Javanese style

Javanese style

One day, about 21 years ago, a colleague of mine came to see
my boss, a typical Javanese military man, and asked permission to
go to Surabaya the next day.

Knowing my colleague frequently went to either Jakarta or
Surabaya every month, my boss refused the request by saying:
"Aren't you tired? You only came back from Jakarta yesterday."

This is the typical Javanese way of saying "no" to a certain
request, where one does not reject something directly. My boss
expected my colleague to understand and withdraw his request.

By doing so, Javanese believe they won't hurt other people's
feelings. Right or wrong, agree with this style or not, it is a
fact of life.

President Soeharto, I believe, is typically Javanese as well.
Remember what he said in Minister Dhanutirto's case when he was
accused of using state funds. He only asked the minister to be
introspective. In my opinion, it was a way of saying that if you
found yourself wrong, then you have to correct yourself.

On Oct. 13, 1997, in front of Golkar's cadres, the President
asked Golkar if his renomination for the presidency was supported
by most people. Could have this been a way of saying, "Please
consider reelecting me!"

Let's see what will happen. We still have less than three
months to go until March, when the People's Consultative Assembly
holds its general session.

H.W. PIENANDORO

Bogor, West Java