Jubir<\/p>\n
By Sori Siregar<\/p>\n
He has a meager salary. But his income is more than enough. He
\nhas been living this way for years. Actually there is nothing
\nweird about that. The majority of people are living in this same
\npattern. People not from here will never understand this reality.
\nThis is the reason why researchers go from Sabang to Merauke
\nstudying and taking notes.<\/p>\n
People who always refer to religion often link things like a
\nsalary to the blessings of God. So don't ever relate a meager
\nsalary or a big income with anything else. Everyone's luck has
\nbeen decided by the Almighty.<\/p>\n
Cynical people will never accept this reality. They look at
\nmaking money as a kind of sleight of hand. Fortunately, between
\nthe two categories of people there are those who take a neutral
\nstand.<\/p>\n
People may have a small salary, but don't suspect them just
\nbecause they seem to bring home a lot of money. Possibly, after
\noffice hours, they work an extra job for the extra income. It
\njust means they are doing everything in their power to meet the
\nneeds of their families. Therefore, it is unwise to suspect
\npeople with lots of money just because they have a small salary.
\nOn the contrary, those people who have a meager salary but have a
\nlot of money must be respected.<\/p>\n
Frankly, I was confused when Jubir asked me where I stood on
\nthe issue. How should I answer? I never questioned the issue of
\na small salary and a big income. What is important for me is
\nthat everyone has to fight for a living. If they don't have much
\nof a salary they should add to it somehow to make it enough to
\nlive on. If it is not adequate find additional income somewhere
\nelse. How they find that income is their own business.<\/p>\n
\"As a low-paid civil servant, I have a large income. I can
\neven buy a car. Don't you have any suspicions about me?\" Jubir
\nasked me.<\/p>\n
I gazed at him wide-eyed. \"Do you think I am an informant? Why
\nshould I suspect you because you have a big income?\"<\/p>\n
\"Many people are cynical about civil servants who make a good
\nliving. Particularly if once in a while they can go on vacation
\nwith their families.\"<\/p>\n
\"That's their own business, not mine,\" I said sharply.<\/p>\n
Jubir fell silent upon hearing my answer. I wondered why he
\nasked me the question. He knew very well I was someone who was
\nnot quick to suspect other people. I always judge people as good,
\nsincere and noble. Maybe that was the reason I was frequently
\ncheated by others, including my close and trusted friend. But I
\nstick to my judgment. Although being deceived is bad, I prefer to
\nbe cheated than to swindle others. Of course, I don't tell this
\nto people for fear they will then try to deceive me.<\/p>\n
Only my wife and children know my principles. Because they are
\ngood people and afraid of punishment in next world, none of them
\nhas ever cheated me. My only son, Heikal, even takes precautions
\nto save me from any deceit. Since he has been trained in tae kwon
\ndo, he is prepared to use his skill to defend me. I don't approve
\nof this; I am against any kind of violence. For me, whoever uses
\nviolence is short-sighted and narrow-minded. Smart people must be
\nable to cause someone to bow using only words.<\/p>\n
My good-hearted son, Heikal, shares the same view. Therefore,
\nhe threw out his plan to use tae kwon do to save me. He seems to
\nhave a desire to be a wise boy. Whether or not he wants to be
\nconsidered smart, my son, who is in the sixth grade, reminds me
\nthat the ability to use words which reflect a social status,
\ncivilization and culture is decided by someone's mastery of the
\nlanguage. I can't help wondering from what magazine he read this.
\nHe may have quoted that proverb from his friend's diary.<\/p>\n
I have no intention of discussing this. Much the same as
\npeople with meager salaries and big incomes. Is it necessary to
\ndiscuss this? What for? Is there any reason to be jealous of
\nthese people?<\/p>\n
I really regret Jubir's questioning. Why should he ask where I
\nstand in judging these people. I have never thought about it
\nbefore. But after he asked me the question I began to think about
\nit.<\/p>\n
It is a heavy burden, these thoughts. Particularly because my
\nstarting point is a belief in others' honesty. But because I am
\ninterested in knowing, I begin calculating the salaries of the
\npeople I know. If he is a civil servant I try to find out how
\nmuch he makes. If he works for a private company I try to find
\nout what his position is. As a result, I now have homework.<\/p>\n
The results? I don't believe them because I can still use my
\ncommon sense. In fact, a message enters my mind from somewhere.
\nThe message has seriously disturbed my self-balance. It tells me
\nto use three approaches to problems. First, use common sense. If
\nthis is impossible, use half of your common sense. If it is still
\nimpossible, there is no other choice except using an unhealthy or
\ninsane mind.<\/p>\n
Those having common sense must be disturbed by this message.
\nIs the world that bad? Isn't it an exaggeration and a reflection
\nof hopelessness?<\/p>\n
Frankly, I don't know what to say This has become a heavy
\nburden, just because Jubir asked me that question and I tried to
\nthink about where I stand in judging people. If I paid no
\nattention and was indifferent to his question, I wouldn't have
\nthis burden.<\/p>\n
It is true, if we want to live in peace there is no need for
\nus to increase our work by calculating the taxes, salaries,
\nincomes and wealth of others. Why should we waste our
\ntime -- without compensation -- just because we have suspicions
\nabout how others are living.<\/p>\n
In order to satisfy Jubir I met him at his house. I elaborated
\non my stand. In short, for me, everyone in this country is good,
\nhonest and sincere.<\/p>\n
\"In England\", I said \"crime is increasing so much private
\ncompanies want to build prisons. According to the owners of the
\ncompanies, they seized upon this idea because of the poor
\ncondition of the government prisons, as well as the fact that
\nthere is no more room available for new convicts. None of them
\nacknowledged that the plan to build new prisons was merely for
\ncommercial purposes.\"<\/p>\n
I used this as an example to convince Jubir he should be proud
\nto be a citizen of this country, because he lived among people of
\ngood character in a noble culture.<\/p>\n
What I hoped for came to be. Jubir shouted happily. \"If
\neveryone in this country shared your view and acted like you, all
\nthe prisons would be closed because there would be no more
\ncriminals.\"<\/p>\n
\"But the impact would be negative,\" I commented. \"Unemployment
\nwould increase since the government institution in charge of the
\nprisons would be closed and its workers fired.\"<\/p>\n
Jubir fell silent. Then he softly said, \"This means that what
\nyou are thinking about is wrong. As long as prisons exist and
\nthere are so many held in them, there is no reason to say that
\nall people are of good character and honest.\"<\/p>\n
Jubir had annoyed me again. He seemed to be unhappy seeing me
\nwith this burden. In order to save myself from his annoyance I
\ngave him a simple answer.<\/p>\n
\"That's what I think. There is no requirement that what I
\nthink is in accordance with reality. Theory must not always be
\nthe same as practice. Isn't this so? What's most important is
\nthat I try to keeps my thoughts and feelings stable. Hence, I am
\nhappy and I don't have a heavy burden. Whether what I am thinking
\nabout is wrong, that's another matter.\"<\/p>\n
Jubir was about to open his mouth, but then he stopped
\nhimself. I realized he must resent that I was so submissive and
\nonly pleased myself, show no care for others or my surroundings.
\nI saw his disappointment in the glow of his eyes.<\/p>\n
As a visitor I must show good manners. I began to feel that my
\nhost didn't want me to stay any longer, so I took my leave after
\ngulping down the cup of tea which his maid had brought out.<\/p>\n
When I got home I saw my son Heikal busy with his tae kwon do.
\nHe stopped when he saw me approaching.<\/p>\n
\"Any competition?\" I asked him.<\/p>\n
\"No. We should always be on the alert, shouldn't we, Dad?\"<\/p>\n
\"What for?\"<\/p>\n
\"To pounce before being pounced on,\" he said in an easygoing
\nmanner.<\/p>\n
I was surprised. Even with my own son I had a contradictory
\nstance. But I really didn't understand. Why did an elementary
\nschool student have such thoughts? Where should I address this
\nquestion?<\/p>\n
Another burden has been placed on my shoulders.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/jubir-1447899208", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }