Trisakti tragedy revisited in documentary film

By Stevie Emilia

JAKARTA (JP): It seems some professionals are always busy, busy, busy. Or, at least, they are pretending to be, whatever the circumstances. That was the impression from Wednesday's screening of Harry Roesli's untitled documentary film on the Trisakti tragedy at Jakarta Hilton International Hotel.

Most of the audience was absorbed in the film, and some were even moved to tears. But others kept checking their branded watches or were engaged in conversation on their cell phones, which often rang in the middle of the screening.

The screening of the film about the May 12 killing of four Trisakti students, preceded by a concert by Harry Roesli and his group, was organized by Solidarity of Professionals for Reform (SPUR), a network of Indonesian professionals established last month. Proceeds will be used for scholarships to needy university students in Java.

Bernadus R. Djonoputro, the event's project officer, said the committee raised Rp 66.3 million and US$130 by selling entrance tickets priced at Rp 500,000 each and from voluntary donations.

More than 100 people attended the event, which cost Rp 25 million to organize.

The 45-minute film was produced by Harry from footage contributed by individuals and local and foreign television stations. It opened with the election of former president Soeharto for the seventh time in March.

Then the video proceeded to the ensuing controversy over the hike in fuel prices, which triggered protests all over the country.

The audience turned quiet when the screen showed the May 12 incident. Security officers, wearing vests with the word "police" on the back, chased after students and kicked them, while others lined up on the flyover in front of Trisakti University's gate, firing into the crowd.

The silence continued as the screen showed how injured and dead students were rushed to a nearby hospital, and the grieving of the families and friends of the four victims, Elang Mulia Lesmana, Hafidhin Royan, Hendriawan Sie and Hery Hartanto.

A woman wiped her eyes as a student, who was with Elang when he died, testified to his last moments.

The film closed with the burning and looting which rocked the city following the deaths, and the demand for total reform and rebuilding of the destroyed property.

"I never had any intention to discredit anyone or any parties in the making of the video," Harry, 47, said after the show.

Unlike previous screenings at other places, including Trisakti University and Tarumanagara University, the fundraising event was not heavily guarded.

But in the process of making the film, Harry said he and his family received many mysterious threats. He was put under 24-hour protection from the police and army officers.

"I'm only made of flesh and blood... of course the threats scared my," said Harry.

He is still nursing an injured knee after a security officer pushed him down after seeing a red light shining on his body. The officer assumed it came from a rifle, but it turned out to be a light coming from a video recorder.

The event had opened with the showing of Soeharto's now historic uttering of "I quit", the objective that the students and the reform movement fought so hard to achieve. It was followed by three dynamic songs performed by Harry Roesli's music group, Dapur Kreasi Seni Bandung (DKSB), or Bandung Art Creation Center.

"I composed the songs 20 years ago, but they are perfect for the present situation," Harry, the only Indonesian musician to formally study percussion at the Rotterdam Conservatory, from 1977 to 1981.

The songs -- Orang Rapih (Tidy People), Orang Basah ('Wet' People) and Bharatayuda, a war in a Hindu epic -- dripped with criticism of those who abuse their position, and others who scheme for a chance at getting their grasping hands on power.

With an acoustic guitar, Roesli later performed two untitled songs -- once again, they were distinguished by their caustic perspective on current events and prominent people in the news.

"I just composed these songs..." Harry said as he took out a piece of paper and began to recite the words.

He ripped into Soeharto's eldest daughter, Siti Hardijanti Rukmana, better known as Tutut, and her collection of gold jewelry from the rich in her effort at "charity work".

"Selamat Malam mbak Tutut, 'kan sudah tidak jadi Mensos/emasnya masih ada?/Kalau Ada Dikembalikan, Dong."

(Good evening, mbak Tutut/You are no longer a minister of social affairs/Do you still have the gold?/If you do, please return it).

In another song, he derided Soeharto's youngest son, Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra, his Timor national car project and a rumored affair with singer Maya Rumantir.

Selamat Pagi mas Tommy/Bagaimana Kabarnya Lamborghini/Timor 'kan sudah nggak disubsidi/Makanya jangan tipu Maya Rumantir.

(Good morning, mas Tommy/How is your Lamborghini/There is no more subsidy for Timor/So don't cheat Maya Rumantir, anymore).

As expected, even though each song lacked melody, the audacious humor and heavy dose of social and political criticism brought down the house.

No longer as busy with their cell phones as before, the audience members roared with laughter, yelled or clapped their hands. They yearned for more of the same after years when such thoughts, however irreverent or outlandish, were unmentionable.