Gambling Arena

By Manaf Maulana

Bu Sumi was very happy as she had successfully urged Pak Kus to run for village head in the upcoming village election.

She was optimistic her husband would secure the majority of the votes because he was the village's religious elder and therefore had the respect of the villagers in general. Every time there was a thanks-giving party or a ceremonial meal, he would be asked to lead the joint prayer.

Bu Sumi was getting more and more optimistic because her husband was the sole candidate. Since the previous head was forced to give up his post after holding it for three decades, nobody in the village had been willing to be nominated for the post. For three years the village had been without a formal leader. The routine administrative affairs were handled by the village secretary and his staff.

Indeed, since the villagers forced their head to step down by staging massive protest rallies, nobody had been interested in assuming this position. In the reform era, they argued, it is not easy to be a village head as once you make a minor mistake, your people will force you to step down. Why be a leader if eventually you are forced to give up your position? What is the benefit of having power if you are only disgraced in the end?

"You're the right person to lead this village, Pak!" said Bu Sumi with great optimism a week before the elections.

"Don't be too optimistic. It's hard to guess our people today. While seemingly supporting us, they may simply abstain," Pak Kus said.

"Believe, me. You will win!" she replied.

Pak Kus gave a wry smile. He knew he was much respected in this village and that he had no foes. He believed other village elders would support him. The problem was that the economic crisis had played havoc with the lives of the villagers. Elections in many villages has been turned into an arena of gambling. He was worried someone would buy the votes of the villagers simply to win in gambling. A gambling operator would be willing to part with dozens of million of rupiah -- to buy the votes -- in return for hundreds of million of rupiah in winnings.

"If a gambling operator interferes, I will lose," he finally told his wife pessimistically.

"Don't worry. Our villagers are devout people in general. They can't be tempted with money, especially for gambling," his wife countered.

"But money can buy their votes. I cannot afford to do similarly."

"Come on, Pak. Just believe that you will be our new village head."

Just three days out from D-day, rumors abounded that Pak Kus would distribute money to all the villagers. Many of them rushed to his house for confirmation.

"Pak Kus, is it true you will be distribute money?

"How much for each villager Pak?"

"Let me help you distribute your money to the villagers, Pak."

"Nothing is free now Pak. If you wish to win, you must buy our villagers' votes."

"You will win if many villagers get your money Pak."

Pak Kus was confused. Bu Sumi had a headache. It was next to impossible to talk reasonably with villagers who fully believed the rumors. A slip of the tongue would lead to unfavorable consequences.

But then, Pak Kus decided to explain to the villagers that he would not distribute money in order to win.

"Where do I get the money from? I have nominated myself because nobody else will. This village needs a leader. If I cannot win because too many villagers abstain, that's fine. Perhaps I'm not considered good enough to be this village's leader!"

The villagers were disappointed. Some of them suspected Pak Kus practiced favoritism. Perhaps only certain people got his money.

Another rumor surfaced. Pak Kus would give money to certain villagers only.

"It's not fair."

"He is still a candidate, but practices favoritism. I won't vote for him unless he gives me some money."

"Right, I will abstain if I don't get his money."

"Tight fisted. We are farmers but we don't want to be treated unfairly."

Pak Kus tried to keep a cool head. Bu Sumi panicked, though.

"This rumor may poison many people. You must speak up."

"Come on, Bu. Calm down. Let the rumors blow with the wind. If my luck is good, I will win."

Bu Sumi did not want to be engaged in a lengthy debate with her husband. She knew Pak Kus was a resigned person. So, she decided to borrow a lot of money. She wanted to help her husband win.

Bu Sumi could easily borrow the money. Loan sharks welcomed her with open arms. Of course, the interest rate was high and it was compounded, too.

Overnight, she collected Rp 20 million and Pak Kus knew nothing about it. Then she asked some trusted neighbors to distribute the money to the villagers. Everything was done in great secrecy. Each villager would receive an envelope containing a Rp 20,000 bank note.

Bu Sumi was happy. She was sure this effort would be fruitful. But her happiness was really short-lived. The next day, there was a fresh rumor that someone would distribute to each eligible voter an envelope containing a Rp 50,000 bank note to abstain from casting their ballot.

"He must be a gambling operator Bu," said one of Bu Sumi's trusted neighbors.

Bu Sumi panicked again.

"Well, if you can give each villager Rp 40,000 more, I believe they will vote for your husband," another trusted neighbor suggested.

So, Bu Sumi looked for another loan. She had dipped her fingers into the soup. She did not want to see her husband lose the election. She knew the villagers would vote for her husband if they got more than what they had received from the gambling operator. Of course, another loan shark was ready to lend her the money.

"If you need more, just drop in. We're always ready to help you," the loan shark beamed.

Bu Sumi was relieved. But, again, at daybreak, she heard that someone had distributed Rp 20,000 to each villager to ensure that they would abstain.

Bu Sumi was at the height of her panic. It was only three hours before the election. How could she get another loan?

Suddenly Pak Kus's decision made the entire world dark for her. Pitch dark.

"I've decided not to run in the election as a sole candidate. It's nothing but a gambling arena."

Note:

Pak = Mr/Sir

Bu = Mrs/Ma'am

2001

Translated by Lie Hua