1st October, and what it meant for this country

Our grandparents usually have really heroic stories about the past war for freedom in Indonesia. They are always good tales, and our grandparents are usually good storytellers and most passionate when doing so.

My grandpa, from my dad’s side, has a quite unique story which probably not many people have witnessed. He was from the Masyumi Islamic Party, and became member of Fraksi Pemuda in MPRS 1960 (Temporary House of Representative) apointed directly by President Soekarno himself. He was also head of DPRD of Sumbawa.

This is a story about the 1st October 1965, from the perspective of H. Musa Effendy, SH. This was his experiences, and what he knew about it. Well spiced up a bit, not with b*llshit like infotainment, but with some of the things I know which is consistent with his story. Might be a bit mixed up in dates, Im bad on that.

After Indonesia’s independence, three major powers came to front in the country. Nationalists, naturally because we just got our freedom, Islam, because a great majority of us were moslems, and Communists, because we had quite a trauma with the liberals and apparently many of the people liked the idea.

Among the greatest parties at the time, was Masyumi with Islamic ideologies. And among their views, which is going to be highly relevant to this story, was that they did not trust Communism and their party: Partai Komunis Indonesia. They had very bad track records throughout the world (was it Cambodia? The incident before 1965, I forgot) and also in Indonesia. 1926, 1948, PKI already revolted.

Many may say that the Coupe attempt on 30th of September 1965, known as G30S PKI, was a conspiracy. Some say it involves CIA and Soeharto. Some others say that Soeharto was just a great Opportunist, and manipulating (in the sense of exaggerating) the facts of the Coupe making it sound crueler than it actually was, to gain support.

But from what Musa Effendy knew, Masyumi saw it coming. He said that Communists are always like that. At 1st they gathered enough support, secretly collecting and importing weapons, then suddenly make a Coupe which follows by massacres. He didnt say anything about the conspiracy theories, he seemed more tending to believe in the Soeharto being an Opportunist theory.

I forgot when, and what history claims as the reason, but Masyumi was disbanded. A conspiracy theory points this as PKI’s attempt (and partial success, at least), to get one of their enemy out of the way. Their greater enemy, though, was the army. But Masyumi’s supporters were at large, which is why Soekarno appointed 4 ex-Masyumis as member of the Majelis Permusyawaratan Rakyat Sementara (Temporary House of Representative) post presidential decree.

Then, they were counting days. Musa Effendy was a teacher when he was very young. Suddenly, around one month prior 30th of September, one of his student came to his house (in Lombok or Sumbawa, I forgot. Well, the dude is upstairs, but cant be stuffed. Sorry :p). This man was a PKI member. Just like old friends, they discussed and debated like every day. Of course, Musa was a Masyumi and the ex student was PKI. But it remained intelectual.

Lt General Ahmad Yani, a prominent general at the time (Commander of the Armed Forces) visited the area and made a speech, which includes reminding the potential threat of PKI. Well, this guy ended up among the 6 Generals killed also on the G30S incident. Musa and his ex-student watched this speech. Musa asked what does he think about the speech, and the dude simply said he didnt agree.

A few days prior 30th September 1965, the ex-student disappeared and was never to be found until today. But one can guess where he ended up.

Then, the coupe attempt happened on 30th September night. Ahmad Yani, D.I. Panjaitan, S.Parman, MT Haryono, Soeprapto, and Soetoyo Siswomiharjo, 6 generals were kidnapped. Ahmad Yani and Panjaitan died on the spot, the others were killed by the next morning. Abdul Haris Nasution was also targetted, but escaped. Though at the expense of his daughter (Ade Irma Suryani) shot on spot and his bodyguard (Pierre Tendean) who was kidnapped along with the 6 generals. They claim that these were members of the Dewan Jenderal who was about to coupe and PKI has managed to deal with them.

(Fun fact: all generals targetted were the most prominent military figures, but they somehow –God knows deliberately or not- missed one big figure, which apparently grew bigger after this incident. Guess who)

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The question was, what saved the country from the coup? Was it that Indonesia’s pancasila was THAT strong to be replaced by communism? Was it Soeharto’s military operation?

History may have many versions there. But what Musa Effendy said, was that the savior was a heroic story but seemingly side-story in our history.

The idea of the coupe was not simply about kidnapping 7 generals and claiming they managed to stop a coupe. “They were radical Communists”, Musa told me, “and they do what they do best”. Throughout the country, they secretly dug large holes in places people dont see. What for?

For bodies. PKI bases all around the nation have picked targets. People who were public figures and activists who’s ideology would harm Communism while they had influence. They tail and gather info of these targets before waiting for the signal from PKI Central Command.

Now, try guess. What was that ex student of Musa doing in Musa’s house?

Back to story. So all they waited for to massacre all these people and take over the country holistically, was a signal from PKI Central Command. What was this signal? It comes to the story of Sarwo Edhi Wibowo (Our president’s father in law, is he?), from RPKAD now known as Kopassus.

1st October, was the great day –or planned so- of PKI. The President Elite Guard, Cakrabirawa, which was infiltrated by PKI (they also did the kidnapping), had occupied the office of RRI (Indonesian National Radio station). But Sarwo Edhi and his army managed to defeat the Cakrabirawa in that office and retook the station. This part was stated in history, but what did this story mean?

PKI occupied RRI so that after they have “removed the threat of Dewan Jenderal”, they would announce it to the whole country. This is not just a propaganda to gain sympathy. But this was the signal for the PKI forces all around the country to “do their job”. And as I have mentioned before, RPKAD forces managed to re-take the office. The signal never came out, and the coupe failed.

I dont know was it me not studying enough, or it is true that history did not appreciate that act that much. Or it was to cloud other important figures so that only one was shining. Guess who.

My personal opinion is that this is the part of story which is most heroic of all. Saving thousands even maybe millions of lives, and one big life of a whole nation. The most important tide-turner of the story, where it then made the biggest difference in history.

So then, PKI only managing to do half of their job, and failing to do the support gaining and massacre, and the national army highly enraged, things went really bad for PKI.

Engineered by the army and some other parties, up to a million of PKI members throughout the nation were hunted down and massacred and burried in the holes that PKI themselves dug. This is why I could make a probably pretty good guess on where did Musa’s student go. Sad. As bad as PKI were, but the doers of this massacre were Indonesian societies. We went barbaric and uncivilised.

(Fun Fact: yes, genocide happened in our country. Just a thought. Why did nobody complain about this in the international world? Because they understood our situation? One argued because the situation was stabilised soon though)

Due to this very unstable condition, came out the Supersemar 1966 order from Soekarno to Soeharto to stabilise the condition by any means, which is still highly controversial until today. Which then lead to Soeharto being president after some other incidents.

There are many theories about why G30S PKI happened. Some link it to CIA and Soeharto, especially for those who are interested in history AND have read Confessions of an Economic Hitman by John Perkins, leading to a 100% difference in Indonesia’s Governmental Policies domestic and foreign. Some just think some people are at the right and wrong time and place. Many theories, quite a lot.

But this is probably a perspective (plus some hints on theories ) from a man who was there at the time, plus some spices from his grandson.
Hope its useful

God’s Existence Part 2: Destiny?

It is quite common for people to ask : “who determines my future?”. Some would answer “It has been written.”, and others would say “you can change it with your efforts and choices”.

An interesting answer is “it is predetermined, AND you can change it”. One may respond “That is contradictive” and others would say “no its not, ever heard ‘editing’?”.

Since this is MY blog, the question would now be “what do I think?”.

I am someone who believes that “it is predetermined, and you can change it”. To answer the contradiction claim, I would not prefer to say the thing about “editing”. But I believe that our freedom of choice to form our future is not exactly that free anyway.

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Life is a huge stream of infinitive chains of causality. Action and reactions, and finally forming what we know as history. There are two contesting theories regarding this one, as you might have seen in the film Knowing.

First, is Theory of Accidents. They say that “shit just happens”. Everything within this universe happens because of these chains of causality, which is a huge series of accidents reacting to each other.

Second, is Theory of Determinism. They say that everything was predetermined, and has its purpose. And I prefer to believe in this second one.

I think that the Theory of Accidents relies too plainly on the laws of probability, to the extent that it drives on a crowded road but not looking at the traffic. People say that the probability of humans popping out from a heap of unicellular things are just like a tornado passing a heap of metal and creating a Boeing. Not to mention this “Accident” has to happen twice at around the same time but with a different gender, to at least create more than one humans. Nature’s accuracy rate is pretty high, eh?

This is too much to be called a coincidence. Believers of the accidents, say that this is why it takes billions or trillions of years. Well then what are the chances of two –coincidentally same species but different gender- accidentally made humans, appear at around the same time, and around the same place on this very freakin wide earth which at that time was still a huge jungle with dinosaurs, then had the idea to screw and breed?

Same mistake as someone simply saying “the chance to get a number 4 on a dice is 1/6”. Well, given that information, I agree. But I dont think it is that simple, because we are forgetting quite a lot of things. If that is completely true, we will get number 4 exactly 6 times by 36 tries. Mathematicians would say “1/6 chance is per roll”, but Id say its simply the same logic. 1/6 chance per roll, so if we multiply “roll” by 36, then it still becomes “6 chances per 36 rolls”.

Where did math go wrong?

It went wrong where there are unmentioned factors. Rolling a dice includes force of throwing, position, height, gravity, movement angle, wind power, hand stutter, and many other factors. Throw a dice. Do exactly the same factors like I have mentioned above, literally exactly the same, and I assure you that no matter how many times you make the roll, you will get the same number with 100% rate. So a chance happens not only by chance, but when it meets other factors.

Then, it means that things that happen are not randomly happening by chance. But they have been exactly planned by previous factors. Like that dice thing. You will get the same number repeatedly, because you carefully planned.

The 1st try wasn’t random either. Because I told you to do so, and you move based on the angle and position you feel best at the spur of the moment, which is determined by how you chose to move and get in position previously. All goes back to the whole chain of causality. Thus for me, Theory of Accidents can throw itself to the trash can it sees most pleasant for it.

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Why do I think we can change our future? It is a matter of perspective.

You making a choice between dentistry or sociology for university, obviously would make a big difference in your future. You think that by choosing dentistry, you have changed your future from being a sociologist into a dentist.

You making a choice between procrastinating or doing your thesis as soon as possible, also might make a big difference in your future. You think that by doing one of them would make a difference in your future.

You making a choice between falling under the poverty you are currently in or fighting your best to have a better life, and succeeding eventually. You think that you have changed your future.

I believe that the truth is quite ugly. You might think that you independently made these choices and successes, because of your own free will and considerations and effort and luck. Thus you have managed to lead yourself into a certain future. I think NOT.

The truth is, that you did not make any of these things happen by your independent choice. You make choices among options that exist. Where do these options come from? The past, forming their own causality stories and shows its results in front of you. How do you consider and make your choice? From past experiences and knowledge, also bound by the past.

Your abilities in thinking are a mixture between genetic abilities, also from the past, and skill-sharpening activities, also past decision of yours or your parents. In which these decisions are also bound to many things.

The point is, yes you have many choices ahead of you. But you end up choosing one of them, and for a reason too. So here you are, stuck in the infinitive stream of life. You are just a tiny notch on the big picture of causality and history.

The function of prayers, efforts, even this article, is among the infinitive numbers of EFFECTS from previous CAUSES in life, and also becomes new CAUSES for future EFFECTS. This is from the perspective of a Someone, observing from His Great System.

(PS: I did not say that he is a mere observer. I am saying that this view is from His perspective. All these causalities happen because of Him, what He wrote in the past, and all those stuff)

While for us, fellow earthlings, we do make our future. We write our history as we live it. And what we write is a continuation from what was written trillions of years ago, and will continue to those written in a billion years.

Delicious: Sangam Indian Resto

This Indian Restaurant is located in Jalan Kaliurang KM 5-6ish. Cant remember exactly.
But just find Toko Merah, then turn left straight after it and you will find Jalan Pandega Siwi.

Ride like 30 meters ahead, and you will find it somewhere on your left.

It only opens at night, or so it seems. It aint only a restaurant. But also sells indian textile products, and has meditation and yoga courses.

Just come in the very antique door and go through till the back. That is the restaurant part.

I wont really review the hospitality and design, which is so great and Indian-style (well, naturally).

The menu costs range around 10k-50k. And at that splendid night with two friends: Agnes Puspitasari and Rangga Aditya Dachlan (Lelendja), I made my order.

I had Andra South India Style Chicken Curry, which costs 28k with Parata (6k).
Agnes had Chicken Samosa (14k, was it?) and Lelendja had Mutton Curry.

The meal was wonderful! Id give all thumbs up for originality in spices of the curry.
The combination of the excelent Parata with Chicken Curry, from a scale of 1-10 would worth an 8 for me.

(I had a chomp on Lelendja’s Mutton Curry, Id give it a 7. Yes, I have a knack on picking the best on the menu. Didnt try Agnes’s Samosa though)

The prata bread was heavenly delicious, and dipping it to the strongly spiced chicken curry made it even more extraordinary.

The spices in the curry were just a great combination with the chicken (and very tender mutton, for Lelendja’s Curry) which were obviously cooked by really professional hands.

The negatives of the meal would include lack of universality, to the sense that not everyone will have the same tolerance to spice as I do.

The portion was relatively satisfying though Id say a bit more would make it better.

The biggest problem for me, was that Id prefer the spice bits could be removed, because it makes the chewing a bit difficult.
I mean, there were these leaves (on my Chicken Curry) and some sort of thick spice seed (on Lelendja’s Mutton Curry) spread all over the dish.

They were quite disturbing, especially especially especially on Lelendja’s dish. Very annoying.

The drinks I had was also great. I forgot its name, but it was this sweet yoghurt drink. Id give it an 8.5 (Lelendja had a fruit flavored one, Id give that a 9).

Nothing seemed special or unique on this one, other than the fact that it tasted really good (fruit made it taste better, I ordered no flavor just to compare).

Might go back there and try something else…

It is recommended for those who are interested in spicy food.

Cheers

Existence of God: Just a Thought

God’s Existence, Fate, Destiny, are among the most mysterious things. There are thousands of opinions in attempt to answer them. But in my opinion, the most outrageous answer is “don’t ask. Your logic can not explain.”

I really don’t like the idea where we cannot ask. Because then we simply have blind faith. And it beats the point of us being (or attempting to be) a rational being. Hence, this is at least my attempt to try answering those questions…

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One common mistake for one to say God does not exist, is by saying that we cant find him. We can not see him, etc.

Well, naturally when one characterizes Him as “Has No Form”, it means that “Finding His Form” is just as ridiculous as looking for tigers in the bottom of the Atlantic seas.

We gotta analyze what are claimed as His characters, and see whether they make sense to exist. The second narrow perspective is the idea that “nothing exists until it is proven that it does”. It is not fully wrong, but we should widen our mind.

That say could also lead to “nothing is possible until it is proven that it is possible”. It is unfair when we suddenly forget the idea of ‘possibility’ as an accepted scientific status specifically in this certain case. While in other cases, it is widely accepted.

An example is the world of mathematics and theoretical physics. It is described as such: Mathematics and Theoretical Physics are the world of possibilities, not necessarily the fact. It means that it is technically possible and doable for me to stick you in the eye. But its not that I certainly will do so.

The next example is Sigmund Freud’s theory on the subconscious mind. It has never been empirically proven that a subconscious mind actually exists. But it’s the same for these two, that they are accepted to a certain extent.

And many other sciences including applied ones were derived from these theories, such as quantum theories for mathematics and theoretical physics, and hypnosis for subconscious mind. The latter was discovered after assuming the previous were true to certain extents.

This means that when there is a possibility of it being true, it is not fair to suddenly judge that it is false. Thus to claim this possibility is to theoretically prove it. So here goes…

———————————————————————————————————– It was when I actually was thinking of argumentative frameworks, in which I ought to make qualifications as “truth standard” in order to prove a certain argument.

The basic idea in which this concept was made was like this. Example: Free Trade is good because it creates competition. Question: Just because it creates competition, why does it mean that it is good? What is “good”? So we need to classify what is the parameter of “good”.

It leads to the logic of “what could be demanded from what”. The whole point is questioning what are possible expectations. Do not expect by applying free trade, suddenly Indonesia will be stronger than America.

The stupid analogical statement to express this is: only idiots seek for polar bears in the middle of the Saharan Desert.

I have explained this at the start. God does not have a form. And some say He doesn’t exist because they cant find Him in form? He is described as a Non-Object. And we expect evidence in the form of “Sensing”?

It means that these people have been looking for God by finding “What He isn’t”. And I realized I should find what “He Is” and then prove that.

It goes back to the idea of “Creator”. Meaning that He is “The First”, and He is “The Last”. Does this idea make sense? If human counts back or forwards, the numbers will not stop.

There is always a -1 before a zero and another number after the other, which is why some concluded that it has no end. But in mathematics, which by the way is the thing that explains all this, we forgot was that there is also “infinitive”.

The largest and the smallest number at the same time in negative value. Some says its just mathematical tricks to complete the equation, but I don’t think so. If it exists, means that it exists. What is the number before infinity? This is mathematics’ explanation.

So the value of this number is infinitive and so expressed by (∞). And it is “The First” and “The Last”. It really fits. And it is also “The Greatest”, with none bigger.

Some question “there must be a number before it, or if any number is multiplied it must be bigger”. But that is not true. Infinitive plus or minus any number is still infinitive:

∞ + n = ∞ ;
And ∞ – n = ∞

And multiplied or divided with any number, is still infinitive:

∞ x n = ∞ ;
and ∞ / n = ∞

Also answers on how it is indestructible, and eternal.

We should also note that every number is a part of the infinitive amount of numbers.

∞ – (-∞)= 2∞ = ∞

Thus it is proven theoretically that something can be a creator that it is the 1st and the last. And The Greatest can exist. One whose power includes all beings, can exist.

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Then I understand also, why God’s existence is very controversial for those who seek logical explanations. It is because the method of people to seek reason might not be compatible with metaphysics, which uses a completely different framework.

Human logic works with association. How do you explain what an elephant is? An animal with four legs (you imagine a “thing” with four legs, you know what legs are like). Has very wide ears (you imagine ears, but a lot wider). Has a trunk (you imagine a nose, but much longer), has tusks (you imagine fangs, but growing outside and curving upwards, and HUGE), and it is huge and grey (you put the images together, imagine it huger, and paint it grey). What you did to describe is to analogize it to something similar and then explain the distinction to characterize.

Now in the framework of metaphysics, which includes things that are beyond our world and beyond sensible means, there are barely any descriptions possible. Because you just cant find anything to associate each character, which make metaphysics strikingly unique. So associations are done in very extreme ways.

Sometimes, it is not just in explaining “what it is” because we cannot associate it with anything. Thus the method to explain is “what its not”. And deriving from that leaves an empty spot on “what it is”. That explains “it”.

A simple example to this is a dentist waiting room of 5 similar guys where none have distinguishable characters. All fat, white, bald, wearing the same outfit, no glasses, etc, and you (the nurse) know 4 of them because they are regulars but not the other one. Then you were supposed to invite the 1st name on the list which is apparently a name you are not familiar with, to meet the dentist.

You will easily know which one to call. That is because you eliminate all else that you know is not the guy, making the right guy singled out.

Another example, is when one of my trainees (when I coached Team Jogja for Indonesian Schools Debating Championship 2009) asked: what is a soul, does it even exist? I answered as follows.

Yes it does exist. Imagine how a body works. It works because of the interaction of organs. How does that work? Interaction of tissues and individual cells. How does that work? Activities internally within that cell. How does that work? Atomic activities. How does that work? Quantum activities. How does that work? How does that work? Up until the extent, until the answer is “well, it just does.” That is soul work. It is the thing that makes gravity pull objects towards the core.

So we have identified “soul” by limiting the parameter, and counting out “what its not” thus pinpointing on “it”.

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The next question is: Is the existence of Someone who controls all nature possible, while all beings are free to decide their next move?

Wait for the next post 