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