Soothsayers see gloom and hope in 1998<\/p>\n
By Stevie Emilia and Endy M. Bayuni<\/p>\n
With three days to go, most people are wondering what 1998 has
\nin store for them. For Indonesia, 1997 will not go down as one of
\nits best years. Some people have described it as a horrible year
\nwith the natural and man-made disasters that have struck this
\nnation in the last 12 months. The economic crisis made the
\nsuffering complete; everyone, rich and poor, were affected. Will
\n1998 be better or worse? The Jakarta Post has asked several
\nsoothsayers and astrologers about their predictions. As a note of
\ncaution to readers, none of the soothsayers had predicted this
\nyear's economic crisis.<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): How long is it before the economy improves?<\/p>\n
Most soothsayers agree that recovery will come, but they
\ndiffer on when and how fast. One has predicted as early as
\nFebruary, but two of them have set May at best, depending on how
\nthe nation deals with the economic problem. One believes the
\nsituation will not improve at all.<\/p>\n
They also disagree about the political situation in Indonesia,
\nranging from a stable and peaceful year, to one of chaos.<\/p>\n
These paranormals and astrologers predict more disasters, with
\nmore earthquakes, floods, forest fires and plane crashes.<\/p>\n
Ki Ageng Selo aka Ki Mahmud Jaya Kusumonegoro, a spiritual
\nhealer and consultant:<\/p>\n
Next year is the Year of the Tiger. Most experts say the
\nWooden Tiger, but I think it will be a Firewood Tiger. Firewood
\nis combustible.<\/p>\n
Ferocious, selfish and savage -- the main characteristics of a
\ntiger -- will characterize people's behavior. But at least a
\ntiger never devours its own offspring. This doesn't apply to
\npeople, who are willing to kill their own babies through
\nabortion.<\/p>\n
Many events in 1998 will go beyond reason, difficult to
\nrationalize. The distinction between good and evil will be
\nblurred.<\/p>\n
In the Javanese calendar, 1998 will be the year of Alip Seloso
\nPon, the first year in an eight-year cycle.<\/p>\n
This calls for vigilance.<\/p>\n
In this year, people will show their greed, vengeance,
\nmischief, arrogance, and will deny the benevolence of God
\nAlmighty. There will be a degradation of moral values and ethics.<\/p>\n
Nature will become unfriendly to people. There will be some
\nexplosive natural disasters. However, His benevolence ensures
\nenough food and clothing for all.<\/p>\n
The economy will go through an uncertain period. There is no
\nreason to be pessimistic though. We just need to get through May.<\/p>\n
The rupiah will continue to plunge, perhaps to as low as Rp
\n7,000 to the dollar, but it will recover quickly beginning in
\nFebruary. Its value could go as high as Rp 2,700 by April. This
\nis because wealthy people will regain their sense of nationalism,
\nand bring their money back from abroad.<\/p>\n
There will be a sharp increase in prices because of an
\nincrease in fuel prices in April. The crisis will hurt the poor,
\nand the unemployment line will grow longer.<\/p>\n
The crime rate will increase because for many, \"the stomach
\ncannot wait\".<\/p>\n
Politics will be chaotic, but the meeting of the People's
\nConsultative Assembly in March will proceed smoothly, thanks to
\nthe strong anticipation of the Armed Forces.<\/p>\n
University students will take to the streets.<\/p>\n
New political figures will rise, but some old faces will
\nreturn to the scene. In the March cabinet reshuffle, at least 50
\npercent of the cabinet will return.<\/p>\n
On next year's death list are some truly nationalistic
\npoliticians.<\/p>\n
Big floods will strike Aceh, West Java, Jakarta, Central Java,
\nSouth Sumatra, Central Kalimantan, Central Sulawesi in February
\nand March.<\/p>\n
There will be three volcanic eruptions, including Mt. Merapi
\nin Central Java, one volcano in Maluku and one in East Nusa
\nTenggara. Casualties will be at a minimum.<\/p>\n
Earthquakes with a magnitudes of more than 6.0 on the Richter
\nscale will strike West Java, East Java, East Nusa Tenggara,
\nMaluku and Southeast Sulawesi.<\/p>\n
There will be more forest fires, but not as bad as in 1997.
\nCentral Kalimantan and South Sumatra will be the most prone.<\/p>\n
There will be air crashes involving small planes in April,
\nJune, July, September, October and December. There will be five
\ntrain wrecks in Java -- in March, May, September and October --
\nbut will be few casualties.<\/p>\n
Putri Wong Kam Fu alias Leoni Fatima, a soothsayer and
\nastrologer:<\/p>\n
1998 will not be as gloomy as some soothsayers make it out to
\nbe. It's the Year of the Tiger. A very bright star will come to
\nour salvation.<\/p>\n
Sure there will be disasters here and there, but the country
\nwill be able to sort its problems out and survive.<\/p>\n
But never underestimate the situation -- 1998 will be a
\nforeshadowing of worse things to come. Next year will be the time
\nwhen everyone should prepare for a murky year in 1999. People
\nshould finish what they have started this year without any
\nfurther delay.<\/p>\n
The gloomiest months will be in January and October. The best
\nmonth of the year will be June when the stars will shine
\nbrightly.<\/p>\n
In business, only a few sectors, particularly the service
\nindustry, will do well next year. The property sector will not
\nimprove much, but it won't collapse either.<\/p>\n
Politics will remain stable. Some unexpected things will
\nhappen, but nothing the government cannot control.<\/p>\n
Anton Rudolph Nico, an astrologer:<\/p>\n
Two strong currents are moving in opposite directions. As a
\nresult, the nation will float aimlessly, with no sense of
\ndirection.<\/p>\n
We need to review, restructure and reform our system, we need
\na new strategy to face the challenges of the globalization era,
\nto deal with the economic upheavals.<\/p>\n
The monetary crisis could end by May, but only under certain
\nconditions. It will require more openness, it must be a joint
\nendeavor, it must be dealt with more seriously. People must show
\nthat they care, and they have to work under consensus.<\/p>\n
Permadi Satrio Wiwoho, a paranormal:<\/p>\n
1998 will be worse than this year.<\/p>\n
It will be a year of calamity and karma. Those who sow the
\nwind will reap the tempest.<\/p>\n
Next year is the Year of the Tiger. Whoever rides a tiger will
\nsuffer the consequences. Those who have taken advantage of the
\ncurrent monetary crisis, for example, will suffer.<\/p>\n
The brunt of the current crisis will be felt deeper next year.
\nThere will be an outbreak of violence because many people are
\nlosing their jobs. The crime rate will also increase.<\/p>\n
The source of the problem goes back to the May general
\nelection. It should not have been held because it was in Suro, a
\nsacred month on the Javanese calendar. You're not supposed to
\nhold any kind of ceremony at all. A violation of the sacred month
\ncould lead to the loss of the soul, or a great deal of fortune.<\/p>\n
There is a possibility of a change in the national leadership
\nbefore, or after, the People's Consultative Assembly general
\nsession in March. But President Soeharto still holds the key.<\/p>\n
If Soeharto steps down, he will be replaced by someone whose
\nname ends with \"no\". It could possibly be Try Sutrisno.<\/p>\n
There will be more natural disasters and riots in 1998.<\/p>\n
Gendeng Pamungkas alias N.M.H. Irsan Massardi:<\/p>\n
The biggest challenge facing the government in 1998 is
\nregaining people's trust, which has waned because of its
\ninability to deal with the economic crisis.<\/p>\n
People won't listen to the government, and they will be
\nreluctant to voice their aspirations in the open.<\/p>\n
The increase in prices will trigger riots, first in cities in
\nJava, and later spreading to other provinces.<\/p>\n
President Soeharto's health will improve next year.<\/p>\n
The economy will worsen and the rupiah will remain unstable.<\/p>\n
The only thing that can save the economy is if those who are
\nwealthy bring their money, which they have stashed abroad, back
\nto Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Three wealthy people will die. One, an indigenous businessman,
\nwill die of a stroke. The other two will be of Chinese descent.
\nOne will commit suicide and another will be shot dead.<\/p>\n
Two ministerial officials will die, and two ministers will
\nlose their jobs before March.<\/p>\n
Two famous celebrities will die. The first, a man, will die in
\nan accident, and the second, a woman, will die of a drug
\noverdose.<\/p>\n
Many young artists will get divorced because of infidelity,
\nwith the women fooling around with government officials and the
\nmen because they are gigolos.<\/p>",
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