Tikno Viewpoint

Perahu Retak -- Cracked Boat Artist : Franky Sahilatua Creator : Emha Ainun Nadjib Perahu negeriku, perahu bangsaku, menyusuri gelombang. My country's boat, my nation's boat, traverses the wave. Semangat rakyatku, kibar benderaku, menyeruak lautan. My citizen's spirit, flying my flag, pushing the sea. Langit membentang cakrawala di depan, melambaikan tantangan. The sky stretches the firmament ahead, waving the challenge. Di atas tanahku, dari dalam airku, tumbuh kebahagiaan. On my land, from within my water, happiness arise. Di sawah kampungku, di jalan kotaku, terbit kesejahteraan. In paddy-fields of my village, in the streets of my city, welfare arise. Tapi kuheran di tengah perjalanan, muncullah ketimpangan. But I'm wonder in the middle of the journey, discrepancy appear. Aku heran, aku heran, yang salah dipertahankan. I'm wonder, I'm wonder, which is wrong was maintained. Aku heran, aku heran, yang benar disingkirkan. I'm wonder,...

Last year, Google has started a project called Project 10^100 (pronounced "Project 10 to the 100th"), invited the world to submit ideas to help as many people as possible. During submitting period, they have received more than 150,000 ideas from 170 countries, and now has been narrowed down to (combined into) 16 brilliant ideas that are considered best for you to vote. I have voted for the idea to make educational content available online for free , and I quote its description below: Make educational and course materials more accessible online to students worldwide. Lots of educational content is not indexed or accessible on the public web. Various users have proposed finding ways to help content owners put formerly exclusive content online, including offline materials (lectures, textbooks, videotaped workshops) and limited-access materials (scholarly papers, research dissertations); help teachers themselves become more available online (access to online profs, 24/7 homewor...

Two weeks before Eid ul-Fitr, I was with my first brother went to Surabaya then to Bali and Tuban . The goal is to attend my cousin's engagement in Surabaya. My congratulations to Erlin and Bernard, wishing you become happy couple. Then together with my third brother who lived in Surabaya we continued to Bali to see the 10th anniversary of a prayer's place owned by Jro Putu Saya. Based on the reference of my second brother who lived in Bali, Jro Putu Saya is a person who have advantages in the spiritual matter, in other word, he have supernatural power, perhaps can be called a psychic. When I entered this prayer's place for the first time at night (about 21:00 o'clock), I felt mystical atmosphere around, calm and peace. I saw many people went to this place for worship, some from out of town, with a variety of requests such as fortune, business success, recovery from chronic illness where doctor has raised hand. What impressed me was this prayer's place is open to ...

While looking for something on YouTube, I found a collection of unbelievable photographs. Something difficult to be explained with common sense, science or even religious. I guess you will say: this is supernatural, psychic, abnormal, or unbelievable, etc. If so, perhaps, the real truth is still out there and this world still containing many mysterious thing to be explored. Just look at the video below with relax. I myself ever see a true story from one of my employee who have a chronic disease that can not be cured by modern medical science, then tried religious healing (also failed), but then it can be cured by a shaman / witchdoctor. I don't know whether this case can be said a miracle or a magic?? So I think, that is why for those who are unable to resolve the world mystery through science and/or religious, will be heading towards paranormal, or have a tendency to engage to the supernatural thing. Sorry if this post rather contradictory thinking. That is still interesting to...

At this time many Indonesian students continue to the higher education in various universities in Australia to obtain academic degrees such as Bachelor, Master or Doctorate. My three cousin and several other relatives also continue the higher education in Australia after finished Senior High School in Indonesia. But I was startled after knowing the news from Antara News entitled "Pemerintah Tidak Adil Terhadap Lulusan Australia" (English : The government is unfair to Australian graduates). The policy of Directorate General of Higher Education (Department of National Education) is to equalize Bachelor degree from several universities in Australia only equal to Diploma-3 degree (D-3) in Indonesia. This policy was determined on 01 July 2009 within the Peraturan Direktur Jendral Pendidikan Tinggi (English : Regulation of Directorate General of Higher Education) Nomor:82/DIKTI/Kep/2009 concerning the assessment guideline for college certificate graduates from overseas. This regu...

On 17 August 2009, Indonesia celebrates its 64th Independence Day . I will not write more about the spirit of this proclamation, because I think the videos below can represent it well. I am proud to be Indonesian, Happy Independence Day my country.

Dear readers, if you are a regular visitor of this blog, perhaps you still remember my post titled " If One Why Different " (posted on 1 September 2008). In that post, I wrote about how I heard badly debate of religions among my friends when we gathered together, that is, each person seeks to maintain his own opinion namely his religion is the most relevant in this century. Within that post you may also read my thoughts as the response to them, as well as readers comment, and I would like to rewrite my thoughts as below: Humans have existed far before any religions emerge on this earth. The universe has existed far before the humans and religions. And... God, only one God, has existed far before the universe, humans, and any religions. Who is the owner of my soul, your soul and the soul of all creatures in this world? Only one or many? If only one, then why must we be different. Please readers do not feel confused with the question "why we must different" because ...

Previously, various media has published the death of Noordin M Top (the most wanted terrorist) in a raid conducted by anti-terror forces Densus 88 in a house in the Beji village, Kedu sub-district, Temanggung district. As promised by the Indonesian police to announce the identity (DNA test result) of the killed terrorist suspect body on Wednesday, 12 August 2009 (mean today), the result revealed that the suspect was not Noordin Mohammad Top (also known as Noordin M Top). It's mean that the existence of Noordin M Top is still mysterious. Inspector General Nanan Soekarna, head of public relations division of National Police Headquarters, stated in Jakarta today that the body of the suspected terrorist who was killed in in Temanggung, was Ibrohim. Who is Ibrohim? Ibrohim (known as Boim at work) is an employee who worked as a gardener (florist) at Hotel Ritz Carlton and who were immediately disappear after the bombing happened. According to Nanan Soekarna, Ibrohim has played a dominan...

Brother Dasanrangarajan has very kind sharing a good contemplation through our discussion on Blogcatalog. I feel good after read it many times. I think, it's good if I share it here. I do not intend to bring you referring to a particular religion / belief, but only want to share the good things. Hopefully you will also feel good with the contemplation below: I asked Lord Krishna to do away with my vices. Krishna said: They are not there for me to take them away. They are there for you to resist them. I asked Lord Krishna to complete my body. Krishna said: Your spirit is complete, your body is only temporary. I asked Lord Krishna to give me patience. Krishna said: Patience is a byproduct (side products) of difficulties. It is not given but learned. I asked Lord Krishna to give me happiness. Krishna said: I give blessings. Happiness depends upon you. I asked Lord Krishna to free me of pain. Krishna said: Suffering makes you go far away from this world and brings you nearer to me. I ...

Dear readers, I create this post because I heard many terrorism issues that tend to be associated with Islam as religion. But through this post I want to say that it is NOT TRUE. If you say that it is personal responsibility, then I'll say yes. I know some of you may be asking within the heart "Why you say that?" Well, here is my explanation: 1) I'm strongly believe that there are still a lot of good Muslim, even far more than you imagine. I live in Indonesia, the country with the largest Muslim population in the world, and I have many Muslim friends here. They (my Muslim friends) are also condemns terrorism action. 2) Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, President of the country with the largest Muslim population in the world, namely Indonesia, also condemns terrorism action and has been gave his command to the police and law enforcement to investigate, arrest, and judge all the perpetrators who were involved in the bombing cases at Hotel JW Marriott and Ritz Carlton, with firm...

This post is a continuation of previous post about the bomb explosion at Hotel JW Marriott and Ritz Carlton namely about the victims. From some newspapers that I read here, then the following is the update data of the victim names. Injured victims = 55 people (18 foreign citizens), treated at four hospitals in Jakarta, namely RS Medistra, RS MMC (Metropolitan Medical Center), RS Pusat Pertamina, and RS Jakarta. Victims died = 9 peoples, namely: Timothy D. Mackay, New Zealand (President Director PT Holchim Indonesia). Natan John Verity, Australia. John Rupert Garth Mc Evoy, Australia. Dani Dwi Permana, Indonesia. Nana Ikhwan Maulana, Indonesia. Evert Mokodompis, Indonesia, employee of JW Marriott. Craig Andrew Senger, Australia. 8 and 9; A Dutch couple identified as Pieter Burer and EJC Keaning. In this opportunity I want to say my condolence to all family of the victim. Really, I cannot say anything more except for this sentence: "Terrorist, whatever of the reason, is more cruel...

Today, Friday 17 July 2009, bomb explosion occurred at two luxury hotel Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott in Jakarta, Indonesia, at approximately 07:40 o'clock (Jakarta time) with the interval time is about 15 minutes. Both bombing was killed nine people and wound 52 others including foreign people (whilst reported). At the same day also occurred an explosion from a car along the toll road in Jakarta, but I cannot find further details because the breaking news on all TV more focuses to Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott. Indonesian stock price index fell down 0.7 percent after these case. Meanwhile, the Manchester United football team which has the plan ahead to visit Jakarta and stay at Ritz-Carlton hotel for an exhibition game with local team was threatened canceled. Security officials has move quickly making investigations in the two hotels. Strict inspection is also done at the airport especially against the box-car. Right at 14:00 o'clock today (Jakarta time), President of Indonesia,...

I'm glad that the presidential election in Indonesia on 8 July 2009 has run well, not like the presidential election in Iran. Although there were some protests from some parties, but I think that was the dynamics of the life of democracy itself, like the small ripple in the wide ocean. Perhaps cyclone in the middle of ocean can be analogized to what has happened in Iran. So, regardless the winners or losers, the most important is Viva Democracy! Because I'm not interested in political matters, then this post is more to the interesting story that I read on Jawa Pos newspaper printed-edition dated 9 July 2009 (written in 2 series), that is, all Baduy tribe who was part of inner Baduy community (sub-groups of Baduy tribe) was not gave their vote in the presidential election in order to follow their tradition / custom . In the Ciboleger village, there was provided a voting-booth for 6,325 eligible voters from total 11,170 Baduy people. But, until 13:00 o'clock no one from inne...

Temporary official (Pejabat sementara/Pjs.) of the Governor of Bank Indonesia, Miranda S. Goeltom, accompanied by Deputy Governor of Bank Indonesia, S. Budi Rochadi, Governor of South Kalimantan province, Rudy Ariffin, and the Governor of Central Kalimantan province, Agustin Teras Narang, was officially launched the new paper currency Rp 2,000 , emission of year 2009 , as a means of legitimate payment in Indonesia on Thursday 9 July 2009 in Banjarmasin city. These new paper currency valid as means of payment starting from 10 July 2009. In her speech Miranda S. Goeltom said (translated in English by me): "Publishing the new paper currency is the implementation of Bank Indonesia policy in the field of money circulation that is to satisfy the requirement of rupiah's currency in the society with enough nominal, kinds of currency which it appropriate, on time and in feasible conditions to circulate." At the front side there is the image Pangeran Antasari (a national heroe orig...

On Saturday ago, when I accompany and entertaining best customers at a nightclub, I met my two best friends there. Then we gathered together at the bar, ordering beers and then... Cheers! Ha..ha... very enjoyable to drink together with friends, especially with the atmosphere full of music, lots of beautiful night worker ladies , spreading their charm, cheerfulness and smile (maybe just theatrical smile from the sadness heart, I think). My wife knows it so I don't have to worry ha..ha...(Psst... I said this is business interests). While chat together, one of friends asking me an interesting question, and our chat are as below (translated in English): Friend : "Tikno, did you know the three maladies of a man? For no.1 and 2, I will pay it for you but for no.3... I will quit." Me : "Ha..ha... another temptation. Why you are ready paying for no.1 and 2 but not to no.3? what's that?", I shouted. Friend : " No.1 is drunkard . Money still safe until sprawl...

I am typing this post while accompanying my baby sleeping at night. Jim Belshaw from Personal Reflections site, as I read on his short profile is a manager, strategic consultant, freelance researcher and social commentator, has asked me to write about 5 things I am proud of. And below is my duty for Jim. Become a father . I do not have a child during the first three-year marriage. Problem? maybe not in western but few bother here. In a relax chat people often ask : "How many children do you have?". While joking, my best friend ever said: "You're not yet being a real father until you have a child". Hmm... an uncomfortable question. But now I have Ely and Alex. Maybe Jim or readers will be laughing at me for this one, ha... ha... Not an unemployment . Really I will feel low-self if it happened. Harmonious with my siblings . Care each other when in trouble. Of course I need harmony with other people but with own siblings is the fundamental thing. My parents live w...

With happiness and cheerful I'm create this post because on Thursday 11 June 2009 at 10:20 pm, I have a male baby Alexander . Born with weight 3 Kg and height 50 Cm. There are no words that can describe how happy I am with the whole family. My brother's wife, Lidya, tell me a site " Baby Names " to find out what is the meaning of "Alexander" and I find the meaning is: Defender of the people . A great name right? Do you know of what I think when I see the birth of my baby? Have you ever imagine when you were in the womb? In there, a miracle was happened from an embryo become a perfect human, and life. Yes, there is life. Truthfully in mother's womb... God has showed His greatness to human being . Amen!

Mother's job is 24 hours job, not paid, no days off, seldom appreciated, and impossible to resign , but still proud to be a mother. Welcoming Mother's Day on these May, DO NOT send your mother to nursing home. Before you want to do that, hold on! read this first! So... will you like to bring her back to your home-sweet-home for sharing the love, at least for these great moment. It's depend on you. Post Update 1 : Below, I quote a part of comments from LaVonda R. Bailey within this post which I think is her call to us: "... Women and children are always raped, killed and abused as a part of war and history proves this fact to be true. I have a problem with the government dropping bombs on women and children in Pakistan, because those are women who love and care for their children just like I do and it would be wrong for a country to drop bombs on my neighborhood and kill my children and we as women should believe and and work to stop war around the world so another wom...

I found a video through Mel Avila Alarilla's blog . This video is truly very touching and with humility I want to share with you, a tragedy of humanity. Chicken A La Carte - written, photographed and directed by Ferdinand Dimadura. A short story about the hunger and poverty brought by globalization which shows a forgotten portion of society. The people who living to survive from human trash but still grateful. During life, do you ever felt hungry? How it feel? Did you stomach ache? A simple question for reflection! Maybe in your heart will say that I can only make this post and doubting to the real act. Well, I want to say that in the blogging world, here's what I can do and differ from what I have done in the real world, especially because I ever had experience where I only could eat once a day when still young and living in a city far from family. Felt hungry and ashamed to request from parent because I have grown. That was my unforgettable memories , never forget it. So, no...

I am surprised when reading Kaltim Post newspaper (Monday, 27 April 2009) about the outbreak of Swine Influenza virus (Swine Flu). Immediately I browse the internet to find more information about these outbreak, and here of what I found for sharing. What is Swine Influenza ? According to World Health Organization (WHO), Swine influenza, or “swine flu”, is a highly contagious acute respiratory disease of pigs, caused by one of several swine influenza A viruses. Morbidity tends to be high and mortality low (1-4%). The virus is spread among pigs by aerosols, direct and indirect contact, and asymptomatic carrier pigs. Outbreaks in pigs occur year round, with an increased incidence in the fall and winter in temperate zones. Many countries routinely vaccinate swine populations against swine influenza. Apprehensive Outbreak On April 25th 2009, upon the advice of the Emergency Committee called under the rules of the International Health Regulations, the Director-General declared this event ...

In legislative election 2009 in Indonesia, happened the trend of decreasing vote for parties with religious nuances, both for Islamic or Christian nuances parties. This phenomena was attract me to write this post. I see political party in Indonesia can be divided into two parts that is, religious nuances and moderate / nationalist nuances. In history of national scale election in Indonesia, the Christian nuances party not yet able to show significant votes. This could be happened, perhaps because the percentage of Christian population is very small. The interesting matter is, there is decreasing trend of votes for Islamic nuances parties in Indonesia (the world's most populous Moslem), except PKS party. The success of PKS to maintain their votes is because they have an effort to divert the issue of religious sentiment into general issue. According to Lembaga Survei Indonesia (Indonesian Survey Institute) researcher, Burhanuddin Muhtadi (Jawa Pos newspaper, Saturday, April 11th 200...

On Friday, March 27, 2009, Situ Gintung dam at Cirendeu, Tangerang, southeast of Jakarta, has broken-down and the water flooded like a small tsunami, washing away cars, houses and settlement area. Ninety nine people were killed and 102 others were missing (update the number of victims from www.kompas.com on Tuesday, March 31, 2009). My condolence for victims and their family. From all of that, there are three important notes that I want to share through this blog. First , it is indeed the embankment that broken-down was caused by excessive debit of water. Situ Gintung levee was originally built under Dutch colonial authorities era, only able to accommodate 1 million cubic of water, while the debit of water before the incident has reached 2 million cubic of water debit. There should be early warning for residents who live around the embankment when felt there was something that threatens the safety of citizens. In Situ Gintung actually already there, but not work well. Second , allotm...

First, I apologize to you all because no update for a long time. I'm very busy lately because I have to give time and thoughts to the company, for the life of many people involved in it, and to achieve our big goal. In this post I want to share a video clip that I found on YouTube. This video has touched my heart even though I do not understand its language, a proof that the art (picture, song or video) is universal. Many people said that a picture can reveal a thousand words, moreover a video. And I use this video as a MISSILE to shoot into your heart. So, DO NOT close your eyes and hopefully it can reach into your HEART. What? Human rights you said? Where is it? Ohh... I call every war is the stupid war whatever its reasons. And the most shocking video is a Palestinian father challenged Israeli soldiers to kill his young son. Proof that the war only leaves hatred. This young man was initially laughed at by the jury, but at the end of his performance he brought a very deep messag...

On January 26th 2009 (Indonesian time) the Chinese people around the world celebrate the Chinese New Year 2560th (old enough I think). It's sometimes called the Lunar New Year . Following tradition, at the night one day before the first day of new year, all family members gather together for dinner. The chosen venue usually at the home of the most senior member of the family or at restaurant. After dinner, usually followed by giving the red envelopes ( Hongbao in Mandarin; Angpao in Indonesian) from married couples or the elderly to unmarried juniors, and the junior member give respect by saying the hope for health, happiness, and long-aged to the elderly. Prayer at the temples and visiting the other elderly relatives is the next schedules. In Indonesia, I noted that since the era of President Abdurrahman Wahid (also known as Gus Dur), the Chinese culture such as lion dance (Indonesian called Barongsai), the use of Chinese characters and Chinese red paper lantern for decor...

This post aims to help and provides some proportional information about social activity or contact with people having HIV / AIDS, because in society there is still negative social stigma. Sufferer tend to be excommunicated in their community. Have you ever imagine about handshake, kissing, sharing toilet, live together with sufferer? You may be interested in some FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) below: Is deep kissing a route of HIV transmission? Deep or open-mouthed kissing is a very low risk activity in terms of HIV transmission. HIV is only present in saliva in very minute amounts, insufficient to cause infection with HIV. There has been only one documented case of someone becoming infected with HIV through kissing; a result of exposure to infected blood during open-mouthed kissing. If you or your partner have blood in your mouth, you should avoid kissing until the bleeding stops. Can I become infected with HIV through normal social contact / activities such as shaking hands, toile...

In this post I only quotes the things associated with the two words above. Please use your sense and read carefully to find and feel the fundamental differences from it. VETO According to Wikipedia : A veto, Latin for I FORBID , is used to denote that a certain party has the right to stop unilaterally a certain piece of legislation. In practice, the veto can be ABSOLUTE (as in the U.N. Security Council, whose permanent members can block any resolution). In the United Nations Security Council, the five permanent members (the United States, Russia, the People's Republic of China, France and the United Kingdom) have veto power in substantive matters, though NOT in procedural ones. If any of these countries votes against a proposal, it is REJECTED , even if all of the other member countries vote in favor. According to Global Policy Forum : "The five permanent members of the Security Council (China, France, Russia, United Kingdom, and United States) ENJOY the privilege of veto po...

Although 2008 has passed, it does not mean that all problems has been passed, such as war, hunger, refugees, and the most dangerous is climate change which will destroy our earth slowly like a cancer. Yes, slowly but sure! Let take action to slow its change. At the other hand, maybe young people will be happy, perhaps they feels has become adult and proudly says "I am not a child anymore". Feels like holding "VISA" to access all things labeled "For 17 years above". But I say you will facing more burden and responsibility in future. It same like me when became adult and got marriage. Older people maybe says "Soon I will pension and enjoy the life because all my children has been marriage". But the life problems always belong to you as long as you are in this world. At least you will feel sad if your children fail in their life. During my life, I ever met people who follow atheism and said "I do NOT believe the existence of God. Life is 100% o...