Bless you, Megawati for a booming business

Susanto Pudjomartono, Editor-at-Large, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Since I was 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 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 opinions. And to express their demands some of them may need the support of, say a 100 people, to amplify their protests or demands."

"You know, to give the impression that they represent a larger part of society. And that's where I come in. My expertise is to supply manpower to those who need it. For a fee, of course. You see, man, there are millions of people out there who are unemployed. The money they earn from me, small as it is, will support them longer. In addition, I help 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 at a portrait hanging on the wall. "Boy, how I love this man. He was really ruarr biasa (extraordinary). Every day he said controversial things. Then by the next day people would hit the streets to protest against him. And then different people would stage counter rallies. That was 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 president Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid. Suddenly Sudagar's cellular phone started to ring.

"Hello. What? What did you say? You need 200 people? Of course I can supply that. For tomorrow? What time? OK, OK. 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 ring again.

"Hello. Did you say you need 500? In native Betawi costume? 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 rang 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. OK, 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's 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?"