Soothsayers see another tough year for RI

Soothsayers see another tough year for RI

By Stevie Emilia

JAKARTA (JP): There are great expectations for the year 2000
as a general mood of excitement greets the new millennium,
discounting those who believe it is being celebrated a year
early. Despite all the hype, one question still awaits an answer:
will the crisis end this year?

Soothsayers interviewed by The Jakarta Post are divided on
this issue. Two predict the country must still go through the
worst of the crisis, while one believes the country will start on
the path to recovery in the new year.

They all agree, however, that the political situation in
Indonesia will remain chaotic -- although one says on the surface
all will remain calm -- with more street protests demanding
everything from greater protection of human rights, more rights
for women and more autonomy for provinces.

The soothsayers and astrologers also predict more natural
disasters, diseases and problems with narcotics in the Year of
the Dragon, the high-point of the Chinese zodiac.

The following are excerpts from their predictions.

Permadi Satrio Wiwoho, a paranormal:

The year 2000 will be much worse than 1999 because the goro-
goro (revolution) I predicted last year has not yet come true, so
it will occur this year.

The present leaders, President Abdurrahman Wahid and Vice
President Megawati Soekarnoputri, are not the leaders in my
prophecy. See for yourself, after both of them visited Ambon the
riots escalated instead of cooling down.

Based on Javanese mythology, a new leader called the Satrio
Piningit, meaning a leader concealed by God who will come forth
at the right time, will emerge only after the revolution.

As I said before, the new leader will not come from any of the
political parties. The present political figures only show up for
an episode and then are gone. This new leader will be very
charismatic and he will lead Indonesia out of misery and into
prosperity.

It's the same as what Surakarta's Sri Susuhunan Pakubuwono XII
said. He said the years 1999 and 2000 would be a dark transition
period for Indonesians. Transitions from chaos to peace are
colored by extraordinary darkness.

During the year 2000, people will show their rage after seeing
all the cases of corruption exposed but nothing being done about
them by either the President or the attorney general. Even the
source of all the offenses is excused by the President.

The economy will not get better, although many hope otherwise.
The rupiah will not stabilize as expected. And this year will see
a sharp friction between nationalists and religious-political
groups, questioning the form of the country and Constitution. So
there will be political clashes. Meanwhile, soldiers tired of
watching their generals being condemned will fight back, just as
is happening in Ambon.

Moreover, drugs will become a bigger problem next year,
causing further moral degradation. And diseases will spread
uncontrolled. With the closing down of red-light districts, it's
difficult to monitor prostitutes; they will roam the streets
spreading diseases such as HIV.

Lauren, a soothsayer:

The year 2000 will be a difficult one. The crisis is not yet
over.

This year is also called the Year of the Dragon, or, to be
precise, the Year of the Golden Dragon. The Dragon is very
powerful and has negative and positive power. The Dragon's sign
is full of drama, emotion and also golden opportunity. It's up to
people to decide. Unfortunately, we're 90 percent heading toward
negative power.

The combination of the new millennium and the Year of the
Golden Dragon gives hope that there will be some answers to
people's wishes. But the Dragon also warns people not to be
careless, ignorant and to remain alert.

Indonesians should not hastily feel satisfied because not all
of their expectations will come true, although some matters will
get better this year.

There will be significant changes here and around the world.

In this country, there will be more protests by groups
fighting for human rights, autonomy and women's rights. The
government should take them seriously.

The world's economy will fluctuate, including here. If the
government can't handle matters correctly, the economic sector,
which has started to recover, will go down again with the
political turmoil. If this happens the rupiah might lose its
value, but if the political situation is stable the rupiah might
stay between Rp 7,000 and Rp 8,000, or Rp 12,000 at the lowest.
In the meantime, people will face a greater burden from the
state's debts.

This year people who feel dissatisfied with the government's
handling of corruption, collusion and nepotism will protest in
the streets again.

Do not expect too much from politics. Some conflicts might
lead to bloodshed. Some people who are not satisfied with the
Cabinet lineup will create chaos that might cause further
bloodshed. And the Satrio Piningit will not appear this year.

If it mixes religion with politics, the new government will
bring destruction to the country.

Around February will be the most difficult and unpeaceful
situation because some religious groups will try to gain power
and create conflict.

The Year of the Dragon will also be known for its massive
earthquakes and other disasters. The most dangerous times are
February and early May, in which something fatal might happen and
last until July.

Indonesia's zodiac is the Wooden Chicken, so it will be easily
burned by the Dragon's fire. We will face many challenges, so
this year can't be said to be a peaceful one. We can only survive
if there's religious unity and respect among believers.

Putri Wong Kam Fu, alias Leoni Fatima, an astrologer and
soothsayer:

I predicted that in 1999 Indonesia would be in its night, dark
circle. Like a tree it's dry, and if it's an ocean there's huge
waves.

This year, the year 2000, we will be in the dawn circle, the
tree will start to blossom, the huge waves will start to go away,
creating a calm sea surface, although deep down at the bottom of
the sea there will still be turbulence.

Like a ship, we can travel with ease because of the calm sea
surface.

My prediction also applies to our economic and political
situation. We will see progress; the economic sector will start
to move again. In politics, we will see calm although it will
only be on the surface; deep down there will still be commotion.
As humans, if we're careful we can survive.