Guess What? Franky Sahilatua

Ballad singer Franky Sahilatua is not frank enough to his fans and he has promised to be frank but only about one thing. He will release a new album.

"Yes, frankly speaking, Gus Mus and I will soon disclose everything that has oppressed the people's rights," he told The Jakarta Post when he visited Purwokerto, Central Java.

The Gus Mus that the Ambonese country singer is talking about is Mustofa Bisri, a Moslem cleric and teacher from the Central Java town of Rembang who likes making fun of bureaucrats in his literary works.

Gus Mus is the one who wrote, Saatnya Berterus Terang (Time to Talk Frankly), one of the songs in the album expected to hit the charts of local popular songs.

The song, he said, would contain his answers to the mysteries enshrouding the country recently. "The album is being recorded," said Franky, who released his first album in 1975.

Through his new songs, he was trying to express his feelings after being overpowered by fear and darkness for so long.

"After our rights were abused, it is time to speak up, to make everything transparent," said Franky, who admitted that his first song, Senyum Indah di Pantai (Beautiful Smile on the Beach), was a commercial flop.

Besides working on a new album, Franky is also planning to join the People's Awakening Party founded by the Nahdlatul Ulama Moslem organization to which Mustofa Bisri belongs. (45)