ARI SATRIYO WIBOWO, A CHIEF BLOGGING OFFICER IN INDONESIA

The power and the glory

2008-06-24T12:59:00.003+07:00

The next technology boom may well be based on alternative energy. But which sort to back?

EVERYONE loves a booming market, and most booms happen on the back of technological change. The world’s venture capitalists, having fed on the computing boom of the 1980s, the internet boom of the 1990s and the biotech and nanotech boomlets of the early 2000s, are now looking around for the next one. They think they have found it: energy.

Many past booms have been energy-fed: coal-fired steam power, oil-fired internal-combustion engines, the rise of electricity, even the mass tourism of the jet era. But the past few decades have been quiet on that front. Coal has been cheap. Natural gas has been cheap. The 1970s aside, oil has been cheap. The one real novelty, nuclear power, went spectacularly off the rails. The pressure to innovate has been minimal.

In the space of a couple of years, all that has changed. Oil is no longer cheap; indeed, it has never been more expensive. Moreover, there is growing concern that the supply of oil may soon peak as consumption continues to grow, known supplies run out and new reserves become harder to find.

The idea of growing what you put in the tank of your car, rather than sucking it out of a hole in the ground, no longer looks like economic madness. Nor does the idea of throwing away the tank and plugging your car into an electric socket instead. Much of the world’s oil is in the hands of governments who have little sympathy with the rich West. When a former head of America’s Central Intelligence Agency allies himself with tree-hugging greens that his outfit would once have suspected of subversion, you know something is up. Yet that is one tack James Woolsey is trying in order to reduce his country’s dependence on imported oil.

The price of natural gas, too, has risen in sympathy with oil. That is putting up the cost of electricity. Wind- and solar-powered alternatives no longer look so costly by comparison. It is true that coal remains cheap, and is the favoured fuel for power stations in industrialising Asia. But the rich world sees things differently.

In theory, there is a long queue of coal-fired power stations waiting to be built in America. But few have been completed in the past 15 years and many in that queue have been put on hold or withdrawn, for two reasons. First, Americans have become intolerant of large, polluting industrial plants on their doorsteps. Second, American power companies are fearful that they will soon have to pay for one particular pollutant, carbon dioxide, as is starting to happen in other parts of the rich world. Having invested heavily in gas-fired stations, only to find themselves locked into an increasingly expensive fuel, they do not want to make another mistake.

That has opened up a capacity gap and an opportunity for wind and sunlight. The future price of these resources—zero—is known. That certainty has economic value as a hedge, even if the capital cost of wind and solar power stations is, at the moment, higher than that of coal-fired ones.

The reasons for the boom, then, are tangled, and the way they are perceived may change. Global warming, a long-range phenomenon, may not be uppermost in people’s minds during an economic downturn. High fuel prices may fall as new sources of supply are exploited to fill rising demand from Asia. Security of supply may improve if hostile governments are replaced by friendly ones and sources become more diversified. But none of the reasons is likely to go away entirely.

Global warming certainly will not. “Peak oil”, if oil means the traditional sort that comes cheaply out of holes in the ground, probably will arrive soon. There is oil aplenty of other sorts (tar sands, liquefied coal and so on), so the stuff is unlikely to run out for a long time yet. But it will get more expensive to produce, putting a floor on the price that is way above today’s. And political risk will always be there—particularly for oil, which is so often associated with bad government for the simple reason that its very presence causes bad government in states that do not have strong institutions to curb their politicians.

A prize beyond the dreams of avarice

The market for energy is huge. At present, the world’s population consumes about 15 terawatts of power. (A terawatt is 1,000 gigawatts, and a gigawatt is the capacity of the largest sort of coal-fired power station.) That translates into a business worth $6 trillion a year—about a tenth of the world’s economic output—according to John Doerr, a venture capitalist who is heavily involved in the industry. And by 2050, power consumption is likely to have risen to 30 terawatts.

Scale is one of the important differences between the coming energy boom, if it materialises, and its recent predecessors—particularly those that relied on information technology, a market measured in mere hundreds of billions. Another difference is that new information technologies tend to be disruptive, forcing the replacement of existing equipment, whereas, say, building wind farms does not force the closure of coal-fired power stations.

For both of these reasons, any transition from an economy based on fossil fuels to one based on renewable, alternative, green energy—call it what you will—is likely to be slow, as similar changes have been in the past (see chart 1). On the other hand, the scale of the market provides opportunities for alternatives to prove themselves at the margin and then move into the mainstream, as is happening with wind power at the moment. And some energy technologies do have the potential to be disruptive. Plug-in cars, for example, could be fuelled with electricity at a price equivalent to 25 cents a litre of petrol. That could shake up the oil, carmaking and electricity industries all in one go.

The innovation lull of the past few decades also provides opportunities for technological leapfrogging. Indeed, it may be that the field of energy gives the not-quite-booms in biotechnology and nanotechnology the industrial applications they need to grow really big, and that the three aspiring booms will thus merge into one.

The possibility of thus recapturing the good times of their youth has brought many well-known members of the “technorati” out of their homes in places like Woodside, California. Energy has become supercool. Elon Musk, who co-founded PayPal, has developed a battery-powered sports car. Larry Page and Sergey Brin, the founders of Google, have started an outfit called Google.org that is searching for a way to make renewable energy truly cheaper than coal (or RE

Vinod Khosla, one of the founders of Sun Microsystems, is turning his considerable skills as a venture capitalist towards renewable energy, as are Robert Metcalfe, who invented the ethernet system used to connect computers together in local networks, and Mr Doerr, who works at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, one of Silicon Valley’s best-known venture-capital firms. Sir Richard Branson, too, is getting in on the act with his Virgin Green Fund.

This renewed interest in energy is bringing forth a raft of ideas, some bright, some batty, that is indeed reminiscent of the dotcom boom. As happened in that boom, most of these ideas will come to naught. But there could just be a PayPal or a Google or a Sun among them.

More traditional companies are also taking an interest. General Electric (GE), a large American engineering firm, already has a thriving wind-turbine business and is gearing up its solar-energy business. The energy researchers at its laboratories in Schenectady, New York, enjoy much of the intellectual freedom associated with start-up firms, combined with a secure supply of money.

Meanwhile, BP and Shell, two of the world’s biggest oil companies, are sponsoring both academic researchers and new, small firms with bright ideas, as is DuPont, one of the biggest chemical companies. Not everyone has joined in. Exxon Mobil, the world’s largest oil company not in government hands, is conspicuously absent. But in many boardrooms renewables are no longer seen as just a way of keeping environmentalists off companies’ backs.

Some people complain that many existing forms of renewable energy rely on subsidies or other forms of special treatment for their viability. On the surface, that is true. Look beneath, though, and the whole energy sector is riddled with subsidies, both explicit and hidden, and costs that are not properly accounted for. Drawing on the work of people like Boyden Gray, a former White House counsel, Mr Woolsey estimates that American oil companies receive preferential treatment from their government worth more than $250 billion a year. And the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a United Nations-appointed group of scientific experts, reckons that fossil fuels should carry a tax of $20-50 for every tonne of carbon dioxide they generate in order to pay for the environmental effects of burning them (hence the fears of the power-generators).

So the subsidies and mandates offered to renewable sources of power such as wind turbines often just level the playing field. It is true that some subsidies amount to unwarranted market-rigging: examples include those handed by cloudy Germany to its solar-power industry and by America to its maize-based ethanol farmers when Brazilian sugar-based ethanol is far cheaper. Others, though, such as a requirement that a certain proportion of electricity be derived from non-fossil-fuel sources, make no attempt to pick particular technological winners. They merely act to stimulate innovation by guaranteeing a market to things that actually work.

If the world were rational, all of these measures would be swept away and replaced by a proper tax on carbon—as is starting to happen in Europe, where the price arrived at by the cap-and-trade system being introduced is close to the IPCC’s recommendation. If that occurred, wind-based electricity would already be competitive with fossil fuels and others would be coming close. Failing that, special treatment for alternatives is probably the least bad option—though such measures need to be crafted in ways that favour neither incumbents nor particular ways of doing things, and need to be withdrawn when they are no longer necessary.

The poor world turns greener too

That, at least, is the view from the rich world. But poorer, rapidly developing countries are also taking more of an interest in renewable energy sources, despite assertions to the contrary by some Western politicians and businessmen. It is true that China is building coal-fired power stations at a blazing rate. But it also has a large wind-generation capacity, which is expected to grow by two-thirds this year, and is the world’s second-largest manufacturer of solar panels—not to mention having the largest number of solar-heated rooftop hot-water systems in its buildings.

Brazil, meanwhile, has the world’s second-largest (just behind America) and most economically honest biofuel industry, which already provides 40% of the fuel consumed by its cars and should soon supply 15% of its electricity, too (through the burning of sugarcane waste). South Africa is leading the effort to develop a new class of safe and simple nuclear reactor—not renewable energy in the strict sense, but carbon-free and thus increasingly welcome. These countries, and others like them, are prepared to look beyond fossil fuels. They will get their energy where they can. So if renewables and other alternatives can compete on cost, the poor and the rich world alike will adopt them.

That, however, requires innovation. Such innovation is most likely to come out of the laboratories of rich countries. At a recent debate at Columbia University, which The Economist helped to organise, Mr Khosla defended the proposition, “The United States will solve the climate-change problem”. The Californian venture capitalist argued that if cheaper alternatives to fossil fuels are developed, simple economics will ensure their adoption throughout the world. He also insisted that the innovation which will create those alternatives will come almost entirely out of America.

As it happens, he lost. But that does not mean he is wrong. There are lots of terawatts to play for and lots of money to be made. And if the planet happens to be saved on the way, that is all to the good.

Source : The Economist, June 19th, 2008

The future of energy

2008-06-24T12:04:00.002+07:00

A fundamental change is coming sooner than you might think

SINCE the industrial revolution 200 years ago, mankind has depended on fossil fuel. The notion that this might change is hard to contemplate. Greens may hector. Consciences may nag. The central heating's thermostat may turn down a notch or two. A less thirsty car may sit in the drive. But actually stop using the stuff? Impossible to imagine: surely there isn't a serious alternative?

Such a failure of imagination has been at the heart of the debate about climate change. The green message—use less energy—is not going to solve the problem unless economic growth stops at the same time. If it does not (and it won't), any efficiency saving will soon be eaten up by higher consumption per head. Even the hair-shirt option, then, will bring only short-term relief. And when a dire prophecy from environmentalism's jeremiad looks as if it is coming true, as the price of petroleum rises through the roof and the idea that oil might run out is no longer whispered in corners but openly discussed, there is a temptation to believe that the end of the world is, indeed, nigh.

Not everyone, however, is so pessimistic. For, in the imaginations of a coterie of physicists, biologists and engineers, an alternative world is taking shape. As the special report in this issue describes, plans for the end of the fossil-fuel economy are now being laid and they do not involve much self-flagellation. Instead of bullying and scaring people, the prophets of energy technology are attempting to seduce them. They promise a world where, at one level, things will have changed beyond recognition, but at another will have stayed comfortably the same, and may even have got better.

This time it's serious

Alternative energy sounds like a cop-out. Windmills and solar cells hardly seem like ways of producing enough electricity to power a busy, self-interested world, as furnaces and steam-turbines now do. Battery-powered cars, meanwhile, are slightly comic: more like milk-floats than Maseratis. But the proponents of the new alternatives are serious. Though many are interested in environmental benefits, their main motive is money. They are investing their cash in ideas that they think will make them large amounts more. And for the alternatives to do that, they need to be both as cheap as (or cheaper than) and as easy to use as (or easier than) what they are replacing.

For oil replacements, cheap suddenly looks less of a problem. The biofuels or batteries that will power cars in the alternative future should beat petrol at today's prices. Of course, today's prices are not tomorrow's. The price of oil may fall; but so will the price of biofuels, as innovation improves crops, manufacturing processes and fuels.

Electrical energy, meanwhile, will remain cheaper than petrol energy in almost any foreseeable future, and tomorrow's electric cars will be as easy to fill with juice from a socket as today's are with petrol from a pump. Unlike cars powered by hydrogen fuel cells, of the sort launched by Honda this week, battery cars do not need new pipes to deliver their energy. The existing grid, tweaked and smartened to make better use of its power stations, should be infrastructure enough. What matters is the nature of those power stations.

The price is right

They, too, are more and more likely to be alternative. Wind power is taking on natural gas, which has risen in price in sympathy with oil. Wind is closing in on the price of coal, as well. Solar energy is a few years behind, but the most modern systems already promise wind-like prices. Indeed, both industries are so successful that manufacturers cannot keep up, and supply bottlenecks are forcing prices higher than they otherwise would be. It would help if coal—the cheapest fuel for making electricity—were taxed to pay for the climate-changing effects of the carbon dioxide produced when it burns, but even without such a tax, some ambitious entrepreneurs are already talking of alternatives that are cheaper than coal.

Older, more cynical hands may find this disturbingly familiar. The last time such alternatives were widely discussed was during the early 1970s. Then, too, a spike in the price of oil coincided with a fear that natural limits to supply were close. The newspapers were full of articles on solar power, fusion and converting the economy to run on fuel cells and hydrogen.

Of course, there was no geological shortage of oil, just a politically manipulated one. Nor is there a geological shortage this time round. But that does not matter, for there are two differences between then and now. The first is that this price rise is driven by demand. More energy is needed all round. That gives alternatives a real opening. The second is that 35 years have winnowed the technological wheat from the chaff. Few believe in fusion now, though uranium-powered fission reactors may be coming back into fashion. And, despite Honda's launch, the idea of a hydrogen economy is also fading fast. Thirty-five years of improvements have, however, made wind, solar power and high-tech batteries attractive.

As these alternatives start to roll out in earnest, their rise, optimists hope, will become inexorable. Economies of scale will develop and armies of engineers will tweak them to make them better and cheaper still. Some, indeed, think alternative energy will be the basis of a boom bigger than information technology.

Whether that boom will happen quickly enough to stop the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere reaching dangerous levels is moot. But without alternative energy sources such a rise is certain. The best thing that rich-world governments can do is to encourage the alternatives by taxing carbon (even knowing that places like China and India will not) and removing subsidies that favour fossil fuels. Competition should do the rest—for the fledgling firms of the alternative-energy industry are in competition with each other as much as they are with the incumbent fossil-fuel companies. Let a hundred flowers bloom. When they have, China, too, may find some it likes the look of. Therein lies the best hope for the energy business, and the planet.

Source : The Economist, Jun 19th, 2008

Districts Are Success Parameters for Accomplishment of MDGs

2008-05-06T14:23:00.002+07:00

By Rofiqy Hasan from TempoInteractive, Jakarta

Emil Salim, a member of the President’s Consideration Board (Wantimpres), has said that the accomplishment of Millenium Development Goals (MDG) by 2015 is extremely dependent on initiatives from districts and cities that have regional autonomy rights. “The central government cannot follow Suharto's stye anymore and regional governments cannot only wait,” he said in a High Level Dialog on Population and MDG forum in Kuta, Bali, on Monday (5/5).

Some regions have succeeded in increasing their human development index as their leaders are able to use their regional potential for global and national needs. These are Bontang in East Kalimantan, Sragen in Central Java, and Jembrana in Bali. Because of this, Emil has rejected the proposal that all MDG policies be at the central government level.He said that the central government should empower regional leaders' capabilities in order to understand national interests.

Sugiri Syarief, Head of the National Family Planning Board (BKKBN), said he agreed with this statement. He went on to say that although regional autonomy has been running for almost ten years, officials at the central and regional level are still working in a centralization style. Therefore, program accomplishment is delayed. “Population control is the key for successful MDGs,” said Sugiri.

Food Crisis Can Start a War

2008-04-15T11:56:00.001+07:00

By TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned about the critical situation of the world food supply. According to the FAO director general, Jacques Diouf, the food supply is five percent lower than last year. “This is also the lowest supply in the last 20 years,” he said in Rome, Italy, approaching a 13th FAO meeting in Brazil that will be held today until April 18th.Diouf said the crisis is due to the higher food demand in several countries.

The global climate change causing natural disasters like floods, drought, and storms has delayed food production. As a result, the price of staple foods like bread, wheat, rice, and milk, have increased. The price of wheat and rice is two times higher than last year while maize has gone up more than three times. “The world food price will be hard to decrease in the short term,” said Diouf. “The expensive price of world food threatens millions, especially those who come from a country with income less than US$ 1 a day,” he said.Diouf who comes from Senegal finds fault with the food policy of developed and developing countries. Since 1996, FAO has been warning about this food crisis situation. “No one wants to hear about it, now we have to pay for it.”Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Dominique Strauss-Kahn said the increase of the world food price can cause serious problems and effect the world.

It will create more poverty and starvation. “It can ignite riots and even war,” he said in Washington yesterday.In Jakarta, the Directorate General for Food, Agricultural Department, Soetarto Alimuso, said that the government is aware of this world food crisis. But he is optimistic that Indonesia will be secure because national supply and production, especially rice, is still sufficient. He mentioned that in 2007, Indonesia had a rice excess of one million tons. This is believed to be increased into 1.3 million tons this year. “So, we are optimistic that we will not have a food crisis,” he said to Tempo in Jakarta yesterday.The government will continue the food diversification program, especially for maize and all kinds of tubers. “So we will not depend on rice only,” he said. To minimize the world food crisis, agriculture minister, Anton Apriyantono, has been requesting that rice storage in the village be activated. Government is also encouraging the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) and regional governments to fill the food supply.

Sources : AP AFP OUTLOOK INDIA.COM PADJAR ISWARA AMIRULLAH

Indonesians are Thirsty of Biotechnology

2008-03-16T19:39:00.001+07:00

Who said that the Indonesian students are not interested in science? Indonesian

Biotechnology Students Forum with supports from various institutions held

iBiotech 2008 successfully. This event had attracted more than 1500 junior and

senior high school students and more than 200 science teachers in four cities;

Jakarta, Bandung, Yogyakarta, and Surabaya, 3-10 March 2008. IBSF and

partner institutions introduced what and how biotechnology can be applied in

daily lives and its benefits through interactive ways; multimedia and 7 fun handto-

hand experiments. “I didn’t know that biotechnology is fun – usually we just

skip this subject during classes” Dimple, a student from Lab School Senior High

School Jakarta said.

“I am impressed by how much Indonesian students know about Biotechnology. I

have never discussed in such high level with students their age”, praised Terry

Vrijenhoek, Chairman of Genomic Networks of Young Scientists (GeNeYouS) in

Netherlands, who was invited in this event to contribute in challenging

discussions with the Indonesian students. Therefore, we have to be proud to

boast future potential human resources in the country.

Positive and warm welcomes to this successful event have been received from

many people as it was also given by Prof. Suhartono Taat Putra from Medical

Faculty, University of Airlangga. He was pleased with the initiative from the

iBiotech committee to communicate science to young students in such a way.

This is in line with the dialogue of Kusmayanto Kadiman, Minister of Research

and Technology with Prof. Abdul Kalam, President from India 2002-2007 few

months ago in National Science Congress 2007 in Jakarta. He said,” Nothing I

can suggest better than you start introducing science to the youths, the earlier,

the better…” dan we make it happened through iBiotech as a first step!

Creating New Life a Little Like God

2008-03-02T05:28:00.002+07:00

When you are sealed God gives you new life. He creates you anew as if you were a new variation of your old self. That is what scientist Craig Venter is doing--creating new species of life to solve the world's problems.

Craig Venter is known as a pioneer in human genome mapping and he is the first person to have published his own genetic code on the internet. He has also published an autobiography.

But what Craig Venter is doing now is something remarkable. He has created an organism that is basically a new species. It is a single-celled organism, certainly nothing so complex as a human.

He has not created any life forms from scratch. That is left to God to do. What he has done is created an alteration in the genetics of the organism so distinct that the resulting living creature could be considered a new and different species.

Venter and his team created a chromosome to put in the cell of an organism already living. When the cell divided, the resulting parts were a new breed, a new chemically altered life form.

And he has big dreams for what his created organisms could do for people. These organisms could be bred in great amounts and used to rid the sky of greenhouse gases and other pollutants.
Other organisms could become an energy supply, heating your home and fueling your car. That would be quite an accomplishment--cleaning up pollution while giving you a renewable form of energy.

In an interview with ABC TV, Craig Venter says he envisions the ability to produce electricity and clean water with his organisms. What would you use to "fuel" the production of electricity and water? Human waste!

This could be one way the poor people of the world are lifted out of poverty. All the poor have an abundance of certain kinds of resources like human waste wherein is locked a great amount of energy waiting to be released.

Of course this all comes with a caveat. "Knowledge," Venter said in the interview, "can be dangerous in the wrong hands." Someone will always come along and pervert breakthroughs meant to benefit people.

One of the concerns with genetic mapping is health insurance. Some people have a predisposition to certain medical conditions they inherited in their genetics. If the insurance people could know a person was likely to get sick they could deny them coverage.

And many companies are now privately insuring their employees. So people could qualify or disqualify for employment according to their genetic code. Venter calls for protection against abuses like these that come with knowledge of the genetic code.

God knows what is in your genetic code. And He is willing to make you a new creature. Then you can be used for the benefit of mankind. You may not fuel their home or clean their skies but you can be a blessing to them.

When God puts the Seal on your forehead He calls you by His own Name. When God refers to you as Himself, the boundaries between you and Him are blurred. You have attributes of the Divine just by reason of association.

And you may not become a new species. But when you are sealed you will become new. And you will see yourself as a completely different person. It will not all happen overnight but you will change as years go by when you receive the Seal.

And now Jason invites you to get your FREE report Are You Making These Mistakes as a Christian?And visit to learn about being sealed here.
Jason Witt
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jason_Witt

Algae -A Solution to the End of Oil?

2008-02-21T11:27:00.000+07:00

"All countries must take vigorous, immediate and collective action to curb runaway energy demand. The next ten years will be crucial for all countries... We need to act now to bring about a radical shift in investment in favor of cleaner, more efficient and more secure energy technologies."

~Nobuo Tanaka, head of the International Energy Agency (IEA)

Big oil had better start worrying. Common algae from ponds and waste-water treatment plants has been found to produce vast amounts of burnable oil, say researchers at the University of Minnesota, algae produces an astounding 5,000 gallons of oil per acre. Corn, by comparison, produces a measly 18 gallons. Soybean yields 48 gallons. An acre of palm trees yields 635 gallons.

Algae has a clear advantage in other ways as well. Land crops use up more resources and require more manpower to grow. Algae, on the other hand, is so hardy that it grows all by itself in conditions that require little to no management.Researchers Roger Ruan and Paul Chen will start with 200 gallons of waste water, but see the potential as enormous. The only liability they have to deal with now is how to produce the fuel cheaply. They believe it will be able to be made affordable as the technology improves and starts to catch on.

Exxon claims “We're not gouging US citizens,” after raking in record breaking $39.5 billion in 2007, the largest ever profit in the history of the US.

As society gets increasingly fed up with big oil, opportunities for new energy sources are opening up.The algae production process can also take advantage of excess heat, nitrogen, carbon and phosphorus produced by coal-burning plants and waste-water incinerators, making algae pond farms a possibility for both northern and southern states.

Posted by Rebecca Sato.

If you liked this article, please give it a quick review on Digg, Reddit, or StumbleUpon.Thanks!

Links:

http://www.mndaily.com/articles/2007/11/26/72164691
http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Business/2008/01/15/algae_has

Laeder of Pioneering Cosmetics Firm

2008-02-21T11:19:00.003+07:00

By Ari Satriyo Wibowo
Published at The Jakarta Post on January 30, 2008

While the UK has Anita Roddick, an ordinary housewife and environmentalist who set up The Body Shop, Indonesia should be proud of having Dr. Retno Iswari Tranggono, SpKK who is a housewife, dermatologist, established cosmetics scientist and producer of well-known cosmetics brand Ristra.

Retno's interest in the cosmetics industry started when she, as a fifth-year student of the University of Indonesia's School of Medicine, was asked by a neighbor to become an instructor at her skin care school Viva Health and Beauty Institute. The neighbor, Bo Tan Tjoa, better known as Ibu Antari, was the co-owner of skin care firm Viva Kosmetic in Semarang.

After completing a specialized program in dermatology at the University of Indonesia's School of Medicine in 1968, she proposed setting up a department specifically dedicated to handling cosmetics and beauty problems. She received support from the school's head of the dermatology and venereology department, Prof. M. Djoewari, who said: "If you believe doctors will be interested in this science and that it is important to the public, go ahead and set up."

On April 1, 1970, the sub-department of cosmetics and skin surgery (now called the cosmeto-dermatology sub-department) was officially set up with Dr. Retno as the head. Within a short time, this sub-department became a favorite. Many doctors have taken this sub-specialization because many patients want beauty treatment.

Before the establishment of the sub-department, the dermatology and venereology department was not popular and dermatologists were considered "poor doctors". "Doctors were reluctant to join this department because of the additional label of venereology. So, when I applied for this department, I was readily accepted. At that time, there were only three females, including myself," said Dr. Retno, who was born in Jakarta on Nov. 17, 1939.

After practicing for quite a long time as a dermatologist, it became clearer to Dr. Retno that there were problems in the skin treatment applied in Indonesia. The treatment method was based on knowledge dating back to colonial times while the pharmaceutical world did not support skin treatment as not many drugs for skin treatment were available. Also, imported products did not necessarily suit skin in the tropics. In short, there were problems in skin treatment in this country. Even the medicine available to fight acne was ineffective. "I often ask my patients how they clean their faces. They never used soap to clean their faces because their beauticians prohibit it. If they consult a doctor, they are advised to stop using cosmetics and are referred to a beauty salon," said Retno, who has three children and six grandchildren.

Even at a beauty salon, the practice was wrong as soap was not allowed to be used. "That is the principle prevailing in Holland, where the climate is cold and dry. In Holland, for example, you shouldn't wash your face but instead use cold cream. In a tropical country, if you apply cold cream and powder to your face, acne will appear," she added.

According to Retno, there are four factors affecting the use of cosmetics that have good or bad results. These are human beings, cosmetics, the environment and the correlation between human beings, cosmetics and the environment. Dr. Retno calls this knowledge "The Science of Beauty".

The human beings factor is concerned with the difference in skin color. Asians generally have olive skin while European have fair skin. People from different races also have different beauty behaviors. As a result, the effects of cosmetics will also differ. Insufficient knowledge about cosmetics will lead to mistakes in their usage. As for the cosmetics factor, this is related, for example, to poor raw materials, formulation not suiting skin type and the environment and an unhygienic and unsophisticated manufacturing process that may lead to irritation, allergies and acne. The third factor is the environment. In tropical countries like Indonesia, people perspire more and their skin may be oily. That's why when Asians use cold cream and creamy moisturizer made specifically for the European climate, the moisturizer can clog the pores and cause acne.

In 1983, Retno was at a crossroads: continue teaching and pursuing her studies to be a professor or go into the industry to produce quality cosmetics. Retno and her husband, Dr. Suharto Tranggono, SpKJ, SpKP, a psychiatrist working for the Indonesian Air Force, eventually opted to build their business. This business, now under the flagship of PT Ristra Indolab, began in the garage of their house in the Air Force compound on Jl. Rajawali Selatan, North Jakarta, in 1983.

As Indonesia has a tropical climate with a lot of sunshine, Indonesians characteristically have brown skin. To the majority of the public, however, beautiful skin is fair. That's why special cosmetics are needed that suit Asian's olive complexion and tropical environment. All Ristra's products, ranging from skin treatment, hair treatment to makeup, are produced to suit the characteristics of the skin of Asians.

In the late 1990s, Ristra produced as many as 82 items. Every Ristra product must reflect its scientific quality. That's why in 1983 Retno set up a research and development laboratory, PT Ristra Indolab, which is headed by a pharmacist who graduated in Germany, Dr. Rosali Setiawan. Retno is involved in the laboratory's activities to produce new formulas. She introduces concepts for new products, tests the technical feasibility of these products and guarantees the effectiveness and security of the products.

Sometimes, Retno herself leads the R&D activities. One outstanding achievement is the finding of PH Balanced and Radical Protection Factor concept, which has won recognition from the international world. Her latest finding, which is based on nano technology, is the formulation for PCO (Proanthocyanidin Oligimer) as the main material for Platinum Skin Care, which, when combined with Nanotope, can go through the epidermic layer so that active substances work effectively. With this achievement, Ristra has become Indonesia's first cosmetics company to apply nanotechnology.

In order to ensure a re-generation in the company's management, Retno asked her son, Krisna Nindita Tranggono, a master graduate of several American universities, to join the company.

As cosmeto-dermatology leans more toward instant beauty, Dr. Retno took the initiative to set up the Ristra Institute of Skin Health and Beauty Science in 2006 to ensure that cosmeto-dermatology will not deviate too much from its original track. The people who attend this institute are doctors and medical personnel dealing in beauty matters. "For one whole week they are taught the principles of medical cosmetics. These principles must be understood so that they will not be duped by a quick and instant way to make them rich," she said.

In appreciation of her outstanding achievements in the cosmetics industry, BRI Platinum Card conferred on Dr. Retno the "Life Time Achievement Award" on Dec. 5, 2007. When asked about her ideals, Dr. Retno simply said, "I would like Indonesians to have clean and healthy skin. It is not beauty that comes instantly but beauty that will be long-lasting." (Ari Satriyo Wibowo)

How to Kill Your Mother in Law

2008-02-12T07:09:00.000+07:00

A long time ago in

China

, a girl named Li-Li got married & went to live with her husband and mother-in-law.

In a very short time, Li-Li found that she couldn't get along with her mother-in-law at all.

Their personalities were very different, and Li-Li was angered by many of her mother-in-law's habits. In addition, she criticized Li-Li constantly. Days passed, and weeks passed. Li-Li and her mother-in-law never stopped arguing and fighting.

But what made the situation even worse was that, according to ancient Chinese tradition, Li-Li had to bow to her mother-in-law and obey herevery wish. All the anger and unhappiness in the house was causing Li-Li's poor husband! great distress.

Finally, Li-Li could not stand her mother-in-! law's bad temper and dictatorship any longer, and
she decided to do something about it ! Li-Li went to see her father's good friend, Mr. Huang, who sold herbs.

She told him the situation and asked if he would give her some poison so that she could solve the problem once and for all.

Mr. Huang thought for awhile, and finally said, "Li-Li, I will help you solve your problem, but you must listen tome and obey what I tell you." Li-Li said, "Yes, Mr. Huang, I will do whatever you tell me to do."Mr. Huang went into the back room, and returned in a few minutes with a package of herbs. He told Li-Li, "You can't use a quick-acting poison to get rid of your mother-in-law, because that would cause people to become suspicious. Therefore, I have given you a number of herbs that will slowly build up poison in her body.

Every other day prepare some delicious meal and put a little of these herbs in her serving. Now, in order to make sure that nobody suspect you, when she dies, you must be very careful to act very friendly towards her. "Don't argue with her, obey her every wish, and treat her like a queen." Li-Li was so happy. She thanked Mr. Huang and hurried home to start her plot of murdering her mother-in-law. Weeks went by, and months went by, and every other day, Li-Li served the specially treated food to her mother-in-law. She remembered what Mr. Huang had said about avoiding suspicion, so she controlled her temper obeyed her mother-in-law, and treated her like her own mother. After six months had passed, the whole household had changed. Li-Li had practiced controlling her temper so much that she found that she almost never got mad or upset. She hadn't had an argument with her mother-in-law in six months because she now seemed much kinder and easier to get along with.

The mother-in-law's attitude toward Li-Li changed, and she began to love Li-Li like her own daughter. She kept telling friends and relative that Li-Li was the best daughter-in-law one could ever find. Li-Li and her mother-in-law were now treating each other like a real mother and daughter. Li-Li's husband was very happy to see what was happening.

One day, Li-Li came to see Mr. Huang and asked for his help again She said, "Dear Mr. Huang, please help me to keep the poison from killing my mother-in-law. She's changed into such a nice woman, and I love her like my own mother. I do not want her to die because of the poison I gave her." Mr. Huang smiled and nodded his head.

"Li-Li, there's nothing to worry about. I never gave you any poison. The herbs I gave you were vitamins to improve her health. The only poison was in your mind and your attitude toward her, but that has been all washed away by the love which you gave to her." HAVE YOU REALIZED that how you treat others is exactly how they will treat you? There is a wise Chinese saying : "The person who loves others will also be loved in return." God might be trying to work in another person's life through you. Send this to your friends and spread the POWER OF LOVE

Actual Embryonic Stem Cells Derived Without Killing The Embryos

2008-02-10T00:06:00.000+07:00

When you receive the Seal you will understand the value of human life. Now (Jan 12 2008) human embryo stem cells have been produced from embryos without destroying the embryos.

In the last few months of 2007 there were breakthroughs in producing cells that were very much like human embryo stem cells (hESC) from ordinary skin cells. That was a tremendous breakthrough itself.

But hESC is still considered the "gold standard" for research and is still considered highly valuable and even necessary for research. Now thanks to this new research, it is possible to create hESC without killing embryos.

In 2006 a study showed that hESC could be derived from a single blastomere. A blastomere is the kind of cell created by the embryo in the very first week following fertilization when the embryo begins to divide.

But in that first study in 2006, many cells were taken out of each embryo so that they could not develop anymore. In this study, researchers derived five hESC lines without destroying the embryos, including one without co-culture.

Co-culture is the growth of distinct cell types in a combined culture. This meant that stem cells were needed from other embryos that ended up being destroyed. Co-culture is not a necessary part of this new procedure.

In this procedure, single blastomeres were taken out of the embryos using a process similar to preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD.) PGD is a procedure whereby embryos are made free of disease before implantation.

The "biopsied" embryos were further grown until they became blastocysts and then were frozen (instead of killed.) A biopsy is the removal of cells from the embryo, and the blastocyst stage is right after the zygote stage and before the embryo is known as an "embryo."

The blastomeres were cultured with a technique that was comparable in efficiency to "whole embryo derivations" which destroy the embryos. This is important--the high level of efficiency makes it a viable procedure.

And the derived stem cell lines had the same kind of pluripotency as whole embryo derivations. Pluripotency is the ability of the stem cell to become a cell of any of the three germ layers--ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm.

The White House still needs to approve this new technique as a way to get stem cells without destroying the embryos. But this is a major advancement in science--a step forward for the sanctity of life.

This is a solution to the ethical problem of stem-cell research, since embryos can now "share" their life-giving cells with researchers who desperately need them, and still grow up to be healthy adults.

When you are sealed you will begin to understand the sanctity of life. You will understand how God gave Life to people in the beginning and continues to give Life to them.

Of course, the greater kind of life is spiritual Life. The life in this world is a gift from God but the spiritual Life for eternity in Heaven is the ultimate gift and much better than the short and miserable opportunity in this world.

When you are sealed God will give you new life. He will give you a second chance. And He will give you the chance to live forever with Him in Heaven when you receive the Seal.

And now Jason invites you to get your FREE report Are You Making These Mistakes as a Christian?
And "Get God's Seal of Approval and Get the Victory Over Evil"
Jason Witt

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jason_Witt

The Amazon Kindle Top 5 Cool Things To Do

2007-12-21T08:55:00.000+07:00

We are all know that the latest gadget that Amazon has recently released is it's new Kindle. A wireless electronic reader that allows you to read eBooks, blogs and news online. But there are so much more that the Kindle can do so I've created a quick list of the Top 5 fun things to do with your Kindle.

1. Take it to a Trivia Night. With instant wireless access to Wikipedia, you'll be able to get every answer correct! No more racking your brain trying to figure out the answer, you'll always have it at your fingertips.
2. Have battery life races with your friends. With the long battery life you'll be able to leave it switched on for days without recharging. See if your Kindle can outlast your friends. Or which one will recharge the fastest? The Kindle fully recharges in around two hours, so time it and see for yourself. Create a chart and time your personal best charging times.

3. Brag to your friends about reading the latest New York Times Bestseller before they do! You can download the latest bestsellers straight onto your reader in minutes. No more lining up at the bookstore overnight waiting for classics like Harry Potter to be released ever again. Just one quick download and you can be reading it before your friends even reach the cash register.

4. Bookmark your favorite part in the book for quick return later. Want to remember that awesome quote so that you can try and impress your date tonight? That's easily fixed! The bookmarking feature means that you can add notes in the margin of the book and find it again super fast.

5. Playing Scrabble with your Dad again? Then use the built-in New Oxford American dictionary so you can seamlessly look up the meanings of a word to prove they exist. Never lose another game again.

There are many more fun uses for the Amazon Kindle. Click here to view the latest reviews and get more information.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tracey_A_Edwards

Amazon Kindle

2007-12-21T08:48:00.000+07:00

So what is Kindle: Amazon's New Wireless Reading Device?

Basically it's a very cool little gadget that allows you to read newspapers, books, magazines, blogs and other cool stuff on this little handheld machine.

It is wireless which means that you can take it anywhere and really lightweight (no more lugging around heavy books!).

But the best thing about the Kindle is that you can download over 90,000 books including nearly all of the New York Times Best Sellers and have them on your reader in less than a minute. Who needs ever to go to a book store again?

I became interested in the Kindle a few months back and just had to get one, after all I am a bit of a gadget freak, and I'm really pleased I did as it's so ultra handy. I'm in Australia, so getting the latest US newspapers and books usually means waiting around for them to be delivered to our bookstore and they are sometimes at least 2 weeks to a month late. Not anymore! This little beauty means I can have them nearly instantly.

At first I was a bit worried about how easy it would be to read off a little screen, but it is actually surprisingly easy. Apparently the technology works by producing a paper and ink effect (like a regular book) so it's very easy on the eyes and you don't get that 'glare' like you do reading from a computer screen.

If you have a favorite part in a book, it's really easy to search and find the information you are looking for too.

Another thing that I've found really useful is that you have instant access to Wikipedia which comes in handy when you are arguing with your Dad over some obscure fact!

Reading the reviews over at Amazon, you'd be forgiven for thinking that the Kindle isn't all it's cracked up to be, but on further investigation you will notice that most of the negative reviews are from people that don't even own a Kindle!

There main arguments being that it's too expensive or why would they want to read a book on a little machine instead of their computer. Interestingly enough these were the same arguments we heard about cell phones and iPods - and look how popular they are now!

Overall I think the Kindle is very cool, and if you can afford it then this little gadget is definitely recommended.

Tracey thinks the Kindle is very cool. For a more indepth review of the Kindle and what it can do, visit

http://www.squidoo.com/amazons-kindle/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tracey_Edwards

Advantages & Disadvantages of Owning An Internet Business Franchise

2007-11-15T16:09:00.000+07:00

Many people think that because they didn’t have the technical or online business experience and it seemed that it is impossible for them to own a successful internet business. However, that really isn’t the case at all. There are some internet business franchise opportunities available that do not require much technical experience and they are perfect for individuals who have that entrepreneurial spirit,and like to start an internet business fast.

When considering life as an entrepreneur, it is important to understand the definitions of an internet business franchise. Of course, it does have its own advantages and disadvantage. In this article we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of owning an internet business franchise.

INTERNET BUSINESS FRANCHISE: An internet business franchise is a right granted to an individual or company to market a company’s goods or services on internet. The franchisor (the internet business franchise owner) sells the rights with the turnkey solution to the franchisee and then typically receives a franchising fee for ongoing online support & product updating, therefore having a vested interest in the success of each franchise.

Internet Business Franchising is a new concept in internet business and is currently promoted heavily by Internet Business Franchise Expert like Kelvin Cho. Today many such internet business franchise opportunities are available on the Web. Examples of internet business franchises include lingerie products, wholesale-idea.com, and shopster.com.

Advantages:

* There is a higher likelihood of success since a proven business formula is in place. The products, services, and business operations have already been established. And internet business franchise has the lowest cost compare to the offline franchisee business.

* Instead of handling all the product sourcing, website maintaining, shipping, payment and customer support. The franchisee can focus on only online marketing efforts to promote the internet business franchise instead of taking care of all the things.

* Internet Business Franchisor usually provide extensive online training and support to their franchisees in effort to help them succeed.

* Many times the brand name products and services are advertised online by the main franchise companies to establish brand awareness. This practice helps boost sales for all internet business franchisees, but individual franchisees don’t absorb the cost.

Disadvantages:

* Internet Business franchises charge ongoing royalties cutting into the profits of franchisees.
* Internet Business Franchisors usually require franchisees to follow their operations manual to a tee in order to ensure consistency. This limits any creativity on the part of the franchisee. Internet Business Franchisees may not allow you to sell your own products on your webstore.
* Internet Business Franchisees must spend most of its time to run its online marketing activities and recruit its own agent (a.k.a Affiliates) independently.

Sometimes internet business franchisors may be lax on their commitment to provide a good customer support. Also, they may make poor decisions that would have an ill effect on the internet business franchisee. Therefore, it may be a good idea to test out the internet business franchisee system and make sure it provides the good customer services before buying one.

It is suggested you contact an internet business franchise consultant to discuss which internet business franchising is right for you.

Kelvin Cho is the well established self made successful e-traders; he is running a highly successful trading firm based on Guangzhou, China as well as an e-commerce consulting firm giving valuable and practical advices and guidance to online traders to maximize their sourcing and trading needs. He has established a success internet business franchisee network and have helped many people to success on running those internet business franchise.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kelvin_Cho

Four Keys to Product Launching

2007-11-15T16:01:00.000+07:00

Do you have a new product? Then, it's high time that you introduce it into the market. But do you know that launching a product may not be as easy as you think? It's because it does involve time, effort, and money. If you don't do it right, it will not only make your product launching a flop, but it will surely damage your reputation.

Here are 4 key ways to the best kind of product launching:

1. Develop your own pre-launch. Before you can actually proceed to the product launch, you still need to come up with a pre-launch. There are many ways on how to do this. You can paste some posters within your community, distribute flyers and brochures, or set up your own website. The most important thing is you are able to create interest among your target customers. Definitely, it will allow them to look forward to the actual product launch.

2. Don't forget to prepare your contact forms and thank-you notes. Appreciation is your first step in gaining in your target market's trust. It is extremely essential that you are able to express how much you value the presence of your visitors during your product launch. Also, you can gather contact information that you can make use of when you are going to make your follow-up.

3. Market continuously. A product launch can only be a one-time thing. So you can continue to maintain the momentum you have created, as well as to ensure that you are able to establish brand awareness among your customers, make sure that you can develop follow-up projects.

4. Plan properly. The key to everything is proper planning. When you have organized every aspect of your product launch, you can already foresee problems and come up with viable solutions before they occur.

Do you want to learn more about how I do it? I have just completed my brand new guide to product launching success, 'Secrets of Product Launching'

Download it free here: Product Launching Secrets
Sean Mize is a full time internet marketer who has written over 1574 articles in print and 11 published ebooks.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sean_R_Mize

"5 Super Easy Secrets To A Winning Domain Name"

2007-11-11T05:10:00.000+07:00

Are you having sleepless nights thinking of the right domain name for your online business?

Everyone and everyone's grandmother knows by now why having your own domain is so important. To sum it up, here're the main advantages :

- It shows You are serious about your business

- It creates instant credibility for your business

- It creates a branding for your business

- It builds your online identity and is easily remembered

- It can be an excellent marketing tool when used correctly

- It can be an investment and intellectual property owned by YOU

Needless to say, having your own domain is an absolute NECCESSITY if you're serious about doing business online. But aren't all the good domain names gone you say?

It's true that most short or one-word or generic names are taken up, BUT you can still win at the domain name game by following these simple steps.

Here are the 5 super easy secrets to a winning domain name anytime!

1. BRANDING

Every business needs to be branded, and that does not exclude your online business. Now what's branding in simple terms?

It's an identity that you want your customers to remember you by, and the best way to do that online is by your domain name. For instance, your business branding may be "Best Quality Service", so why not use BestQualityService.com as your domain name if it's still available for registration?

This is a great way of creating a CONSISTENT branding and identity.

2. PHRASING

How about using familiar or unique phrases as your domain name? This can help differentiate your site and heighten recall factor.

You can think up many catch-phrases for domain branding, how about "CowJumpsOverTheMoon", "MakeLoveNotWar", "SaleOfTheCentury", etc?

But it's important that the phrases you use is aligned to your business, you wouldn't want to use a domain like CheapAndGood.com when you're selling high end premium products, it just doesn't gel.

3. KEYWORDING

An important and smart approach to selecting domain names used by many marketers is to create the domain based on rich keywords relating to their businesses. The reason behind this lies in the fact that it helps enhance search engine rankings, especially pay-per-click listings which is essentially a bidding on top keywords.

As an example, if your site deals with golf improvement, you may want to identify your main keywords and come up with a domain like "improve-golf-lower-scores.com"?

My personal example is my site at http://www.instantmarketingsecrets.com/ which utilises the keywords 'Marketing' and 'Marketing Secrets'.

4. EXPIRED AND EXPIRING

A wonderful method of grabbing quality domain names is by registering domains that had expired or will be expiring. Thousands upon thousands of domains are expiring every other day and getting a good one is possible.

Try this site http://www.deleteddomains.com/ to source for such domains, I grabbed http://www.tanningguideonline.com/ from their list the last time I did a search.

5. BUYING

This option is a little more costly and risky but you'll have a better chance at finding a domain that you really want. There're three main ways to go about this :

- Email the webmaster of the existing domain about your interest and intention.

- Bidding and buying at domain auction, sale sites like http://www.Afternic.com.

- Typing in the name you need and you may land on a 'for sale' page.

Can you STILL Win the domain name game?

You bet You can!

About the author:

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7 Ways To Convert Your Traffic Into Cash

2007-11-11T05:09:00.000+07:00

(C) Copyright Ewen Chia, http://www.EzineArticle.com

If you have a website, you can profit from even the tiniest number of visitors it receives simply by not wasting that traffic.

The KEY is in leveraging on each visitor and making sure you have a monetization strategy in place. Once you get this, you can make any website profitable with a little effort.

Here are 7 basic ways in which you can profit from your traffic today:

1. Sell a product/service

First you can sell a product or service to your visitors. This is the best way to cash in from your own product. Usually an e-book or software works the best – they can be downloaded right away without hassle and shipping charges.

2. Opt-In list

It is crucial you try to convert every visitor of yours to a subscriber of your mailing list. The most important asset that an Internet marketer has is his or her list of subscribers. They define whether you will go far in the online business venture.

With an opt-in list, there are tons of ways you can profit further into the future. You can build repeat customers and turn your list members into partners for your products. For an example of a good opt-in page, visit http://www.InstantMarketingSecrets.com

3. Viral marketing

You can provide a free product or bonus on your site to be downloaded by your visitors. Usually it’ll be an e-book where people can read from and learn useful information. In this bonus, you include give away rights and urge readers to give it away to anyone they want to. This way, you increase your own traffic, publicity and branding without needing to spend a cent.

4. 'Pay-per-click'

In this case, you get paid when your visitors click on ads you place on your site. There are many advertising programs that give you a percentage of the profits based on click through, including Google Adsense, Chitika, Yahoo Publisher Network and Kontera.

When people click on the ads shown from either of these advertising programs, you will earn money. And if your site receives good traffic, these programs alone can bring in huge paychecks to you.

5. Offer an advertising space

Targeted niche websites with high traffic can 'rent' a portion of space on their web page to advertisers. For example you can charge $300 per month in advertising fee if your web page is pulling more than 2000 visitors a day. I use this strategy at my Online Marketing Secrets blog at http://www.EwenChia.com

Other than that, you can also generate advertising revenue using exit pop-ups. By doing this, you won't clutter your website with too many ads and spoil the visitor's experience.

6. Affiliate marketing

If you don’t have your own products for sale yet, you can sell other people’s products instead and receive a commission on every sale. With affiliate marketing, you have an unlimited source of products to sell and you don’t need to go through any fulfillment issues after your sales.

One of the best affiliate marketing training resources can be found at http://www.SecretAffiliateWeapon.com where I provide continual education on affiliate marketing to members.

7. Pay-per-lead

Instead of earning money from click through, you are paid if your visitors subscribe into other people’s mailing list. Alternatively there are a lot of big companies like Coca-Cola who need surveys to be done, and by referring your visitors to complete surveys, you can also earn good profits from your website.

About The Author:

Ewen Chia’s "Secret Affiliate Weapon" Forces
Avalanches Of Instant Cash Into Your Bank
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NEW AGE WEDDING PHOTO IN CHINA

2007-11-10T01:09:00.000+07:00

By Ari Satriyo Wibowo

New Age wedding style are becoming so popular in China now.

One hundred and fifty thousand couples got married in Shanghai two years ago. Many Chinese couples are willing to spend a lot .That is 50% more than 2005.

A wedding craze sweeping China is causing a boom for the country's retailers. Couples are tripping over one another to get married this year and many are stretching themselves financially in order to do so. Preparing for a wedding can take a long time. This couple spent $17,500 on their wedding and honeymoon - more than their combined annual earnings.

Luckily, they both have savings. "According to Chinese tradition weddings are large scale, extravagant affairs," the bride says. "It's only once in a lifetime. "Although we spent many years of savings to make our wedding memorable and impressive, we feel it's worth it." The groom agrees. "If our guests feel that the wedding is unforgettable then we have achieved our goal," he says.

The couple treated their 220 guests to a five-course banquet followed by games with prizes, champagne and a slice of their four-tier wedding cake. The wedding was held at the four star Intercontinental Hotel in Shanghai, which has raised its rates by 10% in response to this year's high demand. Even so, all the weekend wedding dates in 2006 are already booked out.

A combination of more couples choosing to get married in 2006, more 1980s baby-boomers reaching marrying age and the growing affluence in China's cities is causing an all time boom in the wedding industry. Wedding planning agencies are on the front line.

Wedding rings, a Western tradition, are becoming popular. There are more than 1,000 wedding planning firms in Shanghai but there's plenty of business to go around. According to Han Yong, the general manager of Shanghai Jingcai Wedding Consultancy, "This year we have received requests from 200 couples to plan their weddings compared with 80 requests by this time last year," he says. "I've had to employ three times as many staff to meet demand."

Wedding planners are not the only ones benefiting from the current boom. Paris Bride photo salon is one of several hundred wedding photography studios in downtown Shanghai. Next year is not considered a good year for marriages In modern Chinese culture, it is common practice for a couple to spend an entire day prior to the wedding itself having their picture taken. At this salon, it is currently necessary to book your photo shoot half a year in advance, with some couples even booking before they have set a wedding date, according to deputy general manager, Qiu Yujuan. "What we are doing to accommodate the current wedding boom is offering a range of new themes including our most popular, Queen Katherine - where the couple have their photos taken in period costume against an ancient royal background."

Others have themselves superimposed on false backgrounds to make it look as though they have visited faraway shores. Another trend, this time adopted from the West, is the buying of wedding rings. Both men and women get an engagement ring and the woman also gets a diamond ring to mark the marriage.

Any comments?

FROM THE EVENT OF "PESTA BLOGGER 2007"

2007-11-02T13:42:00.000+07:00

By Ari Satriyo Wibowo

A meeting like this have happened previously at October28, 1908. New generation of a nation have come from various part of this archipelago islands to talk together, sit, looking face to face and making a pledge that “ We are Indonesian confess that we own one nation.”

Almost eighty years later, a new generation nowadays, even also conduct a meeting. Gathering, sit, looking face to face and promising to each other to visiting their blogs and change over links. Yes this is generation of Blogger Indonesia which have performed a meeting under a title as Party of Blogger 2007 " New Voice of Indonesia" in Blitz Megaplex, Grand Indonesia, Jakarta at Saturday, October, 27 2007. The event followed by around 482 participants from entire Indonesia.

State Minister of Communications and Informatics, Mohammad Nuh have pleasured to open the event and declared that October 27 will be decided as National Day of Blogger. According to Nuh nowadays is not the epoch of banning the demarcation of writting and expression. What is needed in this time is brightening activities from Indonesian bloggers to enlightment the nation. Nowadays there are around 130.000 people in Indonesia participated as blogger.

Compared with the population of Indonesia which aroung 220 milllion that amount is tiny. So the minister hope that on the year of 2008 the amount of bloggers in Indonesia could reach one million people.

Minister promise to give his full support to every activities of Indonesian blogger. Every year his ministery office will be given Blogger Award start from the year of 2008. Mohammad Nuh also asked Indonesian bloggers to create the theme song of " New Voice of Indonesia" as bloggers " national anthem".

The discussion guided by Wimar Witoelar from Perspektif.Com. Party of Blogger 2007 for the first time are followed by various category of blogs start from online marketing & sales, current issues, technology issues, women issues, celebrity and personal blog.

Communities of blogger from various town in Indonesia such as Anginmammiri from Makasar, Angkringan and Cah Andong from Yogya, Loenpia from Semarang, BBV from Bandung, Go Ranahminang from Padang, Tukang Lenong from Jakarta, Blogfam, Communty of Moslem Bloggers , Independence, Multiply Indonesia, and IDGMAIL. Organizer of this event are Bubu.Com and of Maverick.

Festival of Love Celebrated February 15th, not 14th

2007-10-26T11:31:00.000+07:00

Valentine Day originates from the ancient Roman fertility festival of Lupercalia, which was celebrated on 15 February in honour of the gods Lupercus and Faunus, as well as the legendary founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus. During the festival, young men would draw the names of women from a box, and each couple would be paired until next year's celebration. Often they would fall in love and marry.

At around 270AD Rome was facing battles and civil uprising. The men were not keen to join the army. Emperor Claudius II believed that the men did not want to leave their loved ones and summarily cancelled all marriages and engagements. Two priests, Valentine and Marius, disobeyed the decree and secretly performed marriage ceremonies. Valentine was caught on 14 February and dragged to jail. Later in the day he was clubbed to death and beheaded. It is said that, before his execution, Valentine himself had fallen in love with the jailer's daughter. He signed his final note to her, "From your Valentine."

Valentine's Day

In 391AD, Emperor Theodosius I declared Christianity as the official religion of the Rome. The fertility festival was celebrated until 496AD when Pope Gelasius replaced it with a similar celebration. For patron saint of the celebration, he chose the "lovers" saint, St Valentine. He also moved the date of the celebration from the 15 February to the date of St Valentine's death, 14 February. Through the centuries, Valentines Day became to be remembered more as the festival of love instead of a religious day. In 1969 it was dropped from the Roman Catholic calendar as a designated feast day.

Cupid

Cupid has always played a role in the celebrations of love. Those whose hearts are pierced by his arrows fall deeply in love. In Greek mythology he was known as Eros, the young son of Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty. To the Romans, he was Cupid, son of Venus. But where there's love, there often is jealousy. Venus was jealous of the beauty of Psyche, a mere mortal, and ordered Cupid to punish her (for being so beautiful). Instead, Cupid fell deeply in love and took her as his wife.

As a mortal Psyche was forbidden to look at him. Eventually, her sisters convinced her to look at the handsome Cupid. As punishment, Venus demanded that she perform three difficult tasks, the last of which caused Psyche's death. Cupid found her lifeless on the ground and removed the eternal sleep from her body. The gods, moved by their love, then granted Psyche immortality.
The symbol of Cupid became part of Valentines Day only recently. Cupid is still around shooting his arrows. Psyche represents the struggles of the human soul.

Source : Did You Know

About 90 Nuclear Bombs Lost at Sea

2007-10-26T11:15:00.000+07:00

The very first bomb that the Allies dropped on Berlin in World War II killed the only elephant in the Berlin Zoo, it is said. The NATO attack on Serbia in 1999 (the Kosovo war) killed more animals than people. "Smart" weapons, such the Tomahawk missile is supposed to hit a postage stamp at 300km or more (200 miles or more). But only two out of thirteen actually hit the target. One skimmed over the house of a small farmer a few kilometres (miles) off target, straight up a track, through bushes, and exploded in the farmer's field, killing seven sheep, one cow and a goat. The farmer kept the missile nosecone as a souvenir.

To err is human. To really mess things up you need a computer

On 5 October 1960 an early-warning system warned the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) of a massive Soviet nuclear missile strike approaching the United States. What happened is that a fault in a computer system had removed two zeros from the radar's ranging components, detecting the missile attack at 4 000km (2,500 miles) away. The radar was actually detecting a reflection from the moon, located 400 000km (250,000 miles) away.

Nuclear bomb - man's worst invention

On 3 June 1980 a massive Soviet missile attack was again registered by computers. 100 nuclear-armed B-52s were immediately put on alert. A computer fault was detected in time, but three days later the same error occurred and again the bombers were put on alert. The problem was later traced to the failure of an integrated circuit in a computer, which was producing random digits representing the number of missiles detected.

On 10 January 1984, Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming, recorded a message that one of its Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles was about to launch from its silo due to a computer malfunction. To prevent the possible launch, an armoured car was parked on top of the silo.

The history of nuclear weapon accidents is as old as their introduction

The US Department of Defence (DoD) first published a list of nuclear weapon accidents in 1968 which detailed 13 serious nuclear weapon accidents between 1950-1968. An updated list released in 1980 catalogued 32 accidents. At the same time, documents released by the Navy under the Freedom of Information Act cited 381 nuclear weapon incidents between 1965 and 1977.

A number of nuclear cases involve ships or submarines colliding at sea or, in some cases, submarine nuclear power units becoming unstable and the subs having to be abandoned. According to Greenpeace there have been more than 120 submarine accidents since 1956. The most recent incident, in August 2000, was the loss of the Russian nuclear submarine Kursk in the Barents Sea. The Kursk is the seventh nuclear submarine lost, five of them Russian, two American. There are 92 known cases of nuclear bombs lost at sea.

Source : Did You Know

Biantoro Wanandi: Choose nanotechnology as company's strategy

2007-09-21T12:41:00.000+07:00

Posted by The Jakarta Post daily at Wednesday, September 12, 2007

By Ari Satriyo Wibowo, Contributor, Jakarta

Occupying various positions in the World Health Organization (WHO), Geneva, Switzerland, starting in 1978 as a scientist, then chief of the drug policies and management unit and later program manager of the Drug Action Program, brought little satisfaction to Biantoro Wanandi. The limited operational budget facing WHO at that time and the routine job of his six years at WHO left Biantoro feeling less than challenged, and this built up into a desire and determination to return home in 1983 and become an entrepreneur.

That was the beginning of the Anugerah Corporation, a holding company that now has more than 20 subsidiary companies. Among these companies are three major enterprises, namely PT Combiphar, a manufacturer and marketer of pharmaceuticals, PT Anugerah Pharmindo Lestari (APL), a pharmaceuticals distribution company and PT Tigaka Distrindo Perkasa (TDP), an importer and distributor of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and other raw materials.

Biantoro's experience and his Swiss and WHO connections enabled him to build a level of trust with several major players in the international pharmaceutical industry that led to the development of business partnerships with globally renowned companies such as Novartis, Zuellig Pharma, Glaxo Smith Kline and Sanofi-Aventis.
After coming back to Indonesia in 1983, he helped his brothers develop the family business, mainly in the field of automotive, batteries, property, etc. The pharmaceutical industry was, at that time, already saturated and the government had issued a negative investment list that included the pharmaceutical sector. Prior to his time with WHO, Biantoro had developed pharmaceutical business knowledge and skills with Swiss giant Ciba-Geigy and had built a network in the industry spanning 25 years, all of which formed a platform on which he slowly started to develop business opportunities in Indonesia.

He setup PT Anugerah Pharmindo Lestari (APL) in 1985 from scratch and bought PT Combiphar in 1986. He also assisted in the establishment of PT Sandoz Biochemie Farma Indonesia in 1985 and in 1987 he teamed up with Glaxo Ltd to establish PT Glaxo Indonesia.

When asked for his view on the pharmaceutical industry in Indonesia, he commented that the market was very small considering the size of the population and that there were big differences with neighboring countries in income per capita, health care coverage and drug expenditure. The total health expenditure of Indonesia is less than 2 percent of GDP, while in the U.S. it is about 14 percent and in Europe 7 to 11 percent. WHO recommends that it be at least 5 percent of GDP. To cultivate the market, he suggests the government supports the establishment of a suitable health financing system in the country. At present, approximately 85 percent of the population pay their health expenses from their own pockets. The ASKESIN (a type of health insurance for the poor paid by the government) has not developed as anticipated. He suggests that the government encourage more private insurance companies to participate in covering the more affluent segment of the population for financing their health care service requirements. In obtaining affordable premiums from insurance providers, the number of members plays the biggest role. Therefore, a legal framework to oblige all citizens to have health insurance is key. In this way the health care services sector could grow faster and improve in quality, thus improving the health index of the population. Pharmaceutical companies would, of course, also benefit from this development.

The other concern Biantoro shared was the weakness/unreadiness of the Indonesian pharmaceutical industry in meeting quality requirements of their products. A prerequisite to enter/penetrate the ASEAN market and obtain product acceptance by ASEAN's FDA is compliance to Pharmaceutical Inspection Convention (PIC) standards of quality e.g. BA-BE, cGMP, GLP. by 2008. He said that if we were not prepared our products would not be able to enter or be registered in the ASEAN countries.
More than 80 percent of the ASEAN pharmaceutical market, except in Singapore, is made up of generics, therefore our industry could compete with other ASEAN industries. Our main challenge would be to compete with other strong countries like India and China, if they were allowed to enter the ASEAN market. To improve our capabilities, we need a break-through strategy and industries, the government and the academia need to work hand in hand.

As mentioned, products of pharmaceutical producers in Indonesia and other ASEAN countries are mainly generic or relatively uniform. Facing this situation, a management expert from Harvard Business School, Michael E. Porter, suggested three generic strategies, namely overall cost leadership, differentiation and focus to maintain a company's competitive advantage.

Biantoro Wanandi has not selected the product leadership strategy since his company is not a market leader. Also, it is prohibitively expensive to conduct research and development. Instead, Combiphar has introduced a cost leadership strategy. To improve efficiency, Biantoro instructed Combiphar to apply enterprise resources planning (ERP) that integrates various business processes and existing information systems (for example production, logistics, distribution, accounting, finance and human resources).

Combiphar has implemented SAP and was the first pharmaceutical company in Indonesia to do so.

Many efficiencies can be extracted from ERP. In the early stages inventories were reduced from three to two months' stock. Financial statement reports are now finished 10 days earlier than previously and production planning, which was previously conducted once a month, is now done weekly. ERP was an important choice especially as the location of the Combiphar factory is in Padalarang, near Bandung, while its head office is in Jakarta. ERP (together with SAP) has accelerated the company's data collection, and decisions can therefore be made faster.
Combiphar has risen from being the 23th biggest pharmaceutical company in Indonesia to being the 18th. Biantoro aims to make it among the top 10 by 2012.

Following the success with the overall cost leadership strategy, Combiphar is now trying to strengthen its competitive edge by applying a strategy of differentiation. "Our selected differentiation strategy is the application of state-of-the-art nanotechnology in pharmaceutical products -- initially in the OTC area as a new drug delivery system."

Combiphar is conducting technological transfer through a license issued by Advance Pharmaceutical Nanotech in Delaware, the U.S. "Nanotechnology is already being widely applied in various industries such as cosmetics, food and drink, paint, electronics, but only a few pharmaceutical companies have successfully come up with nanotechnology applications in pharmaceuticals or medicines," Biantoro told journalists when hosting a nanotechnology symposium at JW Marriott Hotel Jakarta last month.

Last year, Combiphar launched three new products that are based on nanotechnology: Jointfit, a glucosamine, chondroitin and nano calcium plus nano vitamin D3 (to improve absorption of calcium); Gestabil, containing nano particles of antacid that act faster on stomach acid; Pronemia, a chewable double-layered tablet for patients with anemia and for pregnant women. Anemia is the most common blood disorder in Indonesia, with nearly 60 percent of the population being anemic. Iron is required for the formation of hemoglobin; when there is a shortage of iron in the body it causes iron-deficiency anemia. Pronemia contains nano particles of iron, which helps the formation of red blood cells, and is enriched with vitamin C, vitamin B12 and folic acid. The use of nano iron eliminates the taste of iron, constipation and other stomach problems. "The blueberry taste and the chewable double-layered tablet is well accepted by patients, but the process of disseminating information on it will be time consuming because doctors and consumers must be educated first about the benefits of nanotechnology," said Biantoro.

Prof. Hans P. Merkle, professor of pharmaceutics, head of the Drug Formulation and Delivery Group from the Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Zurich, Switzerland, who was a classmate of Biantoro's at the institute, was pleased to add his comments, "Well, I've known him for almost 40 years. I do not see him frequently but sometimes I'm amazed with his energy and his enthusiasm and also his capacity to be a successful entrepreneur. I also appreciate his friendship and humor. I like him very much."

Meanwhile, Dr. Chien-Chin Wu, a business partner from Advanced Pharmaceutical Nanotech Inc. (APN), the U.S. said, "I have been working with him for about four years now. I always enjoy talking and working with him because I recognize he has tremendous experience in the industry."

Background:

Name: Dr. Willem Biantoro Wanandi
Place/date of birth: Sawahlunto, West Sumatra, Jan. 30, 1939
Marital status: Married with three children
Education: Doctorate in natural sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich, Switzerland (1966-1968)
Work experience:
Currently: Chairman Anugerah Corporation
Currently: President Director PT Combiphar
Currently: Chairman PT Anugerah Pharmindo Lestari (APL)
Currently: Chairman of PT Tigaka Distrindo Perkasa
1983-1987: National project coordinator UNDP/WHO Jakarta
1983-1987: Technical advisor to minister of health for pharmaceutical affairs
1978-1983: Scientist, thereafter head of the drug policies and management unit and later program manager of Drug Action Program for WHO, Geneva, Switzerland
1969-1972: Scientist, Ciba-Geigy Ltd, Basle, Switzerland
(1972-1977): Production manager, member of management committee of PT Ciba Geigy Pharma Indonesia, Jakarta.

Atlantis And Lemuria - Lost Continents, Or A Dreamland Of Eden?

2007-08-30T05:05:00.000+07:00

You ask - Atlantis? What is hidden behind this mysterious word? Did this lost, mythical world really exist? Why has it been covered with so much words, veils of fantasy, half-truths, assumptions, hypotheses, or perhaps truths? Or is it just a pure fabrication that inspires poets, occultists, and a little less conventional scientists? It's hard to tell...

Atlantis received a lot of attention and many words were written about it; delusions and disinformation too. However, not only laymen but also few and quite earnest scientists claim that this fabulous world did really exist here some long time ago.

Atlantis and its unearthly destruction gave birth to several theories; however, before we start speaking about them, let us look at the historically first recorded note about the existence of this unknown world.

The first record about Atlantis was written by Plato - a famous and trustworthy Greek philosopher - who in his works, Critian (and Timeus, too) described in words of Critias a story about Solon, a famous thinker and poet from 6th century BC, who had heard in Egypt from a certain priest that some long time ago there had existed a land called Atlantis, which had been destroyed. A fragment of Plato's words: On this island of Atlantis had arisen a powerful and remarkable dynasty of kings, who ruled the whole island, and many other islands as well and parts of the continent; in addition it controlled, within the strait, Libya up to the borders of Egypt and Europe as far as Tyrrhenia (Italy)...

Translation by Sir Desmond Lee, first published 1965, Penguin Classics.

According to other narrations, Gods divided the world for themselves. Poseidon was one of them and he got the Atlantis. Some people had already lived on the island and one of them was Evenor who had Leucippe as his spouse; they had one daughter - Cleito. Cleito grew up, she was more and more beautiful, and Poseidon fell in love with her. When Cleito's parents died, the almighty God of the Sea took care of her and she was about to give birth to five pairs of twins - men, twin brothers, who received the Atlantis to domineer over it. The oldest one was Atlas. And these ruled and governed in a big empire...

Egyptians said to Solon that Atlantis had been destroyed some 9000 years ago. Thus, if we add 600 years (before Christ) when Solon lived, and 2000 years that passed from the Christ's birth until today, we will get 11,600 years.

There are other authors who wrote about Atlantis, but the first and most famous source is that one of Plato. The other source is a Greek philosopher Diodorusa Siculus, who lived some 90-20 years before Christ, and who wrote (Bibliotheca Historica) that some thousands years in the past Phoenicians had visited a very big island. Atlanteans allegedly "civilized most of the people". So you can see, there are more historical descriptions of Atlantis among which we can also find the one from Aristotle, who wrote, too, about a big island in the Atlantic Ocean. Furthermore, the destruction of Atlantis was mentioned by historians such as Marcellinus, Timagenus, Theopompos...

We also deal with written records of the Aztecs, Mayas, and not only with these. There are written records such as Chilam Balam, Dresden Codex, Popol Vuh, Codex Cortesianus - they all indicate that the existence of such an advanced civilization was possible. If we look into the line drawing of the less distant history, Atlantis had always attracted poets, writers, but also occultists or travelers/adventurers. One such author was Francis Bacon, who already in 1626 wrote a very interesting work - New Atlantis, which - at its time - exceeded even Verne. Bacon describes here how a shipwreck crew found some extremely advanced people on an island in the Atlantic Ocean. The inhabitants of this island could "record sounds", they were able to "demonstrate" and "copy" it; they used "engines" for all types of movements; they also had messengers whom they sent to visit the worldly nations and collect information.

Occultism and New Age also drew information from the famous Russian clairvoyant - Blavatska, who maintained that people from Atlantis were just a different race on Earth and they had amazing psychical abilities. However, being corrupted, they changed themselves to bad magicians and started war that resulted in a complete destruction.

Theories about Atlantis

Theories about Atlantis basically stand on two pillars:

It is a fable.

It is a "bubble" fabricated from the fall of the Minon civilization and the destruction of the Thera Island, today known as Santorini, 1640 years before Christ by volcanic explosion in the area of smaller volcanic islands in the Egey Sea some 75 kilometers southeast from the main Greek land.

If we forget the first two points and suppose that Atlantis did really exist, then we can look at other theories:

II.

Atlantis existed in the Atlantic Ocean.

In the web of sciences, pseudoscience and charlatanism, other teachings appear such as a theory about the existence of an archipelago between Cyprus and Syria, but the above theories are the mainstream ones. Let us therefore look at some information about the possible existence of Atlantis in divergencies of opinions and in a theoretical level without requirement to prove or disprove something.

If we count on the theory about the Mediterranean Sea and the Minon civilization, we will get a simple conclusion. However, if we are not ready to stop at this point, we can also mention theories about an island or even a land in the Atlantic Ocean.

Theories about Atlantis in the Atlantic Ocean

One of the first modern-time Atlantis researchers, who delved into the study of old documents and sources about Atlantis on a long-term basis, was Ignatius Donnelly - an American congressman from Minnesota, who in the year 1882 wrote a book Atlantis the Antediluvian World, and in 1883 Ragnarok the Age of Fire and Gravel. Donnelly brought the legend about Atlantis to awareness of Americans with great success. He cites Plato in his books; he speaks about myths and theories of the Biblical flood; he does not bypass native American Indians either and tries to document language similarities of Indian languages with some European languages.

The number of authors enlarged including the ones from professional areas. For example, James Churchward wrote several books where he documents old scripts; William Niven, a geologist, tries to prove that he found similar stone tablets in Mexico. These and other writers support the theory that Atlantis existed in the Atlantic Ocean as an advanced civilization that colonized the continent of North and South America, but also Europe, Africa and Asia.

The anthropologist George Hunt Williamson made his own research of Atlantis and Lemuria. The author writes how the ancestors of the Incas led him to an old manuscript in the Andes; it records the destruction of Atlantis and Mu. They had allegedly an advanced technology.

Proofs or arguments

In case of "proofs", we should be careful, as the Atlantis topic is a good way for making money. But in addition to fake proofs, there are some trustworthy arguments too. Let's think.

The Piri Reis map come from about the year 1513.

Columbus, the man who discovered America as the first person mentioned in historical documents, studied older maps including the map of Admiral Piri Reis, which dates back to 1513. Albeit the continent of America was discovered in 1492, these maps picture the world in a shape that is against the knowledge of the present historical science. The Piri Reis map pictures also Antarctis some 300 years before it was discovered - the contours are quite accurate.

Not only this does make us "dumb". Professor Hapgood contacted the US Air Force to confirm the theory about the fact that the land areas of the Piri Reis map picturing Antarctis are not below ice. He received a positive answer.

I would like to believe... But most opinions pertaining to this subject are a product of manipulation that helps their authors maintain a "good job" or institute themselves in some hierarchy of the world. The Italian scientist Diego Cuoghi documents some details - already at the time of the Turkish Admiral, South America was being discovered by more adventurers; one of them was Amerigo Vespucci (in 1499); however, there are also maps dated before 1513 and even more accurate than the Piri Reis map if we focus on Cuba, Jamaica and Porto Rico - these areas are pictured quite inaccurately on the above-mentioned map. Writers like Dänikin or Professor Hapgood simply ignore this.

We can also mention a map by Juan de la Cosa (1500) or Cantino (1502). If we put Antarctis or "undiscovered" islands into the profile, this cannot be seen as proof, because, for example, Waldseemüller's map from 1507 pictures China prolonged from the back of India - China actually going to Sri Lanka... Thus, we could say that the missing part of Brazil on the Piri map simply did not exist!

And what about accurate contours of Antarctis? I think that Hapgood, von Dänikan and other writers arrogantly underestimate thinking and intelligence of ancient people and they forgot that Egyptians were very good sailors too.

This implies that if the Alexandrian library was destroyed as the richest source of information we had ever had - any good Egyptian pharaoh - a visionary could easily support a big expedition and it is possible that some ancient sailors knew that Antarctis existed. Having no records about this does not necessarily mean that ancient people did not explore America or Antarctis in the ancient past; neither does it mean that they had to become "extraterrestrials", as imagination of present writers often indicates, as they appear to think that ancient people were not even able to think.

Archeological findings

There are many interesting findings, but to expose details of every one of them is not necessary for the moment. To be brief, let's include only some of them to give a picture how adherents of the idea of a lost world think.

North America

In May 1969, somewhere around the Bimini islands, archeologists Mansen Valentain and Dimitri Rebikov found some remnants of a building some 30 meters deep in the sea. These were big pieces of stones - they perfectly fit into one another; the weight of one was about 25 tones. Scientists from the Miami University concluded that the remnants date back to some 7,000 or 10,000 years before Christ, which means that they are older than the pyramids of the Mayas.

The expedition of Dr. Manson Valentine found near the Bimini Islands other ruins at the sea bottom, and in the year 1982 these ruins were photographed. They are quite similar to one of the oldest places that have ever been found - Tiahuanaco Lake in Bolivia.

South America

Many explorers and adventurers tried to find the El Dorado - an imaginary place of immense richness. Some archeologists also claim that South America is the oldest cradle of humankind. Long time ago the Tiahuanaco Empire existed here and it is believed that it existed some 12,000 years before Christ. The remnants of a big city Tiahuanaco can be found even today on the banks of Titicaca Lake. Many expeditions explored this area. Scientists wonder how could the then inhabitants move heavy stones (about 130 tones) and put them side by side. The Tiahuanaco civilization gave birth to predecessors of Indians in South America.

Other sources say that Phoenicians visited South America; one such a source was Austrian Professor Ludwig Schwennhagen, who claims that he found their inscriptions in the Amazon jungle. The French researcher Apollinaire Frot traveled all over the Brazilian areas such as Minas Gerais, Goiás, Mato Grosso and Bahia and said that he had found so many such inscriptions that he could write books about them. A British explorer, Percy Fawcett, confirmed this independently.

Amazonia

Amazonia is poorly explored in terms of present knowledge; its size is only a little smaller that the present USA. A very famous is the story of Colonel Percy Harrison Fawcett, a member of the Royal Geographical Society in London.

At the beginning of the 20th century, this in archeology interested adventurer decided to explore "lost worlds" in the South-American forests. On the basis of agreements with the Bolivian and Brazilian governments, he became a member of several expeditions, and already in the year 1911 he lectured in London about "lost cities" the existence of which he predicted somewhere on the border between Bolivia and Brazil. Percy Fawcett was a real enthusiast of the mythological Atlantis and he believed that South America, i.e. Brazil, was colonized by this civilization in our ancient history.

His disappearance gave birth to several hypotheses, one of them was that Indians might capture him and that he still lives. BBC made several TV documents and they also contacted the Fawcett's family to find out more, but the family refused to disclose some sensitive materials about Fawcett with justification that people are not yet prepared to hear this...

Document 512

Fawcett, as we already know, was possessed by the idea to search ancient civilizations and he also visited many archives. He found a document in Instituto Historico e Geographico Brasileriro in Rio de Janeiro about the 1753 Portuguese expedition, where it is written: "...big, hidden and very ancient city was found without inhabitants...".

However, stories about his disappearance are exaggerated - it is not a problem to disappear in such a jungle even today without leaving any trace. Some believe that he lives in these lost cities and has eternal life...

Lemuria

The idea of Lemuria or Mu first appeared in works of Augustus Le Plongeon, the traveler and writer who conducted his own investigations.

Concepts about Lemuria are further built on the fact that identical geological structures of Permian are found in South India, South Africa, and Australia. Some geologists therefore suggested a theory of possible existence of ancient continent and proposed the name Lemuria, which somehow survived.

This lost continent was later popularized by James Churchward (1852-1936) in a series of books, beginning with The Children of Mu (1931), The Lost Continent Mu (1933), and The Sacred Symbols of Mu (1935). The books still have devotees...

Conclusion

Certainly, every reasonable man will refuse Dänikin's ideas - we may not necessarily see an "astronaut" in every ancient drawing. But neither do we have to go in a direction to hatefully reject any idea that slithered off our monocultural line. First of all, it is open thinking that is important to correctly grasp or refuse anything that appears as truth or lie.

Source: http://www.freebsd.nfo.sk/esoteric/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Juraj_Sipos

From Intimate Distance Indonesian Women Artist 2007

2007-08-02T18:11:00.000+07:00

The 15th INDONESIA INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW 2007

2007-07-27T18:00:00.000+07:00

MEETING GP FARMASI AND MINISTER OF RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY KUSMAYANTO KADIMAN

2007-07-13T16:31:00.000+07:00

THANKGOODNESS ABOUT LIFE : DIALOGUE WITH GUS DUR

2007-06-27T13:04:00.000+07:00

By Ari Satriyo Wibowo

Situated in Gardenia Room, Grand Mahakam Hotel, Kebayoran Baru Jakarta on Tuesday, June 26, 2007, SidoMuncul a herbal medicine producer held a dialoque with Gus Dur, used to be the President of Indonesia. Others speaker are Setiawan Djody (businessman), Mohammad Sobary (writer and coloumnist), Sartono Mukadis (psycholog) and Irwan Hidayat (President Director of SidoMuncul).

The main topic of discussion is thankgoodness about life. Even live is heavily and making some people of this country hopelessly and decide to take suicide, but we must strong enough to face life distortion with manful and never give up attitude.

There are many artists and celebrities attended such as Fenny Rose as an MC, Jamaica Cafe (vocal performers), Anisha Banowati, Dony Kesume, Timbul, Roy Marten, Rieke Dyah Pitaloka, Marissa Haque, Ikang Fauzi, Ayu Azhari and dr. Lula Kamal.

MAJAPAHIT KINGDOM , THE GOLDEN AGE OF INDONESIA IN THE PAST

2007-06-25T09:54:00.000+07:00

By Ari Satriyo Wibowo

From 21^th of June to 20^th of July 2007 , National Museum of Jakarta held an exhibition about Majapahit Kingdong in its Statue Building.

The Majapahit kingdom was Javanese maritime empire that dominated the lesser kingdoms of Indonesia and Malaya from about 1300 to the early 16th century. It was founded by Raden Wijaya (reigned 1293-1309), son-in-law of King Kertanagara (ruled 1268-1292) of Singosari. When ruled Majapahit Raden Wijaya change his name as Kerta rajasa Jayawardana. The kingdom was ruled by 12 kings.

Guided by Gajah Mada (1290?-1364), chief minister from 1331 to 1364, the kingdom adopted an aggressive policy that in little more than two decades is said to have gained it control over practically all modern Indonesia and much of Malaya.

The social politic dynamics of this Kingdom showed the changes in its leaders, even though this kingdom left a vacuum afterwards because of the conflict in its internal succession.

The kingdom's power, based on its command of the sea routes and hence the commerce in the region, declined after Gajah Mada's death, and by 1520 it had virtually disintegrated

Gajah Mada (1290?-1364), Indonesian soldier and statesman who expanded the kingdom of Majapahit from the island ulanof Java across much of Indonesia. His rule is commonly seen as a golden age of Indonesian history. Gajah Mada first became prominent as a royal bodyguard who helped suppress a rebellion against King Jayanagara in 1319. Jayanagara named Gajah Mada patih (minister) for his loyalty, but Gajah Mada later turned on Jayanagara when the king took Gajah Mada's wife for his own. When the ailing king later underwent surgery, Gajah Mada ordered the surgeon to kill Jayanagara, and, once the surgeon had, Gajah Mada had him executed.

During the reigns of Queen Tribhuvanottungadevi (ruled 1328-1350) and King Hayam Wuruk (ruled 1350-1389) Gajah Mada served as mapatih (chief minister) and ambitiously extended the power of Majapahit over Java, Bali, Lombok, Borneo, Sulawesi (Celebes), and the Moluccas. He overcame Palembang, the successor state of the Sri Vijaya empire in Sumatra. He also codified laws and customs and created an administrative system that stayed essentially the same until the 19th century. Gajah Mada used Majapahit's navy to enforce his power over outlying islands and to guarantee Majapahit a virtual monopoly over the islands' spice trade. As a unifier of the archipelago, Gajah Mada is an important symbol for modern Indonesia. Universitas Gajah Mada (founded in 1949) in Yogyakarta, one of the country's main universities, is named for him.

The Majapahit kingdom is seen to have left invalueable lessons to posterity, such as promoting harmony among people’s relegious differences.

In addition, the Majapahit era is one which showed the dynamic combination of social life between agriculture and maritime life. The revitalization of its culture sites show that many cultural activities can be seen in the Trowulan site and its surroundings.

Trowulan is located 80 kilometers southwest Surabaya, and important harbour and major business centre located in Eastern Java and also second largest city in Indonesia.

Other remainders of Majapahit are Wringin Lawang temple, the main gate of the Majapahit Kingdom, and temples of Brahu, Bajangratu and Tikus. The old Pendopo Agung (Grand Pavillion) is found about two kilometers from the museum. An imitation of Mount Mahameru surrounded by eight structures is found here. It presumed to have been used for religious ceremonies. ***

NEW CONTROVERSIAL BOOK : THE NOSTRADAMUS CODE

2007-06-18T04:10:00.000+07:00

In May 2005, members of the Italian National Library in Rome made an amazing discovery. Buried in their archives was an unknown manuscript written by the famed prophet Michel de Nostradame, or Nostradamus (1503-1566). This manuscript was handed down to his son and later donated to Pope Urban VIII. It did not surface again until now, almost four hundred years later.

Using cutting-edge data mining techniques, Dr. Michael Rathford sifted this complex word puzzle searching for significant patterns and relationships. Almost immediately, he came up with the predictive model known as The Nostradamus Code.

Dr. Michael Rathford has studied Quatrains of Nostradamus since 1975. He is the author of the best-selling book, The Nostradamus Code: World War III.

By combining traditional analysis techniques with state of the art data mining algorithms, he is able to search the equivalent of the entire library of congress in less than ten minutes.

With these tools, he was able to make the significant discoveries that resulted in the book The Nostradamus Code.

"I'm afraid the making of World War III is actually taking place in front of our eyes." Prince Hassan of Jordan - March 26, 2004

Drawing on newly discovered Nostradamus manuscripts, a startling new view of the world is revealed. If you agree that signs like widespread terrorism, a volatile Middle East, and an economic depression could lead to World War III - then you will find this book truly eye-opening.

With a total of eight chapters, The Nostradamus Code: World War III opens with an overview of the bewildering events currently unfolding on the world stage. You will find out why they are happening, and what you can do about them to protect yourself.

Next, the years 2007 through 2012 are explained in precise detail. Referred to by Nostradamus as the Time of Troubles, this period is full of war, despair, and evil, but also of hope and promise. Use this book to enlighten yourself, your loved ones, your world, and your future.

During a period of continuing unrest, the leader of a Middle Eastern country will be able to obtain a nuclear weapon. He will go to the greatest lengths over the smallest things and will not hesitate to use the weapon because of his obsessions with deadly warfare. The people he is warring against retaliate with a nuclear weapon. The country has a coast on the Mediterranean.

One of the bombs will land in the Mediterranean instead of the land, poisoning all the fish. The passages of trade in the region will be disrupted so that the people on the other coast will be desperate for food and will eat the fish anyway. It will happen near the east coast of the Mediterranean in a region of dark-colored cliffs.

(Century III, Quatrain 83)

The nuclear weapon being dropped by one of the Middle Eastern countries will spark off yet another war on top of that war. European nations will try to interfere to diminish the threat to oil supplies. When the European countries try to interfere, the crazed leader will use the rest of his arsenal on Europe, most striking the Italian Peninsula.

The European Mediterranean coast, particularly that of Italy and France, will be almost uninhabitable, and Italy will get the brunt. This leader is not the Antichrist but helps to set the stage for the Antichrist to rise to power with little or no opposition.

Volcanoes, earthquakes, floods, droughts

(Century IV, Quatrain 67)

A very bright, previously unknown comet will appear and coincide with the time of great geological troubles, with earthquakes and volcanoes erupting and disrupting weather systems. This will cause widespread famines, droughts, and social upheavals in unexpected places. Nations that are considered prosperous and powerful, particularly western nations, will be weakened. They will be torn with civil strife and rioting as people migrate to areas that have water and can support crop-growing. The social upheaval and weakening of political structures will help the Antichrist come to power.

The United States in particular will be subject to serious natural disasters, particularly earthquakes and flooding, and flatten the nation from end to end, causing enormous conflict, despair, and misery. The US will be bankrupted attempting to deal with its disasters. Three other great nations will send aid to help the citizens survive.

(Century VIII, Quatrain 29)

Earth changes will take place that will help the Antichrist's drive for world conquest. In central Europe, southern Europe, and in the Middle East, around the eastern end of the Mediterranean, there will be severe floods. As a result of the disruption to local governments by the natural disasters, the Antichrist will move his troops in under the guise of helping the people restore civil order, but really use this as a device to take over countries, and to use the populations like slaves.

Serious economic problems will persist along with great social unrest, contributing to the ease with which the Antichrist can seize power. The frightened and hopeful populace will be vulnerable to his rhetoric. The Antichrist will use the disasters as opportunities to overthrow governments and sneak spies into a country. Martial law will be declared in many areas to stop rioting and looting. The Middle East, the source of his power, will not be as devastated as the rest of the world. He offers assistance to other countries trying to recover but he will eventually stab them in the back.

Antichrist's rise to power in Middle East

(Century II, Quatrains 23 and 81)

The Antichrist will take over Iran by using a human decoy to trick the Iranian Ayatollah in power. This will involve the "yes men" and puppets of the Ayatollah's court. The Antichrist will first drive away internal supporters of the Ayatollah by starting a civil war. Then he will put forth a man as a leader, a man for Iranians loyal to the Ayatollah to concentrate their hate on. The man will be assassinated while Iran is being taken over, and his opponents will think they have foiled the overthrow of power by assassinating him. But they will find out later he was merely a decoy and that they played into the plans of the Antichrist.

The Antichrist will initially obtain power in his own sphere, Asia, and the Middle East. As he grows out of this arena, and into Europe, the next step will be into the Mediterranean, his area of strength. Because of his Middle Eastern heritage he will have already united North Africans, who are sympathetic to his cultural background, with his Asian and Middle Eastern conglomerate.

Fiasco from communication breakdown between two superpowers

(Century II, Quatrains 35 and 48)

Through a mistake, a breakdown in communications between two powerful countries will occur. The situation is a lot more complex than will appear on the surface. The leader involved will feel great regret about what happened and will want to continue his career and help correct the situation, to help make up for the adverse affects.

But he will be hung, symbolically, by others wishing to take his position in the organization. He will be hung as far as politics and his career are concerned. It will almost be like committing suicide because in the end he will be a broken man. The entire event will be viewed as a fiasco from both sides. It will have very harmful and even cataclysmic consequences.

Third world country leader creates strife

(Century III, Quatrain 60)

A "young dark man" will arise as a leader in a Third World country; his main goal is to unite the other Third World countries to do battle with the superpowers. The area of conflict will be in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, particularly around the Adriatic and the Caspian seas and Israel. No definite winner will emerge but the strife will help set the stage for the Antichrist. Many prophecies in the Bible refer to events in this region.

Antichrist profits from radar research in Europe

(Century I, Quatrain 6)

Research on a more sophisticated type of radar and sensing devices will give greater information to the operator, i.e. an airplane pilot. But the first experiments with the technology will fail in a disastrous accident, when the vibrations emitted by the device cause the chassis of the plane to become weakened and dangerous. The scientists involved with the research will have to temporarily abandon the research because of diplomatic breakdowns, the threat of war, etc.

This will take place before the Antichrist comes to full power. It will happen in Europe at the time the Antichrist is strengthening his base of power in the Middle East. The devices are currently under development but have not been tested yet. But this is another historical event that will permit the Antichrist to take over Europe.

War game simulation by Britain in Europe leads to disaster

(Century II, Quatrain 2)

In a war-game maneuver involving Great Britain and European troops a malfunctioning computer will cause the "real-world" situation to play out instead of the simulation. As a result of the error actual defenses will be activated and real bombs will be dropped on the areas of the game and cause a tragic international incident.

American Electoral College voting stalemate

(Century VII, Quatrain 41)

The presidents of the United States, a supposedly free country, have been abusing their power to an increasingly greater extent. During a time of social unrest even more so than the period of Vietnam and Watergate, the Electoral College will be evenly split over the election of the new president. The process will stalemate, with many people clamoring for whichever candidate they voted for, causing enormous tension in the country. Internationally it will be a sensitive situation.

Because of the split, and the extremely volatile and explosive social unrest, putting either candidate in office instead of the other could start a civil war or a revolution. After a long time of impassioned speeches invoking patriotism and the founding fathers, a compromise solution of holding another election will be taken, and a candidate will be installed without disaster.

In the complete book, you will read about:

The identity of the third Antichrist.
Military confrontations and terrorist attacks.
Radical new weapons described in striking detail.
Advent of the "New World Order".
Geological Earth shifts caused by man-made weaponry.

ACCORDING TO PROF SANTOS INDONESIA IS THE LOST ATLANTIS

2007-06-18T03:59:00.000+07:00

Atlantis, The Lost Continent Finally Found, released on August 2005, is Prof. Arysio Santos' latest work. Following the same line of thought that made his homonymous website become the most popular in its category, having received more than 2.5 million visits within the past few years, he explains in this book his Theory on Atlantis, using an infinitude of arguments, which range from the strictly scientific (such as Geology, Linguistics, and Anthropology) to the more arcane and occult ones.

A professional scientist with a PhD in Nuclear Physics and Free-Docency in Physical-Chemistry, the author has dedicated himself intensely to the study of the Atlantis problem, for about 30 years now. Being the first one to ever link the catastrophic events of the end of the last Ice Age (11.600 years ago) with the world-wide traditions of the universal Flood and the destruction of Atlantis, Prof. Santos managed to find a perfect site for the location of the Lost Continent. Such site strives unrivaled as being the most logical one ever proposed, matching all the features mentioned by the Greek philosopher Plato, as well as those cited by other sources.

The reader will be confronted with strongly based evidence of all sorts to the existence of Atlantis, written by a reputed scientist, enough to shake the beliefs of the most hard-core skeptic. This book should also please the fans of the occult and symbolic disciplines, as the author frequently interconnects them with Atlantis and explains their meaning. Illustrated with over 30 line-art figures and printed in high quality white paper, Prof. Santos’ book is a must for everyone interested in the subject of Atlantis and lost civilizations.

Disasters As The Mark of The Beginning of THE REIGN OF GOD ON EARTH

2007-06-16T01:16:00.000+07:00

By Ari Satriyo Wibowo

Kompas daily on Wednesday June 13, 2007 published news concerning disaster entitle “Bencana Landa Berbagai Negara” (Disaster Knock Over Various State).

Heatwave, landslide and floods knock over various world and killed hundreds of people. The wide-speading of disease epidemic after disaster also become attention of governments which face several disasters like India, Pakistan, Banngladesh, Australia and China.

Heatwave which attack the middle and north region of India as long as last week have killed at least 74 people. Area like Uttar Pradesh and of Rajastan is natural area of the ugly impact of dusty and hot desert wind effect.

Hottest air temperature reach 48.9 degree of Celcius happened in Gangganagar while in New Delhi the temperature is 44,9 degree of Celcius.

In the South region of Bangladesh landslide, thunder pouncing movement and floods have resulted 101 dead man.

In China reported that the victim reach 71 people and more than 640.000 people are evacuated. Hard rains fell to the region of the provinces of China like Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Jianxi and of Fujian.

Later I then remembered at the revelation from God accepted by someone in Roma, Italy on September 27^th, 1970 from a book entitle After Nostradamus wrote by A. Woldben and published by Granada Publisher in London on 1975, as follow :

“The fear of great and unexpected cataclysm, which will never before have been so extensive down the centuries, will mark the beginning of the Reign of God on Earth.”

Understanding Ceremonies in Bali

2007-06-16T00:56:00.000+07:00

By Ari Satriyo Wibowo

There are two kinds of ceremonies in Bali : Hindu and traditional. To the Balinese, cremonies are a means of communivation with God in His various manifestations. There are five religions ceremonies, to name :

Dewa-Yadnya, which is held at the community or family temples, and is designed to ask God for his blessings.

Pitra Yadnya, which is a ceremony for the benefit of the ancestral souls. When a person dies while his family. When a person dies while his family is not able yet to carry out the cremation (called Ngaben), the body is burried with the head in the direction of either the mountain or the rising sun. As soon as the means are available to hold the cremation, the boddy is dug up again.

Ngaben (cremation) derived from the words “ngaba” and “in”, meaning making offering in the form of goods and prayers. The body is cremated in a tower in the shape of a dragon or cow --- black for women and white for men in the case of the latter. The procession proceeds cheerfully. The cremation takes places at a cemetery and is led by the head of the village. The ashes are thrown into the river or the sea.

The first day of the Balinese new year is Nyepi Day. Nyepi is a part of the Buta Yadnya ceremony. At the end of the year of New Years’s Eve --- animals are sacrificed by each village in order that it will be cleansed of sin before entering the new year. Sacrificial food consisting of wines and meat, is placed on the road for the bad souls.

The Nyepi ceremony starts before sunrise and last for the next 24 hours. People abstain from four activities : turning on light or lighting fires to cook (called Mati Geni), working, traveling and have sexual relations. The purpose is to start the new year with a clean record.

Ciwa-Ratri Day is the night of holy contemplation to beg God’s forgiveness. It is held throughout the night before the moon sets in the seventh month of the year.

Saraswati Day is a day devoted to the worship of God. Its held once every 210 days, on Saturday of the Umanis Uku Watugunung denomination. On this day, it is forbidden to read the holy book.

Pagerwesi Day is the day of worship of Sang Hyang Widhi (God) in His manifestation ata Sang Hyang Pramesti Guru performing yoga.

Galungan Day is a day of worship and thanksgiving because the universe and its contents have been created by Sang Hyang Widhi.

Kuningan take place 10 days after Galungan. It is held to welcome the return of Sang Pitare

Melelasti is a ceremony in which temple paraphernalia are cleansed in the sea. This ceremony are held by each family.

Can-Am Spyder Roadster : New Three Wheeled Motorcycle

2007-06-10T04:58:00.001+07:00

By Ari Satriyo Wibowo

Is it the new modern “becak motor” from Medan or the next snowmobile – or the next Segway? Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP) , based in Quebec, Canada, has spend US$ 195 million over 11 years developing the 2008 Can Am Spyder Roadster, a tree-wheeled motor vehicle. When it goes on sale later this year the US$15,000 Spyder will be aimed at baby-boomer who like the idea of riding al fresco but do not feel comfortable on a two wheeler, says Jose Boisjoli, BRP’s boss.

This three-wheel vehicle, with two wheels in the front and one in the rear, offers a completely new and stunning look. Powered by a proven 990cc V Twin engine designed and manufactured by BRP-Rotax, Spyder roadster, with its unique Y-architecture, can be described as part motorcycle and part convertible sports car. Later this year twelve selected American states and four Canadian provinces will offer Can-Am Spyder roadsters through BRP's existing dealer network, followed by France and Spain in early 2008. BRP will then expand its Can-Am Spyder offer to more North American states, Canadian provinces, Europe and other countries, and expects to be present worldwide within three to four years.

"Our Can-Am Spyder roadster is the next dimension in open-road riding. A true paradigm shift, the Spyder roadster offers a balance of performance and peace of mind with features like the Vehicle Stability System (VSS), engineered in conjunction with Bosch†, which includes anti-lock brakes, traction control and stability control systems," said José Boisjoli, president and CEO, BRP.

BRP's reputation was built on its ability to innovate and design products for powersports enthusiasts. After more than five years of research, the Can-Am Spyder roadster is now delivering on the company's promise to offer a complete line of recreational motorized products in four segments: on snow, on water, as well as both off and on road.

While confirming that the Can-Am Spyder roadsters would be assembled in Valcourt, Boisjoli added: "This is a historic event for BRP, particularly for our Valcourt and Austrian employees, as it confirms the strategic role of BRP's Québec manufacturing facilities for assembling complex and sophisticated vehicles, and BRP-Rotax's leadership in engine development. With Can-Am Spyder, we are redefining the roadster category by bringing the powersports experience to the road through this new generation of vehicles. BRP is entering a new era that will provide growth opportunities for our company worldwide and potentially create new jobs,'' he concluded.

Plans are to start manufacturing units by fall 2007 with a progressive ramp-up of the production over the next three years to meet market demand.

"This event also marks BRP's first truly global launch," said Chris Dawson, vice-president, Strategic planning & Head of Can-Am Spyder Program. "In 2007, BRP will deploy the first phase of its go-to-market strategy: twelve selected American states and four Canadian provinces will offer Can-Am Spyder roadsters through BRP's existing dealer network, followed by France and Spain in early 2008. In its second phase, BRP will expand its Can-Am Spyder offer to more North American states, Canadian provinces, Europe and other countries, and expects to be present worldwide within three to four years," he concluded.

FUTURE LEADER OF INDONESIA WILL BE COMING FROM BUSINESS WORLD

2007-06-09T09:34:00.000+07:00

By Ari Satriyo Wibowo

There is an interesting research result which posted by Kompas daily on Wednesday, 6 June 2007. The title of article is “ Gerak Zaman dan Pasang Surut Kepemimpinan “ (Move Epoch and the Rise and Fall of Leadership) that make a prediction that the future leader of Indonesia in the year 2020s will be coming from entrepreneur or business world.The research conducted by Anies Baswedan, Director Research of The Indonesian Institute.

If leader of year 1940- 1960 coming from intellectual circle as a result of modern education recruitment of the year 1900-1930. Whereas leader of year 1970-1980 coming from recruited military circle who struggle in the physical independence war of year 1940-1950. While leader of year 1990-2000 coming from political activist circle which recruited by political mass or political organization.

With above condition, Anies predicts that candidate of the future leader is youngster which in this time have an averages ages to 30s and reside in commercial region. Mostly have activist backgrounds and have intellectual bases and still hidden from public and also is not coming from the empire of business which has establish today.

LAUNCHING OF "18 JURUS SAKTI DEWA MABUK MEMBANGUN BISNIS" BOOK

2007-05-29T18:18:00.000+07:00

By Ari Satriyo Wibowo

Situated in Cilantro Bistro & Lounge at Wisma BNI 46 level 46 on Tuesday, May 29th, 2007 from 11.30 am to 14.00 pm the first business book in Indonesia with Kungfu storytelling style has been launched. Jakob Oetama, Chairman of Kompas Gramedia Group, opened with his beautiful keynote speech. Followed by comments from Gus Dus "another Drunken Master from politics area" and A.B. Susanto, a management consultant.

WILL AL GORE RUN FOR 2008 PRESIDENCY? I HOPE SO

2007-05-26T13:37:00.000+07:00

By Ari Satriyo Wibowo

As a person who become the victim of "the butterfly effect" like Al Gore, I am very proud of him. Until now, he have enjoyed his job as senior adviser at Google, board directors member of Apple Inc and "Global Warming Lectures" as you have seen on "An Incovenienth Truth" movie. I still have a dream that he would lead USA more better than Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton. Although he said,"I have fallen out of love with politics."

Time magazine wrote about him on May 25, 2007 edition under the title " The Last Temptation of Al Gore". Here is the excerpt of the article :

Let's say you were dreaming up the perfect stealth candidate for 2008, a Democrat who could step into the presidential race when the party confronts its inevitable doubts about the front-runners. You would want a candidate with the grassroots appeal of Barack Obama—someone with a message that transcends politics, someone who spoke out loud and clear and early against the war in Iraq. But you would also want a candidate with the operational toughness of Hillary Clinton—someone with experience and credibility on the world stage.

In other words, you would want someone like Al Gore—the improbably charismatic, Academy Award–winning, Nobel Prize–nominated environmental prophet with an army of followers and huge reserves of political and cultural capital at his command. There's only one problem. The former Vice President just doesn't seem interested. He says he has "fallen out of love with politics," which is shorthand for both his general disgust with the process and the pain he still feels over the hard blow of the 2000 election, when he became only the fourth man in U.S. history to win the popular vote but lose a presidential election. In the face of wrenching disappointment, he showed enormous discipline—waking up every day knowing he came so close, believing the Supreme Court was dead wrong to shut down the Florida recount but never talking about it publicly because he didn't want Americans to lose faith in their system. That changes a man forever.

It changed Gore for the better. He dedicated himself to a larger cause, doing everything in his power to sound the alarm about the climate crisis, and that decision helped transform the way Americans think about global warming and carried Gore to a new state of grace. So now the question becomes, How will he choose to spend all the capital he has accumulated? No wonder friends, party elders, moneymen and green leaders are still trying to talk him into running. "We have dug ourselves into a 20-ft. hole, and we need somebody who knows how to build a ladder. Al's the guy," says Steve Jobs of Apple. "Like many others, I have tried my best to convince him. So far, no luck."

"It happens all the time," says Tipper Gore. "Everybody wants to take him for a walk in the woods. He won't go. He's not doing it!" But even Tipper—so happy and relieved to see her husband freed up after 30 years in politics—knows better than to say never: "If the feeling came over him and he had to do it, of course I'd be with him." Perhaps that feeling never comes over him. Maybe Obama or Clinton or John Edwards achieves bulletproof inevitability and Gore never sees his opening. But if it does come, if at some point in the next five months or so the leader stumbles and the party has one of its periodic crises of faith, then he will have to decide once and for all whether to take a final shot at reaching his life's dream. It's the Last Temptation of Gore, and it's one reason he has been so careful not to rule out a presidential bid. Is it far-fetched to think that his grassroots climate campaign could yet turn into a presidential one? As the recovering politician himself says, "You always have to worry about a relapse."

For now, at least, Gore is firmly in the program. He's working mightily to build a popular movement to confront what he calls "the most serious crisis we've ever faced." He has logged countless miles in the past four years, crisscrossing the planet to present his remarkably powerful slide show and the Oscar-winning documentary that's based on it, An Inconvenient Truth, to groups of every size and description. He flies commercial most of the time to use less CO₂ and buys offsets to maintain a carbon-neutral life. In tandem with Hurricane Katrina and a rising chorus of warning from climate scientists, Gore's film helped trigger one of the most dramatic opinion shifts in history as Americans suddenly realized they must change the way they live. In a recent New York Times/CBS News poll, an overwhelming majority of those surveyed—90% of Democrats, 80% of independents, 60% of Republicans—said they favor "immediate action" to confront the crisis.

GUY KAWASAKI'S BOOK REVIEW : THE NINE BIGGEST MYTHS OF THE WORKPLACE

2007-05-19T07:20:00.000+07:00

I found this article from Guy Kawasaki's blog at http://blog.guykawasaki.com I want to sharing with you about this recent book review.

I liked Penelop Trunk's interview so much that I asked her for more material. Here's her list of the nine biggest workplace myths:

You’ll be happier if you have a job you like.

The correlation between your happiness and your job is overrated. The most important factors, by far, are your optimism levels and your personal relationships. If you are a pessimist, a great job can’t overcome that. (Think of the jerks at the top.) And if you have great friends and family, you can probably be happy even if you hate your job (imagine a garbage collector who’s in love).
Job-hopping will hurt you.

Job hopping is one of the best ways to maintain passion and personal growth in your caeers. And here’s some good news for hoppers: Most people will have eight jobs between the time they are eighteen and thirty. This means most young workers are job hopping. So hiring managers have no choice but to hire job hoppers. Ride this wave and try a lot of jobs out yourself.
The glass ceiling still exists.

The glass ceiling is over, not because people crashed through, but because people are not looking up. Life above the glass ceiling is 100-hour weeks, working for someone else, and no time for friends and family. And it’s not only women who are saying no to the ladder up: Men are as well. People want to customize success for themselves, not climb someone else rungs. So if no one is climbing to the top, the glass ceiling isn’t keeping anyone down.
Office politics is about backstabbing.

The people who are most effective at office politics are people who are genuinely nice. Office politics is about helping people to get what they want. This means you have to take the time to figure out what someone cares about, and then think about how you can help him or her to get it. You need to always have your ears open for when you can help. If you do this, you don’t have to strong arm people or manipulate them. Your authentic caring will inspire people to help you when you need it.
Do good work, and you’ll do fine.

For one thing, no one knows what the heck you’re doing in your cube if you’re not telling them. So when you do good work, let people know. It is not crazy to toot your own horn--it’s crazy to think someone will do it for you. Also, if you do good work but you’re a jerk, people will judge your work to be sub par. So you could say that good work really only matters if your co-workers enjoy hearing about it from you.
You need a good resume.

Only ten percent of jobs come from sending a blind resume. Most people get jobs by leveraging their network. Once you have a connection, the person looks at your resume to make sure there are no red flags. So you need a competent resume and an excellent network. This means you should stop stressing about which verb to use on the second line of your third job. Go talk to someone instead.
People with good networks are good at networking.

Just be nice, take genuine interest in the people you meet, and keep in touch with people you like. This will create a group of people who are invested in helping you because they know you and appreciate you. Use LinkedIn to leverage those peoples’ networks, and you just got yourself a very strong network by simply hanging out with the people you like.
Work hard and good things will come.
Everyone can put in a seventy-hour week. It doesn’t mean you’re doing good work. So here’s an idea: Make sure you’re not the hardest worker. Take a long lunch. Get all your work done early. Grand thinking requires space, flexibility and time. So let people see you staring at the wall. They’ll know you’re a person with big ideas and taking time to think makes you more valuable.
Create the shiny brand of you!

There is no magic formula to having a great career except to be you. Really you. Know who you are and have the humility to understand that self-knowledge is a never-ending journey. Figure out how to do what you love, and you’ll be great at it. Offer your true, good-natured self to other people and you’ll have a great network. Those who stand out as leaders have a notable authenticity that enables them to make genuinely meaningful connections with a wide range of people. Authenticity is a tool for changing the world by doing good.

BOROBUDUR, THE GIANT BOOK MADE OF STONE

2007-05-19T06:42:00.000+07:00

By Ari Satriyo Wibowo

Borobudur is the giant book made of stone in Indonesia before people have already recognized Barnes and Noble’s book store or order books via Amazon.com service.

Borobudur contains 504 Buddha statues, 432 in open niches and 72 in trellised stupas. The 1400 stone slabs that cover the balustrades are adorned with stone craft relief illustrating life according the tenets of Mahayana Buddha.

Borobudur has undergone several restorations since its discovery in 1814 by Sir Stamford Raffles, the Lieutenant-Governor of Java (then the founding father of Singapore in 1820’s and an author of History of Java). The damage that it had suffered over the many decades of its existence was severe. A tremendous earthquake that rocked Java in 1548 caused the final collapse of the monument.

In 1885, however, Borobudur attracted the public’s attention when J.W. Ijzerman, a Dutch army engineer, found the reliefs of the Mahakarmawibangga on the hidden foot of the temple. There were 166 reliefs on the hidden foot 13,000 meter cubic of stone as part of Kamandhatu sphere. Ruphadahatu sphere includes 4 galleries with 1300 pictorial relief with a total length of 2,5 km and surrounds by 1212 decorative panels. Arupadhatu sphere have 72 trellised stupas. And Sunyata sphere is only posses one large central stupa without any trellised.

The Borobudur depicts the ascension of man through the four level of existence : Kamadhatu (plane of passion and lust), Ruphadhatu (plane of image and forms), Arupadhatu (plane of non forms) and Sunyata (The True Existence, Absolution). For Christian believer the crucifixion of Jesus was a transformation from plane of non forms to Absolution. In Islamic tradition the four level of existence are known as syariat, tarikah, haqiqah and ma’rifah.

This temple was built around the ninth century in a mysterious way that we have not been able to understand until these days. Literally, Borobudur means the primal Buddha of earth. To understand it we must go beyond traditional Buddhist settings. That’s why it is difficult even for the Buddhist to understand the true meaning of Borobudur.

According to Borobudur human beings will evolve into higher consciousness level, the lowest being the plane of passions. Using the Borobudur matrix, we can plot where human kind is today. We are approximately at the level of Rupadhatu (plane of forms and images). Hence human beings in this level, today, are living under the influence of their five senses. This means that transcend beyond the plane of forms and images human beings have to diminish their reliance on the five senses. However, not everyone is completely at this level because some are still bound by the plane of lust and passions while others are already struggling towards the non form plan.

KALA the Movie : MYSTERY OF THE FIRST'S PRESIDENT HIDDEN TREASURY

2007-04-25T01:25:00.000+07:00

By Ari Satriyo Wibowo

Ratu Adil (literally means Queen of Justice ) or Satrio Piningit (the Hidden Knight) was first mentioned by Jayabaya, the Javanese king from the 12th century who is the Javanese equivalent of Nostradamus. In his book called Pralembang Joyoboyo, the king hinted that a messianic figure would appear amidst extreme chaos and lead the nation out of the dark. Several national leaders had claimed themselves to be Ratu Adil. But the people are still waiting for the one. He will be come and using the legacy from the first president's treasury to boost the wealthy of the nation.

But the country until now is in turmoil, marred by natural disasters, corruption and lawlessness. Some people take justice into their own hands, while others yearn for the promised leader to arrive.

A cop named Eros is investigating a case of five men who are burnt to death in public after somebody screams “thief” at them. A journalist named Janus is also covering the story. Soon enough, the two are drawn into a maze of mysteries and murders.

Somewhere along the line, Janus discovers a secret, and everyone he tells it to finds tragic death. When Eros comes across the secret too, they realize that angel of death will go after one of them, unless they find the promised leader first.

Janus is having a bad day. His wife divorces him and he loses his job as a journalist due to his narcolepsy. But his last assignment drags him into a labyrinth of mystery and murders as he holds a dangerous secret worth dying for: the truth about the long-waited figure who will lead the country out of chaos.

Eros maybe the only trusted police officer. But he is actually hiding something. He is the ultimate anti-hero who is soon forced to face his destiny if he wants stay alive.

Ranti. As the whole family turns up dead under eerie circumstances, Ranti runs from grave danger. She is not breaking the law by working in a seedy club, but she holds the key to a secret everybody’s willing to kill for.

Sari. When she realizes that being married to Janus will never make her dream of a better life comes true, Sari seeks a shortcut. But there are two ends to it: wealth or death.

Writer/Director Joko Anwar win rave reviews and commercial success with his debut feature Janji Joni (Joni's Promise), a lightweight comedy adventure about a guy who shuffles film reels between theaters. His second film KALA takes a much darker turn, telling a story of an unspecified period in an unnamed country. For this movie, Joko enlists the help of his long-time collaborator, cinematographer Ipung Rahmat Syaiful and a band of award-winning crew. KALA was shot within 31 days in 27 locations in four cities, on a US$600,000 budget. "We slept for only four hours everyday. But the crew's morale was incredibly high," Joko said. "Everybody saw it as an adventure. It was pure joy."Most of the locations were in and old city (Kota Lama) of Semarang, Central, where old colonials building remained untouched.Twenty-six year-old Fachri Albar as Janus has already mesmerized Indonesian audience with his role as transsexual in Jakarta Undercover, a thriller that opens in May which also written by Joko Ario Bayu, 22, plays a much older character, a jaded homicide investigator named Eros. This is his first leading role. International model Fahrani, here in her first big screen debut as Ranti, caught Joko's attention in a television movie. Shanty who was widely praised for her performance in Berbagi Suami (Love for Share) plays the femme fatale named Sari. KALA also marks the big screen debut performance for Tipi Jabrik, a professional surfer who has appeared in several TV commercials.Adding to the already impressive casts are veteran actors and cult icons of the 80s: Frans Tumbuan and August Melasz. For the first time, Frans plays an antagonist character while August acts as protagonist. Indonesian poet/stage director Yose Rizal Manua plays a character which is best kept secret.KALA is the first venture into feature films for MD Pictures, a company owned by Dhamoo and Manoj Punjabi. The former is already known as cult films producer in the 80s.

MURI AWARDED FOR SUKYATNO'S BOOK

2007-04-09T19:41:00.000+07:00

MURI (MUSEUM REKOR DUNIA INDONESIA) has been awarded for Sukyatno Nugroho as the owner of first business book in Indonesia which has an ancient legend hero storytelling style while I was as an inspirator. (By Ari Satriyo Wibowo)

SUKYATNO AS A DRUNKEN MASTER IN BUSINESS

2007-04-06T12:04:00.000+07:00

All this cartoons are parts of new book from Sukyatno Nugroho, Founder of Es Teler 77. I become his ghost writer to write a business book with ancient legend hero storyteller style. Drawing by Bambang Budi Santosa.

MURI (MUSEUM REKOR DUNIA INDONESIA) awarded prize to this book as first business book with self defense legend storyteller style.(By Ari Satriyo Wibowo)

TEN CHARACTERISTICS OF A HOME BUSINESS PROFESSIONAL

2007-03-30T19:49:00.000+07:00

According to Kely Lowe, the owner of Online Business Base, home business professionals are unique people. We are all very different people, with very different personalities and thinking processess. However, all successful home business professionals have the following characteristics in common.

1. Home business professionals are usually leaders, not followers. We like to set the standards, not adhere to them.

2. Home business professionals are always looking for new and better ways to do things. We believe that there is always a better, more effective way to get things done, and we seek to find it.

3. Home business professionals are very open-minded. We never say that an idea won't work without looking at all the facts, and if possible, testing the theory in question.

4. Home business professionals are generally very organized. We are our own bosses. There is nobody to tell us when, or how, to get things done. It is something we must do for ourselves, and being organized is usually the first step in getting things done effectively.

5. Home business professionals are hard workers. We know that starting a business is hard work, with long hours. However, we know that eventually, we will be able to work fewer hours and enjoy the same success. However, we do understand that work will always be involved, even if the hours are shorter.

6. Home business professionals like to help out others. If you talk to a home business professional, the chances are good that you will find that person does charity work of some sort.

7. Home business professionals are honest in their business dealings. When they see others being dishonest, they are quick to call them on it, and point it out to others.

8. Home business professionals are very dedicated. We love what we do. It is something we have chosen for ourselves. We make our own rules, and we love "going" to work each day. Our love for what we do drives us to do it better than anyone else and keeps us very motivated.

9. Home business professionals are very energetic. We don't have the stresses that the people in the corporate world have. We are not a part of the rat race. This allows us to have more energy. While traditional corporate employees tend to go home from work and stretch out on the couch to watch television, home business professionals walk out of their home offices ready to go have fun. We have alot of energy left over at the end of the day.

10. Home business professionals are happy people. We love what we do. We've made our own rules, and we are living the lives that we have chosen to live. Who wouldn't be happy?

TEN WINE TASTING TIPS

2007-03-30T19:38:00.000+07:00

Stuart Glasure, a wine enthusiast, write about wine tasting tips as follows :

1. Try something new and you might be surprised. Let the staff make suggestions. Compare the wines aged in steel to those aged in oak barrels.

2. Take Notes especially if you are gone all day. Most wineries offer a list that will assist you on keeping track. When you get home to your local wine shop, you will appreciate having a cheat sheet.

3. Visit during off season. November through May is an excellent time. You might be only one of the few guests all day, so the staff can give you some extra time.

4. Ask Questions. Winery staff love to be engaged and help educate. They are trained to know a lot about the wines you taste.

5. Eat the crackers. They help you clean your palate and absorb the alcohol.

6. Don't just stick with the big-name wineries. Check out some of the smaller ones in the area.

7. The nose, knows. Try not to use too much perfume or aftershave. The aroma of the wine is half the fun of tasting.

8. Call ahead for large parties. If you call ahead some wineries will even arrange cheese and fruit trays.

9. Be patient. If you prefer to visit during the peak seasons, you will have a great time tasting, but it may take a minute or two for the staff to serve you.

10. To test for a really good wine, swirl it around the glass. Legs or tears are what is left trickling down the glass after swirling. The stickier and longer the legs the better the quality.

THREE WAYS TO BECOME A BOOK AUTHOR

2007-03-07T19:57:00.000+07:00

Becoming an author is probably a lot easier than you think. It ‘s time to get that book out of your head and onto the printed page. Ready? Boot out your excuses. Here is how to do it.

Way # One: Think Quality, Not Quantity. To be classified as a book as opposed to a booklet or pamphlet your work needs a mere 49 pages (excluding the cover). Not only that but, depending on your topic, you can be liberal with photographs, charts, illustrations, bullet points, fill-in-the-blank worksheets, etc. Use them strategically in place of text. If it fits your theme, intersperse powerful quotations throughout your book, and give them a page of their own, even if it is only a line or two. Ditch the perception that you have to have a minimum number of lines on each page.

Way # Two: Start Talking. Invest in a tape recorder and shoot the breeze. I must admit that this isn’t quite as easy as it sounds, but if you’re articulate and you have skill at organizing your thoughts and ideas, it’s doable. Don’t try to wing it. Break down your book into chapters. Then prepare a detailed outline of each chapter. If it’s fiction you’re writing, outline the plot. For nonfiction, along with your outline, have any additional material handy that you want to refer to.

After you’re done, have a typist transcribe the tape. Save it onto a floppy disk and give it to an editor. She’ll polish the content. A variation of this method is to use voice recognition software that turns your spoken words into text.

Way # Three: Do an Anthology. If you don’t want to go it alone and you don’t mind sharing the spotlight have other writers contribute a chapter to your book. Then you’ll have only a chapter to write yourself. Whether it’s a collection of short stories or a manual of topics on your subject, this method really lightens your load. Be sure to place each writer’s name on their chapter’s byline.

Find other writers by asking for referrals. Who to ask? Try the librarian at your local library, an editor at your city’s newspaper, an English teacher at a nearby college, or professionals in the subject area of your book. Or place a classified ad in a writers’ magazine. And of course, be prepared to remunerate your contributors.

IS BEING AN ENTREPRENEUR IN YOUR BLOOD?

2007-02-14T14:27:00.000+07:00

By Ari Satriyo Wibowo

Ask yourself this question, is being an entrepreneur in your blood? What will your family think? How will you finance the business without draining your personal saving? Will you be a success? But before you travel any farther down the path to get your business started, put thoughts about “the business” on hold. There’s something more important to think about first. We know a way to help you answer all those questions you’re asking yourself and replace some of your doubt and uncertainty with confidence. And it has nothing to do with business or your idea for that business or invention--- yet.

On the contrary, what we propose is something that’s all too often overlooked by people thinking about tarting up their own business.It’s called your life. That’s right. We want you to focus first on what you really want out of this new life you are about to create. Why do we propose planning a life before planning a business? We believe that you’ll be most fulfilled by running your own show if you create a business that draws on what you really enjoy doing. You’re going to spend a lot of time and energy to make a success of your new business. If you enjoy the work, you won’t regret spending that time.

Using this approach, you’ll find that the more you enjoy your work, the harder you’re going to want to work. The harder you work, the closer you come to success. So, plan your life before you’ve even researched your idea or written a business plan. An entrepreneur is a person who has decided to take control of his future and become self-employed—whether by creating his own unique business or working as a member of a "team," as in multi-level marketing.

There are several character traits and work ethics that are common to successful entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs are careful about money. They always know how much money they have. They know the value and cost of things so they can recognize a real bargain. Most entrepreneurs earned money when they were teenagers — babysitting, mowing lawns, delivering newspapers, selling flowers etc.

Entrepreneurs are competitive by nature. Many were active in sports and other competitions in high school and college. Others were competitive in wanting to make good grades, earn the respect of their parents and teachers and achieve their goals. Entrepreneurs believe in the old adage, "the early bird gets the worm." They sleep and eat enough to maintain their energy levels but they don't usually linger over nonproductive tasks. Entrepreneurs are risk-takers who trust their hunches and act on them.Taking risks can be small first steps, like placing your first ad in a mailorder publication.

Entrepreneurs have a "head for business." They are always thinking of new ideas and new ways to make money or increase their business. They are not afraid to put these ideas to use. Entrepreneurs are usually loners rather than joiners. That's one reason why the home-based, mailorder business is so appealing to many entrepreneurs. They prefer a solitary work environment. Entrepreneurs are usually honorable people who do business based on a handshake or a promise. They tend to form strong associations with others who share this work ethic.

Entrepreneurs do set aside time for leisure activities and family. Their principal form of relaxation is their work, but they do realize the importance of downtime and spend time with their family. Entrepreneurs don't retire. They may sell or change their business, thinking they will retire, but they always jump back in with a new project or get a new idea that they just can't ignore.

Entrepreneurs are professionals. Whether working from their bedroom, the kitchen table or a modern, well-appointed home office, they operate just as they would if they were in an expensive office building in a major city. When they are working, they don't let outside influences distract them. In general, entrepreneurs are people who have high energy, feel self-confident, set long-term goals, and view money and financial security as a measure of accomplishment and piece of mind.

They persist in problem solving, take risks, learn from failures (their own and from others), take the initiative, accept personal responsibility and use all available resources to achieve their success. Entrepreneurs compete with themselves and believe that success or failure lies within their personal control or influence. They do not see non-successes as failures but as learning experiences. Most of all, they never give up and never quit striving for success. If you fit most of these criteria, you have what it takes to be an entrepreneur. Success comes mainly from educating yourself and a lot of hard work.

TO CELEBRATE TEATER KOMA’S 30th ANNIVERSARY (1977-2007)

2007-01-29T09:06:00.000+07:00

By Ari Satriyo Wibowo

Is profiting from a theatre performance possible in Indonesia?

TEATER KOMA established in Jakarta on March 1, 1977. At that time, 12 person who are now called The Founding Generation ie. N. Riantiarno, Ratna Majid, Rima Melati, Rudjito, Jajang Pamoentjak, Titi Qadarsih, Syaeful Anwar, Cini Goenawan, Jim Barry Aditya, Otong Lenon, Zaenal Bungsu and Agung Dauhan pledge to unity. Now, the Group is supported by 30 active members and 50 members who will join where their time and energy allow them to.

Until 2006, TEATER KOMA has performed 110 productions, including television and stage plays.Usually performs at the Taman Ismail Marzuki Jakarta Arts Center, TVRI and Jakarta Arts Building.

TEATER KOMA believes that theater can become one of the bridges which lead to spiritual balance and the path towards creating a human happiness.To be honest reflecting through theater is also believe to be one of the ways to rediscover common sense and conscience. As a consistent and productive group, known to have many loyal audiences. Its performances were often held for more than 14 days.

Almost major of the members did not depend their income from the group. Some of them have work outside group and subsidize by themselves their activity of as hobby but they elaborated seriously and full of dedication. For some them who choosing theater as their way of life, no money is seen by them as risk a choice. Entire production cost if calculated correctly and detailed, always can not afford to be closed from from ticket sales revenue and support from the sponsor. Each time they design a production, the fund is frequently coming from their own pocket or collective fund sharing.

The main question, is profiting from theatre performance possible in Indonesia? I think it is not impossible. Look at what Thailand did may be could be imitated. Even Alcazar Cabaret Show in Pattaya could make profit by their sing and dance show by almost their lady boys artists.

The 111th productions of TEATER KOMA, THE VISIT (Kunjungan Cinta) is adopted from Switzerland playwright’s Friedrich Durrenmatt. His plays originally called Der Besuch der alten Dame (The Visit of Old Madamme).

Here is the summary of THE VISIT which perform from January 12th to 28th, 2007 in Taman Ismail Marzuki Jakarta Arts Center :

The town of Goela is engulfed in euphoria. Klara Zakanasian, the multimillionaires philanthropist, has decided to visit their town. The townspeople hoped and believed that the Old Lady will not let her hometown, Goela, drown in poverty.

And Ilak Alipredi, the future mayor who used to be an old friend of Klara’s is given the duty of persuading klara to revive the town’s economy.

It turns out that Klara Zakanasia is willing to give away one trillion rupiah. But, with a rather outrageous request, Ilak Alipredi life.

Secret are then revealed, 45 years ago, Ilak and Klara were two lovers. But when the girl became pregnant, Ilak refused to take responsible and went on to marry Marhilda, the daughter of wealthy merchant. At the court of law, Ilak put forward two false witnesses, whom he bribed with some bottle of wine, who willingly admitted that they have slept with Klara. The Chief Judge decided that Ilak was not guilty. Klara was cast off society, left Goela and became a prostitute.

But then Klara’s fortune changed. She was wed by Zakanasian, a rich oil tycoon. Once the husband died, Klara inherited his money. She then married other rich men and by doing so, increased her wealth. Even then, the past was hard to put behind. She searched for the two false witnesses. Once they were found she had them castrated, blinded and made to be her servants. Even the Chief Judge became her personal assistant, with a fantastic salary ! Secretly, Klara bought all the factories and economic sources of Goela, closing them down one by one, slowly destroying Goela. Now the townspeople only have one past time : watching trains speed by! Zakanasian’s requirement enrages the Mayor and the townspeople. They refuse to accept the one trillion donation if the price is the life of Ilak Alipredi, a respected figure, the next major. Klara smiles and says, “Allright. There’s still time. I will wait.”

Klara Zakanansian comes to Goela bringing an expensive and luxurious coffin. She has already built a mausoleum in the Miditerranian which has a beautiful view. It is made from first class quality Italian marble. Stone statues, guardian of Ilak’s corpse, complement the interior of the mausoleum.

Can the people of Goela endure the temptation? Which will they choose; defending the standard of morality and humanity rooted in ‘local wisdom’, meaning they will stay poor, or to opt for the fortune., by murdering an honored citizen with the reward of one trillion rupiah? But, the promise of money encourages the townpeople to aggressively create debts. Due to debts, life becomes prosperous. In the end, all debts must be paid. And Ilak Alipredi’s life is at stake! ***

CREATE A LEGACY : THE 25 YEARS’ LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE TRULY ENTREPRENEUR

2007-01-19T16:11:00.000+07:00

By Ari Satriyo Wibowo

Sukyatno Nugroho was a successful entrepreneur which starting business from zero. He who was born in the city of Pekalongan on August 3, 1948 never tired to tell you a story how he built his franchise business of Es Teler 77.

Confessing that he only having a formal education as high as junior high school and occupy the 40th rank from 50 students in the class, he was very proud that he could enlarge his business to entire Indonesia region and even go international to abroad such as Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Australia.

Sukyatno whom his Chinese's name was Hoo Tjio Kiat have a colorful life. With his junior high school diploma he initially try to become a salesman of notions products in Jakarta. Various profession he also experienced like as a developer of advertisement building, effort printing office, service bureau and scalper. In that “school of life” he learnt sales and marketing.

When still as a salesman Sukyatno met with his future wife, Yenny Setia Widjaja, a sweet girl who served as salesclerk at electronic appliances store in the area of Jakarta Kota. Each time he parked his motor cycle in front the store, Yenni’s heart follow to palpitate very fast. They set mind to married on September 28, 1971 and bestowed by three children namely Felicia, Andrew and Fredella.

After married various life temptation faced by him including bankruptcy. His lucky destiny finally come when his mother-in-law Mrs. Murniati Widjaja become first champion on the contest of making “Es Teler” which carried out by Gadis magazine in 1982.

Sukyatno business insting worked and he fully imitated that receipt. With only one million rupiah of capital, Sukyatno start his tent booth restaurant business. Because it established on July 7th of 1982 he decided to named his restaurant as Es Teler 77. And because that recipe was a result from the first and last contest of es teller in Indonesia, to be uniquely he add “Indonesian’s Champion” as the slogan for his own brand.

Because his tent booth restaurant was often forced to move by local officer hence he set mind rented a space in Pondok Indah Mall Jakarta and his business runned fastly. At 1987 he plunged to franchised business. First branch stand up in Solo and followed by Semarang’s branch one week later. Franchisee paid initial fund and charged by 4 percent of royalty from the sales revenue.

On 1994 Sukyatno decided to open his outlet only into shopping centre, plaza or mall. He even also started to compile standard, management system and good training.

In order not to arised dispute problem in the future as a family business he divided the ownership on 25 % share each among Mrs. Murniati Widjaja ( his mother-in-law), Mr. Trisno Budijanto (his father-in-law), Yenny Setia Widjaja (his wife) and his own.

On 1997, he also opened “Bakmi Tek Tek” which sold traditional noodle and “Ikan Bakar Pasti Enak” which provided various variation of fish burn. During the 14th of May 1998 riots , he lossed 14 outlets in burnt. But he also succeed to open 50 new outlets during financial crisis in Indonesia. On 2003 his outleat reach more than 203 outlets. But after the company decided to concrentrate its business only in shopping center, the amount of his restaurants remained only 180 outlets.

Beside fast food restaurants, Sukyatno even also having several ala carte restaurant by various theme which managed by his children and wife namely Cilantro Asian Bistro & Lounge at Wisma BNI 46, Batula Food & Fun at Jalan Adityawarman, Kebayoran Baru Jakarta, Cilantro Tea House at Pondok Indah Mall 2 and Sunshine Kapitiam at Pantai Losari Makassar.Outside the restaurant business he also have an interior design company called Centra Marvel.

Realizing that his age has growth older and his business has almost stepped on third generation, Sukyatno wish to create a valuable legacy.” As according to proverb that Tiger leave Stripe and Elephant leave Ivory so I wish to leave heritage in the form of a special college of traditional food, “ Sukyatno said. He plans to stand up his college in the area of West Jakarta.***

THE WINE CELLAR : A STORY ABOUT WINE SUPPLIER IN INDONESIA

2007-01-19T15:55:00.000+07:00

By Ari Satriyo Wibowo

Suryadi Jaya or people just called him Surya was one of wine supplier in Jakarta. His company PT Sarana Tirta Anggur was located in Bendungan Hilir area of Jakarta.

Surya was the youngest son in his family. His entrepreneurship appeared when was still a junior high school student. His first business was a store which sold flower and fertilizer in the Slipi- Rawabelong area with nine millions rupiah capital. His business growth bigger and bigger. But when he decided to study in Australia on 1995 he delivered his business to his brother.

Initially he did not interested to wine and winery. But because people served wine day to day to him, it become a habit and then he fell in love to wine. On the vacation he did not went home to Indonesia but more opting to work in the vinejard and winery factory.

On 1997 he establish his first store “The Wine Cellar” in the Intercontinental Buiding of Jakarta and then having several another wine store. But to avoiding the conflict of interest betweem his role as supplier and retailer, he finally closed all his store.

He handle major famous brands from France, Australia, Chilean and other counties up to 20 brands. Periodly he held gathering between the wine maker and all the hotel’s general manager in Jakarta in his office.

WHAT IS WINE ?

Wine, alcoholic beverage made from the juice of grapes. During fermentation, microscopic single-celled organisms called yeasts digest sugars found in fruit juice, producing alcohol and carbon dioxide gas in the process. Although grapes are the most common fruit used to make wine, wine is also made from the fermented juice of pears, apples, berries, and even flowers such as dandelions. Wine naturally contains about 85 to 89 percent water, 10 to 14 percent alcohol, less than 1 percent fruit acids, and hundreds of aroma and flavor components in very small amounts. Wine character—its taste and smell—is derived from many factors including the grapes it is made from, where they were grown, and the production techniques applied by the wine maker, or enologist.

Chianti Grapes Chianti grapes were developed from the European grape, Vitis vinifera. Despite the European grape’s widespread distribution, many botanists believe that it originated in the Caspian Sea region of Asia and was subsequently transported by wind, water, and birds to other areas. Cultivated for thousands of years, it has been hybridized with other grape species and transplanted around the world.Oxford Scientific Films

The practice of making wine is as old as our most ancient civilizations, and wine has played a central role in human culture for more than 8,000 years. In contrast to most foods and beverages that spoil quickly or that can spread disease, wine does not spoil if stored properly. The alcohol in wine, called ethanol, is present in sufficient concentrations to kill disease-causing microorganisms, and throughout history, wine was often safer to drink than water or milk. This property was so significant that before the connection between microorganisms, poor sanitation, and disease was understood, ancient civilizations regarded wine as a gift from the gods because it protected against disease.

WINE GRAPES AND VINEYARDS

The main grapevine cultivated for wine production is the European wine grape, Vitis vinifera. Native to areas along the Black, Caspian, and Mediterranean seas, today there are more than 5,000 varieties of Vitis vinifera grown in the world. Because this grape plant prefers warm, dry summers and mild winters, successful cultivation is limited to temperate climates in both the northern and southern hemispheres. The most popular red varieties in the United States are zinfandel, cabernet sauvignon, grenache, merlot, and pinot noir. The most popular white grapes are colombard, chardonnay, chenin blanc, and sauvignon blanc.

The following excerpt is taken from Oz Clarke’s Encyclopedia of Wine and describes the Gewürztraminer grape, a white grape with flowery and spicy aromas. British spellings are retained.

Natural factors make wine from a particular region unique. Known in the wine industry as terroir, these factors include local climate (temperature, rainfall, and sunlight), location of grapevines (altitude and slope), and soil (structure, composition, and water drainage). In general, a grapevine produces the best fruit when the moderate climate provides much sunshine and cool nights without frost, and the soil is well drained. Grapevines grow best in sandy, chalky, or rocky soils.

Wine grapes are grown in vineyards, where individual vines are grown or trained on a system of stakes and wires, called a trellis, to optimize sun exposure. The first harvest of grapes can be made in the third year after planting, and a full crop suitable for commercial use can be expected after five years. Grapevines may produce fruit for 20 to over 100 years. The grapevine growth cycle begins in early spring when new shoots appear on the buds of the grapevine. These shoots develop flowers that blossom and then produce clusters of tiny green grapes. The grapes begin to ripen in midsummer and are ready to be harvested beginning in midfall, depending on the location, grape variety, weather, and the type of wine to be produced. By the end of fall, the vines lose their leaves and become dormant until the following spring.

A wine’s character is strongly affected by wine growing, or viticultural practices such as training, trellising, harvesting, and pruning. Training and trellising enable the viticulturalist to control the sun exposure to ensure the grapes ripen evenly. Grapes harvested when they are not ripe may be low in sugar and may not ferment properly. Overly ripe grapes have very high sugar content and produce wine high in alcohol. Once the vines are dormant, the viticulturalist prunes the vines to remove the dead wood. Pruning enables the grower to control the size and shape of the vines, as well as the number of buds that will develop the next year. Too many buds on a vine may stress nutrient availability, reducing the quality of the future harvest.

Grapevines have many natural enemies: insects, molds, bacteria, viruses, and animals such as deer and birds that eat the young shoots or the sweet grapes. Certain soilborne pests, such as the root louse Phylloxera, destroy the roots of European grapevines. Vines native to North and South America have a natural resistance to this insect, but they often produce grapes with an undesirable flavor. To counter this problem, American vineyards use grapevines grown from two different parts: the roots from resistant American vines and the part above the ground from European vines. The process of combining parts of two different plants is known as grafting and works much like healing a broken bone.

There are 8 million hectares (20 million acres) of vineyards in the world producing 62 million tons of grapes each year. About 29 billion liters (8 billion gallons) of wine are made from those grapes. The biggest wine producers worldwide are France (19 percent), Italy (17 percent), and Spain (13 percent). The United States is the fourth largest producer in the world, producing about 9 percent of the world’s wine. California produces 90 percent of all the wine in the United States, with enologists in New York, Washington, Oregon, and at least 41 other states making the remainder of U.S. wine.

HOW WINE IS MADE

Wine is the product of the fermentation by yeast of grape juice or grape must, grape juice that still contains the fruit’s skins and seeds. Once the grape sugar has been completely consumed, fermentation is complete, and wine has been produced. The science that deals with wine making is known as enology.

While the basic production elements of wine are simple, manipulation of the grapes, juice or must, and wine to produce the desired combination of flavors and aromas is very difficult, and many recognize this process as an art form. Wine makers try to optimize production of specific aromas and flavors—described with terms like cherry, chocolate, vanilla—and minimize the formation of negative flavors and aromas—described as wet dog, plastic, and rotten egg. It is also important that the wine acids and alcohol are balanced. If the wine is too acidic, the wine may taste sour. If the ethanol level is too high, the wine will have a strong taste of alcohol.

The single most important factor that contributes to a wine’s character is the grapes that are used. Grapes influence the wine’s flavor, alcohol content, acidity, and even its color. White wine, which is actually straw to golden-yellow in color, is produced from white grapes, and red wine is produced from red grapes. Red and white wine production is basically the same except for one primary difference: the presence of the grape skins during fermentation. White grapes are crushed and the juice separated from the skins prior to fermentation. Red wine is fermented with the grape skins. Red pigments called anthocyanins and other compounds in the grape skins are extracted during the fermentation process to impart the characteristic red color of the wine as well as other features. A blush or rosé wine is light pink in color and is produced from red grapes not fermented with the skins. A little pigment is released when the red grapes are crushed, but not to the same extent as during fermentation.

In modern wine production, the grapes are harvested from the vineyards and taken to a winery where they are passed through a machine called a destemmer-crusher that separates the fruit from the stems and cracks the berries open to release the juice. To make white wine, the must is transferred to a press where pressure is applied to separate the juice from the skins. The amount of pressure used influences what flavor compounds are extracted from the skins. After pressing, the white juice without the skins is transported to a fermentation tank. In red wine production, the must from the crusher is transferred directly to a tank for fermentation.

The containers used for fermentation are mostly stainless steel or wood. The type of container used and the temperature of fermentation influence the characters of the wine. Many of the aroma components of wine are volatile—that is, they leave the wine by evaporation. This evaporation occurs faster at higher temperatures, so to retain fruity characters in the wine the temperature of fermentation must be controlled, usually by direct cooling of the fermentation tanks. Stainless steel is much easier to cool than wood and is preferred for temperature-crucial fermentation.

The wine maker may allow fermentation to proceed relying only on the yeast naturally present on the grape skins and in the winery equipment, or the wine maker may add extra yeast in a process known as inoculation. Two yeast species are used in fermentation, Saccharomyces cerevisiae or Saccharomyces bayanus. Yeast is responsible for the presence of positive but also negative aroma characters in wine. For example, when yeast is under stress it produces a compound called hydrogen sulfide, which smells like rotten eggs. To avoid this undesirable quality, a wine maker may add nutrients to the fermentation tank. The duration of fermentation also influences wine character.

Other naturally occurring microorganisms may grow in the must or juice, affecting the flavors and aromas of the finished wine. For example, lactic acid bacteria use the acids in wine as a source of energy, reducing the wine’s acidity. These bacteria also produce other aromas and are responsible for the buttery smells that can be found in wine. Sometimes the wine maker restricts the growth of lactic acid bacteria, especially if the wine is already low in acidity or if the buttery character would clash with other aromas of the wine. Acetobacter, another type of bacteria, can spoil the wine by converting ethanol to acetic acid to make vinegar.

When fermentation is complete, red wine is separated from the stems and grape skins by passing it through a press. Both red and white wines appear cloudy after fermentation, and the wine maker must wait for the yeast and other solids to settle to the bottom of the fermentation tank, forming a sediment called the lees. The clear wine is racked or drawn off the lees and stored in a clean cask. In a process called fining, the wine maker may further clarify the wine by adding ingredients that attract unwanted particles, such as proteins that can cause cloudiness. These added ingredients settle to the bottom and can be easily collected and removed.

After fermentation, the wine maker has to decide how the wine will be aged. Aging of wine significantly affects the flavors and aromas present, and several different techniques are used. For example, wine aged in oak barrels picks up some flavor and aroma characters from the oak wood, a very desirable quality in some wines. A wine may be aged under conditions encouraging the loss of some of the fruity, volatile compounds, producing a wine rich in other characters, such as spicy or toasted flavors. Air exposure during aging can cause the phenolic wine compounds, extracted from grape skins and seeds, to combine with each other, producing large chemical compounds called tannins. Over time the tannins become so large that they form reddish-brown sediment in the bottle. This reduces wine bitterness and astringency. The length of time a wine is aged before it is bottled determines the extent to which these reactions occur. Once the wine has been aged, it is ready to be put into bottles, where it may continue to slowly age for many years.

CLASSIFICATION OF WINE

Wines are categorized using a number of different methods. Sometimes they are grouped into different categories by grape variety, region of origin, by color, by the name of the wine maker or viticulturalist, or by production technique. Three basic groups of wines are most easily distinguishable for the consumer: table wines, sparkling wines, and fortified wines.

Table wines, also known as still or natural wines, are produced in many different styles and make up the majority of wines on the market. Traditionally consumed as part of a meal, table wines contain between 10 and 14 percent alcohol and are further classified by their color, sugar content, and the variety and origin of the grapes that were used. Depending on the grape variety and wine-making technique, wines can be white, red, or pink in color. Most table wines are fermented until they are dry—that is, all the grape sugar has been turned to alcohol by the yeast. Slightly sweet or off-dry wines are made by stopping the fermentation before all the sugar is gone or by adding grape juice back to the wine afterwards.

In wine-producing regions outside of Europe, particularly California and Australia, table wines are often classified by the grape variety they are made from. At least 75 percent of the grapes used to produce the wine must be of the named grape variety. Chardonnay, for example, is wine made from at least 75 percent chardonnay grapes. Wines classified this way are sometimes called varietals, and include wines such as riesling, cabernet sauvignon, and merlot.

The traditional European classification system puts more emphasis on the region—or appellation—where the wine is from. The French system of Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée labels wines based on their geographical pedigree. The most renowned wine-producing regions in France, and possibly the world, are Burgundy, in central France, and Bordeaux, a region on the southwestern coast of the country. Bordeaux maintains a famous geographical classification system for some of its viticultural areas, dating back to the year 1855. Bordeaux ranks its best wineries, called châteaux, and their vineyards—crus, into five classes called grand crus. The highest class, called premier grand crus, is still held by only five wineries: Château Margaux, Château Latour, Château Mouton-Rothschild and Château Lafite-Rothschild in Pauillac, plus Château Haut-Brion in Graves. Wines from these vineyards in France are considered to be among the highest-quality wines in the world. Altogether, France produces about 200 million cases (containing 12 bottles each) of table wine each year.

The French Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée system has been adopted by most other wine-producing countries. In addition to the primary grape variety used to make the wine, American wineries use a tag on their wine bottle labels called Appellation of Origin to indicate where the grapes were grown. An appellation can be a country, state, county, or geographically defined American Viticultural Area (AVA). At least 85 percent of the grapes used to produce the wine must be from the viticultural area stated on the label. The United States currently recognizes about 150 AVAs, distinguishable by geographical features. The largest growing region in the United States, California, has at least 85 AVAs, including the Napa and Sonoma valleys. About 223 million cases of table wine are produced in the United States each year.

Sparkling wine is made from table wine that has undergone a second fermentation. The wine maker adds a measured amount of sugar and fresh yeast to the dry wine. This can happen in a closed tank, or directly in the bottle, which is the way the most famous sparkling wine, French champagne, is produced. The yeast ferments the added sugar, but this time the carbon dioxide gas remains in the sealed bottle, creating carbonation. When the sparkling wine is poured into a glass, the gas bubbles to the surface.

Under the Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée system, only sparkling wines produced in the Champagne region of northeastern France can officially use the name champagne. Sparkling wines produced in all other regions of the world, even those produced using the traditional champagne method, are simply referred to as sparkling wines. About 11 million cases of sparkling wine are produced in the United States each year.

Fortified wines contain additional alcohol and are usually consumed in small amounts as aperitifs before meals or dessert wines after a meal. Popular examples are port and sherry. In port wine making, which originated in Portugal, the grapes are crushed and the fermentation started but then stopped by the addition of more alcohol, which kills the yeast. The resulting wine is sweet and has an alcohol content that is 5 to 10 percent higher than table wine. Originally from Spain, sherry is made by adding alcohol to a young dry wine in an oak barrel intentionally filled only halfway. Special yeasts called flor yeast grow on the surface of the wine and create the distinct nutty flavor characteristic of sherry. About 8 million cases of fortified wines are produced in the United States each year.

Brandy is made from wine but is classified as distilled liquor, not as wine. Brandy is distilled from wine to concentrate the alcohol in the wine. To make a distillate, wine is heated in an enclosed copper pot until it boils and the alcohol evaporates. The alcoholic vapor passes through a coiled pipe where it is cooled down until it forms a liquid again, or condenses. After distillation the brandy is aged. Bottled brandy typically contains 40 percent alcohol and has been aged in oak barrels for several years.***

MY PAST LIVE AS ADMIRAL NALA & NANCY’S FUTURE LIVE AS MARSHA

2007-01-03T10:51:00.000+07:00

By Ari Satriyo Wibowo

If you know exactly who you were in the past, could you control your destiny in the present life?

Since it is usually not understood, that conditions experienced at present might also be the fruits of actions done in the previous life, many people are in doubt in concern with God’s words through His messengers, because of encountering many faith doubting events, so that one might come to presume, that it is of no use to follow religion’s regulations. They see many people, who are devoted to God and doing virtuous deeds, do not get God’s reward apparently, but are on the contrary in poor condition or even worse.

To understand exactly about this matter, you must accept concept of reincarnation. God give seven chance to human to life again in Earth. It means that you could return to God without reincarnated if you are really pure heartly and have a high virtue character. Condition to return to God only if you on chastity and trust.

In fact happiness and sorrow in life are the fruit of action. By doing good deeds one will reap joy, by doing bad ones, for example making other people suffer, one will undergo sorrow or suffering. The fruit of action will be reaped during one’s life in this world and will be in proportion with the actions performed. If one’s character in his present life is of high virtue, helpful, righteous and something like that, then in his next life --- if reincarnated --- he might belong to the group of God’s agents. However,if one has now a low character --- like exploting or cheating fellow men --- in his next life he will belong to the refuse of the community and will suffer. Along the same principle people have their various occupations, for example as merchants, farmers, craftsmen and others profession, they have been attracted to by their fitting character and behaviour in their previous life.

Similar is the motivation to be born in a certain family, if not due to the same rhythm, it might be based on the kind of social relationship in the past, either to repay goodness or to take revenge for inflicted harm. For instance : a good father might have a thief as son, or the opposite a good child might be brought in the world by a bad father, both cases are based on sorrow inflicted in the past by the father to someone, who is now born as his child. But usually, the attraction to become family member, as consort or child, is founded on mutual love and mutual assistance in the past or having similar characteristics. The development of a close friendship in the present life might also have as background a relationship in the past, for example, the partner might have been a beloved souse or child, or bosom friend, who has sacrificed his life. But as Life is actually one, not devided in parts, which are hostile to each other, to eliminate the seed of enmity, in a next life the opponents might be brought closely together by becoming members of one family, in order that mutual love and unity might be established. That is in brief the explanation of a fortunate or unfortunate life as it is commonly understood. ( Source : Sasangka Jati or True Light).

When I a was a student at the Faculty of Economics of University of Airlangga majoring in management study in Surabaya on 1987 for the first time I have read a book about Past Live and Future Live (Bruce Goldberg, North Hollywood, New Castle, 1982). A new version of the book has been published on 2004 under a title : Past Lives, Future Lives Revealed.

MY PAST LIVE AS ADMIRAL NALA FROM MAJAPAHIT

I interested to this book because a friend of mine have been detected my past live as Admiral Nala from Majapahit Kingdom of Nusantara Indonesia on the 14th century. He was the right hand officer of Gajah Mada who was the “Maha Patih” of Majapahit Kingdom who pledged for the Unity of the Nusantara region under the famous “Sumpah Palapa.” Nala was a very aggressive admiral and success in his duty to attack with his navy battleship to conquer other countries in the region which refuse to join with Majapahit Kingdom. Even, Nala has also led an expedition to Madagaskar Island of Africa.

On 2005, I took a Past Live Regression (PLR) session in Cikini area Jakarta to make a second opinion about my past live as Admiral Nala from Majapahit. The result that my past life as Admiral Lembu Nala from Majapahit was confirm. It was true.

Another PLR session by a friend of mine also founded that I have been a French people in the past. According to him, I was Maximillien Robespierre, an influential figure of the French Revolution and the principal exponent of the Reign of Terror. But this case is not yet confirm by a second opinion session of PLR.

Born on May 6, 1758, in Arras, and educated in Paris at the College of Louis-le-Grand and at the College of Law, Robespierre became a fanatical devotee of the social theories of the French philosopher Jean Jacques Rousseau. He was elected a deputy of the Estates-General that convened in May 1789, on the eve of the French Revolution, and subsequently served in the National Constituent Assembly, where his earnest and skillful oratory soon commanded attention. In April 1790 he was elected president of the Jacobin Club and became increasingly popular as an enemy of the monarchy and as an advocate of democratic reforms. He opposed the more moderate Girondins, the dominant faction in the newly formed Legislative Assembly.

After the downfall of the monarchy in August 1792, Robespierre was elected first deputy for Paris to the National Convention, in which he urged the execution of King Louis XVI. In May 1793, Robespierre, supported by the people of Paris, forced the expulsion of the Girondins from the National Convention. In July he was elected a member of the chief executive body, the Committee of Public Safety, and in the absence of any opposition rapidly gained control of the government. France was in turmoil, and with the aim of restoring order and reducing the danger of invasion from abroad, Robespierre, backed by the committee, proceeded to eliminate all whom he considered to be enemies of the Revolution, both extremists and moderates. This policy led to the so-called Reign of Terror and to the execution, in March and April 1794, of the revolutionary leaders Jacques René Hébert. and Georges Jacques Danton. In May, at Robespierre’s insistence, the National Convention proclaimed as an official religion the cult of the Supreme Being, which was based on Rousseau’s theory of Deism. This decree antagonized both Roman Catholics and atheists, but Robespierre still had the powerful backing of the Commune of Paris, and in June he was elected president of the National Convention.

In the meantime, the Reign of Terror had intensified, and Robespierre’s increasingly aggressive speeches caused many influential members of the National Convention and of the Jacobin Club to fear for their own safety. A series of French military victories then made the extreme security measures seem less imperative, and a conspiracy was formed for the overthrow of Robespierre. On July 27, 1794, he was barred from speaking at the National Convention and was placed under arrest. An uprising in his support by soldiers of the Paris Commune was thwarted, and on July 28 Robespierre died on the guillotine with his close associates Louis Saint-Just and Georges Couthon, along with 19 other supporters. Eighty more followers of Robespierre were executed the next day.(Source : Microsoft Encarta 2005)

Oh…it was a horrible experience.

EXPERT OF HYPNOTHERAPY WHO PRACTICED PLR AND FLP

Back to the previous chapter the author of Past Lives, Future Lives book was Dr. Bruce Goldberg. He graduated Southern Connecticut State College in June, 1970 Magne Cum Laude, earning a B.A. degree in Biology and Chemistry. In 1984, Dr. Goldberg received his M.S. in Counseling Psychology from Loyola College. He retired from Dentistry in 1989 and has devoted his main focus to his hypnotherapy practice in Los Angeles.

The American Society of Clinical Hypnosis trained Dr. Goldberg in the techniques and clinical applications of hypnosis. This organization trains only licensed Dentists, Physicians, Psychologists and counselors in the use of hypnosis.

Dr. Goldberg practices hypnotherapy full-time. Since 1974, Dr. Goldberg has been providing hypnotherapy services and he is currently a consultant to local television and radio stations as well as newspapers, magazine, wire services and the major networks.

Dr. Goldberg no longer practices dentistry and has written many books on the clinical uses of hypnosis. In addition, his scientific articles have been published in psychological, medical, dental and hypnosis journals.

His contact address is Bruce Goldberg, Inc., 4300 Natoma Ave., Woodland Hills, CA 91364 Tel.(818) 713-8190

Here is one of the most famous future life progression (FLP) session of dr. Bruce Goldberg from California :

FUTURE LIFE OF NANCY AS A CAREER WOMAN NAMED MARSHA

Nancy, a 34 year old waitress in a small Baltimore restaurant, first came to me for past-life regression. In one of her past lives she was a cleaning woman in a Madrid hotel during the 19th century. She worked very hard to put her son (her daughter in this life) through school. One night she was raped and suffered much indignation from the hotel manager (her former husband in this life). Another past-life regression revealed Nancy as a beggar in Italy during the 14th century. After a number of additional successful regressions, we discussed the idea of progression. She was very interested and I arranged to progress her into a future lifetime on her next appointment.

Nancy had no background in parapsychology. She had never read books on the topic. She had little formal education. Her interests in this field began when she saw me interviewed on television. She had been divorced for seven years and had been the victim of much harassment from her former husband, yet she was not bitter. Rather, she was always pleasant and cooperative.

On a Wednesday afternoon at the end of October, this personable young woman began her trip into the twenty-third century. Nancy entered into a hypnotic trance quickly. In a matter of minutes she was in a deep trance and ready to respond to my questions. When I instructed her, she went right into a future life, as if it were something she did every day. This is what we discovered from these taped sessions.

Dr. G : What do you see at this moment?
Nancy : I,I’m not sure. I seem to be floating. I can’t make anything out.
Dr. G : Focus on my voice. On the count of the three you will no longer be floating. One …two …three. Now can you tell me what you see?
Nancy : I’m on my way to the Ministry.
Dr. G : What Ministry is that?
Nancy : The Ministry of Peace, of course. My training is almost complete and I’m very excited about my career.
Dr. G : What year is this?
Nancy : Why it’s 2206
Dr. G : What is your name?
Nancy : Marsha
Dr. G : How long you have been with the Ministry?
Nancy : Four years. In a few months I will be given my first assignment. I’m so excited. This is what I’ve wanted to do ever since I was a child.

Marsha’s voice was childlike as she described this scene. Yet her vocabulary was sophisticated and she seemed to express more emotions that she did as Nancy.

Dr. G : How old are you, Marsha?
Nancy : I’m twenty-four.
Dr. G : What nation is the Ministry of Peace associated with?
Nancy : Why, we are a member of the Western Federation of Nations. You must be new to our country.
Dr. G : How do your parents feel about your work?
Nancy : Oh, they are very proud of me. I am an only child and my parents want me to do what I want.
Dr. G : What are your parents’ names and what do they do?
Nancy : My mother’s name is Lani and she is a housewife now. She used to be an architect. My father’s name is Howard and he is a nuclear engineer.
Dr. G : Who trains you at the Ministry of Peace?
Nancy : Most of our training is done by the simulators ( a self teaching DVD). We go along with the diplomats after certain phases of our training are complete. We must first pass some rather comprehensive examinations.

In a calm, monotone voice, Nancy (Marsha) described an ultra modern city.The sidewalks moved along as if one were on a conveyor belt or an escalator that moved horizontally. Most of the building were white and very tall. The streets were immaculately clean and smooth, almost marble like. There was very little noise to distract people. The two major forms of transportation were the monorail above ground and a kind of subway. There were no car permitted inside the city limits. Thus, there was virtually no pollution and no vehicle accidents. Even the monorail, subway and moving sidewalks operated with only slightest amount of noise. It seemed that this society had conquered noise as well as air pollution.

The average life span was about 110 years. Mandatory retirement was set at age 85.

The lack of stability that I have previously alluded to during progressions was illustrated by the next conversation. Since this information was reported haphazardly and out of sequence , I have pieced together the story of this 23rd-century career woman.

Dr. G : Marsha, can you tell me more about your work?
Nancy : As I mentioned before,I work for the Ministry of Peace in the Diplomatic Core. In a view months my training will be completed and if I pass my exams, I will be given my first assignment. I am very ….

All of the sudden she stopped talking and remained motionless and relaxed in her chair.

Dr. G : Marsha, where are you now?
Nancy : I’m in the jungle. It’s so hot and humid.
Dr. G : Where is the jungle located?
Nancy : It’s in Brazul, not far from the Amazon River. I’m with the Diplomatic Corps on assignment.
Dr. G : What year is this?
Nancy : 2207

Nancy had progressed herself forward one year in time. She was sweating even though my theraphy room was about 70 degree Fahrenheit. At this time Marsha was on assignment in Brazil. It seemed that weather experiments conducted by the Western Federation accidentally had created a small earthquake which had destroyed a number of small towns in this area, and the Western Federation had sent Marsha and two other diplomats to work out the details of the financial assistance and to smooth things out politically.

Marsha didn’t know much about these experiment but it seemed that the Federation was attempting to regulate the weather through the use of high-pitched sound. Brazil was a member of the Western Federation, along with North America, the rest of South America, Central America, Western Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

Dr. G : Marsha, can you tell me what is happening now?
Nancy :My superior is working out the details of the mission with Brazilian representative.I filming the disaster site.
Dr. G : Is this your first assignment?
Nancy : Oh, heavens no. I’ve been on six other assignments in the past nine months.
Dr. G : What is happening now?
Nancy : I seem to be …I’m at my desk writing up reports of the Brazilian catastrophe.

Apparently, Marsha departed from the jungle scene and returned to the Ministry of Peace. She had progressed herself two weeks forward in time. I next progressed Marsha forward to a scene outside of the Ministry.

Dr. G : What is the weather like outside?
Nancy : It is sunny and warm. The S.D.’s are going to have to work overtime today.
Dr. G : What are S.D.’s?
Nancy : Why, they’re solar discs, of course. It’s really quite pretty to see them move like that.

Further questioning revealed that these solar discs were large structures that slowly rotated in wide arcs. They were responsible for heating and cooling the city as well as providing other energy needs. I then progressed Marsha to her living quarters. She lived in an apartment in the city.

Dr. G : Marsha, can you describe your apartment to me?
Nancy : Well, I live on the ninth elevation. What exactly do you want to know?
Dr. G : How is your food prepared?
Nancy : My apartment is fully equipped with an omni-regulator.
Dr. G : What is an omni-regulator?
Nancy : It is a self-regulating cooking unit that prepares all forms of consumables to my pre-programmed specifications.
Dr. G : How do you communicate with other people from your apartment?
Nancy : I use my view-phone.
Dr. G : What does the view-phone do?
Nancy : It is a device that I speak into. There is a small screen attached to it that allows me to see the person calling me. We use devices of this type at the Ministry for security purposes, only those are far more complex.
Dr. G : Can you describe anything else in your apartment that operates by mechanical devices?
Nancy : The doors and windows are equipped with electronic devices that control their opening and closing. These devices are programmed to respond to certain words. By repeating these words or phrases I can open or close them without getting up.
Dr. G : Can you tell me more about your work at the Ministry?
Nancy : I am not cleared to discuss that many aspects of my position, but I will try to be as informative as possible.
Dr. G : Didn’t you say that your Ministry is part of the Western Federation of Nations?
Nancy : That’s correct.
Dr. G : What other great nations exist at this time?
Nancy : There are no great nation, just the Alliance.
Dr. G : What is the Alliance?
Nancy : The Eastern Alliance include all those countries that aren’t a member of the Western Federation of Nations.

Russia, China, India, Japan, Southeast Asia, New Zealand, Australia and some smaller islands, along with parts of Eastern Europe were included in the Eastern Alliance. Howeve, there didn’t seem to be any ill feelings between the Western Federation and the Eastern Alliance. The main differences were philosophical. There hadn’t been any wars in over 100 years. Marsha then progress to the year 2221.

Dr. G : What do you see now?
Nancy : I’m in my office. My work schedule is very congested.
Dr. G : Why is that?
Nancy : There are many problems with the Eastern Alliance.
Dr. G : What specifically is the problem?
Nancy : The Ministry received a request from India to act as an arbitrator in a local border dispute. The problem arose when the message was misplaced by one of our computer banks and no response was sent. The Indian delegation then sent a similar request to the Eastern Alliance. Last week our computer gave us the message and we immediately sent a team down to India. Now there are two groups of arbitrators, and there is no protocol to decide who should stay and who should leave.

Dr. G : Why wouldn’t Indi have gone to the Eastern Alliance first?
Nancy : India is not happy with the Alliance and has been trying to join the Federation for years.
Dr. G : What is your present position with the Ministry?
Nancy : I’m head of the Arbitration Division of Section C-311.
Dr. G : What does that entail?
Nancy : I am a supervisor over 47 arbitrators. These arbitrators handle small negotiations which I assign to them. If there are problems or if there is an unusual situation, then I might handle it myself.
Dr. G : Then, you mostly stay in the Ministry rather than being out in the field?
Nancy : That’s correct. I prefer to go out on missions every now and then as a change of pace.
Dr. G : Are you married now?
Nancy : No. I have devoted my life to the Ministry. I love my work.
Dr. G : Do you date often?
Nancy : Not yet often. I am not seeing anyone at this time but that doesn’t bother me.
Dr. G : What do you like to do when you are not working?
Nancy : I get a great deal of satisfaction from my vegetations (plants).

As I was questioning Marsha, she suddenly transported herself to a large meeting room in the Ministry of Peace. It seemed that she was going over her notes alone in this large room. This was just a few hours ahead in time from her last answer to my question concerning her outside interests. This particular hypnotic session was rather long (about an hour and a half), and the frequency of switching scenes became less of a problem during the last half hour of this trance. I began questioning her about her interest again.

Dr. G : Do you ever go to the theater?
Nancy : Yes, but not very often.
Dr. G : What plays are currently running in New York?
Nancy : New York? I don’t understand. Where is New York?
Dr. G : Isn’t there a city called New York that is known for its theater?
Nancy : Oh, you must be referring to New City. There was such a place called New York, but that city was destroyed by the great earthquake over 150 years ago. The city was completely destroyed and it took many years to rebuild it. It was renamed New City. I haven’t heard the name New York mentioned since I was in school many years ago studying history.
Dr. G : Is New City still a theater center?
Nancy : Well, not really. After it was rebuilt, if I can remember my history, theater become more universal and no single city became the permanent seat or main contributor to this field. New City functioned just like any other city.
Dr. G : Were there any other cities that were destroyed by the great earthquake?
Nancy : Yes, a number of smaller cities were also destroyed. San Francisco and Los Angeles were leveled just before New York collapsed. It seemed funny to me that both San Francisco and Los Angeles retained their names when they were rebuilt, but New York was renamed New City.

When Marsha spoke of the great earthquake, she showed complete emotional detachment. This destruction apparently had little meaning to her. What had occurred in the past was almost forgotten. The only things that seemed important to Marsha were her activities at the ministry and her vegetations.

I next progressed Marsha to the year 2235, in which she was 53 years old. She describe a very full life, being active in atletics and community affairs. She seemed to functioned like a 20th-century woman in her late twenties or early thirties. Her vegetation were still important to her. There were no wars or other catastrophies to report during the past fourteen years, and the Eastern Alliance got along famously with the Western Federation. Marsha had become head of the entire arbitration division of the Ministry of Peace, not just section C-311. It was not unusual for women to attain high governmental positions. As a result, there was apparently no feminist movement or any other kind of movement ; there simply wasn’t need. Mankind had apparently learned to live peacefully ; prejudice, jealousy, greed, hunger and fear were all but extinct. When problems did occur, they were handled quickly and efficiently.

Television, computers and other electronic marvels were commonplace. People were informed about current events constantly; sickness was a rare phenomenon. What I found most interesting was the lack of psychological problems. Citizens of the 23rd century didn’t seem to get anxious or depressed. Tranquilizer were not needed. Communication problems rarely manifested themselves. This had a direct effect on politics (making Marsha’s job much easier).

When I brought Nancy back to the present, she felt relaxed and good about her experiences. She found them difficult to accept, but gradually she admitted the possibility of a future life as Marsha.

There were a number of interesting elements in this session. First Nancy’s voice deepened and her speed slowed considerably when she spoke as Marsha. Most notably, her vocabulary increased tremendously. Nancy was shocked by the command she had of language in trance. Third, she behaved more confidently as Marsha. Marsha was very proud of her achievement and talked about little else outside of Ministry affairs. Nancy, on the other hand, never talked about her job as a waitress and spent many hours with her friends and her daughter. Nancy was married at the age of seventeen, but Marsha never married. Clearly there were great differences between Nancy and Marsha --- perhaps due in part to the improved social status of woman in this future society

Nancy’s position in society during her past lives was rather low in the socio-economic scale. As a waitress in this life she hadn’t made much progress in her station in life. By viewing her future as a successful career woman with the Ministry of Peace Nancy sensed that she not only could, but would improve her professional status. As Marsha, she accepted a very responsible position and devoted her life to the Ministry. I note how proud she acted after seeing this future life.

Karma was at work here as well. The close relationship that existed between Nancy and her daughter was exemplified during the 19th century in Madrid when Nancy worked hard as a cleaning woman to put her son (her daughter in this life) through school. In addition, the degradation showed her by the manager of this hotel in Spain (her ex-husband in her present life) carried over as harassment by him even after their divorce in this life. The lessons of a close family life were learned and as Marsha, she no longer required a close family unit to achieve her goals. Her career dominated her life in the 23rd century.***

MEMAHAMI FUNDAMENTAL INVESTASI

2006-12-16T12:48:00.000+07:00

Tabloid Kontan Edisi Khusus Desember 2006 membahas mengenai Prospek Investasi tahun 2007. Ada baiknya sebelum melakukan investasi sebaiknya kita membaca tulisan Perry Erick Renaldo yang menjadi salah satu pemenang TRIM WRITING AWARD 2005 mengenai investasi, resiko dan mengembangkan kekayaan untuk menghadapi masa pensiun di bawah ini.

Oleh Perry Erick Renaldo

Our prospertity as a nation depends upon the personal financial prosperity of each of us as individuals

George Clason

Bisakah Saya Pensiun? Tulisan ini merupakan relfleksi pemikiran saya atas apa yang telah saya pelajari mengenai uang, kekayaan, investasi dan pensiun. Saya telah melihat banyak orang yang tidak bisa pensiun dengan tenang pada masa tuanya yang disebabkan tidak cukupnya kekayaan yang dibangun semasa usia kerjanya.

Saya juga mengamati bahwa banyak dari orang yang pada saat ini sedang berada pada usia kerjanya, tidak atau kurang mempersiapkan masa pensiunnya. Tidak seperti di Amerika Serikat dan Singapura, dimana usia adalah 65 tahun, di Indonesia seseorang mencapai pensiun pada usia 55 tahun. Sepuluh tahun lebih cepat. Dengan asumsi usia bila kita mencapai 75 tahun saja, maka setelah pensiun, masih ada waktu hidup selama 20 tahun. Suatu masa yang tidak pendek. Survei di Amerika menunjukkan bahwa hanya dua dari 100 manula (di atas 65 tahun) yang bisa hidup mandiri. Sisanya harus bekerja atau hidup dari tunjuangan, baik dari keluarga mau pun pemerintah.

Oleh karena itu timbul lah pertanyaan: apakah saya bisa pensiun dengan tenang dan kalau bisa, bagaimana caranya?

Pada tahun 1892, seseorang bernama Stanley Lebergott melakukan kajian di Amerika dan menemukan bahwa dari 4,047 jutawan Amerika, 84% di antaranya adalah orang kaya baru (nouveau riche), mencapai predikat jutawan tanpa warisan sama sekali.

Sekitar seratus tahun kemudian, Thomas Stanely, Ph.D melakukan penelitian pada tahun 1996 dan menemukan fakta bahwa hanya 3,5 juta dari 100 juta rumah tangga di Amerika yang berpredikat kaya dimana 80%-nya adalah one-generation self-made millionaires.

Banyak orang, yang merasa anti atau memiliki sentimen negatif mengenai kata kaya. Dalam bahasa Inggris, selain rich, ada kata lain yang sulit dicari padanannya dalam bahasa Indonesia namun memiliki pengertian yang sama dengan rich, yaitu: affluentdan wealthy. Jadi, setiap kali saya menyebutkan kata kaya, saya juga merujuk kepada kata affluent dan wealthy.

Jadi, mengapa kita harus kaya? Sederhana: Untuk bisa pensiun dengan penuh gaya, Anda harus kaya Saya tidak tahu apa definisi seseorang tentang menjadi kaya, tetapi untuk bisa pensiun dengan penuh gaya (jalan-jalan keliling dunia, mengunjungi cucu, golfing, tanpa menerima bantuan keuangan dari siapa pun) saya pikir orang orang tersebut harus memiliki sejumlah kekayaan yang cukup.

Kaya, bisa berarti tidak memilik hutang, punya kesehatan yang baik, punya teman dan keluarga yang memperhatikan. Tetapi dari sisi finansial, kekayaan jelas diukur dari angka rupiah yang dimiliki. Thomas Stanley sendiri mendefinisikan being affluent --- secara kualitatif --- adalah kemampuan untuk hidup lebih dari 10 tahun, tanpa bekerja sama sekali.

Bila Anda seperti saya, berumur di awal 30, yang artinya memilik rentang waktu 20 tahun untuk mempersiapkan pensiun, maka investasi bisa merupakan jawabannya. Sebenarnya, tidak harus berinvestasi, tetapi ini bisa menjadi salah satu caranya. Adalah suatu hal yang masuk akal bahwa Thomas Stanley menemukan korelasi positif antara menabung dan berinvestasi dengan kekayaan.

Sama seperti Stanley Lebergott dan Thomas Stanley, saya percaya bahwa pada era pada saat ini, tidak seperti pada era kerajaan dulu, adalah mungkin bagi orang yang biasa-biasa saja untuk membangun sebuah kekayaan dalam satu generasi. Tulisan ini bertujuan untuk menjelaskan fundamental dari investasi, faktor resiko yang ada dan menjelaskan secara singkat bagaimana cara berinvestasi. Saya menyadari bahwa data yang saya rujuk kebanyakan bukan dari Indonesia, namun saya percaya bahwa dalam investasi ada hukum universal, sama seperti gravitasi; baik di Inggris mau pun di Indonesia, Sir Isaac Newton akan melihat apel jatuh ke bawah.

Saya berharap bahwa tulisan ini memberikan pencerahan bagi pembaca untuk melakukan eksplorasi lebih lanjut mengenai dunia investasi.

Perkenalkan: Fiat Money

Seorang ahli sejarah pernah mengatakan bahwa hal yang kita pelajari dari sejarah adalah bahwa kita tidak pernah belajar darinya. Hal yang sama juga terjadi dalam dunia finansial. Pada tahun 1918, Jerman menelan pil pahit, yaitu kalah dalam PD 1 dan diwajibkan untuk membayar hutangnya. Dalam tekanan untuk membayar hutang, Pemerintah Jerman mencetak uang sebanyak-banyaknya sehingga sesaat sebelum PD 2, mata uang Jerman turun drastis, dari Mark 4 per US Dollar, menjadi Mark
4.000.000.000.000 per US Dollar (Empat Triliun Mark per US Dollar)..!

Di Koran Tempo, 14 November 2005, ada artikel berjudul: “Ingin Sejahtera? Menabunglah”. Sebuah kepercayaan konvensional, yang sayangnya adalah ilusi. Mengapa? Jawabannya adalah Fiat Money. Bila dulu setiap uang yang dicetak selalu dicadangkan sejumlah emas (disebut: gold standard), namun sejak tahun 1970-an, hal ini sudah tidak ada lagi. Fiat Money adalah uang yang diterbitkan pemerintah sebagai alat pembayaran yang sah, dimana nilainya semata mengacu kepada kesepakatan atau hukum, bukan atas nilai sesungguhnya (seperti yang pernah terjadi pada uang berbasis logam), juga bukan atas cadangan logam mulia tertentu. Terbitnya Fiat Money mendorong apa yang dikenal dengan inflasi.

Sejak tahun 1949 hingga 1995, Deutsche Mark, salah satu mata uang terkuat di Eropa, telah kehilangan 71% dari nilainya. Sedangkan US$1 pada tahun 1801, setara dengan US$0.07 (7 sen) pada tahun 2003. Hal yang sama juga terjadi pada rupiah.

Menabung adalah landasan untuk menjadi kaya, namun tidak bisa membuat orang menjadi kaya

Menaruh uang di bank hanyalah untuk mempertahankan kekayaan (bila Anda sudah kaya) bukan untuk menjadi kaya. Dengan menabung, kita mendapatkan risk-free rate, yaitu tingkat pengembalian yang dikatakan tidak mengandung resiko. Saya menekankan kata ‘dikatakan’, karena itulah anggapan konvensional. Tidak mengandung resiko, karena tingkat pengembalian uang sudah dipastikan.

Bagaimana bank Anda bisa memberikan 6%? Tentunya, dengan mendapatkan return melebihi 6%. Adalah wajar bahwa untuk mendapatkan return melebihi apa yang dijanjikan kepada nasabahnya, bank menanggung resiko. Dan seperti conventional wisdom lainnya: ‘Saya tidak mau menanggung resiko dengan uang saya’.

Namun, apa yang ditemukan oleh Thomas Stanley? There is a strong correlation between one’s willingness to take financial risk and one’s level of wealth (The Millionaire Mind karangan Thomas Stanley, Ph.D. halaman 12. Huruf miring ditambahkan untuk penekanan.)

Adalah tujuan saya untuk menunjukkan apa itu resiko dan bagaimana cara untuk mengaturnya dan bukannya menghindarinya.

Apa yang Seharusnya Ditakutkan

Jadi, apa yang seharusnya ditakutkan? Bukannya tidak punya uang (yang biasanya ditabung), tetapi tidak memiliki daya beli (purchasing power) yang cukup untuk menopang hidup.

Di bawah ini adalah tabel dari biaya hidup dengan asumsi inflasi sebesar 10% / tahun.

Tabel 1 Biaya Hidup – Disesuaikan Inflasi Usia Biaya Hidup per bulan

(Th) (Rp)
30 5.000.000
35 8.052.550
40 12.978.712
45 20.886.241
50 33.637.500
55 54.173.530
60 87.247.011
65 140.512.184
70 226.296.278
75 364.452.418
80 586.954.264

Andaikan pada saat ini, Anda adalah seseorang yang berusia 30 tahun, dan pada saat ini memerlukan Rp 5 juta per bulan untuk menunjang hidupnya, maka Anda memerlukan Rp 54 juta per bulan pada saat pensiun di usia 55 tahun. Dan ingat, bahwa ini hanya sekedar untuk menyamakan daya beli pada saat Anda berusia 30 tahun, bukan untuk melebihinya...!

Yang menambah payah adalah bahwa pada saat berusia 30-40 tahun, kita tidak merasa perlu untuk mempersiapkan hari tua; merasa bahwa penghasilan dan uangnya akan terus bisa diterima dan bertambah.

Pada saat ini, hampir tidak ada perusahaan yang menawarkan uang pensiun dan kalau pun ada, saya ragu bahwa jumlahnya mecukupi untuk penghidupan yang layak. Lagipula, bergantung kepada orang lain atau institusi lain untuk menopang hidup kita adalah suatu hal yang sangat tidak bijaksana.

Di Mana Tempat Berinvestasi

Pada saat ini ada banyak cara untuk berinvestasi, ada yang mengatakan emas atau logam mulia lain, ada yang mengatakan surat hutang pemerintah, juga ada yang mengatakan pasar saham. Mana yang paling baik?

hutang yang diterbitkan pemerintah, disebut Treasury Bill dan Treasury Bond3 di Amerika, sedangkan di Indonesia disebut Surat Utang Negara (SUN), biasa disebut sebagai investasi fixed-income securities. Disebut fixed karena tingkat pengembalian telah ditentukan sebelumnya. Sedangkan investasi di saham (sering juga disebut equity) tidak memiliki kepastian akan tingkat pengembalian. Hal inilah yang menyebabkan investasi di dalam instrumen surat hutang pemerintah disebut risk-free4.

Adalah menarik bahwa 95% dari jutawan Amerika masuk ke dalam pasar saham sebagai tempat berinvestasi. Mungkin itu bisa menjelaskan sesuatu. berinvestasi di dalam pasar saham berbahaya dan memiliki resiko tinggi dan seharusnya dihindari? Bukankah pola investasi di dalam pasar saham bersifat random walk? Dua buah penelitian yang dilakukan oleh James O’Shaughnessy dan Jeremy Siegel menunjukkan bahwa dalam jangka panjang, sesungguhnya pasar saham memiliki pola yang baku.

Bahkan, penelitian yang dilakukan oleh Siegel menemukan bahwa real return (hasil yang didapat setelah inflasi) dari pasar saham jauh melebihi surat hutang, emas, dan tidak diragukan lagi: bila kita menyimpan dalam bentuk uang kontan di dalam laci.

Di gambarkan bahwa dollar jatuh setelah selama ±150 tahun stabil. Dalam kurun waktu 40-50 tahun terakhir ini lah terjadi penurunan yang tajam atas mata uang dollar, yaitu setelah dicabutnya gold standard. Juga bila kita berinvestasi pada instrumen surat hutang.

Bagaimana hal ini dapat terjadi? Harga saham berdasarkan aset-aset riil seperti: properti, mesin, pabrik dan ide (hak paten atau ciptaan) yang cenderung untuk mengalami apresiasi, seiring dengan terjadinya inflasi. Sedangkan surat hutang didasarkan atas janji yield yang dibayarkan dalam bentuk uang.

Mungkin ada yang mengatakan bahwa tren tersebut hanya terjadi di Amerika saja. Namun, saya memiliki keyakinan bahwa mengenai investasi dan finansial, berlaku hukum yang bersifat universal, sama seperti grafitasi. Tahun 2005 ini adalah tahun yang berharga dimana pasar saham Indonesia berkali-kali didera oleh sentimen negatif, namun memperlihatkan resilency yang kokoh (lihat gambar 2).

Dari gambar 1, terlihat adanya kecenderungan mean reversion, yaitu suatu kejadian yang bila diamati dalam jangka waktu yang pendek tampak berfluktuasi namun dalam jangka waktu yang lebih panjang, tampak lebih stabil.

Sebagai contoh adalah curah hujan, yang tampak bervariasi dari hari-ke-hari, namun tampak lebih terpola bila dilihat dari tahun-ke-
tahun.

Hal yang sama juga terjadi dengan pasar saham. Dari Gambar 1 terlihat bahwa pergerakan harga saham dengan jelas mengikuti garis tren. Dan hal ini terjadi walaupun menghadapi Perang Dunia I , The Great Depression 1929, Perang Dunia 2, bearish pada 1970-an, inflasi besar-besaran dan crash tahun 1987. Reversion pun berlaku di bursa saham Indonesia. Ini adalah suatu hal yang sederhana dan logis.

Dan mean reversion ini, sesungguhnya lah yang harus diperhatikan oleh investor mau pun calon investor. Resiko dalam berinvestasi (yang diukur dari standar deviasi) memperlihatkan hal yang spektakuler, dimana resiko berinvestasi di dalam pasar saham, lebih kecil daripada fixed-income securities seiring dengan lamanya holding period.

Standar deviasi adalah pengukuran atas kecenderungan bagi sebuah varibel nilai untuk mengikuti perkembangan tren line-nya. Jadi tidak mengherankan bahwa dalam jangka waktu yang panjang, investasi di dalam pasar saham jauh lebih bak daripada bentuk investasi reksadana pendapatan tetap.

Sama seperti Siegel, saya memiliki keyakinan bahwa sama seperti inflasi berlaku atas rupiah, mean fixed-income securities atau pun instrumen lainnya.

Apa yang terjadi pada reksa dana pendapatan tetap, yang melakukan investasi dalam fixed-income asset pada hari-hari ini, dapat menjadi pelajaran bagi para investor mau pun calon investor. Sebagai contoh, saya mengikuti perkembangan sebuah unit linked dari sebuah perusahaan asuransi, yang pertama dalam bentuk saham, yang kedua diinvestasikan dalam bentuk fixed-income securities.

Hal ini mendorong keyakinan saya bahwa dalam jangka waktu yang lebih panjang lagi, investasi di dalam pasar saham akan memberikan return yang lebih besar daripada instrumen finansial lainnya. Extra return yang didapat oleh investor dalam berinvestasi di dalam pasar saham atas fixed-income disebut equity riskpremium.

Dalam rentang waktu 200 tahun, Siegel menemukan bahwa equity risk premium di Amerika adalah 3%.

Reksa Dana Berbasis Saham Sebagai Sarana

Untuk dapat berinvestasi, langkah pertama adalah: menabung. Saya tahu dan memaklumi bahwa dengan naiknya BBM dan tingginya tingat inflasi pada tahun ini akan mengurangi kemampuan menabung.

Tapi, paksakanlah untukmenabung. Satu rupiah yang ditabung dan diinvestasikan akan menjamin hari depan Anda. Buatlah target untuk menabung, setiap menerima gaji, sisihkanlah terlebih dahulu untuk tabungan, sisanya untuk konsumsi.

Dari tabungan yang ada, kemudian investasikanlah. Karena bagi kebanyakan orang tidak percaya akan kemampuan mereka untuk melakukan investasi, maka salah satu jalan yang dapat ditempuh adalah dengan membeli Reksa Dana. Reksa dana adalah kumpulan dana yang dikelola secara professional oleh Manajer Investasi (Fund Manager).

Ada beberapa keuntungan dalam berinvestasi instrumen ini, yaitu:

(a) Memungkinkan untuk memulai investasi dengan dana yang kecil. Pada saat ini, seseorang dengan dana Rp. 250.000 sudah dapat membeli reksa dana. Sementara itu untuk membeli saham di Bursa Efek Jakarta, diharuskan untuk membeli minimal 500 lembar (setara dengan 1 lot) saham dan kelipatannya.

(b) Biaya masuk (entry fee) yang kecil, rata-rata kurang dari 1%. Sebagai perbandingan, ada
sebuah perusahaan asuransi menawarkan investment account dan mengenakan entry fee sebesar 5%.

Pada saat ini, ada beberapa jenis reksa dana yang ditawarkan, yaitu:

1. Reksa Dana Saham.
2. Reksa Dana Pendapatan Tetap.
3. Reksa Dana Terproteksi.
4. Reksa Dana Kombinasi.

Untuk mendapatkan return yang tinggi, Reksa Dana Saham adalah pilihan yang paling tepat. Saya melakukan pegamatan atas dua reksa dana yang dihubungkan dengan saham dan inilah hasilnya pada hari terbaik dan terburuknya.

Tabel Return Reksa Dana Saham

RS1 RS2 IHSG

Hari Terbaik 34,50% 29,85% 20,21%
Hari Terburuk 0,16% -0,81% -0,69%

Volatilitas (naik-turunnya harga) adalah hal yang perlu diperhatikan dalam berinvestasi produk Reksa Dana Saham. Untuk dapat sedikit meredakan volatilitas ini dapat melakukan kombinasi dengan produk Reksa Dana Pendapatan Tetap. Bagaimana dengan Reksa Dana Terprokteksi? Karena reksa dana jenis ini diinvestasikan kembali ke dalam SUN, saya memperkirakan bahwa return dari reksa dana jenis ini akan di bawah saham. Penggunaan Reksa Dana dan Reksa Dana Terproteksi adalah untuk mengurangi volatilitas investasi.

Untuk bisa pensiun kaya, adalah penting untuk mendapatkan return yang lebih tinggi daripada inflasi.

Jenis investasi ini mirip dengan Guaranteed Investment Contract (GIC), biasa disebut juga stable fund, dimana seseorang mendapatkan kepastian pengembalian uang pokok beserta sejumlah bunga. Namun seperti yang ditemukan oleh O’Shaughnessy, investasi dalam GIC memberikan pengembalian yang kecil dibandingkan saham.

Bukan kehilangan uang pokok yang kita kuatirkan, tetapi kehilangan daya beli lah.

Compound return 17% per tahun berarti aset akan bertambah 2 kali lipat setiap ±4 tahun sekali. Jika inflasi adalah 10% per tahun, maka kebutuhan akan berlipat 2 setiap ±8 tahun sekali. Dengan demikian pertumbuhan aset finansial akan melebihi pertumbuhan kebutuhan hidup.

Kemudian, rentang waktu investasi adalah hal yang perlu diperhatikan juga. Sepuluh tahun, bukanlah waktu yang lama… Saya yakin, bahwa masih banyak dari kita yang ingat pada waktu kita SMP atau bahkan SD. Yang perlu dikuatirkan adalah sepuluh tahun ke depan..! Di mana harga-harga akan naik, oleh karena inflasi.

Tantangan Dalam Berinvestasi

Saya tidak bisa menyangkal sulitnya untuk menjaga emosi pada saat investasi Anda mengalami penurunan. Untuk itu, visi jangka panjang, mendidik dan memotivasi diri sendiri perlu untuk dipupuk setiap saat. Pada saat ini saya menikmati dan mengkoleksi setiap berita yang mengandung sentimen negatif atas pasar saham. Sembilan puluh persen tantangan dalam berinvestasi adalah how to stay in the market.

Alasan mengapa orang banyak kehilangan uang di dalam pasar saham, adalah karena mereka mencoba masuk ke pasar pada saat harga rendah dan ingin keluar pada saat harga tinggi, untuk mendapatkan capital gain. Komitmen untuk berinvestasi long-run adalah esensial.

Tabel Berbagai Berita Tentang Saham di Media Massa

3 Des 04 IHSG 1.000 Gagal Bertahan
10 Jan 05 …menjatuhkan IHSG ke level 750 di akhir tahun 2005*
19 April 05 IHSG dan rupiah turun tajam
12 Juni 05 Redemption reksa dana tak terbendung
27 Juni 05 Bursa Saham Masih Labil
6 Juli 05 Depresiasi rupiah koreksi indeks saham BEJ
19 Agust 05 Indeks BEJ terus tertekan
30 Agust 05 Kurs Rupiah dan Saham Jatuh

Sumber : Artikel oleh Ferry Latuhihin, Chief Economist BII di Koran Kompas

Sementara itu, para jutawan Amerika sebagaimana ditemukan oleh Thomas Stanley bukanlah active trading, seperti yang diperkirakan orang. Mereka tetap berada di dalam pasar, walau pun pasar sedang turun…

Saya juga melihat bahwa banyak orang yang memperlakukan Reksa Dana Saham seperti saham itu sendiri: masuk pada saat harga turun dan ingin keluar pada saat harga tinggi.

Orang-orang ini mencoba melakukan timing atas pasar. Sebuah penelitian yang menarik, dilakukan oleh Robert Goodman, mencoba melihat atas tiga orang.

Yang pertama, selalu beruntung dengan membeli saham pada harga paling rendah, setiap tahunnya.

Yang kedua, selalu membeli pada saat harga paling tinggi, sedangkan yang ketiga, tidak pernah melakukan timing, hanya membeli saja setiap tahunnya. Dimulai pada tahun 1960, tiap orang membeli dengan initial fund US$3.000.

Ini hasil yang didapat pada tahun 1996:

Orang Pertama : US$1.569.519.
Orang Kedua : US$1.318.300.
Orang Ketiga : US$1.418.037.

Dengan usaha yang demikian besar untuk melakukan timing, ternyata perbedaan yang terjadi dengan orang yang tidak melakukan, hanya sedikit saja. Tetap berada di dalam pasar lah, kuncinya..!

Begitu pentingnya untuk tetap berada di dalam pasar, hingga Jeremy Siegel dengan tegas mengatakan :

There’s never been a 20-year period when an investement in stocks failed to make money

Hal itu adalah hasil observasi selama lebih dari 200 tahun.

Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa investasi dalam saham memiliki lindung nilai (hedges).

Saya adalah contoh yang mengalami kerugian pada saat pasar saham jatuh pada tahun 1998. Jika saya bertahan (pada kenyataannya saya keluar), maka saya telah kehilangan kesempatan untuk mendapatkan keuntungan besar pada tahun 2003/2004, pada saat pasar bullish. Saya sendiri tidak akan pernah melakukan investasi kembali ke pasar saham tanpa adanya pengetahuan yang cukup dari buku-buku yang saya pelajari. Dan pada saat ini saya masuk ke pasar menggunakan instrumen Reksa Dana Saham.

Mandelbrot menemukan bahwa passive investing, yaitu membeli sejumlah equity dan membiarkannya untuk waktu yang cukup lama, jauh lebih menguntungkan daripada aktif melakukan pembelian setiap harinya.

Saya percaya bahwa Reksa Dana Saham adalah wujud dari passive investing. Secara alamiah, kita melihat bahwa emas, minyak bumi terkonsentrasi pada bagian-bagian tertentu di bumi ini.

Demikian juga pada saham. Keuntungan di dalam pasar saham akan didapat dari terjadinya pelonjakan-pelonjakan harga yang –-- sayangnya–-- kita tidak tahu kapan.

Studi oleh Ibbotson Associates menemukan keyataan bahwa US$1 yang diinvestasikan ke dalam pasar saham, akan bernilai US$1.114 pada akhir 1995.

Tapi kalau kita kehilangan 35 bulan terbaik selama 69 tahun rentang waktu investasi ini, uang Anda hanya menjadi US$10,16. Universitas Michigan juga menemukan hal yang sama. Hasil pengamatan atas 7.802 trading days, periode 1963 – 1993, investor yang menginvestasikan US$1, dan tetap selalu berada di dalam pasar menemukan investasinya menjadi US$24,30. Sedangkan investor yang kehilangan 90 hari terbaik (setara dengan 1,1% dari seluruh trading days), hanya akan mendapatkan US$2,10. Jadi, sekali lagi, bertahanlah di dalam pasar.

Hal ini juga sejalan dengan apa yang ditemukan oleh Siegel. Seseorang yang melakukan investasi sebesar US$1.000 pada tahun 1929, yaitu pada saat pasar jatuh dan tetap berada di dalam pasar & melakukan reinvestasi dividen, mendapatkan US$4.440 pada tahun 1954.

Sedangkan bila pasar tidak mengalami crash, orang tersebut hanya mendapatkan US$2.720. Jadi, jatuhnya pasar dapat dianggap seperti filter bagi orang-orang yang memiliki visi jangka panjang.

Fundamental Investasi

Inilah yang sepatutnya dipahami mengenai investasi:

(1) Saham sebagai tempat investasi yang dapat memberikan return yang kompetitif. Mendapatkan return yang lebih besar adalah esensial dalam berinvestasi. Anda bisa membeli Reksa Dana yang memiliki Indeks, atau pun sekedar diinvestasikan ke pasar saham

(2) Komitmen untuk jangka panjang. Terimalah kenyataan bahwa dalam jagka pendek pasar akan volatil dan tetap lah di sana.

(3) Mulailah pada usia semuda mungkin.

(4) Aturlah portfolio Anda, sesuai dengan kemampuan mental Anda untuk menghadapi volatilitas pasar.

(5) Teruslah belajar untuk semakin memahami dunia investasi.

Penutup

Mulailah menabung dan menabung dan menabung dan menabung lagi. Kemudian investasi, investasi dan investasi. Sebagaimana Thomas Stanley menemukan korelasi yang positif antara menabung, berinvestasi dan kekayaan.

Dalam waktu 20 tahun dari sekarang, Anda akan mendapatkan keuntungan yang jauh melebihi apa yang Anda bayangkan.

Koran Kompas, 13 November 2005 menyajikan berita mengenai seorang wanita berusia 27 tahun yang menghabiskan Rp. 150.000 per hari ke café, belanja dan lainnya sebagai pelampiasan atas stres di kantor. Jika dia mengetahui mengenai manfaat berinvestasi dan hanya menghabiskan Rp. 50.000 kemudian menyimpan Rp. 100.000 per hari. Dalam waktu setahun dia bisa mengumpulkan lebih dari Rp. 35.000.000. Tiga tahun kemudian, pada usia 30, dia memiliki lebih dari Rp. 100 juta. Bila ia menginvestasikan Rp 100 juta dan membiarkannya selama 20 tahun. Dengan asumsi mendapatkan annual return sebesar 15.5% per tahun, maka uang tersebut akan menjadi lebih dari Rp 1,7 Miliar! (Sebaliknya, dengan menabung, dia tidak akan pernah bisa mengumpulkan sebanyak ini seumur hidupnya).

Dia bisa pensiun pada usia 50 tahun, membeli tiket first class dan terbang ke tempat pariwisata yang eksotik, atau sekedar membeli mobil, atau … memberikan sebagian kekayaannya kepada yayasan amal favoritnya.

Semakin hari, pensiun semakin dekat. Mulailah menabung, jangan menunggu hingga tua. Mulai jugalah berinvestasi, dan seriuslah mempelajari berbagai tawaran Reksa Dana. Bila perlu ujilah terlebih dahulu bagaimana mereka mengelola reksa dananya. Mintalah performansi reksa dana dalam waktu 5, atau bahkan 10 tahun terakhir ini.

Bandingkan dengan pergerakan inflasi dan Indeks Harga Saham Gabungan. Karena tidak semua Reksa Dana Saham yang ada dapat tumbuh di atas IHSG.

Gol kita adalah mendapat return yang mengalahkan pasar, bukan sekedar mengekor pasar. Berbincang-bincang lah dengan Fund Manager reksa dana tersebut dan mintalah kejelasan apa strategi yang dilakukan dalam me-manage dananya. Bila masih ragu, mulailah dengan sejumlah dana yang tidak banyak, kemudian ikutilah feeling dari pasar. Karena, selama Anda masih berada di ‘luar’ pasar, Anda tidak akan pernah merasakan ritmenya.

Pelajari buku-buku mengenai investasi, bergaullah dengan investor lainnya. Bila perlu, diskusikan juga dengan Fund Manager bagaimana cara mengurangi volatilitas investasi Anda.

Setelah rasa percaya diri mulai tumbuh, mulai lah menambah jumlah investasi Anda secara perlahan, sesuai dengan kemampuan. Buatlah observasi sendiri atas pertumbuhan investasi Anda. Dengan melakukan ini, saya percaya Anda akan memiliki masa depan yang sangat baik, pesiun dengan tenang dan nyaman.

Selamat memulai!

Referensi
1. How to Retire Rich, James P. O’Shaughnessy, Broadway Books, 1998.

2. How Gurus Get Risk All Wrong, Benoit Mandelbrot, et al, Fortune Magazine, July 11, 2005.

3. TheMillionaire Next Door, Thomas Stanley, et al, Long Street Press, 1996.
4.The Sovereign Individual,James Dale Davidson, et al, Simon & Schuster, 1997.

5. The Future of Investors, Jeremy J. Siegel, Crown Books, 2005.

6. What Works on WallStreet, James P. O’Shaughnessy, Mc Graw Hill, 1998.

Rekomendasi Bacaan

1. Beating the S&P with Dividends, Peter O’Shea, et al, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2005.

2. Stocks for the Long Run, Jeremy J. Siegel.

3. The Intelligent Investor, Benjamin Graham, 1946.

4. Triumph of the Optimist: 101YearsofGlobal Investment Return,Elroy Dimso, et al, Princeton
University Press, 2002.

Perry Erick Renaldo, bekerja pada salah satu operator telekomunikasi di Indonesia. Seorang investor otodidak. Hingga saat ini, terus mempelajari berbagai instrumen investasi. Dia percaya bahwa retire rich is achieveable.

TUJUH STRATEGI BERINVESTASI REKSA DANA

2006-12-16T12:14:00.000+07:00

Oleh Ivan Indrapermana

Manusia tidak pernah bisa lepas dari cinta. Sejarah panjang manusia telah membuktikan hal ini: tanpa cinta terjadi perang, keputusasaan, bunuh diri, pertengkaran dan seterusnya. Jelas hanya cinta yang dapat menyelamatkan hidup manusia dari kehancuran. Oleh karena itu sangat tidak berlebihan jika dikatakan bahwa cinta juga mampu menyelamatkan salah satu bentuk investasi manusia: reksa dana. Karena reksa dana adalah instrumen investasi yang mulai populer, penulis akan menggunakan strategi cinta yang sudah lama populer: strategi cinta terhadap pasangan hidup.

Strategi Cinta Pertama: “Love will find you if you try.”

Jika anda tidak pernah memikirkan cinta, ia tidak akan pernah menghampiri anda. Kebanyakan orang terlalu sibuk bekerja. Mereka tenggelam dalam rutinitas sehari-hari yang membosankan, atau terlalu asyik mencari kebahagiaan yang semu: kekayaan, ketenaran, kekuasaan. Mereka lupa bahwa ada kebahagiaan yang sejati yaitu cinta. Cobalah membuka diri anda terhadap urusan cinta. Cobalah sesekali waktu membayangkan kehidupan cinta anda. Kelak kekuatan cinta akan terpancar dari dalam diri anda.

***

Banyak peristiwa dalam hidup yang dapat mempengaruhi kondisi keuangan. Misalnya pernikahan, kelahiran anak, perawatan untuk orang tua, pensiun, dan sebagainya. Sayangnya tidak banyak orang yang pernah memikirkan peristiwa-peristiwa tersebut jauh hari sebelumnya. Yang sering terjadi adalah orang lebih bekerja keras untuk mengangsur rumah baru setelah menikah, dan lebih bekerja keras lagi ketika anak pertama lahir. Dengan meluangkan waktu untuk membuat tujuan dan rencana keuangan, kemudian merealisasikannya, kelak anda dapat melewati peristiwa-peristiwa hidup dengan lebih mantap.
Berinvestasi adalah salah satu cara yang signifikan untuk mencapai tujuan keuangan. Investasi tanpa tujuan keuangan yang jelas tidak akan membuahkan hasil yang optimal. Begitu pula dengan investasi pada instrumen reksa dana. Ada berbagai jenis reksa dana, dan masing-masing memiliki karakteristik yang unik. Jika tidak memiliki tujuan dan rencana keuangan yang jelas, sangat besar kemungkinan anda memilih jenis reksa dana yang salah. Investasi dalam reksa dana akan sia-sia, bahkan mungkin merugikan anda.

Menurut Root & Mortensen (1996), tujuan keuangan sebaiknya tertulis, realistis, spesifik, berjangka waktu yang jelas, dan terperinci.[1] Agar semakin efektif, ada baiknya juga mendiskusikan tujuan anda dengan keluarga atau sahabat. Dengan demikian tujuan keuangan anda menjadi komitmen aktif, dan anda akan lebih konsisten dengannya.

Membuat tujuan keuangan memang tidak mudah, apalagi membuat rencana keuangan untuk mencapai tujuan tersebut. Untungnya ada cukup banyak buku yang dapat membantu anda membuat tujuan dan rencana keuangan. Perusahaan sekuritas yang baik tentu juga akan bersedia membantu anda dalam membuat tujuan dan rencana keuangan.

“Tentukan tujuan keuangan dan rencana keuangan anda”

Strategi Cinta Kedua: “Don’t wait for your prince.”

Cinta tidak akan datang jika anda hanya menunggunya datang. anda harus mencarinya. Jika anda sibuk menunggu cinta, akan ada dua hal yang dapat terjadi. Pertama, anda baru menyadari bahwa cinta telah menghampiri anda ketika ia telah melewati anda. Kedua, anda mengira cinta menghampiri anda padahal ia bahkan belum datang. anda baru memiliki hati sang Pangeran jika anda mendatangi dan membawa sang Pangeran ke puri anda.

***

Jenis reksadana saham memiliki volatilitas tinggi. Berusaha mengikuti volatilitas tersebut, membeli pada harga rendah dan menjual pada harga tinggi, mungkin terlihat menyenangkan dan memberikan tingkat pengembalian yang besar. Masalahnya adalah mengikuti volatilitas harga reksadana saham memerlukan keahlian dan pengalaman yang tinggi. Sedangkan kebanyakan investor tidak memiliki kedua hal tersebut. Mereka akan membeli pada harga yang tinggi dan menjualnya pada harga yang masih rendah. Sangat disayangkan, sebab sesungguhnya arah pergerakan pasar selalu dapat ditebak: berfluktuasi.

Beberapa penelitian terhadap perilaku investor di Amerika Serikat menyimpulkan bahwa strategi trading menghasilkan tingkat pengembalian yang lebih kecil daripada buy-and-hold.[2] Alasannya, trading menimbulkan: biaya operasional (riset dan komunikasi), opportunity cost (kesempatan yang hilang) karena menahan kas, komisi untuk broker, dan pajak. Hasil penelitian tersebut masuk akal terutama jika diterapkan pada investor individual, yang tidak memiliki banyak waktu, tenaga, dan dana untuk melakukan riset. Sehingga informasi yang mereka peroleh hanyalah perubahan angka di surat kabar setiap hari.

Reksa dana saham dan reksa dana lainnya (kecuali pasar uang) merupakan instrumen investasi jangka panjang. Maka tidak ada gunanya memperhatikan volatilitas jangka pendek, dan menjadikan volatilitas tersebut sebagai dasar pertimbangan untuk membeli atau menjual. Dengan berinvestasi untuk jangka panjang, nilai pasar reksa dana anda secara rata-rata akan selalu lebih besar daripada harga belinya. anda berarti membuat volatilitas pasar bekerja melindungi nilai investasi anda. anda pun tidak perlu menghabiskan waktu dan tenaga untuk mengamati pergerakan nilai reksa dana setiap hari. anda tidak perlu menunggu kapan harga suatu reksa dana tinggi atau rendah.

“Don’t Time the Market”

Strategi Cinta Ketiga: “Find a man that best suit for you”

Dalam mencari pasangan, anda tidak mencari yang terbaik, tetapi yang terbaik untuk anda. Artinya ia harus cocok dengan kepribadian anda. Sulit membayangkan mendapatkan orang yang terbaik. Setiap orang memiliki kelebihan dan kelemahan masing-masing. Tugas anda bukan menjumlahkan kelebihan dan kelemahannya, tetapi mencocokannya dengan kelebihan dan kelemahan anda sendiri. Yang paling cocoklah yang anda pilih.

***

Setiap jenis reksa dana memiliki karakteristik yang unik sesuai dengan tujuan investasinya.
Pastikan keaslian reksa dana anda:

1. Mintalah pernyataan tertulis bersama dari bank, manajer investasi, dan bank kustodian bahwa bank memang memasarkan reksa dana si manajer investasi dan diadministrasikan oleh bank kustodian.
2. Pastikan di prospektus tertulis: siapa manajer investasi, bank kustodian, dan bank-bank yang memasarkan reksadana.
3. Bacalah sendiri prospektus, bertanyalah sampai benar-benar jelas. Jangan biarkan semua administrasi dikerjakan oleh pegawai bank.
4. Mintalah laporan perkembangan investasi pada bank atau manajer investasi setiap bulan.

Sumber: Kompas Cyber Media, Selasa 14 Desember 2004

Sebelum memilih reksa dana, anda harus menentukan tingkat pengembalian yang anda butuhkan, dan tingkat risiko yang dapat anda tanggung. anda juga harus menentukan berapa lama akan berinvestasi di reksa dana. Kecuali reksa dana pasar uang, reksa dana lainnya adalah instrumen investasi jangka panjang. Artinya anda harus berinvestasi setidaknya lebih dari 1 tahun untuk hasil yang lebih optimal. Setelah itu, anda baru dapat memilih reksa dana yang sesuai dengan karakteristik anda. Perusahaan sekuritas yang baik pasti bersedia membantu dalam menentukan karakteristik tingkat pengembalian dan risiko anda. Biasanya melalui kuesioner atau pertanyaan-pertanyaan lisan. Ingatlah bahwa yang menjadi pertimbangan adalah kecocokan suatu reksa dana terhadap karakteristik investasi anda, bukan seberapa besar tingkat pengembalian reksa dana tersebut.

Anda juga harus berhati-hati dalam memilih pengelola reksadana. Kualitas pengelola reksadana berpengaruh terhadap kinerja reksa dana anda. Dalam setiap prospektus reksa dana pasti terdapat bagian tentang latar belakang dan track record pengelolanya. Sebagai permulaan, sebaiknya anda hanya mempertimbangkan pengelola reksa dana yang sudah mapan.

“Carilah reksa dana yang sesuai dengan kemampuan dan kebutuhan anda”

Strategi Cinta Keempat: “Don’t put all your love in one man”

anda mungkin sudah menemukan calon yang tepat. Tetapi sebaiknya anda tetap tidak menutup mata terhadap calon-calon lainnya. Jika dunia sudah terasa milik berdua dan tiba-tiba ia meninggalkan anda, dunia anda akan hancur. Untuk menghindarinya, bagilah dunia ini dengan orang ketiga, keempat, dan seterusnya. Tetaplah berjaga-jaga, sebaik apapun calon anda. Dan cara berjaga-jaga yang terbaik adalah dengan memiliki lebih dari satu calon.

***

Diversifikasi berarti menyebarkan uang anda ke dalam beberapa jenis investasi. Tujuan diversifikasi adalah mengamankan kinerja portofolio investasi anda. Dengan diversifikasi, kinerja buruk suatu investasi dapat diimbangi oleh kinerja baik investasi lainnya. Reksa dana memungkinkan anda melakukan diversifikasi investasi pada berbagai industri, perusahaan dan instrumen keuangan tanpa memperhatikan jumlah uang anda.

Akan tetapi, diversifikasi pada suatu reksa dana sebenarnya hanya menghilangkan financial risk atau interest rate risk saja. Para manajer investasi melakukan riset yang mendalam sehingga dapat memilihkan saham atau obligasi perusahaan-perusahaan terbaik ke dalam reksa dana anda. Tetapi, mereka tidak dapat berbuat apa-apa jika terjadi krisis yang melanda industri tertentu. Dengan kata lain, memiliki sebuah reksa dana tidak melindungi anda dari market risk. Untuk melawan inflation risk, anda dapat menggunakan reksa dana jenis saham atau campuran, yang memiliki hasil lebih tinggi atau sebanding dengan tingkat inflasi.

Jenis-jenis risiko :

1. Market risk: pergerakan seluruh investasi pada suatu pasar secara bersamaan dan searah
2. Financial risk: pergerakan arah keuangan sebuah perusahaan
3. Inflation risk: pergerakan inflasi dan daya beli masyarakat
4. Interest rate risk: pergerakan arah suku bunga

Memiliki lebih dari satu jenis reksa dana akan mengurangi market risk yang harus anda tanggung. Misalnya, memiliki reksa dana saham dan pendapatan tetap sekaligus. Jika terjadi krisis yang menekan pasar saham –dan tentunya menekan reksa dana saham-, portofolio anda masih memiliki reksa dana pendapatan tetap yang berkinerja baik. Begitu pula jika terjadi peningkatan suku bunga yang menekan harga obligasi –dan tentunya menekan reksa dana pendapatan tetap-, portofolio anda tidak akan terganggu sebab masih memiliki reksa dana saham yang berkinerja baik. Memiliki beberapa reksa dana sejenis yang berbeda alokasi asetnya juga merupakan bentuk diversifikasi. Meski cara ini kurang efektif karena anda tidak bisa mengendalikan keputusan manajer investasi dalam mengelola reksa dana anda.

Dengan hanya berinvestasi pada reksa dana, betapa pun terdiversifikasinya, anda masih memiliki market risk dan inflation risk yang besar. Untuk mengurangi kedua jenis risiko tersebut, berinvestasilah juga pada instrumen lainnya: properti, emas, dan sebagainya.

“Optimalkan dengan diversifikasi”

Strategi Cinta Kelima: “Keep lightening your fire of love”

Seperti tanaman yang harus selalu disiram agar tidak layu, begitu pula cinta. Cinta tidak akan bertahan jika tidak pernah dirawat. Bagaimana cara merawatnya? Mudah. Selalu ungkapkan rasa cinta anda dalam setiap kesempatan, jangan pernah berhenti.

***

Uang yang digunakan untuk investasi sebaiknya merupakan sisa penghasilan yang telah digunakan untuk tabungan dan konsumsi. Tujuannya agar rencana investasi tidak terganggu oleh keperluan sehari-hari. Kebanyakan instrumen investasi memerlukan banyak uang untuk memulainya. Sebut saja properti, emas, saham, dan sebagainya. Sayangnya tidak semua orang memiliki banyak uang untuk diinvestasikan. Tidak banyak orang yang dapat memulai suatu investasi tanpa mengorbankan keperluan sehari-harinya.

Siapkanlah pendidikan anak

Investasikanlah Rp 1,2 juta saja pada suatu reksa dana secara rutin setiap tahun. Dengan tingkat pengembalian rata-rata 15%, nilai investasi akan menjadi Rp 91 juta pada tahun ke-18. Lebih dari cukup untuk seluruh keperluan kuliah di perguruan tinggi negeri favorit selama 4 tahun.Investasi pada reksa dana menjawab permasalahan ini. Investasi pada reksa dana dapat dimulai hanya dengan Rp 100 ribu atau Rp 1 juta. Jumlah yang relatif kecil dibandingkan instrumen investasi lainnya. anda dapat menggunakan keunggulan reksa dana ini sebagai strategi untuk mencapai tujuan keuangan anda.

Anda dapat berinvestasi reksa dana secara rutin tanpa mengorbankan keperluan rutin. Gunakanlah sisa penghasilan bulanan anda setelah tabungan dan konsumsi untuk membeli reksa dana. anda mungkin hanya dapat membeli sejumlah minimal reksa dana, tetapi jika dilakukan secara rutin akan memberi hasil yang mencengangkan. Manfaatkanlah tujuan keuangan anda untuk memberi panduan seberapa besar investasi rutin tersebut. Penghasilan kecil tidak lagi menjadi alasan untuk tidak berinvestasi.

“Berinvestasi rutin”

Strategi Cinta Keenam “Always together in joy and sorrow”

Cinta berarti setia, selalu mendampingi orang yang dicintai dalam suka maupun duka.

***

Jika anda selalu khawatir dengan volatilitas pasar, strategi keenam ini sangat bermanfaat. Tujuan strategi ini adalah membuat nilai investasi reksa dana anda selalu dibawah harga pasar pada suatu periode. Dengan demikian, kemungkinan anda menjual reksa dana dengan untung semakin besar. Yang perlu dilakukan hanyalah investasi dengan jumlah yang konsisten setiap periode. Kemudian biarkan volatilitas pasar membuat nilai investasi anda lebih besar daripada harga pasar.

Dengan strategi ini, anda membeli lebih banyak reksa dana ketika harganya rendah, dan membeli lebih sedikit reksa dana ketika harganya tinggi. Semakin pasar berfluktuasi, strategi ini bekerja semakin baik.

“Biarkan volatilitas bekerja untuk anda”

Strategi Cinta Ketujuh “Let time prove your love”

Tidak ada yang bisa membuktikan cinta selain waktu. Anda mungkin tidak menyadari kedahsyatan cinta sampai anda menemukan bahwa anda telah hidup bersama puluhan tahun…

***

Dalam reksa dana, hasil investasi setiap periode diinvestasikan kembali pada periode berikutnya. Sehingga tidak ada aset yang tersia-sia. Seperti dalam konsep bunga berbunga, waktu menjadi faktor pengali yang dahsyat. Reksa dana adalah investasi jangka panjang, maka lihatlah ke jauh ke masa depan.

Berinvestasi pada reksa dana membutuhkan kesabaran. Anda tidak dapat mengharapkan hasil yang dahsyat hanya dalam waktu satu atau dua tahun. Perlu waktu lebih lama lagi untuk mendapatkan hasil yang optimal. Terapkanlah tujuan keuangan anda dengan disiplin. Memang lama, tetapi lebih mudah. Terapkan tujuan keuangan anda dengan disiplin dan biarkan waktu bekerja untuk anda.

“Biarkan waktu bekerja untuk anda”

Reksa dana memang bukan cara tercepat untuk mencapai tujuan keuangan anda, tetapi penulis yakin inilah cara yang termudah dengan risiko yang terukur. Selamat berinvestasi reksa dana.

Daftar Pustaka

Arffa, Robert C. Expert Financial Planning. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 2001.
Root, Jack B. & Douglas L. Mortensen. The 7 Secrets of Financial Success. Chicago: Irwin, 1996.
“Reksa Dana Saya Ini ‘Beneran’ Enggak Sih?”, Kompas Cyber Media, 14 Desember 2004.

*) Ivan Indrapermana adalah mahasiswa S1 Akuntansi Fakultas Ekonomi Universitas Indonesia

PETER B. STOK TURN AROUND LEADER SEJATI BANK NIAGA

2006-12-06T17:43:00.000+07:00

Oleh Ari Satriyo Wibowo

Beberapa minggu lalu bertempat di Gedung MMUI lantai 3 Salemba Jakarta diselenggarakan diskusi buku berjudul Bank Niaga, Pantang Menyerah Didera Krisis. Buku itu sesungguhnya sudah terbit tahun lalu dalam rangka memperingati 50 tahun Bank Niaga yang berdiri tahun 1955.

Bank Niaga merupakan bank nasional yang dimiliki para wirausahawan terkemuka seperti Soedarpo Sastrosatomo, Wibowo, Hasyim Ning, Idham, Jo Eng Liang, Pang Lay Kim dan Julius Tahiya. Berkat kemitraan dengan Citibank yang dirintis pada tahun 1975 Bank Niaga berhasil melahirkan kader-kader professional dan tangguh.

Kehebatan Bank Niaga terbukti ketika Indonesia memasuki masa krisis ekonomi pada tahun 1998. Bank Niaga berhasil lolos dari jeratan krisis sekalipun sempat masuk dalam program rekapitulasi BPPN pada tahun 2000.

Diskusi tersebut dihadiri Peter B Stok selaku Presiden Direktur Bank Niaga, Heru Budiargo selaku Direktur Eksekutif Bidang Kepatuhan Bank Niaga, Prof. Achmad Santosa selaku Guru Besar Corporate Governance dan Kepala Pusat Pengembangan Akutansi FE UI dan Dr. M. Chatib Basri sebagai Staf Ahli Menteri Keuangan RI serta wakil dari Aksara Karunia selaku penerbit buku.

Bank Niaga termasuk dalam deretan akhir bank-bank yang masuk program rekapitulasi BPPN yakni pada 31 Mei 2000 sebesar Rp 9,462 triliun dengan kompensasi 97,15 persen saham dimiliki pemeriintah. Peter B Stok yang selama tiga tahun berada di luar Bank Niaga diminta kembali pada Juni 2000. Ia dipercaya BPPN untuk menjadi nakhoda Bank Niaga sebagai presiden direktur.

Peter menemukan penyakit kronis Bank Niaga yakni negative spread dan angka non performing loan yang amat tinggi. Dengan fix rate return 12 persen sementara cost of fund SBI sebesar 16-18 persen maka bank mengalami negative spread minimal 4 persen. “Dalam kondisi seperti itu sebuah bank tidak bisa hidup dalam 2 tahun,” ujar Peter B. Stok.

Sedangkan, untuk menangani kredit macet ia membentuk special asset management group atau SAM group. “Rekapitulasi dilakukan pada account yang tergolong kategori 5 yakni kredit macet, “ tambahnya.

Persoalan lain yang ditemukan Peter pasca krisis adalah moral kerja karyawan yang merosot. Motivasi kerja hilang karena tidak ada kenaikan gaji, bonus maupun program pelatihan yang akhirnya berpengaruh pada service quality Bank Niaga.”Saya melakukan compensation adjustment untuk merangsang kembali motivasi karyawan. Dan mereka melek lagi,” kata Peter. Setelah motivasi terbangun, ia mengajak karyawan untuk bekerja berdasarkan hasil. Artinya, sebelum melakukan pekerjaan karyawan diminta memilih pekerjaan yang paling memberikan hasil atau keuntungan.

Karena masalah yang diderita Bank Niaga cukup banyak maka Peter membagi menjadi sembilan prioritas. Mulai dari memperbaiki kualitas layanan, menanggulangi kredit bermasalah, memperbaiki kesehatan bank, melakukan divestasi, memperkuat struktur neraca, mengembalikan status pengawasan dari BPPN ke BI, konsolidasi anak perusahaan, meningkatkan motivasi karyawan hingga pencapaian target yang tercantum dalam rencana bisnis yang diajukan ke BPPN.

Perubahan lainnya, bila sebelumnya Bank Niaga menekankan sebagai corporate banking maka kini lebih menekankan segmen ritel yakni berupa consumer banking. Perubahan besar pun terjadi, bila selama kurun 1955-2002 Bank Niaga hanya memiliki sekitar 500.000 nasabah. Maka, setelah 5 tahun menggarap pasar ritel terjadi tambahan sekitar 1,5 juta nasabah hingga menjadi 2 juta nasabah saat ini.

Prestasi lain yang diraih Bank Niaga adalah keberhasilannya sebagai mortgage bank atau bank penyelenggara kredit kepemilikan rumah (KPR) nomor dua setelah BTN. Selama kurun 2004-2005 terjadi peningkatan nasabah KPR hingga 100 persen ketika bank-bank lain mengabaikan sektor ini.

Oleh karena Bank Niaga tidak mungkin menjadi bank for everything maka Peter B. Stok pun menetapkan sasaran pasarnya adalah high end commercial serta mass affluent/ affluent market. Sedangkan sector yang ingin dipeliharanya adalah kredit kepemilikan mobil dan kartu kredit.

Meski kini pemegang saham mayoritas adalah Commerce Asset Holding Berhad (CAHB) dari Malaysia pada tahun 2002 namun Bank Niaga tetap mempertahan keberadaan professional yang berasal dari Indonesia. Bank Niaga pun tetap menjaga citranya sebagai prudential banking dengan memberikan kredit kepada perorangan atau perusahaan maksimal Rp 200 miliar.

Dalam diskusi tersebut Prof . Achmad Santosa memuji Good Corporate Governance yang diterapkan Bank Niaga sejak pertengahan tahun 1970-an ketika bank itu bermitra dengan Citibank. Hasilnya, sekalipun terimbas krisis moneter, apa yang terjadi pada Bank Niaga adalah murni akibat dampak krisis ekonomi bukan akibat moral hazards.

Sedangkan, Dr. M. Chatib Basri menilai bahwa krisis yang dialami Indonesia tidak akan separah seperti yang dialami saat ini andai saja pemerintah Orde Baru menata terlebih dahulu sektor riil dengan benar baru kemudian disusul sektor finansial. Yang terjadi disini sebaliknya, justru sektor finansial dulu yang dibenahi melalui deregulasi perbankan dan Pakto 88 pada tahun 1988 sementara sektor riil belum tertata rapi. Akibatnya krisis yang dialami Indonesia lebih lama pulih dibandingkan negara-negara Asia lainnya seperti Thailand, Malaysia dan Korea Selatan.***

GEORGE W. BUSH & THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT

2006-12-03T17:59:00.000+07:00

Oleh Ari Satriyo Wibowo

Senin, 20 November 2006, Presiden AS George W. Bush hadir selama 6 jam di Bogor. Sekalipun partai Republik yang mendukungnya baru saja mengalami kekalahan pahit di DPR dan Senat AS, sosok kontroversialnya tetap saja menonjol. Dimulai dari kemenangannya dari Al Gore dalam Pemilu 2000, penolakannya menandatangani Protokol Kyoto 2002 hingga keputusannya menyerbu Irak secara unilateral tahun 2003 yang kini makin menyulitkan posisinya.

Dalam chaos theory dikenal istilah Efek Kupu-Kupu (The Butterfly Effect) yang mengacu pada penemuan bahwa pada sistem yang kacau, sebuah gangguan yang kecil di dalam sebuah sistem terkadang mendorong terjadinya perubahan besar terhadap keseluruhan sistem. Istilah tersebut muncul dari khasanah iptek di AS bahwa kepakan kecil sayap kupu-kupu dapat menciptakan perubahan kecil di atmosfer tetapi sekaligus mampu memicu terjadinya badai Tornado nan dahsyat.

Prinsip yang sama berlaku di masyarakat manusia. Perubahan yang kecil dalam sikap pandang seseorang pada suatu kesempatan ternyata mampu mendorong ke arah perubahan mendasar di dalam masyarakat secara keseluruhan.

Al Gore, Wakil Presiden AS (1993-2001) di masa pemerintahan presiden Bill Clinton, adalah korban Efek Kupu-Kupu di kancah politik. Ketika Gore menjadi calon presiden dari Partai Demokrat berpasangan dengan Senator Joseph Lieberman pada tahun 2000, ia dikalahkan secara menyakitkan pasangan Partai Republik George W. Bush, Gubernur Texas yang berpasangan dengan Dick Cheney.

Gore sesungguhnya memenangkan “popular vote” lebih dari 500.000 suara dari sekitar 105 juta pemilih di AS. Namun, ia gagal memenangkan “electoral vote” setelah 25 electoral votes di Negara bagian Florida dinyatakan merupakan milik Bush. Gore merupakan kandidat presiden AS pertama yang memenangkan “popular vote” tetapi kalah dalam “electoral votes”.

Penyumbang terbesar kegagalan Al Gore menjadi Presiden AS sesungguhnya akibat "Efek Kupu-Kupu" yang dilakukan seorang desainer grafis. Pada tahun 2000, Theresa LePore memiliki gagasan untuk memperbesar jenis huruf (font) yang terdapat pada kartu pemilihan umum yang ia rancang untuk Pemilu Presiden AS di kawasan Palm Beach, Florida, AS dengan alasan agar lebih mudah dibaca para pemilih. Namun, tanpa disadarinya desain baru kartu dengan dua halaman yang sama itu telah membuat bingung para pemilih tentang bagian mana yang seharusnya dicoblos.

Sebagai hasilnya, 19.120 pemilih mencoblos gambar Pat Buchanan dan Al Gore sehingga kartu suara dinyatakan tidak sah. Sejumlah 3,407 pemilih dinyatakan memilih Pat Buchanan, hal yang mengejutkan Pat sendiri karena ia menduga hanya akan memperoleh ratusan pemilih saja. Sehingga diperkirakan ada 22.000 suara untuk Al Gore yang tidak terhitung atau salah coblos. Hasilnya seperti ditetapkan Mahkamah Agung AS bahwa George W. Bush yang memenangkan “electoral votes” di Florida, AS dan berhak masuk ke Gedung Putih. Sudah selayaknya, Bush berterima kasih atas jasa Theresa LePore.

Tanpa adanya "Efek Kupu-Kupu" seperti itu akankah Al Gore menjadi Presiden AS dan dunia menjadi lebih damai? Mampukah Gore menyelesaikan konflik Israel dan Palestina dengan adil? Akankah dia menyatakan Irak sebagai salah satu Poros Setan yang layak diserang terlebih dahulu karena memiliki senjata pemusnah massal yang berbahaya dengan konsekuensi perang yang berlarut-larut? Tidak ada yang tahu dengan pasti.

Drama Kain dan Habel Berulang

Satu hal yang sudah pasti bila Al Gore terpilih sebagai Presiden AS maka ia akan meratifikasi Protokol Kyoto sehingga dampak pemanasan global tidak memburuk seperti saat ini ketika Presiden AS George W. Bush menolak untuk meratifikasi perjanjian itu pada 2002 karena lebih berpihak pada kepentingan para industrialis AS. Namun, begitulah kenyataannya, di kancah politik terkadang yang buruk justru menuai keberuntungan.
Garry Lange dan Todd Domke dalam bukunya berjudul Cain and Abel at Work : How to Overcome Office Politics and the People Who Stand Between You and Success (Broadway Book, New York, 2001) membahas tentang ketidakadilan sejak manusia tercipta. Apalagi di bagian wal buku ini disajikan judul yang menggelitik : Why Good Things Happen To Bad People? Adakah yang salah dengan dunia ini?

Seperti diketahui dalam pelajaran agama kita mengenal adam dan hawa. Setelah terusir dari sorga, keduanya dikarunia dua anak laki-laki yakni Kain dan Habel. Kain hidup dari bercocok tanam sementara Habel memelihara ternak. Rupanya hanya persembahan Habel yang diterima Allah. Hal itu memimbulkan iri dan dengki di hati Kain, sang kakak. Karena gelap mata dipukulnya Habel hingga tewas. Terjadilah peristiwa kriminal pertama di dunia.

Kain melarikan diri dan di perantauan menemukan jodohnya. Kain memiliki anak bernama Enokh dan menyebut kediamannya dengan nama yang sama. Kondisi itu menjadikan kain seorang pengembang real estate pertama layaknya Donald Trump di masa kini. Kain juga merupakan politisi pertama. Ia pandai bicara, licin, pantang menyerah dan penuh ketamakan untuk menguasai dunia.

Kain adalah tipikal manusia yang dikuasai oleh nafsu iri, tamak, dengki, loba, aniaya dan angkara murka. Sementara Habel dikenal jujur, pekerja keras dan tak banyak bicara. Anehnya, nasib Kain justru selalu mujur. Kekayaannya berlimpah ruah. Kondisi macam itu berlangsung terus hingga abad ke-21. Meski tak ada manusia yang 100 persen berwatak setan maupun 100 persen berhati malaikat, kenyataannya lebih sering tampuk kekuasaan dipegang manusia dengan karakter Setan seperti Kain. Mudah-mudahan pelajaran dari kekalahan Partai Republik dalam pemilu sela lalu mampu menjadikan Presiden George W. Bush berwajah Habel daripada Kain dalam dua tahun sisa masa pemerintahannya. Semoga.***

PELAJARAN LUHUR DARI BOROBUDUR YANG TERLUPAKAN

2006-12-03T17:50:00.000+07:00

Oleh Ari Satriyo Wibowo

Borobudur sesungguhnya merupakan buku pelajaran raksasa bagi bangsa Indonesia yang terbuat dari batu. Jauh sebelum bangsa Amerika memiliki toko buku Barnes & Noble maupun situs penjualan buku Amazon.com di Internet pada abad ke-20 , bangsa Indonesia sudah memiliki “gerai buku raksasa” yang pantas dibanggakan pada abad ke-9 Masehi.

Sungguh sayang rasanya bila kita tidak mampu memetik pelajaran berharga yang terkandung di dalamnya. Apalagi, hanya memandang Borobudur sebagai obyek rekreasi serta lokasi komersial untuk menjual cindera mata, kaus, topi maupun makanan jajanan semata.

Setelah sempat eksis selama beberapa abad, hampir selama berabad-abad berikutnya “buku pelajaran raksasa” itu terlupakan. Borobudur tersia-sia menjadi onggokan gunung batu penuh timbunan tanah dan ditumbuhi semak belukar setelah Gunung Merapi meletus pada sekitar tahun 1080 Masehi yang menciptakan kiamat bagi pusat kerajaan di Jawa Tengah yang ikut menewaskan Raja Dharmawangsa dan pusat kekuasaan beralih ke Jawa Timur.

Beruntung Sir Thomas Stanford Raffles yang menjadi Walinegara di Indonesia ketika negeri ini dikuasai Inggris selama kurun 1811-1816 memiliki kepedulian terhadap sejarah dan arkeologi. Pada tahun 1814, Raffles menerima laporan bahwa ada peninggalan purbakala di desa Bumisegoro bernama Borobudur.

Raffles kemudian mengutus seorang Belanda yang berpengalaman dalam masalah percandian bernama Cornelius. Dengan mempekerjakan 200 orang desa, Cornelius membersihkan semak belukar beserta tanah yang selama berabad-abad menutupinya. Laporan kerja Cornelius menjadi salah satu bahan penting bagi Raffles yang kemudian dimasukkannya dalam buku “History of Java” yang diterbitkan tahun 1817. Berkat uraian buku tersebut keberadaan Borobudur memperoleh perhatian luas di kalangan ilmuwan dan arkeolog di manca negara.

Pada tahun 1885, Borobudur menjadi perhatian publik dunia ketika seorang perwira zeni Belanda bernama J.W. Ijzerman menemukan adanya relief di bagian kaki candi berupa fragmen Mahakarmawibangga yang menggambarkan hukum sebab akibat (karma).

Pekerjaan besar pemugaran selanjutnya dilakukan Theodor Van Erp, seorang perwira Zeni KNIL, dibantu seorang arkeolog J. Brandes dan seorang insinyur B.W. van de Kramer antara 1907 dan 1911. Namun kerusakan demi kerusakan tetap mencemaskan. Dalam waktu 16 tahun sudah terdapat 40 bidang relief dari 120 yang menggambarkan adegan “Lalitawistara” sudah mengalami kerusakan berat. Demikian pula bagian-bagian lainnya sehingga pemugaran yang bersifat tambal sulam tidak berguna untuk menyelamatkan monumen tersebut. Yang dibutuhkan Borobudur adalah pemugaran menyeluruh. Akhirnya, pada 29 Januari 1973 badan PBB urusan pendidikan dan kebudayaan (UNESCO) bersedia menyediakan dana serta memulai pemugaran. Proyek pemugaran selesai sepuluh tahun kemudian pada 23 Februari 1983.

***

Mengapa Borobudur dapat disebut sebagai buku pelajaran raksasa yang terbuat dari batu ? Hal itu wajar mengingat begitu banyaknya gambar timbul di dinding atau relief sejumlah 166 relief di bagian Kamadhatu pada batu seberat 13.000 meter kubik itu.

Kemudian di bagian Rupadhatu terdapat empat galeri dengan 1300 relief dengan
panjang seluruhnya sekitar 2,5 kilometer yang dikelilingi sekitar 1212 panel berdekorasi indah. Sementara itu, di bagian Arupadhatu terdapat 72 stupa yang berterawang dengan lubang-lubang berbentuk segi empat. Sedangkan, pada bagian paling atas atau Sunyata hanya terdapat sebuah stupa yang tertutup rapat.

Dari bagian-bagian Borobudur itu sebenarnya kita dapat memahami bahwa hidup manusia berada pada empat level keberadaan. Banyak para ahli yang memetakan kosmologi yang ada di Borobudur seperti kosmologi India yang membagi menjadi tiga dunia. Padahal, sesungguhnya Borobudur memuat mengenai empat dunia.

Dunia pertama terletak di dasar paling bawah yakni Kamadhatu atau dunia hawa nafsu dan sifat-sifat jahat (plane of passion and lust). Pada tingkatan ini manusia terikat dan dikuasai hawa nafsu dan sifat-sifat jahat. Oleh karena itu, untuk mengendalikannya biasanya diperlukan aturan atau hukum-hukum yang keras.

Dunia kedua disebut Rupadhatu (plane of image and forms) pada level ini manusia telah dapat menguasai hawa nafsunya tetapi masih terikat pada bentuk dan rupa. Manusia pada tingkatan ini masih mengejar status dan kekayaan karena mereka amat menghargai bentuk, rupa, wujud seperti kecantikan, ketampanan, kekayaan, kemegahan dan sebagainya.

Dunia ketiga adalah Arupadhatu (plane of non form) atau dunia tanpa bentuk. Di sini manusia sudah tidak lagi mementingkan lagi pada bentuk dan rupa. Manusia di level ini sudah menyadari hakikat hidup sesungguhnya.

Sedangkan, dunia keempat disebut Sunyata (The True Existence, Absolution )
merupakan tingkatan yang tertinggi yang tak mampu lagi dijangkau dengan nalar karena telah mencapai Makrifat Tuhan. Manusia di level ini telah bebas lepas sama sekali dan memutuskan untuk selama-lamanya ikatan duniawi. Oleh karena itu, perwujudannya berupa stupa yang sama sekali tertutup, tidak berterawang lagi seperti yang terdapat di bagian Arupadhatu.

Sepintas lalu keempat tingkatan tadi mengingatkan kita pada hirarki pemahaman agama dalam tradisi Islam yakni Syariat (tahapan pengendalian nafsu-nafsu dengan menerapkan aturan-aturan yang ketat), Tarikat , Hakikat dan Makrifat.

Bagi pemeluk agama Nasrani, peristiwa penyaliban Yesus sesungguhnya dapat pula dimaknai sebagai transformasi dari tahapan tanpa bentuk menuju tahapan kasunyatan (Absolution).

Jadi, sesungguhnya Borobudur pun dapat dimaknai secara lebih universal dan bersifat lintas agama.

Menurut Borobudur manusia akan berkembang menuju kesadaran yang lebih tinggi, dari terendah yang masih dikuasai hawa nafsu hingga mencapai taraf pembebasan dari ikatan duniawi. Menggunakan matriks Borobudur kira-kira kita dapat memperkirakan di mana keberadaan umat manusia saat ini. Sebagian besar masyarakat dunia saat ini berada di level Rupadhatu karena umumnya masih mengejar status dan kekayaan. Tetapi, tidak sedikit pula yang masih di level Kamadhatu karena masih dikuasai hawa nafsu serta sifat-sifat jahat seperti korup, serakah, selingkuh, iri, loba , aniaya dan sebagainya.

Nah, di mana kira-kira letak bangsa Indonesia sekarang ini dalam konteks matriks Borobudur tersebut? Melihat prestasi bangsa Indonesia paling mutakhir sebagai bangsa paling korup di Asia, anggota perlemennya suka berkelahi, aparat penegak hukumnya menyeleweng serta negerinya rawan kerusuhan, ledakan bom dan berbagai bencana alam, tampaknya kita masih belum beranjak dari tingkat paling dasar yakni Kamadhatu.

Semua itu, karena karena kita telah melupakan bahkan sama sekali tidak mempedulikan pelajaran luhur yang terkandung dalam Borobodur. Sebuah buku
pelajaran raksasa bagi bangsa Indonesia yang terbuat dari batu dan sudah berdiri lebih dari duabelas abad yang lalu.

***

Andai saja bangsa Indonesia bersedia untuk belajar, menghayati dan mengamalkan pelajaran luhur yang diwariskan Borobudur maka ketika bangsa ini merayakan ulang tahun kemerdekaan yang ke-60 pada tanggal 17 Agustus 2005, Indonesia sudah mencapai tahap adil, makmur dan sejahtera. Tetapi, karena mengabaikan warisan luhur yang terkandung dalam Borobudur itu, maka yang dialami bangsa ini justru meningkatnya angka kemiskinan disertai himpitan utang luar negeri yang luar biasa besar.

Kekayaan alam, flora dan fauna dijarah habis-habisan. Pasir laut yang dijual secara ilegal ke Singapura menembus angka Rp 72 triliun, pembalakan liar di Kalimantan dan Papua diperkirakan sekitar Rp 30 triliun, penyelundupan satwa langka sebesar Rp 100 triliun, ikan yang dicuri dari laut Indonesia mencapai Rp 36 triliun dan penyelundupan Bahan Bakar Minyak (BBM) paling sedikit Rp 50 triliun. Aparat penegak hukum yang seharusnya ikut menjaga praktik pencurian dan perampokan itu tidak berdaya akibat minimnya sarana. Selain itu, tidak sedikit kalangan petinggi mereka yang ternyata ikut bermain.

Sudah begitu, berbagai bencana dan musibah datang silih berganti dan bertubi-tubi mulai dari banjir, tanah longsor, gempa bumi hingga tsunami. Tidak ketinggalan busung lapar, polio dan wabah flu burung ikut merebak. Kelangkaan BBM yang diikuti krisis listrik PLN mulai dimana-mana sehingga membuat kehidupan berbangsa dan bernegara semakin tidak nyaman.

Indonesia bukannya menjadi bangsa terhormat namun cenderung menjadi bangsa paria di tengah masyarakat dunia. Sebagai sebuah negara pun Indonesia sudah mengarah menjadi negara gagal (failure state).

Mengapa semua hal itu dapat terjadi? Selain akibat gagal melakukan pembelajaran yang benar dari warisan luhur yang terkandung di Borobudur, segala tragedi itu sesungguhnya merupakan akumulasi dari tidak seriusnya bangsa ini menangani semua praktik korupsi yang terjadi sejak zaman Orde Baru (1967-1998). Akibatnya, ketika muncul reformasi 1998 korupsi malahan semakin merajalela dan terjadi di semua tingkatan masyarakat.

Tidak mengherankan bila Indonesia pada tahun 2005 menuai prestasi sebagai negara paling korup peringkat ke -137 dengan Indeks Persepsi Korupsi (IPK) sebesar 2,2 di antara 158 negara di dunia yang diteliti Transparency International. Angka itu sedikit lebih baik bila dibandingkan IPK Indonesia tahun 2004 yang sebesar 2,0. Dengan raihan angka tersebut maka posisi Indonesia hanya sedikit lebih baik dibandingkan negara-negara paling korup dunia seperti Angola, Republik Demokratik Kongo, Pantai Gading, Georgia, Tajikistan,Turkmenistan, Nigeria, Kamerun, Bangladesh, Haiti dan Chad.

***

Apa pun yang diperbuat manusia di muka bumi ini pada dasarnya adalah untuk berbuat baik. Cuma caranya bisa salah, bisa benar. Contoh sederhananya perampok. Apakah perampok itu untuk berbuat baik atau tidak? Mari kita telusuri dan berdialog dengan perampok itu.

“Buat apa Anda merampok?”
“Karena saya stress tidak punya uang, habis di-PHK, istri ngomel melulu.”
“Untuk apa uang hasil rampokanmu itu”
“Untuk keluarga dan untuk bersenang-senang,” jawab si perampok.

Dari jawaban itu, kita bisa menarik kesimpulan bahwa tujuan merampok adalah untuk mencukupi kebutuhan keluarga dan kesenangan. Si perampok ingin menyenangkan dirinya setelah mengalami stress karena di-PHK. Ia juga ingin menyenangkan keluarganya. Dengan demikian, ia berusaha menjaga keseimbangan hidupnya. Niatnya baik tetapi caranya salah.

Fenomena ala perampok ini telah menjalar ke seluruh sendi kehidupan masyarakat dalam bentuk korupsi. Apa harta korupsi itu halal? Pasti haram, sama dengan uang hasil perampokan itu. Kalau ditanya untuk apa uang hasil korupsi itu, jawabnya pasti untuk membahagiakan keluarga dan dirinya sendiri.

Yang celaka adalah si koruptor tidak merasa kalau uang hasil korupsinya adalah haram, sehingga terus menerus melakukannya, apalagi kalau tidak ketahuan. Korupsi itu bisa dalam bentuk pungli, uang semir, mengurangi timbangan, harta riba, mengakali konsumen dan lain-lain. Orang yang korupsi pada dasarnya ingin bahagia, tetapi langkahnya keliru. Hal ini dapat membuat hidup mereka sengsara.

***

Sarlito Wirawan Sarwono menulis artikel di Kompas, Sabtu, 8 Oktober 2005 di halaman 6 dengan judul “Bangsa Tak Berahlak”. Ia dengan jeli membedakan ahlak sebagai jargon agama untuk budi pekerti (istilah sekolahan) dengan Moral atau Etika (istilah ilmiah). Sementara, ilmu filfasat membedakan etika (baik buruk), dari estetika (indah jelek), dan logika (benar-salah).

Masih menurut Guru Besar Psikologi UI itu, dalam berperilaku tidak berakhlak, ada niat atau kesengajaan untuk berbuat buruk, atau melanggar etika atau immoral.

Contohnya banyak sekali. Sengaja melanggar lampu merah sehingga lalu lintas macet, sengaja menaikkan harga untuk keuntungan sendiri, sengaja membeli ijazah palsu untuk mengelabui calon mertua, meminta pungutan liar, menebang hutan lindung,menyuap calo DPR, menggelapkan barang bukti, merusak sekolah karena tak lulus ujian dan seterusnya. Itu contoh ribuan bahkan jutaan.

Pantas jika Indonesia mendapat julukan salah satu negara paling korup di dunia bahkan paling munafik karena kemaksiatan berjalan seiring dengan maraknya kehidupan keagamaan bangsa ini.

Menurut logika mustahil maksiat dapat berjalan seiring dengan agama. Bagaimana mungkin agama tidak berujung pada ahlak yang baik, seperti yang selalu diteorikan?

Tentu ada yang salah. Beberapa pakar berpendapat, agama di Indonesia baru sebatas upacara, belum memengaruhi sikap mental sehingga tidak ada dampaknya pada perilaku. Tetapi, bagaimana nalarnya sehingga pendidikan dan pelajaran agama yang sudah masuk kurikulum sejak TK sampai mahasiswa tidak berdampak pada sikap?

Jika pertanyaan ini dijawab dalam teorinya para ustadz dan khatib, tidak akan ketemu penjelasannya. Karena dalil yang selalu dikemukakan pemuka agama adalah jika kita melaksanakan ajaran Tuhan dan Rasul, ujungnya pasti akhlak (dunia) dan surga (akhirat). Padahal dalil inilah yang justru diterapkan dalam praktik pendidikan agama di sekolah-sekolah Indonesia : sejak TK murid diwajibkan menghafalkan ayat-ayat kitab suci dan doa-doa. Ulangan dan ujian seputar ayat-ayat dan doa-doa itu.

Sementara itu, menurut teori psikologi, khususnya teori belajar, yang terjadi sebaliknya. Dalam teori belajar dikatakan seseorang harus berbuat dulu (psikomotorik) baru timbul pemahaman (kognitif), akhirnya muncul sikap (afektif).

Dengan demikian untuk belajar ahlak, anak TK-SD seharusnya disuruh belajar praktik budi pekerti terlebih dahulu, misalnya, bagaimana mengucapkan terimakasih, mengapa orang harus meminta maaf, apakah hari ini sudah mencium tangan mama-papa, apakah sudah memberi makan kucing kesayangan? Dan seterusnya.

Melalui praktik budi pekerti timbul empati, yaitu kemampuan menyayangi binatang, mengagumi keindahan, menghargai dan berempati pada orang lain, dengan sendirinya akan terhindar dari sikap arogan atau mau menang sendiri.

Ketika anak belajar ayat dan doa-doa, ia akan paham apa yang dimaksud ayat dan doa itu sehingga ia tidak akan menghujat atau membunuh orang lain sambil kerongkongannya meneriakkan nama Tuhan

***

Sesungguhnya ajaran-ajaran agama yang bertebaran di sekitar kita sudah mengajarkan kita untuk selalu memelihara lingkungan dengan bijak. Dalam setiap agama mulai dari Hindu, Buddha, Kristen maupun Islam terdapat pesan-pesan agar selalu hidup harmonis dengan alam semesta.

Kapan kiranya alam semesta ini tercipta? Pertanyaan tersebut sudah cukup lam
mengusik umat manusia sejak berabad-abad silam untuk mengungkapkannya. Ada yang cukup puas dengan mitos, ada yang membuka kembali kitab-kitab suci lalu memperkirakan ataupun menciptakan peralatan yang canggih untuk mendeteksi yang lebih akurat.

Uskup Usser dan John Lightfoot dari Inggris yang hidup di abad ke-17 menaksir bahwa dunia ini tercipta pada tahun 4004 SM. Bagaimana mereka memperoleh angka tersebut? Ternyata keduanya menafsirkannya dari Kitab Injil Perjanjian Lama, yaitu Kitab Kejadian, pasal 2, ayat 2 dan seterusnya yang berbunyi :

“Ketika Allah pada hari ketujuh telah menyelesaikan pekerjaan yang dibuat-Nya itu, berhentilah Ia pada hari ketujuh dari segala pekerjaan yang telah dibuat-Nya itu …”

Sedangkan dalam kitab suci Al Qur’an istilah “hari” diperluas maknanya sebagai “masa” sebagaimana tertuang dalam Surat Qaaf :38, “Dan sesungguhnya telah Allah ciptakan langit dan bumi dan apa yang ada di antara keduanya dalam enam masa.” Kembali hal tersebut dapat ditemukan dalam surat Hud : 7 maupun Al Furqan : 59.

Tekanan pada istilah “masa” tersebut mengingat kita pada pembagian periode pertumbuhan bumi oleh pakar geologi. Periode itu secara berurutan dikenal sebagai : Azicum, Erchezoicum, Protozoicum, Palaezoicum, Mesozoicum dan Cenozoicum yang keseluruhannya diperkirakan memakan waktu sekitar 2,65 miliar tahun.

Manusia sendiri sesungguhnya merupakan produk dari zaman Cenozoicum. Spesies manusia yang dikenal sebagai Homo Sapiens baru terdeteksi keberadaannya sekitar 50.000 tahun yang lalu meskipun nenek moyang manusia seperti Australopithecus Africanus, pertama kali muncul sekitar 5,5 juta tahun yang lalu. Karenanya sangat mungkin sekali bahwa manusia gua seperti Australopithecus Africanus dalam kenyataannhya tak pernah hidup berdampingan dengan mahluk Dinosaurus yang diperkirakan telah punah di zaman Mesozoicum, sekitar 65 juta tahun yang lalu.

Mengapa Dinosaurus punah? Ada teori yang mengatakan bahwa mahluk raksasa tersebut punah karena tak mampu beradaptasi dengan perubahan iklim drastis, yakni tatkala memasuki zaman es. Namun, temuan ilmuwan paleontologi Jerman dari Universitas Bonn yang melakukan penggalian di Provence, Perancis menemukan bahwa penyebab kepunahan Dinosaurus adalah penipisan kulit telur Dionosaurus, sehingga menjadi sangat rentan. Hal itu berdasarkan perbandingan antara kulit telur yang ditemukan di lapisan tanah yang lebih tua yang memiliki ketebalan 2-4 milimeter
dengan lapisan tanah yang lebih muda yang hanya berketebalan 1,1-1,4 milimeter. Menipisnya kulit telur menyebabkan telur mudah rusak, tak dapat menetas dan secara perlahan tetapi pasti mengantar kepada kepunahan.

Di zaman sekarang orang dengan mudah menuduh DDT atau limbah kimia buangan pabrik sebagai penyebabnya, tetapi di zaman Mesozoic belum ada cairan kimia produk pabrikan semacam itu. Akhirnya, ilmuwan Jerman itu menemukan bahwa peningkatan populasi yang pesat dalam habitat Dinosaurus yang terbatas --- dalam rawa-rawa yang telah mengering --- telah mengakibatkan stress sehingga memicu perubahan hormonal yang menyebabkan kulit telur yang dihasilkan induk Dinosaurus makin menipis. Singkat cerita, Dinosaurus punah karena “perkembangan masyarakat Dinosaurus tidak terkelola dengan baik sesuai dengan kehendak alam” (Fred Warshofsky,Doomsday, Sphere Books, London, 1979).

Demikian pula kepunahan berbagai tumbuh-tumbuhan. Diperkirakan ada sejumlah 20.000 spesies tumbuhan di dunia ini dan 2000 spesies di antaranya sudah diambang kepunahan akibat ulah manusia. Spesies tumbuhan punah disebabkan oleh polusi dan buangan limbah industri, buangan hasil tambang dan sebagainya. World Wild Fund (WWF) memperkirakan hutan tropis yang menjadi hunian sekitar 10% hewan mamalia, burung dan tumbuhan dalam proses perusakan dalam tingkat 14 hektar per menit akibat ulah manusia.

Kita lihat sendiri akibat dari praktik illegal logging yang melanda Indonesia hutan-hutan Indonesia di Sumatera, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Maluku dan Papua terancam musnah. Sebelumnya kerusakan sudah ditimbulkan para pemegang Hak Pengusahaan Hutan (HPH) yang selama lebih dari tiga dasa warsa mengeksploitasinya secara besarbesaran.

Kerusakan yang ditimbulkannya sungguh luar biasa. Akibatnya kota-kota besar di Kalimantan yang sebelumnya tak pernah dilanda banjir kini mengalami musibah banjir tahunan.

Sungguh berbeda dengan perilaku para pemegang HPH di Swedia. Di sana perusahaan HPH mempunyai sebuah kebijakan pelestarian alam yang memungkinkan perusahaan tersebut mengusahakan hutan yang menjadi haknya sedemikian rupa sehingga terhindarlah efek-efek perusakan yang permanen atas tanah dan air, mempertahankan kehidupan berbagai macam tumbuhan dan hewan, melindungi semua spesies tumbuhan dan hewan selama pengusahaan, melindungi semua peninggalan kepurbakalaan dan sejarah, serta meluluskan permintaan penduduk setempat untuk masuk dan ikut mengambil hasil hutan asal masih dalam batas kewajaran.

Pada 1996 penulis diundang untuk mengunjungi lokasi pertambangan batu bara
Balckwater di negara bagian Queensland Australia. Di sana penulis menyaksikan
bagaimana tanggung jawab lingkungan BHP yang tinggi dengan mengembalikan kondisi lahan seperti semula, sebagaimana kondisi sebelum mereka menggali batu bara.

Lapisan-lapisan tanah yang semula ada di perut bumi dikembalikan ke tempatnya sesuai urutan, dan lapisan permukaan tanah yang dapat ditanami (soil) diletakkan paling atas. Hasilnya lahan bekas pertambangan tersebut menjadi bukit-bukit kecil yang rimbun. Tidak ada yang pernah menyangka bahwa di sana pernah dilakukan penggalian tambang sebelumnya.

Peter Russel dalam buku The Awakening Earth (Ark London, 1984) menggambarkan bumi sebagai organisme yang hidup. Sebagaimana layaknya manusia, bumi juga memiliki mulut, telinga, hidung, paru-paru, jantung, ginjal serta saluran pembuangan.

Oleh karena itu, kita sebagai manusia juga perlu menjaga kelestarian alam dengan sebaik-baiknya agar bumi tidak “menderita sakit” sehingga menimbulkan bencana berupa gempa, gunung meletus, angin topan, hujan badai dan sebagainya.

Dalam ajaran Hindu dikenal Dewa Wisnu sebagai sang sang pemelihara alam semesta. Ia selalu mewujud dalam sosok pemimpin teladan yang menegakkan kebenaran mulai dari Sri Rama yang berperang melawan Rahwana dari Kerajaan Alengka hingga menitis pada Sri Kresna yang menjadi sais kereta kuda Arjuna dalam ajang perang Baratayudha.

Ikuti percakapan antara Sri Kresna dan Arjuna yang tercatat di bagian keempat
(Karmajana-yoga) Kitab Bhagawat Gita ayat 5-8. Bunyi selengkapnya sebagai berikut :

(5)”Banyak kali aku dilahirkan dan engkau juga, Arjuna. Aku memaklumi tiap-tiap
kelahiran-Ku, namun engkau tidak tahu.”

(6) “Meskipun Aku tidak terlahir, sifatnya Kekal dan Maha Kuasa. Aku dapat menjelma dari gaya maya yang keluar dari diri-Ku sendiri.”

(7-8) “Karena setiap kali tampak Dharma goncang dan lalu timbul Adharma, Aku
melahirkan diriku sendiri untuk melindungi yang baik, menegakkan hukum dan
membasmi yang jahat dan ini terjadi pada setiap Yuga (masa dunia)”.

Dalam ayat-ayat tersebut terkandung pesan bahwa setiap kali dunia mengalami kerusakan, apakah itu kerusakan lingkungan maupun kerusakan moral, maka Tuhan akan datang untuk memperbaiki kerusakan tersebut. Kedatangannya ke dunia ini tentu saja melalui utusan-utusannya yang terpilih.

Sedangkan, dalam kosmologi Islam, manusia memiliki peran sebagai Kalifatullah atau “wakil Tuhan di dunia.” Namun, karena manusia memiliki hawa nafsu maka jika tidak mampu mengendalikannya maka manusia berpontensi untuk merusak alam dan lingkungan. Tidak mengherankan dalam Surat Al Baqarah (2 :30) dikisahkan bagaimana para malaikat menyampaikan protes kepada Tuhan ketika hendak memberikan amanat kepada manusia sebagai khalifah di muka bumi. Bunyi selengkapnya ayat tersebut sebagai berikut :

“Dan ingatlah ketika Tuhanmu berfirman kepada para malaikat, “ Sesungguhnya Aku hendak menjadikan seorang khalifah di muka bumi. “ Mereka berkata,”Mengapa Engkau hendak menjadikan khalifah di muka bumi itu orang yang akan membuat kerusakan dan menumpahkan darah padanya, padahal kami senantiasa bertasbih dengan memuji dan menyucikan Engkau?” Tuhan berfirman,” Sesungguhnya Aku lebih mengetahui apa yang tidak kamu ketahui.”

Agaknya, tradisi-tradisi spritual lintas agama yang kini populer dengan sebutan
psikologi transpersonal perlu dikembangkan lebih lanjut. Tradisi itu lebih menekankan pada pentingnya penerangan dimensi bawah sadar yang dipahami secara baru yang tidak hanya menyimpan pengalaman pahit, tetapi juga mutiara yang mampu mengubah perilaku secara radikal. Pengalaman dalam banyak praktik spiritual terbukti menggiring setiap orang ke sumber kebaikan yang bersemayam dalam dunia batinnya.

Pemberdayaan dunia bawah sadar mampu menciptakan perubahan penting dalam perilaku. Penyadaran tersebut dapat tampil dalam beragam bentuk tergantung keyakinan yang dianutnya seperti introspeksi, refleksi, kontemplasi, meditasi, yoga, iktikaf, tafakur atau dzikir. Dengan demikian manusia akan kembali pada fitrahnya sebagai mahluk pencinta lingkungan yang selalu memelihara lingkungan hidup dan bukan menjadi perusak lingkungan. Manusia pun menjadi lebih mudah untuk mencerna, menghayati sekaligus mengamalkan pesan-pesan luhur yang terkandung di Borobudur yakni mengenai keberadaan empat dunia atau empat level kehidupan manusia yakni Kamadhatu, Rupadhatu, Arupadhatu dan Sunyata (ASW).***

Daftar Pustaka

1. HCB Dharmawan et al (editor), SURGA PARA KORUPTOR, Penerbit Kompas, Jakarta, 2004
2. Jeremy Pope (editor), Pengembangan Sistem Integritas Nasional, Pustaka
Utama Grafiti, Jakarta, 1999
3. Daoed Joesoef, Borobudur, Gramedia Pustaka Utama,Jakarta, 2005
4. Sarlito Wirawan Sarwono, Bangsa Tak Berahlak, Artikel Opini di Kompas, Sabtu, 8 Oktober 2005 di halaman 6.
5. Yohanis F LA Kahija, Pengobatan Alternatif Perilaku Korup, Artikel Opini di
Kompas, Senin, 7 November 2005 halaman 6.

TERORIS YANG SEBENARNYA ADALAH PEMANASAN GLOBAL

2006-12-01T12:48:00.000+07:00

Oleh Ari Satriyo Wibowo

“It is now clear that we face a deepening global climate crisis that require us to act boldly, quickly and wisely.”

Al Gore dalam “An Inconvenient Truth” (2006)

Kata-kata itu mungkin dapat mewakili presentasi Al Gore, mantan Wapres AS di masa pemerintahan Bill Clinton, yang sungguh mempesona sekaligus mencekam dalam film dokumenter “An Inconvenient Truth”. Tayangan berdurasi 100 menit karya sutradara David Guggenheim itu memikat karena disampaikan sarat dengan data dan tabel hasil penelitian bertahun-tahun. Sudah begitu, Al Gore sengaja memberikan ilustrasi dengan animasi kartun dan selingan humor sehingga penyajiannya terasa segar. Menyaksikan film dokumenter produksi Paramount Classic --- yang keping DVD-nya dapat diperoleh dengan mudah di kawasan Glodok, Jakarta --- seolah membawa penonton mengikuti sebuah kuliah terbuka dari seorang maha guru ulung di bidang lingkungan dengan dukungan efek multimedia yang menawan.

Ancaman pemanasan global memang nyata. Setiap peningkatan suhu sebesar 1 derajat di wilayah Khatulistiwa akan menciptakan peningkatan suhu sebesar 12 kali lipat di wilayah kutub Utara dan Selatan. Kekuatiran mencairnya es di kedua kutub semakin terlihat. Harian Indopos, 4 November 2006 lalu , misalnya, melaporkan bahwa sedikitnya 100 gunung es mengapung di Samudra Selatan, di sebelah Selatan Selandia Baru. Setelah menerima laporan tersebut, pihak Maritim Selandian Baru segera mengeluarkan peringatan navigasi kepada seluruh pengguna jalur perkapalan tersebut. Berdasarkan pengamatan Angkatan Udara Selandia Baru bongkahan es tersebut berukuran 2 x 1,5 kilometer persegi dengan tinggi sekitar 130 meter.

AS dan Australia adalah dua negara yang menolak menandatangani Protokol Kyoto 2002. Pemerintahan AS dibawah Presiden Bush berkilah bahwa menandatangani protokol itu akan mengakibatkan penggangguran besar di negaranya. Protokol itu mewajibkan 40 negara untuk mengurangi emisi karbon dioksida sedikitnya 5,2 persen di bawah tingkat emisi tahun 1990 sebelum tahun 2008-2012. AS secara global menyumbang sekitar 30,3 persen dari pemanasan global sementara Eropa sebesar 27,7 persen dan Asia sejumlah 12,2 persen. Emisi karbon per kapita AS mencapai 5 persen sementara sumbangan emisi karbon AS berdasarkan wilayah mencapai 5,47 persen.

Selama ini, bumi menjadi hangat karena dipanasi oleh matahari melalui gelombang cahaya. Namun, cahaya matahari yang masuk tidak begitu saja diterima oleh bumi. Cahaya matahari harus melalui lapisan atmosfir yang menyelebungi dan melindungi bumi.

Cahaya yang masuk diserap oleh kehidupan di bumi. Sisanya dipantulkan kembali ke angkasa melalui radiasi. Atmosfer terdiri dari campuran dari berbagai gas. Beberapa jenis gas mempunyai kemampuan menahan panas matahari yang masuk dan mencegahnya kembali ke angkasa. Ini menyebabkan permukaan Bumi tetap hangat.

Fungsinya mirip dengan panel kaca di rumah kaca sehingga gas-gas tersebut disebut Gas Rumah Kaca (GRK). Tanpa proses ini, Bumi akan menjadi tempat yang dingin bahkan terlalu dingin untuk ditinggali mahluk hidup . Namun, terlalu banyak GRK akan menyebabkan suhu Bumi naik terlalu banyak.

Saat ini jumlah GRK di atmosfer adalah yang paling besar daripada sebelumnya karena polusi yang disebabkan manusia. Itu menyebabkan Bumi jadi makin panas yang memicu perubahan iklim global yang ekstrem. Gletsyer di Kilimanjaro, Italia, Swiss, Peru dan Argentina dari tahun ke tahun makin menyusut dan menghilang. Di mana-mana terjadi badai, topan kencang termasuk Badai Katrina dahsyat yang melanda New Orleans, AS pada 29 Agustus 2005. Gelombang udara panas telah menewaskan 15.000 orang di Perancis, 14.000 di Belanda, 13.000 di Portugal dan 1400 orang Andhar Pradesh, India. Hujan dengan curah hujan di atas rata-rata juga terjadi dimana-mana. Akibat cairnya es di kutub maka negeri Belanda akan langsung tenggelam karena lokasinya yang lebih rendah dari laut dan kota-kota besar dunia seperti New York, Shanghai dan Calcutta terancam tenggelam dan ratusan juta manusia bakal kehilangan tempat tinggal.

Pemanasan global mengakibatkan perubahan iklim gobal yang ekstrem diantaranya akan membuat musim kering yang berkepanjangan di berbagai belahan dunia yang berakibat terhadap kegagalan panen. Amerika Serikat yang selama beberapa dekade dikenal sebagai lumbung gandum dunia mungkin kelak akan lebih memprioritaskan untuk memenuhi kebutuhan domestik daripada mengekspornya. Australia, salah satu lumbung gandum dunia lainnya yang tidak menandatangi Protokol Kyoto juga telah merasakan dampak pemanasan global berupa kemarau terburuk dalam 100 tahun terakhir ( Kompas, 3 November 2006, “Australia Inginkan ‘Kyoto Baru’ di Asia”).

Bangkitnya Jurnalisme Advokasi

Andaikata Al Gore terpilih sebagai Presiden AS pada tahun 2000 lalu maka penulis buku laris Earth in the Balance : Ecology and the Human Spirit (1992) pasti akan meratifikasi Protokol Kyoto sehingga dampak pemanasan global tidak memburuk seperti saat ini ketika Presiden AS George W. Bush menolak untuk meratifikasi perjanjian itu pada 2002 karena lebih berpihak pada kepentingan para industrialis AS.

Melalui kuliah dan ceramahnya tentang dampak pemanasan global yang tak kenal lelah dari kota ke kota di hampir separuh negara bagian di AS mulai dari Nashville di Tennesse, Los Angeles, San Fransisco, Washington DC, New York, Columbus, Mineapolis hingga Ann Arbor di Michigan, ia menuai dukungan publik dan pers yang amat kuat. Berkat presentasinya yang sarat data ilmiah yang akurat publik diyakinkan akan bencana global yang bakal terjadi jika manusia mengabaikannya.

Apa hasilnya? Sekalipun di tingkat negara AS, menolak meratifikasi Protokol Kyoto tetapi negara bagian dan kota-kota di AS secara bertahap akan dengan patuh menaati Protokol Kyoto tersebut. Dimulai dari negara bagian California, Oregon, Pensylvania dan diikuti pula negara bagian dan kota-kota di AS lainnya. Sesuatu yang ironis, bukan?

Langkah Al Gore bukannya tanpa halangan. Seorang ilmuwan bernama Philip Cooney yang semula bekerja pada American Petroleum Institute dan kemudian diangkat Presiden George W. Bush sebagai Kepala Staf Bidang Lingkungan di Gedung Putih berkali-kali melakukan pemutarbalikkan fakta tentang pemanasan global dalam laporan-laporan yang dikeluarkan Gedung Putih. Al Gore menyebut itu sebagai tindakan Gedung Putih yang memalukan sambil menyindir, “It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends upon his not understanding it.”

Ceramah Al Gore tidak hanya sebatas di dalam negeri, ia pun mengunjungi puluhan kota di luar negeri dari Toronto, London, Wina, Stockholm, Helsinki, Brussel, Geneva, Munich, Tokyo, Seoul hingga Beijing. Sambutan yang diperolehnya umumnya sangat hangat. Tidak mengherankan bila David Carr, seorang kolumis harian Times berpendapat, film dokumenter “An Incovenienth Truth” atau produksi National Geographic semacam “March of the Penguins” bakal menjadi kendaraan yang ampuh bagi bangkitnya jurnalisme advokasi baik di media cetak maupun elektronik. Film dokumenter semacam itu mampu menggantikan isu-isu yang membosankan sekaligus menampilkan figur seseorang menjadi tontonan yang menghibur.

Tampaknya jurnalisme advokasi bakal menjadi genre jurnalisme baru yang didasarkan pada fakta namun didukung dengan data-data yang akurat dan spesifik atas isu tersebut dan disajikan secara memikat. Jurnalisme advokasi umumnya berfokus pada kisah-kisah yang berhubungan praktik bisnis perusahaan, korupsi politik dan isu sosial lainnya. Sudah sepatutnya media-media di Indonesia melakukan terobosan-terobosan inovatif agar dapat menghadirkan pula sajian atau tayangan jurnalisme advokasi yang menghibur di tengah carut-marutnya situasi sosial, ekonomi, politik dan hukum di negeri ini.

Misalnya, soal ketahanan pangan kita bila terjadi krisis pangan global? Masih bisakah kita mengonsumsi mi dan tahu bila bahan terigu dan kedelainya masih saja diimpor? Masih latahkah kita dengan budaya impor beras di saat petani panen ketimbang menggalakkan program swasembada beras / pangan? ***