DRAGON CARVED JADE BRACELET
Chapter 80: WEIRD
October 20th, 1999
The first elections in the reform era were held quickly, a year after the reform period. Exactly on June 7, 1999. This was because President Habibi who at that time gave the opportunity to East Timor to make an independent choice and separate from the unitary territory of the Republic of Indonesia. Of course, Habibi's decision received a lot of opposition from members of the council and the assembly, as well as politicians who are not happy.
The 1999 election can be called the anti-thesis election of the elections during the New Order. Where during the New Order election only followed three contestants party election participants, but in the 1999 election was followed by forty-eight party participants, the election, which accommodates the entire spectrum of ideology in Indonesia. Especially the religious and nationalist based parties.
As a result of the 1999 election, members of the council and parliament elected Gus Dur as President of the Republic of Indonesia. Gus Dur is best known for his controversial rule, which is reflected in his policies. But actually if it is logical or carefully logical, Gus Dur policies are very good. For example, Gus Dur insists there must be budget savings because the Rupiah is in trouble again. Of course this is very logical, because at that time our nation still has a lot of debt abroad. Then remove some departments or ministries, because it is considered irrelevant and is used as a cover to embezzle state money. And the best welcomed by the people is the friendly Chinese policy, which is to consider the people of Chinese descent in Indonesia as part of the ethnicity that has been integrated with the nation. Therefore, Gus Dur is referred to as the Father of Pluralism who embraces all the diversity owned by the Indonesian nation through the policies he made. Even people of Chinese descent, gave the nickname Gus Dur as the Father of Chinese.
At that time, people of Chinese descent in Indonesia were very relieved and no longer considered as minority foreigners. They are equal in their position of nation and state. Equal in its rights and role as a citizen.
The problem is, this case has an impact on the Jamil family. Jamil who has run his business for more than a year, now the brass craft that is managed is already successful and famous. Of course because of his many business, Jamil is now more often in the factory when compared to his home. Juminem also helped her husband and often to the factory. Melian, her son who is still in elementary school. Almost every day in the store, even if only just playing with Mbak Ika.
Because Melian is often in the store, and seen by the people who pass by, pass by or also people who shop at the Milky Way store, and also seen by the people who pass by, and knowing that Melian was the owner's son, his face, his skin was Chinese. Melian is of Chinese descent. Hence, people assume that Jamil and Juminem are of Chinese descent. So people continued to give Jamil the nickname "Hitaci", which means black but Chinese.
Jamil was not angry to hear those words, hearing the epithet Hitaci. Sometimes it is often laugh alone if someone calls himself Chinese descent. Something very funny. There are no features at all, ranging from the ends of the hair, eyes, nose or other parts. But why do people call him Hitaci. Even if he was joking with his wife, Jamil actually participated in teasing Juminem who is said to be of Chinese descent. But let. Just take the good wisdom. Do not always think negatively.
And the advantage of the title Hitaci in Jamil who is considered as a person of Chinese descent, making the name Jamil so known among the hereditary businessmen. Jamil is often invited to various activities organized by business groups. His activities instantly increased. And of course must travel often to follow various events. Jamil's business is getting smoother.
Guests of people of descent from various regions often come to the company where Jamil makes brass crafts. Of course, the guests were more confident that Jamil was indeed a descendant, after seeing Melian with his naked eye. It is undeniable, the child has proven that Jamil is indeed Hitaci. And to be sure, the guests, who are mostly people of Chinese descent, always took the time to ask questions and communicate with Melian. Even if it is just a greeting. Moreover, Melian is indeed a friendly and easy to communicate child. Of course the guests were also happy to receive the welcome of his son Jamil.
But actually, with the many guests from those descendants, it also made Melian happy. In Melian's heart, she got the chance to understand the culture and habits of those descendants, who note bene is still one descendant with her. From his father's guests, Melian knows the words count money such as *Gocap, Cepek, Gopek, Seceng, Noceng, Goceng, Ceban, Goban. Includes everyday conversational languages. Melian is happy to have this new experience.
Understandably, while living in Kampung Naga, the area that was said to be prural, Melian never used the language of the way people of Chinese descent. In Kampung Naga, the language of association uses Indonesian. He also plays with his friends at school. Even at the public school where Melian studied, no children of Chinese descent attended. Hence, he had never heard the social languages of Chinese children, as his father's guests spoke.
"Hello, Nonik .... Whose name?" ask one of the guests.
"Melian .., Om.." replied Melian who was invited to greet the rather old white guest and his eyes narrowed. It's really worth it to be Melian's grandfather.
"Haiyah .... Me Me school where, ha ...?" ask the guy.
Of course Melian smiled. But also heard a bit strange words spoken by that person. Even a little confused, because they do not know what it means. But because Melian is an intelligent child, he was able to provide answers.
"School in SD Kampung Naga country, Om .." replied Melian who was sure of the guest's question.
The guest smiled happily, naturally because Melian was not awkward to answer what was asked.
On another day, something like that happened to the other guests who brought their families. Surely his children also chatted with Melian.
"Kang .... Our son is easily familiar with his son guests who come to the Milky Way, huh?" juminem said while lying together with her husband.
"Yaaah .., her name is also children. If you have a new friend who is fun, surely he can immediately fill each other." replied Jamil.
"The skin is the same, Kang ..." said Juminem again.
"His eyes are equally narrow ..." - Jamil.
"Our son is no less beautiful, Kang .." said Juminem again.
"Yes pastile is .... Who was his mother ..." said Jamil whose owner praised Juminem.
"The mother was Ms Lan .... Yes, it must be beautiful .." said Juminem who said that his mother was Ms. Lan.
"I mean, mak-e took care of Melian ...." Jamil corrected his words which were certainly aimed at Juminem.
"Iiih .., yes different, Kang .... My skin is black, my eyes are also wide ..." denied Juminem.
"But .., our guests .... They consider us to be of Chinese descent .... Just because of our son, Melian .." said Jamil who comforted his wife.
"Yes .... Black china ..." - Juminem.
"Hitaci ..." said Jamil.
"What is it, Kang .... Hitaci?" asked Juminem who was confused by her husband's words.
"Black but Chinese .... Hehehe ..." explains Jamil.
"Black .... Chinese black .... Hehehe ..." - Juminem.
It was all because of Gus Dur, who was appointed as the Father of Tolerance, Mr. Chinese. Jamil and Juminem, who became father and mother of Chinese children, also received blessings. Especially his business became more advanced and growing rapidly, until it was known in various cities.