Gurita Cikeas in the Eyes and Perspective of Indonesian Religious Leaders

Religions' Prophetical Voice; A Hope [caption id="attachment_62153" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="George Junus Aditjondro, a well known researcher on corruption in Indonesia is giving his speech on his own book: Gurita Cikeas at GKPS's Headquarter in Pematang Siantar. (Pic. by: LTS) "][/caption] GKPS or the Simalungun Protestant Christian Church in Indonesia invited George Junus Aditjondro, Indonesian well known researcher on corruption, to become the speaker on a discussion on his own book: Gurita Cikeas, Di Balik Skandal Bank Century at GKPS headquarter here in Pematang Siantar on January 13, 2010. This book was first published by Galang Press in Yogyakarta at the end of 2009. Church leaders and workers from various backgrounds in Pematang Siantar as well as some from North Sumatra areas attending this discussion so did Theological Seminary's President (STT HKBP) in Pematang Siantar. Cikeas is the name of the area in Bogor, West Java, where the private house of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono locates. Gurita is the name of a fish, the octopus. Aditjondro put the title of his book as: Gurita Cikeas since this is a book to do with Indonesian's elites oligarchy which has been forming like an octopus. The book pictures Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono as the most significance part of this 'octopus'. This now Indonesian president has been building his family's business involving some of his ministers and other important people in Indonesia. Aditjondro said that he needs to prevent such an oligarchy since Soeharto already did it during his New Order regime. Oligarchy ruined the country, sent billions of poor Indonesians to hopelessness and no-future; it was and now the history repeats itself but we can stop it. [caption id="attachment_62154" align="alignright" width="300" caption="From left to right: Limantina Sihaloho, George Junus Aditjondro, Sarmedi Purba, Rev. Belman Dasuha, and Rev. Martin R. Purba (Pic. by: HS)"][/caption] Right after its publication, this book has been one of the most-wanted book across the country. One of the leading book-store in Indonesia distributed this book but due to political pressure, Gurita Cikeas was soon gone from their stores. It was quite difficult to find the book even at any book store in big cities. Aditjondro has been doing research to do with corruption even during Soeharto's era. Most of his books published since 1999 are to do with corruption. No wonder that he had to leave Indonesia during Soeharto's New Order Regime. He lived and worked in Australia for more than 10 years (1997-1998). He came back to Indonesia  Why Religious Institutions Have to Take Action? Sarmedi Purba, a physician and director of Vita Insani Hospital here in Pematang Siantar, one of the Simalungun leading figures today as well as member of GKPS gave his review on Gurita Cikeas before Aditjondro delivered his thoughts and experience to do with his own book. [caption id="attachment_62159" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="A few minutes break (Pic. by: LTS)"][/caption] Purba said that there is nothing quite new in Aditjondro's book; all have been known by many people in this country. However, once all of the data being published as a book and being available to the public, then it has a big political and social influence. Therefore, the government and those parties mentioned within the book related to corruptions in Indonesia started to deny the content of the books with many ways; this is more to do with political-interests not the content of the books itself. This book gave those related people mentioned within it serious trouble and restlessness. Aditjondro encourages religious institutions including churches of various denominations in Indonesia to take action by activating their prophetical-voices within today context and society. In Java, for example, as Aditjondro said, religious groups such Islamic-groups support his work on fighting corruptions in this country.  Churches as well as other religious institutions have their important role to support a good-governance system. By doing so, it gives benefit to the citizens of Indonesia as a whole. Corruption weaken this country as a nation; it destroy the life of many especially those who are poor, now and in the future. Right on this point, the church needs and has to voice her prophetical voices since it is her duty as a church; so do other religions in this country all are siding with those who are oppressed and marginalized -- all religions in the world teach and encourage us to side with the poor and oppressed. [caption id="attachment_62156" align="alignright" width="300" caption="After the four hours discussion; people were still in enthusiasm. (Pic. by: LTS)"][/caption] People in Pematang Siantar had a big enthusiasm to come to Aditjondro's book discussion at GKPS Central Office, Jl. Pdt J Wismar Saragih. This people came from Pematang Siantar and some other places in North Sumatra. They could stay longer than 4 hours for this book discussion, however, the moderator (Limantina Sihaloho) needed to end it since it was started from 09:00 am to 01:00 pm. This clearly is a sign of how Indonesian citizens have a big willingness to support any effort on how to have a good and clean government in this country; being proud in a positive way that one of their brave fellow, a well known researcher, has been taking risks to speak up the truth for the sake of his people. [caption id="attachment_62177" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="North Sumatra churches and people are siding with George Junus Aditjondro's effort to fight against corruption for it is also one of the church prophetical duty. (Pic. by: HS)"][/caption] GKPS took a courageous step by inviting such a brave writer and researcher George Junus Aditjondro to talk about his own book and corruption by the government in Indonesia that has been one of the main cause of this country backwardness as a nation. Rev. Martin R. Purba, GKPS general secretary said that GKPS and churches in Indonesia are  with those who work for humanity in various ways; the churches in this country are with Aditjondro and also encouraging people to bravely embody the same spirit for people' sake. For GKPS, it is her responsibility to support and to keep in touch with a courageous fellow such as Aditjondro. As GKPS Bishop Rev. Belman Dasuha said to him, "We are with you in our prayer and fellowship; God is with you in your efforts to side with the truth for the sake of our people". ***