it still had a lot of fans throughout the country, especially in Jakarta. 

“The true ska fans never really gave up on it,” he said, adding that they just did not know where to turn to for their fix. 

With Return of the Rootbois, he hopes to change that.

Boris explained that the term “rootbois” was a take on the term “rude boy,” a common name for ska fans. 

“But ‘rootbois’ can also mean ska fans who go back to the roots,” he said. 

Boris said Return of the Rootbois was intended to be a regular event where Indonesian ska bands and fans could meet and have fun. 

“I believe our music fans are smarter now, they don’t just follow the trends,” he added. 

According to Dwi Parmudito, a vocalist and guitarist for the ska band Healthy Body, ska’s body-rocking beats is what makes it special. “I think the most unique aspect of ska is its power to encourage people to stamp their feet, move their heads or even make them dance,” he said, adding that ska was a genre that could be enjoyed by all kinds of people. 

Its ability to inspire people to move their bodies has led to one of the genre’s other trademarks, a style of dance called skanking. 

Skanking, which is also performed by reggae and punk enthusiasts, involves moving one’s legs to the beat, while swinging both arms in front of the body. 

But when the music is loud, fans say it doesn’t really matter how you skank. 

“Ska is so much fun because you can literally dance however you like to the music,” said Ryan, a ska fan. 

“I like ska because it is full of energy,” said Rachmad, another enthusiast, adding that ska was “only for happy people.” 

“Ska is a cheerful music, it is good for releasing stress.” 

Rachmad said he became a ska fan because he was bored listening to mainstream bands, whose songs were mainly about love. “I wanted to listen to something fresh and different, and I found that in ska,” he said. 

At the moment, Return of the Rootbois holds a concert once a month at Marley, a restaurant-cum-bar located in the SCBD area. To help keep the show going there is an entrance fee to the show, usually about Rp 10,000 to Rp 15,000 ($1.20 to $1.75) per person. Each concert generally attracts 100 to 150 fans. 

“I see that ska fans come from various backgrounds, from teenagers to adults,” Boris said. “Of those who come, there are people who only like some of the songs, but most of them are ska fanatics.” 

Not only do they hold a concert every month, Boris and his team also help ska bands in the country to promote their songs. Last year, they released a compilation album featuring 15 ska and reggae bands that had performed at previous Return of the Rootbois shows. 

Boris said there were many promising new ska bands in Jakarta, such as The Authentics, Healthy Body, D’Jenks and Monkey Boots. “They are all very good bands,” he said. 

Boris said he and his team from Revival records were trying to distribute the CDs of local ska bands internationally, and also wanted to work with foreign ska bands to help raise the genre’s profile. 

But Rachmad said that more needed to be done to keep the music playing. He said all ska enthusiasts needed to unite. 

“I think it is time for ska bands and fans to show what we can really do.”

Return of the Rootbois 

Marley Signature Bar and Food 
Energy Building, 2nd Floor, Jl. Jendral Sudirman Kav. 52-53 
Tel: 021 5296 1199 

Facebook: 
Revival Indonesian Ska Label 
Return of the Rootbois

There is no place in the world like Jakarta. For those who just got here, either on a business trip or a pleasure one, you might be charmed by its glamor. It is true what many people say about the Big Durian. It is a place where you can literally find everything. 

But you have to remain watchful. At times, this city can be unfriendly too, and you surely don’t want to end up being the loser. So, here are some tips for you newcomers to survive in this city: 

    1.    Don’t talk to strangers, really. We were told when we were children that we should not talk to someone we do not know. Well, that advice is very useful in Jakarta. I’m sure you have heard stories of how people are hypnotized and told to take money from the ATM. I’m not a person who believes in black magic, but somehow this proves to be true. So make sure that you keep your eyes wide open and hold your bag like it is the most precious thing that you have while shopping in one of the city’s malls. When someone comes to you and offers some help, simply say, “Get lost, I don’t know you.” You have to keep in mind that people in this city believe that nothing is free. So when someone suddenly becomes nice to you, it only means he or she wants something from you.

    2.    Jakarta has the worst traffic in the world, so don’t hesitate to drive like a mad person. Things about Jakarta’s traffic that you saw on TV were not fiction. They are real, and the city’s residents face those horrible things every single day. Yes, drivers of cars and motorcycles hate each other, and they will do anything to be able to go faster. Yes, people treat the traffic signs as if they were only accessories to make the city look nicer, so don’t be afraid if you cross the traffic light when it is red. The only way you can survive the traffic is to drive like people in this city, and that is: driving like a bus driver. Make sure no other car or motorcycle overtakes you, if they do, then you have to do whatever it takes to get your spot back. One more thing, you are not obliged to give way to a pedestrian, just keep going. 

    3.    The air is heavily polluted and — trust me — there is nothing beautiful that you can see outside. So you better go to the city’s amazing malls, which are said to be among the best in the world. You will be surprised to find out what these malls have to offer, including the beautiful people hanging out at the expensive cafes and restaurants. Don’t think for a second about visiting the city’s cultural attractions, because they will surely disappoint you. 

    4.    Never use public transportation. You can ride the TransJakarta Busway, but that is as far as you should go. Getting a taxi is the safest way to get around, although it may cost you a fortune. But at least you can sleep for a while until you reach your destination. Some say that the blue taxis are the safest option, but nowadays people also choose the white ones.  

    5.    You don’t need to say “thank you” or other nice things to people. In other cities, it’s common courtesy to say “thank you” when someone does something nice to you. That doesn’t apply in this city. An “OK” might still be acceptable, more than that, it will be considered too much. Remember, don’t smile or say “hello” to random people, they might think you’re crazy.

    6.    You can do all the bad things that you cannot do in your home town. Don’t feel guilty if you want to treat people badly, since this city is also dubbed the “city of imagination” or “sin city.” Don’t you worry about those hypocrites who are nice, because although they might look like being favored by everybody, the truth is, they are the minority. 

    7.    Lastly, make sure that you bring a lot of money, because in this city money is your passport to happiness. For money, people will do good things to you, including giving you a parking spot in a super-crowded shopping center or letting you relax in a VIP lounge. Money is the only decisive attribute in this city, the only element that makes you valuable as a human being. You can only be called “a good person” if you have money and let others know about it.

Stay-at-home dad? Not a cool idea, if you ask me. 

If I ever told my father that I wanted to stay at home and take care of the children and do all the housework while my wife went to the office every day, I’m sure he would give me a very serious talking to. 

And I think he would have a very good point. 

Look, it’s not that I’m against female emancipation. 

In fact, I’m among the few men in this country who fully support the idea that women should have the right to pursue their dreams. 

If a woman thinks she is smart enough to become the president, we should let her do it. 

And it’s not that I think men should just sit back in their recliners and watch TV while their wives prepare a meal. 

In this modern age, I acknowledge that the role of man has shifted from the privileged position as the uncontested leader of the family to becoming a partner to his wife. 

But that doesn’t mean that men should stay at home 24 hours a day, wearing a pink apron while holding an iron and a bottle of detergent. 

If a man can work from home, then that’s a different story. 

You can call me selfish or arrogant, but I think that God created men with their physical strength and women with their emotional intelligence for a reason. 

I’m sure we all agree that women are better when it comes to taking care of children. 

With just a simple, soft touch they can stop a baby crying. Men, on the other hand, are more into cars, computers and sports. 

There are always exceptions, of course, but we shouldn’t forget the fundamental things that make men and women who they are. 

And Indonesian women should not start thinking that they can complain about this. 

Unlike many women in the West, I know that deep down you don’t really approve of the idea of men taking over your role as housewives. 

I’d say that most women in this country are not yet emancipated, and I think it’s a good thing for us men. It’s still a common perception among women in this country that men should earn more money than they do. 

They all still believe that a man’s main duty should be to lead the family and feed them. 

Otherwise, women would feel ashamed about their inability to pick the right man. 

So please don’t bring up this silly “stay-at-home dad” theory again. 

It may work in the West, but not here in Indonesia. 

Some men might enjoy doing the housework and hanging around at home. 

But we all know that if we actually do that, eventually we’ll hear the same complaint: “You’re a man. Aren’t you supposed to be out working?” 

I have some very important advice for guys out there just starting a love journey with a new girlfriend. You might have said those three sacred words, “I love you,” a million times, but that still doesn’t mean it’s time to break out and share the passwords to your e-mail, Facebook or Twitter accounts. 

Men tend to do stupid things when they’re in love, including adopting a whatever-it-takes policy when it comes to keeping their girlfriends happy. Falling in love is one thing, but surrendering your freedom and life is something else entirely. So before you get caught in the trap, you need to understand one thing: Whatever the reason, and however sweet she may sound trying to seduce you, never, ever give her access to your e-mail and social media accounts. 

On the other hand, letting her know the ATM pin number to your empty bank account is highly recommended. This way she’ll know that you are always broke and can’t afford to buy her expensive things or take her to fancy restaurants. 

For those who still don’t understand why your passwords should remain secret, the answer is simple: You need freedom to be a real man and, more important, you cannot trust your girlfriend 100 percent.

Don’t be fooled when she says she just wants to get updates about your life. If she wants to stay in touch, tell her to send you a text message or give you a phone call. But this also needs to be managed carefully. If not, you will be bombarded with silly questions like “What did you have for lunch?” “Did you brush your teeth this morning?” or “Did your ex-girlfriend call today?” 

A few months ago, a friend of mine called me in the middle of the night telling me he was in big trouble. He said his girlfriend had found a message on his Facebook page from his ex. 

I swear I laughed to the point of tears when he told me the only thing his ex said was, “It’s been a long time, what have you been up to lately?” 

The problem with women is they just can’t take things easy. When a man says he’s not the jealous type, he means it with all his heart. When a woman says she doesn’t get jealous, it means she is a detective that will search for every possible sign of cheating. 

So, fellas, you better think twice before you share you passwords with your girlfriend. Make sure you take into account the consequences. 

If you are certain that she will become your wife, then I suppose it’s fine, but, personally, I’d still put the right to change passwords in the prenuptial agreement. 

Argentine couple Herman and Candelaria Zapp always dreamed of traveling the world. When they decided to pursue their dream in January 2000, the initial plan was to take a six-month trip to Alaska and then head back to Argentina. 

But things don’t always work out according to plan, and 11 years later, Herman and Candelaria have now traveled more than 250,000 kilometers, covering more than 25 countries, with the help of their 1928 vintage Graham-Paige car. The Zapps’ story is an extraordinary and inspiring one. 

Looking at the state of their current lives, Herman, 42, said he had no regrets. He said this was the kind of life they dreamed about when they started dating as teenagers. 

“We feel so rich and no one can take that away from us,” he said. 

At the start of the journey, it was just Herman and Candelaria. However, their little family has grown along the way, with the addition of three sons and a daughter — Pampa, Tehue, Paloma and Wallaby ­— each born in a different country. 

Together, the Zapp family has traveled across South America, Japan, South Korea, Canada and New Zealand. They have spent a year in Australia and 13 months in the United States. 

With a plan to travel through Asia for two years, the Zapps journeyed through Brunei, the Philippines and Malaysia before arriving in Indonesia this month. 

The family arrived in Semarang, Central Java, before heading east to Bali. From the Island of Gods they made their way back west via Yogyakarta, where they visited Borobudur Temple, before arriving in Jakarta last week. 

Now, they are on their way to Sumatra before heading on to other countries, including Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, China and India. 

Asked why they had put Indonesia on their travel list, Candelaria, 40, simply said, “Give me one reason why we wouldn’t want to visit this country?” 

Herman said they had heard so many good stories about Indonesia. 

“It is a country that has more than 14,000 islands, with so many ethnic groups and religions,” he said. “Everything you want is here.” 

Before devoting their lives to travel, Herman and Candelaria seemed to have everything. The owner of an IT company, Herman could afford all of life’s luxuries, including a nice house with a swimming pool. But the couple found there was something missing in their lives, and decided to set out to see the world before they had children. 

Herman said he and his wife feel blessed to have their four children. And although they are constantly on the move, Herman and Candelaria haven’t neglected the children’s education. 

The children receive home-schooling via an online service from Argentina that provides them with a regularly updated curriculum. Every time they find an Internet connection and a computer, they print the materials and use them to teach the children. 

Herman was quick to add that his children had also learned about the world through their amazing experiences. 

“Yesterday, they saw elephants in the wild, and then orangutans, then the temples — who knows what else they will see,” he said. 

Without a doubt, the family’s vintage car has become the centerpiece of their journey. The car can only reach a maximum speed of 64 kilometers per hour, but Herman said it was love at first sight. 

“It was so curvy, just like a woman,” he said, adding that what makes the car so special is its simple mechanics, which make it easy to fix. 

The car’s snail-pace has not been a problem for the family during its travels. “My grandfather always told me that if you want to get far, you need to go slowly,” Herman said. 

But traveling around in an 83-year-old car does have some complications. Herman said the car had broken down many times. Luckily, he said, it always seems to break down close to repair facilities, and “never in the middle of nowhere.” 

Herman said people always wondered how the family could afford its extended journey. The expenses, he said, are largely financed by the sale of their 2005 book, “Spark Your Dream.” Consisting of stories of the family’s earliest trips, the book has sold more than 50,000 copies so far. 

Herman also said that traveling the world meant they were not paying for rent or mortgage and many other things. Although the family always needs money to pay for airplane tickets and to ship the car, Herman said there was no shortage of people willing to support their dream. 

He said many companies had been very generous in helping them ship the car. “We have only paid car shipment once so far,” he said. 

The six Zapps can either sleep inside the car or in a tent they set up next to the vehicle. But Herman said 99 percent of the time, they stayed in people’s homes — people they had never met before. 

“In most cases people just show up and start asking questions about the journey and the car, and almost every time someone will ask where we sleep,” he said. 

Asked which is the best country they have visited, the couple couldn’t name one, saying that each place has been special and unique in its own way. 

And both said it was the people they met who made those places special. 

“If I close my eyes, I see the people’s faces, and not the places,” Candelaria said. 

The couple said they had encountered countless challenges during their journey, including “running out of cash, getting visas denied and having kids born in different countries.” 

But they said those challenges were nothing compared to making the decision to pursue their dream and leave everything behind. 

Having traveled much of the world, with Europe as their next destination, the couple are considering taking a break when their oldest son, Pampa, who was born during their early trip to Alaska, reaches the age of 10. The reason for this is “so that he can enjoy having friends and join a football team.” 

And for those who are still not sure about whether they should pursue their dreams, Herman’s advice is to just to go for it. 

Despite the challenges, Herman said believing in your dream is the most important thing. “When you go for your dreams, you will find everything you need to make them happen.”

Check for updates on the family’s journey on their Web site: www.argentinaalaska.com

In a city where the traffic is so bad and everybody looks so busy, “thank you” has become a very expensive commodity.

Doing things outside the house every day, meeting all kinds of people continuously, it seems to me that fewer people are saying these two sacred words.

I do still hear the words spoken regularly, but interestingly they don’t often come from the rich or the smart people of Jakarta, from whom we expect to get higher standards.

These days I hear “thank you” mostly from a ticket parking clerk, whose job is to determine how many hours I have parked inside the mall.

Having received cash from me, the friendly clerk at a store gives me the receipt and some change, if any, while saying, “thank you.”

I also often hear “thank you” being spoken by restaurant waiters and store cashiers.

These people, obviously, have participated in some sort of training sessions, teaching them how to treat customers right, which raises question about their sincerity when saying it. Nevertheless, it feels good to hear it.

In Jakarta, you don’t really get positive words that often, so when you do, it feels like a relief.

Most of the times, especially on the streets where cars and motorcycles are stuck in the traffic, what we hear is people cursing at others.

We are used to hearing those negative sentences so often: “Are you blind? Look where you’re going” or “You’re an idiot, you just hit my car from behind.”

I think it is not that people of Jakarta are bad, but perhaps it is the city’s condition that has made us ignorant and stiff.

People here are just too tired to face all the problems, that have no potential of getting better. Problems like traffic, floods, crime, the economic gap and overcrowding really drive us crazy.

It may sound funny, but I think our school system needs to teach a “thank you” class, instructing children to say the magic words properly. Not only should they learn that “thank you” is important, they also need to be encouraged to say it as often as possible.

This is how the teacher should begin the thank you class: “So kids, how many times have you said ‘thank you’ today?”

The kids have to be reminded all the time that even one “thank you” can make a big change to their surroundings.

The class should not be complicated, for around 30 minutes there would only be one subject taught: “thank you.”

Nowadays, our children are only taught to be smart and sharp. They are told every day that they are only valued on how good their grades are, without emphasizing the need for good behavior. The result is very clear, we are one of the most corrupt nations in the world, even worse than countries Senegal and Guatemala.

My plan is simple: Let’s say “thank you” more and make this city a better place. Thank you!