February 16, 2012

Your Religion is Yours. Mine is Mine Alone.

Agamamu adalah agamamu. Agamaku adalah agamaku. Your religion is yours, and mine is mine alone....

Let us keep respect on this, and let me promote pluralism and tolerance through my marriage! My God and I myself will always pray for you whom hates me because of my religion.

I am a proud Christian whom married a Muslim, but I will always be as JESUS follower!



February 13, 2012

Indonesia Tanpa FPI



Adalah kabar baik ketika Sabtu 11 Februari lalu masyarakat adat suku Dayak menegaskan sikapnya menolak kehadiran FPI di Bandar Udara Cilik Riwut, Palangkaraya. Mengapa kabar baik? Ini tidak berarti pihak-pihak yang selama ini dibuat gerah oleh satu kelompok kecil yang kerap melakukan tindakan anarkis dalam aksi-aksinya hendak merayakan sedikit kemenangan para pejuang pluralisme. Juga bukan berarti kita melanggar kebebasan suatu kelompok masyarakat dalam berserikat. Tetapi, ini berdasar pada kebutuhan mutlak manusia: kebebasan dari tekanan.



Memang benar, adalah hak setiap individu untuk berekspresi dan berserikat, termasuk individu yang terwadahi dalam FPI. Namun tengok kembali aksi-aksi melawan hukum yang dilakukan FPI (rangkaian ancaman serta tindak kekerasan terhadap gereja dan jemaatnya, Ahmadiyah, Komunitas Lia Eden, pers, orientasi seksual yang berbeda, tempat-tempat hiburan, warung makan kecil di bulan Ramadlan, Tragedi Monas, perusakan gedung Kementerian Dalam Negeri, dll.) Bukankah melanggar hak asasi warga negara lainnya manakala mereka terus melakukan kekerasan keji dalam setiap aksinya? Apalagi seraya tangan mereka menghunus senjata tajam, pekik Allahu Akbar dimanipulasi sebagai perisai untuk menyatakan bahwa kekerasan yang mereka lakukan atas persetujuan Tuhan. Ironis, bukan?
 [14 Feb 2012, during our rally on "Indonesia Without FPI" at Bundaran HI, Jakarta]

Karenanya, aksi penolakan yang dilakukan masyarakat adat Dayak di Palangkaraya pun menginspirasi warga negara lainnya untuk melakukan keberanian serupa dalam menanggapi arogansi FPI atau milisi sipil lainnya yang gemar melakukan tindakan kekerasan atas nama apapun.
Di Jakarta, Minggu sore, 12 Februari 2012, puluhan individu dari berbagai latar belakang yang terinspirasi aksi masyarakat Dayak di Palangkaraya mengadakan pertemuan yang mendiskusikan pentingnya menyatukan semangat dalam menolak eksistensi FPI sebagai entitas masyarakat yang secara sistematis kerap melakukan kekerasan dalam aksi-aksinya. Berawal dari sebaran undangan melalui twitter, Tunggal Pawestri, salah seorang aktivis yang memiliki inisiatif mengadakan pertemuan tersebut, tidak menduga kalau banyak yang datang dalam acara yang digelar di Bakoel Koffie, Cikini. Beberapa nama seperti George Junus Aditjondro, Marco Kusumawijaya, M. Guntur Romli, Mariana Amirudin, dan aktivis lainnya ikut memenuhi ruangan. Begitupun salah seorang dokter dari perwakilan masyarakat adat Dayak yang tinggal di Jakarta dan seorang mahasiswa yang mengaku telah begitu muak dengan aksi-aksi kekerasan FPI, hadir dalam diskusi itu. Ini menjadi bukti, betapa masyarakat Jakarta, bukan hanya aktivis kemanusiaan semata melainkan dari berbagai unsur masyarakat, cukup terganggu dengan kehadiran FPI di Indonesia.
[with my friend, Mardiah Chamin from TEMPO, during a rally on "Indonesia Without FPI] 

Pada kesempatan yang dibangun dalam suasana yang karib tersebut, seorang peserta menyatakan bahwa banyak alasan mengapa FPI pantas ditolak. Di samping aksi-aksi kekerasannya, alasan yang lebih fundamental adalah karena FPI memperlihatkan penolakannya terhadap perbedaan melalui aksi-aksi mereka yang ditujukan terhadap kalangan minoritas. Pantaskah selalu ingin menang sendiri dengan memamerkan kekerasan di tengah-tengah masyarakat kita yang begitu majemuk? Alasan lain, sudah saatnya media mengabarkan pada masyarakat luas bahwa tidak sedikit kelompok masyarakat yang jengah dengan kehadiran FPI yang memanipulasi jubah putih dan sorbannya itu menjadi simbol mereka.
Mengenai simbol, menurut penuturan peserta lainnya, yakni seorang perempuan yang dibesarkan di daerah Petamburan (dekat markas FPI), merasa perlu sekali sosialisasi terus-menerus perihal bahaya premanisme FPI. Artinya, masyarakat kita yang masih begitu khidmat mematuhi simbol-simbol, jangan sampai tertipu oleh pakaian yang dikenakan FPI. Sebagaimana telah dimafhumi, di Indonesia jubah dan sorban putih merupakan simbol kesalehan, identik dengan Islam. Jadilah simbol tersebut dimanfaatkan FPI untuk menyembunyikan wajah aslinya. Sehingga, lanjutnya, sedemikian brutal kelompok ini melakukan kekerasan dan pengrusakan, namun masyarakat kerap diam bahkan ironisnya ada yang menyetujui tindakan FPI yang selalu mengatasnamakan agama itu.Pada titik inilah tantangan terbesar adalah penyadaran terhadap masyarakat perihal wajah asli FPI yang tiada lain hanyalah titisan Ares Sang Dewa peperangan.


Lalu, dokter Tata, perwakilan masyarakat adat Dayak, tampak antusias menjelaskan mengapa keberanian mengemuka dari masyarakatnya. Di Palangkaraya, aksi yang patut dicontoh tersebut tidak akan terjadi tanpa dukungan dari semua elemen masyarakat, termasuk pemerintahan setempat. Berkat kerjasama yang solid antara masyarakat dan elemen pemerintahan, yang sama-sama sadar akan bahaya pengaruh anarkisme FPI, aksi tersebut kemudian mencuat. Karena itu, kesadaran dan solidaritas antarelemen masyarakat itulah yang perlu dicontoh masyarakat Jakarta khususnya, dan masyarakat di berbagai daerah pada umumnya. Menurutnya, sebenarnya penolakan FPI juga telah disuarakan di daerah Kalimantan lainnya.
Sementara, sambil mengutip sebuah hasil riset yang menyatakan bahwa di tahun 2015 mendatang Indonesia akan didominasi oleh kalangan muda, Marco Kusumawijaya merasa yakin perlu mengorganisir para pemuda untuk terlibat dalam aksi penolakan FPI ini. Pemuda adalah tonggak bangsa yang sudah semestinya menjadi garda depan dalam menyuarakan kebebasan dan keharmonisan Indonesia yang kerap diaduk-aduk FPI. 
Yang cukup menggembirakan para peserta, pada kesempatan itu dihadiri banyak kalangan pemuda yang bersemangat menyimak bahkan berpartisipasi di dalamnya.


Pelbagai alasan di atas dan pertimbangan lainnya yang muncul dalam pertemuan itu, lantas pada sekitar pukul 17.00 WIB disepakati kelahiran “Gerakan Indonesia Tanpa FPI.” Gerakan ini memiliki satu visi: penolakan terhadap kekerasan atas nama apapun. Tugas pertama yang ingin diembannya adalah menolak secara tegas keberadaan FPI di Indonesia. Pernyataan sikap berupa petisi dan press release mengenai penolakan ini menjadi prakondisi yang akan ditempuh gerakan ini. Petisi akan diajukan di antaranya kepada Kemendagri, Kemenkumham, Polri dan kelompok FPI itu sendiri. Di samping itu, gerakan ini pun akan memanfaatkan momentum Valentine’s day (yang diharamkan FPI) sebagai hari di mana aksi penolakan terhadap FPI akan dilakukan secara massif di Jakarta.
Jadi, bagi Anda yang merasa bahwa tindakan kekerasan dalam bentuk dan atas nama apapun harus ditentang, tidak ada salahnya menyempatkan diri bergabung dalam aksi tersebut pada Selasa besok, 14 Februari 2012. Salam perdamaian.
Evi Rahmawati, Staf Program Lembaga Studi Agama dan Filsafat (LSA)

February 10, 2012

Bintang Indrianto

Eleanor Roosevelt said that "Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart". 

The same thing occurs when your life cross path with one stranger on the street, whom are just simply smiling with you, but that is what you needed most on that very moment. You will not easily forget whenever unknown people showing their concern and sincerity on most miserable moment in your life. You just feel touched knowing that you were not alone. When it happened you, some people said that God is sending HIS angel upon you, and you'll see a miracle, comfort and strength. 

That was what happened to me about four years ago. Back to 2008. I still remember on one afternoon in June 2008. I was in hospital taking care of my belated father who had been hospitalized for a month. My heart and mind was thorn apart seeing day-by-day my dad became weaker and weaker....and on the same time my hubby need to have his eyes surgery. Life seemed so unfair to me on that moment, and I feel had to carry those burden by myself, alone.  But on that afternoon, there's a man suddenly called me, introducing himself as an elder cousin of my hubby. I honestly never heard his name before, even though I was confused for this sudden call, as we almost never keep in touch with my hubby's family since we were married on 2005 due to this different religion issue, but the voice that I heard over the phone was sound sincere and showing his empathy.  He told me not to be hesitate to contact him whenever I needed help. He comforted me. He made me feel that my hubby and I were not alone. We have a support and love from my hubby's family. So since that day, whenever I heard his name, my heart feels warm and loved. I feel like he was one of the angel from heaven above, and a comforter that God sent to us during our difficult time. Thru him, God sent us a message, that HE will never leave us alone. 

So this early February 2012, I finally can meet our "angel". In bible it said that all of HIS angels have beautiful voice and they are also a great musician. Our angel is also a great musician. He is a bassist player. He plays his music like an angel, beautiful and so much talented. His name is BINTANG INDRIANTO. 


So this is my appreciation to you. You may never know how meaningful the phone call that you made to me last four years ago. But I will always remember it and thank God for sending someone sincere like you! May you will always be like a star in the sky....always shining and bright the nights...

February 9, 2012

Thank U, dear LORD...

I come to YOU with a grateful heart, dear LORD...

I thank you for this wonderful 2012. 

On January 2012, YOU let me celebrated another year older and 7 years of our marriage. YOU've made us strong, and have taught us what love is all about. I asked YOU about 7 years ago, will you bless my marriage and will you be with us...these wonderful 7 years, I have witnessed how good YOU are to our life and marriage....YOUR blessings to us are countless! 

On January 2012, YOU let me passed one dream and wish accomplished! Thru the process to accomplish it, YOU taught me success comes with good hard work, discipline, but most with prayer and faith! 

On February 2012, after almost a decade, thru my husband's birthday and Jazz Buzz music concert, YOU helped us to reunited with my husband's brothers. YOU taught me about LOVE and FORGIVENESS. It takes not only just a word,  but we must also do an action. Ora et Labora. Thank YOU dear LORD for gives me the strength and show me the way... May this reunion will open a way for one day we can also meet my husband's parent and his other sibling.  With YOU on our side, nothing is impossible! 

On February 2012, another miracle YOU have given me, LORD...another door open to continue another study...I have dreaming on this since long time ago, and praying that YOU will listen to my prayer....and now YOU have opening it for me...I can't stop my tears from falling...who am I that YOU care about me, LORD??? 

With a grateful heart, dear LORD.....I come upon you and thanking YOU for all YOU have given to my life....for all that I can and I can't see....Thank YOU dear LORD....Thank YOU my JESUS....


February 6, 2012

I Am The Voice From The East (VOTE)



Laguna biru cerah, hamparan pasir putih, tarian lumba-lumba di pesisir pasar, pekik burung camar dan kerimbunan nyiur melambai yang menaungi deretan rumah panggung di pulau-pulau bagian Timur Indonesia. Tabuhan tifa, totobuang, denting gitar dan nyanyian rakyat di kala bulan purnama adalah keseharian kehidupan rakyat Indonesia Timur. Keindahan alam dan persaudaraan adalah wajah asli Indonesia Timur.

Kini, tawa-ria dan kebahagiaan anak-anak dan masyarakat Indonesia Timur di Papua, Maluku, Sulawesi dan Kepulauan Sunda Kecil (Bali, NTB dan NTT) kini berganti dengan tangis serta kecemasan akan masa depan mereka sebagai akibat kehancuran hutan, laut dan pertambangan yang turut membawa pemiskinan, pembodohan, wabah penyakit bahkan hingga HIV & AIDS di pelosok terpencil.

Kerusakan alam dan lingkungan di wilayah Timur Indonesia semakin diperparah dengan adanya korupsi sistemik, dan pelanggaran HAM dalam berbagai sisi kehidupan. Relasi kekerabatan dan persaudaraan terkoyak akibat kerusuhan sosial di Poso, Ambon dan Maluku Utara yang menjadi dagangan politik bagi sekelompok orang.

VOTE (Voice from The East) merupakan sebuah gerakan kampanye sosial untuk mengembalikan martabat kemanusiaan, perdamaian, kesejahteraan, pelestarian lingkungan, demokratisasi serta merawat keragaman dan budaya di Indonesia Timur.

Mari bergabung dalam gerakan VOTE! Jadikan Indonesia Timur sebagai benteng terakhir keserasian hidup manusia dan lingkungan di Indonesia.

February 3, 2012

Love Your Ocean. Love The Sea Creatures.


The above photo I copied from The Sea Shepherd Asia, which taken from Arabian waters.
The Chinese adore the meat of Whale Shark, which they call " Tofu Shark". Fins that size fetch a fortune, each! With no laws about shark fishing in Arabian waters, these animals are easy prey for poachers!

If you care about this beautiful creature, please join in spreading the news and promote the message to protect Whale Sharks and other species, including our natural resources. Please help and contribute to stop scene like this! If not us (human), then who else?

Love your ocean, love the sea creatures!

January 31, 2012

2012 Deep & Extreme Indonesia



DEEP & EXTREME Indonesia 2012 will soon be held on next coming March 29 - April 1, 2012. This is the only international dive exhibition in Indonesia and offers first hand information about the marine life and dive sites in Indonesia, and features the newest scuba diving equipments in the market! This exhibition also aims to educate broader people on scuba diving, and as an excellent place for networking, especially for divers and ocean lovers! :D

So if you are a diver, a diver's lover, or an ocean's lover, please visit our Bali Marine Sports' booth number B 117 at Jakarta Convention Center. We offer lots of diving and fishing packages with super sale price, not just in Bali underwater, but across Indonesia and South East Asia!

Let us introduce you to beautiful Indonesia underwater world! Meet and greet us at 2012 DEEP Indonesia! :D

Marpaung Goes Diving

(with my siblings at Tulamben Beach)

(my 13 y.o. niece with her 1st scuba diving experience)

(my 2nd older brother with school of Jack Fish)

(my oldest brother explored the USST Liberty Wreck)

(our happy faces, finally we could dive together)

In regards of family life, I always wanted to introduce scuba diving to my sibling, in law, niece and nephew. Specially to my two older brothers and my only niece, Christie. But our holiday schedule never matched to one another, only recently we finally could managed time to have a-Marpaung's holiday together in Bali! So I took them all to one my favorite spot in Bali, the famous Tulamben in Eastern Bali! :D

So here are some photos when I introduced scuba diving to my two older brothers and my niece. I feel so happy that I finally could introduced the beauty of the underwater and seeing the excitement at their happy faces!

My thanks and appreciation to my dive buddy, Nicky Wirawan from Bali Marine Sports!

Thank you, dear Lord, to fulfilled another dream and desire of mine! God is good!

January 26, 2012

Have A Good Attitude in Life!

"Every man/woman is handsome/beautiful. What makes him/her ugly are only his/her bad attitude and absence of manner..."

Don't you agree with the above statement???

I do! I have met, observed, and talked to many smart, success and good looking men and beautiful women around the globe! I adore some of them, but also dislike some of them!

I do adore those men/women who have empowered themselves and able to show their achievement, but also because they have shown their intellectual ability grow with maturity and empathy to others! Intellectually without empathy will only disturb your surrounding, and by the end, you bring no benefit for your community!

I have a female colleague at the office. She is proud to call herself as "an adviser and expert", but she loves to make people down by her talk and act. I think she need to advise herself more than her clients! I also witness one of professor that I know who has similar attitude! No doubt of her (technical) intellectuality, but for sure she need to develop more on building her behavior and attitude in dealing with others! It's really sad for Indonesia to have a lecture and a mentor with this kind of attitude and it just make our education system become worst! Many more out there, don't you agree?

I just hope, wish and reminding myself. As 'am now trying to go up there, empower myself, to carefully note on this. What I really want, with all the knowledge and skill that I have and will have on the future, may it brings good benefit for people surrounding me, for my society, and not become burden and problem for human lives and my community!

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. For me, this is more important than the past, education, money, circumstances, failures, success, or what people think, say, and do. It is more important than appearance, gift or skill. It will make or break a company, a church, a home, a relationship. But may we remember that the remarkable thing is we have choice everyday regarding what attitude we will embrace for the day! We may not be able to change our past, or the fact that some people will act in a certain way. We can't change the inevitable! The only think we can do is play on the string we have, and that is our attitude!

I am convinced that life is 10 percents what happens to me, and 90 percents how I react to it. So it is up to us, we are in charge of our attitude!

January 24, 2012

Gong Xi Fa Cai! Happy Blessed Water Dragon of 2012!


For me, today is not just a celebration of Chinese New Year, or Imlek's Day. But today is also a celebration on how pluralism and tolerance has been promoted in Indonesia. It started 11 years ago when Gus Dur removing barriers to Chinese community in Indonesia, and acknowledged this day as one of Indonesia National Holiday! So that today, you and me, can understand more about Chinese culture, Barongsay and many others, and this has enrich Indonesia diversity!

So let us be an advanced community, let us celebrate tolerance and pluralism in whatever our belief! Gong Xi Fa Cai!