TV program 'Alternatif' presents long-distance healing<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Repeating Allahu Akbar (God is Great) over and
\nover, HMA Bijak Bestari, a 'hypermetaphysical expert', was trying
\nto send his energy from the ANteve studios in Jakarta to Heru, an
\naudience member in Surabaya, East Java, who was suffering from a
\ncomplicated illness. Heru also uttered the same words Allahu
\nAkbar continuously as suggested by the healer.<\/p>\n
After about five minutes, Lula Kamal, the presenter, asked
\nHeru \"How do you feel now?\"<\/p>\n
\"I have a headache and my body sweats,\" answered Heru over the
\ntelephone.<\/p>\n
That was an example of an episode of Alternatif a few weeks
\nago.<\/p>\n
Certain questions arose when watching the program such as
\nwhether or not it was true or even ethical. Was it possible that
\nHeru received energy while they were hundreds of miles apart? Did
\nHeru really recover from his illness?<\/p>\n
\"Yes. It is true. We don't manipulate the show,\" the producer,
\nEndang Suryana, said.<\/p>\n
\"In fact, this can be explained,\" he said. Even though he also
\nadmitted that he was confused, he understood that the system was
\nbased on accommodating the natural energies. According to him,
\nBestari could receive the energy by doing certain movements and
\nsaying dzikir (praise God). Everybody can do this as an exercise
\nand Endang asserts that this system is only for positive
\npurposes.<\/p>\n
The program, broadcast live every Saturday at 8:30 a.m, is
\nrepresentative of some Indonesian people who believe that you do
\nnot need to see a medical doctor if you are sick. Instead, the
\npatients pursue alternative healing techniques such as
\nparapsychology, acupuncture or herbal medicine. What's more, they
\nbelieve that traditional medicine is more effective than modern
\nmedicine.<\/p>\n
Alternatif was created in 1998 following the economic crisis
\nwhich affected people's purchasing power. As people could not
\nafford the rocketing medical prices, they turned to traditional
\nmedicines which were cheaper. Alternative healing is not actually
\nnew for many people but it has become more popular recently.<\/p>\n
Endang said that the program aims at informing the public
\nabout alternative treatments. He claims it as the first
\nIndonesian television program. He does not agree that the
\nprogram, which often attracts strong reactions and criticism from
\nmodern medical practitioners, is comparable to Hidup Sehat
\nBersama Hembing (Healthy Lifestyle ala Hembing), which has been
\nbroadcast on RCTI for the past three years. While Hidup Sehat
\nfocuses on traditional medicine, Alternatif sometimes also
\nfeatures modern medical treatment.<\/p>\n
Alternatif, which has attracted many commercials, presents a
\nhealer who is available for long-distance consultation by phone.
\nMost of the callers are people who are sick or have relatives who
\nare sick.<\/p>\n
The program also invites criticism from the audience. Some
\nbelieve it and some do not.<\/p>\n
For those who believe in alternative healing, this is an
\ninformative program they should not miss. Also, they can use it
\nas a reference to visit alternative practitioners, given the fact
\nthat some are bogus.<\/p>\n
\"It is only an entertainment program,\" Merdias Almatsier,
\nformer the chairman of the Indonesian Medical Association (IDI),
\ncommented.<\/p>\n
He also considers the show unethical and purely promotional.
\nTo cure a patient and to make a conclusion that a patient has
\nrecovered from the illness, a modern medical assessment is
\nrequired, Merdias said. However, he appreciates the acupuncture
\nand traditional medicines, including local techniques and those
\nfrom China whose effectiveness have been known about for a long
\ntime.<\/p>\n
Alternative healing and mainstream medical treatment are
\ntotally different but they have the same purpose -- to cure the
\npatient.<\/p>\n
As Prof. Zhang Da Qian, a noted acupuncturist from China,
\nstates -- there is no perfect treatment. It always has strengths
\nand weaknesses. \"We must take the strength as something new
\nwithout forgetting the weakness\", he was once quoted by Kompas
\ndaily as saying (Mohammad Yazid).<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/tv-program-alternatif-presents-long-distance-healing-1447893297",
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