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.