Bless you, Megawati<\/p>\n
Susanto Pudjomartono
\nEditor-at-Large
\nThe Jakarta Post
\nJakarta<\/p>\n
Since I was already in the neighborhood, I decided to drop by
\nSudagar's office. I was a bit surprised when I entered his
\noffice. A solitary secretary was seen napping at the front desk.
\nWhere was the staff of a dozen who used to work here? Wait, is
\nthis the right office? I glanced at the sign on the door. It was
\nthere alright. A bright, shiny placard blaring: DR. Sudagar MBA,
\nManpower Specialist.<\/p>\n
I stepped into Sudagar's room, and there he was, busy filling
\nout a crossword puzzle. He brightened up when he saw me. \"Good to
\nsee you, man. You're my first visitor in a month\", he said good
\nnaturedly.<\/p>\n
\"What happened?\", I asked him.<\/p>\n
\"Man, can't you see? My business is dead.\"<\/p>\n
\"Why?\"<\/p>\n
\"Why? Look, you know I'm a Manpower Specialist. If you need
\npeople, then ask me. You want 100 people, I'll supply you. Two
\nhundred, 500? Just give me a few hours.\"<\/p>\n
\"What for?\"<\/p>\n
\"Man, if you need a car for a day or two, you rent it. And
\nthat's the job for a rent-a-car company. But if you need a crowd,
\nyou rent them from me.\"<\/p>\n
\"Rent a crowd?\" I was flabbergasted.<\/p>\n
\"Man, can't you see? This is a democratic country. People here
\nare free to express their opinion. And to express their demand
\nsome of them may need the support of, say a 100 people, to
\namplify their protests or demands.\"<\/p>\n
\"You see, to make an impression that they really represent a
\nlarger part of the society. And that's where my job is. My
\nexpertise is to supply manpower to those who need it. For a fee,
\nof course. You see, man, there're millions of people out there
\nwho are unemployed. The money they earn from me, small as it is,
\nwill help them to prolong their life. In addition, I help to
\nbuild democracy in this country.\"<\/p>\n
\"Who needs your services?\" Maybe it was a dumb question
\nbecause Sudagar looked at me in disbelief.<\/p>\n
\"Man, are you blind? Do you think this or that organization
\nthat stage rallies can muster 500 or 1,000 people, voluntarily?
\nNo way, man. Except the students, of course. But others? They
\nneed me.\"<\/p>\n
\"So what has happened to your business?\"<\/p>\n
\"Didn't I tell you? These days there are fewer rallies. And
\nthat means fewer orders for me.\"<\/p>\n
He pointed to a portrait hanging on the wall. \"Boy, how I love
\nthis man. He was really ruarr biasa (extraordinary). Everyday he
\nsaid controversial things. Then by the next day people would go
\nto the street to protest him. And then different people would
\nstage counter rallies. That's good for my business. I wish he was
\nstill at the helm. That's why I still keep his picture.\"
\nI glanced at the picture. It was an official portrait of former
\nPresident Abdurrahman \"Gus Dur\" Wahid. Suddenly Sudagar's
\ncellular phone was buzzing.<\/p>\n
\"Hello. What? What did you say? You need 200 people? Of course
\nI can supply that. For tomorrow? What time? Okay, okay. I'll fix
\nit. Yes, at the usual rate, of course.\"<\/p>\n
Sudagar's face beamed.<\/p>\n
\"Did you hear that? Someone asked me to supply 200 people to
\nsupport a rally for tomorrow. That's my first order in weeks.\"
\nThen his phone started to buzz again.<\/p>\n
\"Hello. Did you say you need 500? In native Betawi custom?
\nMan, of course I can do it. If you want I can even dress each of
\nthem with a golok (machete) to give them a more original touch.
\nBut, of course there will be an extra cost.\"<\/p>\n
The phone buzzed again while Sudagar was still dancing in
\nfront of me.<\/p>\n
\"Yes, hello. A thousand people, did you say? Yes, yes, of
\ncourse, they will be ready by tomorrow morning. Okay, since
\nyou're an old customer I'll give you a discount.\"<\/p>\n
By then Sudagar was breathless. He hugged me. \"I knew by the
\ntime I saw you coming that my luck had changed. I should ask you
\nto have lunch with me, but sorry, not today. I will be very, very
\nbusy today.\"<\/p>\n
His phone rang again, and before he could lift it I asked.
\n\"What happened?\"<\/p>\n
\"Man, haven't you heard? President Megawati has endorsed the
\nreelection of Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso. And that's really
\ncontroversial. Many will feel betrayed by the decision. I bet in
\nthe coming weeks there'll be rallies and counter rallies.
\nOn the way out I heard Sudagar shout down his phone. \"Two
\nthousand? Did you say you need 2,000 people?<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/bless-you-megawati-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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