Franky tells it like it is in song

Franky tells it like it is in song

T. Sima Gunawan, Contributor, Jakarta, tabita@cbn.net.id

Franky Sahilatua's definitely not just following the trend of local celebs plunging into politics. It is his anger and concerns that have pushed the musician to get in invovled in politics.

Accompanied by his beloved guitar, he expresses his passionate feelings in song about the chaotic political situation in the country and warns the people not to vote for politisi busuk ("crooked" politicians), the popular term used of late to expose corrupt candidates.

Don't, don't choose them/who get into politics to commit corruption/ don't, don't choose them/who get into politics to cheat the people/don't, don't choose them/ who rob state money/ don't, don't choose them/who make people suffer

That is part of the song entitled Jangan pilih mereka (Don't vote for them), which he sang during the recent launching of a moral movement called the National Movement against Corrupt Politicians ahead of the 2004 elections.

He wrote the lyrics but the melody was a mixture of an old, American railroad song She'll be coming around the mountain, and the notorious Javanese song Cucak Rowo.

Since the people are already familiar with the melody, Franky hoped they could pick up the song right away, enjoy it and get the message.

"I am upset and disappointed, because politics have become a game of a 'political clique', who have the audacity to assume that politics belongs only to them. I want to open the eyes of the people and teach that politics actually belongs to us, the people," said Franky, a member of the anticorruption group, the Preparatory Committee for the Indonesian Movement (KPPI), which is chaired by noted economist Faisal Basri.

"We used to be colonized by kumpeni (the Dutch colonial troops), and now we are colonized by corruptors," he said bitterly.

"We should make the best of these elections this year to improve conditions. I want to see a better Indonesia, a nation with dignity, people who have self-confidence and a government that cares about the people," he passionately added.

Even though Franky is now involved in politics, he refused to join a political party. He has also turned down offers from seven political parties which wanted to nominate him as a legislative candidate.

But he said that he would still campaign for some of his favorite candidates, regardless of their political parties.

He regretted that the current electoral law was a bit confusing as people can now choose either the candidates and the parties or just the parties.

Born in Surabaya 51 years ago, the handsome Frankie, whose full name is Franklin Hubert Sahilatua, was a graduate of a local accounting academy. Instead of building a career in accounting, however, he followed his heart to develop his talent in music. He later moved to Jakarta and during the period between 1975 and 1985 he produced 15 albums.

Some of those also featured his sister Jane. Some of his top hits include Musim Bunga (Flower Season), Kepada Angin dan Burung-burung (To the Wind and Birds), Ali Topan and Bis Kota (City Bus).

After a long break, Franky released Perahu Retak (Cracked Boat), which was produced with the help of his colleague Emha Ainun Najib in 1996. That record was an expression of his restlessness under the Soeharto regime. It received a warm reception from the public with about 200,000 copies sold.

"I am an artist with the spirit of an activist," he said. "I didn't join the mass demonstrations against Soeharto (in 1998), but I accompanied them with my music.

"This is politainment - political entertainment."

He also writes songs for other artists. One of his more famous records is Kemesraan (Intimacy) which he co-wrote with his brother, Joni, for Iwan Fals.

As a musician, he is concerned with the rampant piracy in the music industry. Two years ago he formed the Anti-Piracy Forum of Communication in cooperation with the Indonesian Recording Association.

Franky, however, is more enthusiastic when discussing the current political conditions, saying he is now concentrating on efforts to educate people for the coming elections

He said that he wanted to contribute as much as he could for the nation, by "enlightening" the people, making them aware that politics should not become a game for certain people, that it is the people who should have the control over politics.

The crooked politicians, he added, were now playing the game in a dark room. "And I am coming with my songs to turn the lights on so that people are aware about how bad those politicians are."

He believes that once the people are aware of such things, the conditions will steadily improve.

"Actually, the number of 'rotten people' is relatively small compared to the whole population. I think they make up only about 20,000 or 30,000, while the population is over 200 million. Unfortunately, they are the ones who are now in power. If we can build the people's power, the problem will be solved," he said.

He observed that many people have become imbalanced and are hypocrites, even the people who claim to be religious but they take donations from the rich and turn a blind eye about how the money is obtained.

Franky has seen a lot and experienced a lot during his lifetime. He said the good times become a memory and the bad times become "vitamins" that strengthen his mind.

Asked about his plan for the future, Franky took his guitar and belted out a tune he had just created and called it Saatnya Kejujuran yang Memimpin Bangsa Ini (It's Time for Honesty to Lead this Nation) and the lyrics only consist of those words.

Franky, also a big soccer fan who follows Arsenal and Real Madrid, married in 1982 and has two sons. He likes to refer to himself as a troubadour who likes adventures. He is reluctant to be called a celebrity, associated with a glamorous lifestyle.

"It's my mind that is glamorous," he joked.

For him, the most important thing in life is balance.

"This is the essence of all. There must be a balance in our soul, our heart, our mind," he said.