Bless you, Megawati

Bless you, Megawati

Susanto Pudjomartono
Editor-at-Large
The Jakarta Post
Jakarta

Since I was already in the neighborhood, I decided to drop by
Sudagar's office. I was a bit surprised when I entered his
office. A solitary secretary was seen napping at the front desk.
Where was the staff of a dozen who used to work here? Wait, is
this the right office? I glanced at the sign on the door. It was
there alright. A bright, shiny placard blaring: DR. Sudagar MBA,
Manpower Specialist.

I stepped into Sudagar's room, and there he was, busy filling
out a crossword puzzle. He brightened up when he saw me. "Good to
see you, man. You're my first visitor in a month", he said good
naturedly.

"What happened?", I asked him.

"Man, can't you see? My business is dead."

"Why?"

"Why? Look, you know I'm a Manpower Specialist. If you need
people, then ask me. You want 100 people, I'll supply you. Two
hundred, 500? Just give me a few hours."

"What for?"

"Man, if you need a car for a day or two, you rent it. And
that's the job for a rent-a-car company. But if you need a crowd,
you rent them from me."

"Rent a crowd?" I was flabbergasted.

"Man, can't you see? This is a democratic country. People here
are free to express their opinion. And to express their demand
some of them may need the support of, say a 100 people, to
amplify their protests or demands."

"You see, to make an impression that they really represent a
larger part of the society. And that's where my job is. My
expertise is to supply manpower to those who need it. For a fee,
of course. You see, man, there're millions of people out there
who are unemployed. The money they earn from me, small as it is,
will help them to prolong their life. In addition, I help to
build democracy in this country."

"Who needs your services?" Maybe it was a dumb question
because Sudagar looked at me in disbelief.

"Man, are you blind? Do you think this or that organization
that stage rallies can muster 500 or 1,000 people, voluntarily?
No way, man. Except the students, of course. But others? They
need me."

"So what has happened to your business?"

"Didn't I tell you? These days there are fewer rallies. And
that means fewer orders for me."

He pointed to a portrait hanging on the wall. "Boy, how I love
this man. He was really ruarr biasa (extraordinary). Everyday he
said controversial things. Then by the next day people would go
to the street to protest him. And then different people would
stage counter rallies. That's good for my business. I wish he was
still at the helm. That's why I still keep his picture."
I glanced at the picture. It was an official portrait of former
President Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid. Suddenly Sudagar's
cellular phone was buzzing.

"Hello. What? What did you say? You need 200 people? Of course
I can supply that. For tomorrow? What time? Okay, okay. I'll fix
it. Yes, at the usual rate, of course."

Sudagar's face beamed.

"Did you hear that? Someone asked me to supply 200 people to
support a rally for tomorrow. That's my first order in weeks."
Then his phone started to buzz again.

"Hello. Did you say you need 500? In native Betawi custom?
Man, of course I can do it. If you want I can even dress each of
them with a golok (machete) to give them a more original touch.
But, of course there will be an extra cost."

The phone buzzed again while Sudagar was still dancing in
front of me.

"Yes, hello. A thousand people, did you say? Yes, yes, of
course, they will be ready by tomorrow morning. Okay, since
you're an old customer I'll give you a discount."

By then Sudagar was breathless. He hugged me. "I knew by the
time I saw you coming that my luck had changed. I should ask you
to have lunch with me, but sorry, not today. I will be very, very
busy today."

His phone rang again, and before he could lift it I asked.
"What happened?"

"Man, haven't you heard? President Megawati has endorsed the
reelection of Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso. And that's really
controversial. Many will feel betrayed by the decision. I bet in
the coming weeks there'll be rallies and counter rallies.
On the way out I heard Sudagar shout down his phone. "Two
thousand? Did you say you need 2,000 people?