TV program 'Alternatif' presents long-distance healing
JAKARTA (JP): Repeating Allahu Akbar (God is Great) over and over, HMA Bijak Bestari, a 'hypermetaphysical expert', was trying to send his energy from the ANteve studios in Jakarta to Heru, an audience member in Surabaya, East Java, who was suffering from a complicated illness. Heru also uttered the same words Allahu Akbar continuously as suggested by the healer.
After about five minutes, Lula Kamal, the presenter, asked Heru "How do you feel now?"
"I have a headache and my body sweats," answered Heru over the telephone.
That was an example of an episode of Alternatif a few weeks ago.
Certain questions arose when watching the program such as whether or not it was true or even ethical. Was it possible that Heru received energy while they were hundreds of miles apart? Did Heru really recover from his illness?
"Yes. It is true. We don't manipulate the show," the producer, Endang Suryana, said.
"In fact, this can be explained," he said. Even though he also admitted that he was confused, he understood that the system was based on accommodating the natural energies. According to him, Bestari could receive the energy by doing certain movements and saying dzikir (praise God). Everybody can do this as an exercise and Endang asserts that this system is only for positive purposes.
The program, broadcast live every Saturday at 8:30 a.m, is representative of some Indonesian people who believe that you do not need to see a medical doctor if you are sick. Instead, the patients pursue alternative healing techniques such as parapsychology, acupuncture or herbal medicine. What's more, they believe that traditional medicine is more effective than modern medicine.
Alternatif was created in 1998 following the economic crisis which affected people's purchasing power. As people could not afford the rocketing medical prices, they turned to traditional medicines which were cheaper. Alternative healing is not actually new for many people but it has become more popular recently.
Endang said that the program aims at informing the public about alternative treatments. He claims it as the first Indonesian television program. He does not agree that the program, which often attracts strong reactions and criticism from modern medical practitioners, is comparable to Hidup Sehat Bersama Hembing (Healthy Lifestyle ala Hembing), which has been broadcast on RCTI for the past three years. While Hidup Sehat focuses on traditional medicine, Alternatif sometimes also features modern medical treatment.
Alternatif, which has attracted many commercials, presents a healer who is available for long-distance consultation by phone. Most of the callers are people who are sick or have relatives who are sick.
The program also invites criticism from the audience. Some believe it and some do not.
For those who believe in alternative healing, this is an informative program they should not miss. Also, they can use it as a reference to visit alternative practitioners, given the fact that some are bogus.
"It is only an entertainment program," Merdias Almatsier, former the chairman of the Indonesian Medical Association (IDI), commented.
He also considers the show unethical and purely promotional. To cure a patient and to make a conclusion that a patient has recovered from the illness, a modern medical assessment is required, Merdias said. However, he appreciates the acupuncture and traditional medicines, including local techniques and those from China whose effectiveness have been known about for a long time.
Alternative healing and mainstream medical treatment are totally different but they have the same purpose -- to cure the patient.
As Prof. Zhang Da Qian, a noted acupuncturist from China, states -- there is no perfect treatment. It always has strengths and weaknesses. "We must take the strength as something new without forgetting the weakness", he was once quoted by Kompas daily as saying (Mohammad Yazid).