When conscience says enough is enough

Malu (Aku) Jadi Orang Indonesia (I am) Ashamed of Being Indonesian), Seratus Puisi Taufiq Ismail (One hundred poems of Taufiq Ismail); Taufik Ismail; Yayasan Ananda, Jakarta, 1998, xvi + 206pp.

JAKARTA (JP): Taufiq Ismail is an inexhaustible source of poems. Compared to his contemporaries, his is undeniably the richest source of poetry. He traverses and explores a wide variety of life's aspects.

He eloquently speaks about the tragedy of life, suffering of the oppressed, fraud, injustice, conscience or composes satirical verse. In reading Taufiq's latest collection of 100 poems, one obtains an almost complete picture of the man as poet.

There are three parts divided by theme and chronology: Malu (Aku) Jadi Orang Indonesia ((I am) Ashamed of Being Indonesian), 46 poems, works of May to October 1998; Kembalikan Indonesia Kepadaku (Return Indonesia to Me), 44 poems, 1996 to 1997; and Sejarum Peniti, Sepunggung Gunung(The Safety Pin, The Mountain Size), 10 poems from 1986 to 1995.

Through the conscientiously written verse, the reader is able to detect the wisdom, maturity and progress achieved by Taufiq in his works. It is with good reason that some observers have proclaimed Taufiq one of Indonesia's greatest poets.

From such a lofty position, why would Taufiq be ashamed of his citizenship? Answers are patently clear in his poetry.

In the title poem, a veterinary surgeon lists many reasons for shame. Yet the rottenness of society reflected in daily practices, abuse of power, deviation of the ruling system and moral degradation are portrayed beautifully in understandable words.

He feels ashamed because in his country newspapers, magazines and books containing sermons have been banned merely for voicing the truth. Half of the commission received from the purchase of submarines, fighter planes, wheat flour and soybeans ends up in the pockets of bureaucrats.

Slaughter, kidnapping and torture were committed in Aceh, Tanjung Priok, Lampung, Haur Koneng, Nipah, Santa Cruz, Irian Jaya and Banyuwangi. Official denials following incidents served to gag the people, and the allegations have never seen the light of day in the courtroom.

In these surroundings, the poet expresses his disappointment by stating: "Noble character in my country is still found in the books, but in daily life it looks like a missing needle, diving in the stack of dried rice stalks after the harvest."

In his foreword, historian Kuntowijoyo writes: "Taufiq Ismail's poems are the poems of conscience. The I am Ashamed of... represents the majority view about the New Order."

He is absolutely right. All poems from page 2 to page 82 are a perfect description of the New Order, which became worse over time, and in which the 1945 Constitution was elevated and adored as though divine. Taufiq represents the view wholeheartedly. His expertise in selecting the most fitting words enables him weave the ideal atmosphere.

In Cursed by Position, he tells the story of a retired civil servant repenting for his past. Seated in a wheelchair because the left side of his body is paralyzed, the old man confesses to his children. During his years in the civil service he accumulated vast wealth from business and personal property.

He tells his family he has annulled the will he made two years before. Everything originally bequeathed to them will be returned to the nation; not one rupiah will go to them. After making his statement, he droops in his chair, ready for the angel of death to carry him away.

Taufiq writes the lengthy verse in a dramatic and impressive way, succeeding through a storytelling approach. It is a skill also shared by another noted poet, Rendra.

The second and third parts of the collection, Turn Indonesia Back to Me and The Safety Pin and the Mountain Size, contain, in principle, poems on the similar theme -- the history of the nation -- and the same style. The latest was read as a speech at Taman Ismail Marzuki on Aug. 17, 1995.

In his acknowledgements, Taufiq Ismail writes: "I want to disseminate news, direct and tell a story through my poems to their listeners and readers. When I write the first draft of my poems, I imagine an audience at my poetry reading who will share the enjoyment of the reading. Most of my poems have been written with an awareness of an audience presence."

It is evident Taufiq cares about his listeners and readers. He is not the type of poet who expresses his feelings in private idioms which are only for him to understand.

-- Sori Siregar