Who wants to win Rp 1 billion from Probosutedjo?

Endy M. Bayuni, Jakarta

The man in the hot seat gives a wry but tense smile. In spite of the air conditioning that keeps the studio cool, little beads of sweat surface above his eyebrows. Nervousness sets in.

Seated opposite him is the host of the TV quiz show, Tantowi Yahya, also smiling as he looks at his cue card containing the very last and most defining question. He is taking his time in reading the question to himself, helping to build the suspense.

The contestant in the Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? quiz show is down to the very last question. The answer to the next question decides whether he gets the Rp 1 billion prize, or he goes back to the Rp 32 million rupiah that he had already secured for giving correct answers to the first 10 questions. He has correctly answered four more questions since, taking his winnings to Rp 500 million.

One more right answer will give him the grand prize.

The contestant had won the right to take up the hot seat by beating nine others, who like him, came from the legal profession. It was one of those episodes where the TV station invited participants from a select group. Today, it's the turn of the legal people.

The contestant knows that the last question will be tough. But he has two more lifelines at his disposal. He has already used "50/50". He can still "Ask the Audience" and "Phone a Friend" if he doesn't know the answer to the next question.

He just wishes Tantowi would get on with it and fire the question. His stomach is churning as he thinks about what he could do with all that prize money, now within his grasp.

Tantowi: Are you ready for the last question?

Contestant: Yes (almost hissing)

Tantowi: Please listen carefully and take your time to think before you answer.

Contestant: Okay (again, almost inaudible)

Tantowi: Tycoon Probosutedjo was found guilty on corruption charges by both the lower and higher courts. How will the Supreme Court rule in his appeal? Will it:

a. Acquit him of all charges,

b. Give him a reduced suspended sentence,

c. Uphold the sentence and send him to jail immediately, or

d. Increase his sentence and send him to jail immediately.

Contestant: This is really hard. Any of these could be right.

Tantowi: There is only one right answer.

Contestant: Can I ask the audience?

Tantowi: You certainly can. Audience, please punch in your answers. Is it a, b, c or d?

(Sounds of audience punching the machine. Music in background. TV monitors around the studio flicker and display the tabulated answers from the audience)

Tantowi: There you have the answer according to the audience: 2 percent say Probosutedjo will be acquitted; 8 percent say he will be given a reduced suspended sentence; 10 percent say the court will uphold the sentence and send him to jail; and an overwhelming 80 percent say the court will increase the sentence and send him to jail immediately.

Do you agree with the majority of the audience?

Contestant: I don't think so. They just don't like Probosutedjo. Their answers are not based on legal considerations.

(Hisses and boos from the audience who feel insulted.)

Tantowi: It's your call. Do you want to use another lifeline?

Contestant: I'd like to phone a friend.

Tantowi: All right. Who do you want to call?

Contestant: Pak Jo.

Tantowi: And what is he to you?

Contestant: We work together at the Supreme Court.

(Sound of telephone being dialed, and after some rings, a man at the other end picks it up).

Tantowi: Good evening Pak Jo. This is Tantowi Yahya from Who Wants to be a Millionaire? Your friend has turned to you for help, and he will read the question to you for the Rp 1 billion grand prize. Listen carefully to him, and help him choose the correct answer. You have 30 seconds. Here he is.

Contestant: Pak Jo, in the Probosutedjo court case, will the Supreme Court (a) acquit him of all charges, (b) give him a reduced suspended sentence, (c) uphold the sentence and send him to jail immediately, or (d) increase the sentence and send him to jail immediately?

Pak Jo: Did you say this is for Rp 1 billion?

Contestant: Yes, yes. We're running out of time. Is it a, b, c, or d?

Pak Jo: You and I know that for Rp 1 billion Probosutedjo will be freed. The correct answer is "a".

And that is how the contestant got his Rp 1 billion. He did not get it from Probosutedjo, or from the lawyers representing the businessman. He won it from the quiz show. He swears by it.