How to address Megawati's husband

How to address Megawati's husband

From Kompas

In the article Tiga Hari Bersama RI-3 (Three Days with RI-3) in Kompas dated Aug. 14 on Taufik Kiemas, the husband of President Megawati Soekarnopurti, he was referred to as RI-3 by the staff members of the State Secretariat.

As a former lecturer (unsalaried) in the School of Social and Political Studies of the University of Indonesia in Rawamangun, Jakarta. in the early 1980s, specializing in the subject of Language for Journalism, I expressed some thoughts and ideas relevant to the above matter.

The use of the term RI-3 strikes us as Orwellian (remember the book by George Orwell, titled 1984? And it also reminds us of the authoritarian and communist states where people are just codes and numbers -- which should not be applicable in our country).

The wife of a president in Indonesia is referred to as Ibu Negara -- a free translation of First Lady. Could we then refer to Taufik Kiemas as Bapak Negara ? I think some would object. Or should we address him as the "First Gentleman"?

In the Dutch language, there are terms like huisvrouw, meaning housewife, or huisman, which is used to refer to a husband taking care of the household chores, while the wife is the bread- winner.

Even if "First Gentleman" is accepted, how should it be translated? Tuan would be inappropriate, because of its colonial ambience, while in the English-Malay Dictionary by Sir Richard Windstedt (published in 1958) the word Tuan is translated as orang baik (a good person).

Or we can ponder on the use of "Rangbaik Negara", with reference to Rangkaya (note the omission of the letter "o" from both words), which meant the wealthy and the leading personages holding respected positions in the Melayu kingdoms and in Banda Neira during the time of JP Coen (a former Dutch governor).

Or if Rangkaya Negara or Rangbaik Negara is still considered incorrect or unsuitable, how about addressing Taufik Kiemas as Jentelmen Negara (first word is "gentleman" in Indonesian spelling, while negara means country or state).

Anyway, the main point is the country's leading linguists should get together to solve this problem called "RI-3" and find an accurate alternative. Probably a talk-show should be aired (not forgetting piano music accompaniment) devoted to this topic.

M ROSIHAN ANWAR

Jakarta