Menak Jingga against woman leader

Menak Jingga against woman leader

The sly attitude once demonstrated by a Blambangan king during
the Majapahit era has resurfaced in Indonesia's political arena.

Because of the magical power of his weapon, called wesi kuning
(yellow iron), King Menak Jingga of Blambangan (East Java) never
wanted to form a coalition or make peace with the ruler of the
Majapahit Kingdom, who happened to be a woman. Trouble continued
to be stirred to disturb the Majapahit Kingdom. Slander after
slander was heaped upon the Majapahit Kingdom ruler, while her
subjects were mercilessly tortured.

Under such oppression, the Majapahit ruler showed great
concern over the haughtiness and arbitrariness shown by King
Menak Jingga toward the innocent Majapahit subjects.

Finally, the gods came to help the Majapahit ruler. They
brought about the appearance of a hero called Damarwulan. With
the help of the local people, Damarwulan finally succeeded in
seizing Menak Jingga's wesi kuning.

Aware of his unfortunate position, Menak Jingga cried
piteously to be allowed to live in peace along with the Majapahit
ruler in the interest of the two kingdoms subjects. Luckily,
Damarwulan could see through the sly trick employed by Menak
Jingga. Majapahit turned a deaf ear to all Menak Jingga's
requests. Finally, he was killed by his own weapon.

Now, a similar story has surfaced in Indonesia's political
arena. Ballot counting of the recent polls has shown more and
more clearly who will turn out victorious. The parties which are
certain to lose the general election have now admitted this and
have, as a result, begun to approach the winning party to
establish peace, allegedly for the sake of the entire Indonesian
people.

It is at this juncture that extra alertness is needed, just
like what Damarwulan showed in the story above. Just remember the
Javanese adage: A cough can be cured but a disease of one's
character will remain with one to the end of one's life.

H. IFRAD SUKANTO

Jakarta