'The amulet works well for me'

Modern people still need the services of psychics in certain cases, such as when one is possessed by a spirit. But there are also others who visit the paranormal to see their futures or to gain magic power.

Hari, 46, owner of a restaurant on Jl. Mampang Prapatan, South Jakarta. Last month he visited two different psychics to cure one of his waiters who was possessed by a spirit:

The case occurred last month after we served a family who held a garden party in Cibubur, East Jakarta. Manto, my waiter, looked healthy when we arrived. He served the guests as usual, but when the party was over, he became quiet and refused to do some remaining jobs.

At night, his body temperature increased and he suddenly started acting weirdly. His voice became deeper and he spoke English. Manto actually could not speak English, he is a elementary school graduate. He claimed that his name was James from Australia.

During the night, Manto -- or James -- repeatedly said that he needed water. We gave him more than 30 liters during the night alone. In the morning, Manto slept all day, but when night came, he again said that he was James.

We took him the next morning to a psychic in our neighborhood because we believe he was possessed by a spirit. The psychic did a ritual, but he failed to heal Manto. The psychic claimed that he could not communicate with the spirit because he does not speak English.

We took him to another psychic, a blind woman, in East Jakarta. The blind female psychic said the spirit inside Manto's body wanted people to pray God for him. We did a mass prayer for him. Luckily, Manto has since recovered.

Lanny Kurniadi, 41, a customer service officer in a bank on Jl. Gunung Sahari, Central Jakarta. She visits a Chinese psychic every Chinese new year to see her future:

Some people have gifts, others don't. Psychics have magical power. Common people like me need them to see our future.

I always visit a psychic to predict my luck each year. I use his prediction to make me more alert to face any problem in my life. I must plan everything the best I can to avoid problems.

The predictions also make me more aware about my relations with others and about possible business opportunities in the following years.

Muha, 32, a taxi driver who lives in Cimanggis, West Java. He visited a psychic, his next-door neighbor, to be blessed with the power to defend himself from criminals:

I have a very risky job. I mean, taxi drivers could be stabbed or killed by robbers who pretend to be passengers. That's why I need the power.

The psychic gave me a certain amulet three years ago. I must use it everyday, so I wear it as a necklace. I also had to do a certain ritual and fast for 40 days before he gave me the amulet.

The amulet works well. I have proved it. Last year, two robbers attempted to stab me. There is a scar in my neck but I felt nothing, I even hit them and they ran off like rabbits.

-- Muninggar Sri Saraswati