When conscience says enough is enough

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