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 --