Brouhaha over Inul highlights hypocrisy of Indonesian society
Brouhaha over Inul highlights hypocrisy of Indonesian society
I pretended to be busy reading a book when my son entered our
living room, while in fact I was actually watching the live show
of popular dangdut (popular local music with strong Arab/Indian
influences) singer Inul Daratista on SCTV on Thursday evening. I
did not want to be caught red-handed by my son staring at Inul's
moves.
Her bor, "drilling"-style dance has sparked condemnation from
some religious leaders who have urged Inul to repent her ways and
end her devilish dancing. There are even calls for the House of
Representatives (DPR) to have a hearing with Inul to know her
real motives as a dangdut dancer, because her irresponsible
behavior could affect the country's glorious image in the
international community.
It would be a serious humiliation for a father who always
boasts to his family about his high taste in music, (I am ashamed
to concede that actually my three children very likely know of my
real fondness), if my son saw me so excited about viewing such a
low-rate show.
"Is this the singer whom Taufik Kiemas hugged last week?" my
son asked me. I still pretended not to recognize her, although I
whispered, "Thank God", because now I could watch her show again.
The husband of President Megawati Soekarnoputri was very upset
when his photograph with the singer was widely circulated in
several newspapers and tabloids. In the photo, Taufik hugged Inul
from behind after a dialog with TV7, also broadcast live, where
the singer also performed.
I heard that Taufik was persuaded to hug the artist after
dancing with her, and he did it merely as a joke. It was a wise
decision not to embrace her face to face, because she could have
"drilled" him dangerously.
"I think he actually wanted to cuddle Megawati, but they are
too fat," my son commented.
Through her SCTV performance, Inul silenced her critics (most
of the honorable critics, I think, also watched the show with
their eyes wide open, but then suddenly pretended to be angry at
her when their wives caught them red-handed watching TV), who
claim that she is too sinful as an Indonesian singer.
I cannot explain her dance in this column but I can tell you
one thing: It is erotic, but she is not "dirtier" than other
dangdut artists. You can easily buy her VCDs (of course illegal
ones) in Glodok. Or if you are a hypocrite like me, then you can
ask your driver to buy it for you.
We cannot live without hypocrisy, if you want to survive, in
this beloved country. In 1993 I visited a politician's house (now
he has a strategic position in the House) to ask his comments on
Madame D Syuga, which contains nude pictures of Megawati's
Japanese step-mother Dewi Sukarno.
The politician furiously blasted Dewi for having a book
published of nude photos of herself, which he described as
barbaric. "As the wife of the founding father Sukarno, she has
seriously damaged Indonesia's image. I can find no other words
but to say I condemn her actions."
However, when I left his house, he whispered to me,"By the
way, have you got a copy of the book?" It was clear that he also
wanted to enjoy the pictures of Dewi.
Dangdut is the most popular music in Indonesia. All TV
stations have regular dangdut programs. A minister told me he was
a fanatic fan of dangdut songs. However, he acknowledged he would
feel too ashamed to sing a dangdut song in public.
How about corruption? We are among the most corrupt countries
in the world. Each time they take a new position, government
officials, military and police officers and state officials have
to swear first (on a holy book like the Koran or the Bible) that
they will not abuse their power and will not receive bribes. But
why is corruption so rampant, while most Indonesians describe
themselves as religious citizens?
Famous poet W.S. Rendra illustrated the hypocritical mentality
of Indonesians beautifully in his poem Bersatulah Pelacur Kota
Jakarta (Be united, Jakarta prostitutes)
katakan kepada mereka(tell them)
bagaimana kau dipanggil ke kantor menteri(how you are invited to
the minister's office)
bagaimana ia bicara panjang lebar kepadamu(how he talks at length
with you)
tentang perjuangan nusa bangsa(about the nation's struggles)
dan tiba-tiba tanpa ujung pangkal(and suddenly without reason)
ia sebut kau inspirasi revolusi(he calls you the inspiration of
revolution)
sambil ia buka kutangmu(while he opens your bra)
If you are a foreigner, you must learn techniques to hide the
truth. What if Megawati asks you about her government? Please
answer, "I have never met a president like you before." She'll
smile at you and thank you for your honesty.
And if I ask you your conclusion about my column? I also hope
you too reply,"I have never read such an article before." I know
the truth, but I'd like you to lie to me, just this once.
-- Kornelius Purba --