Love of the Journalist
55. Reunite
...55. Reunite...
Demo of citizens living around PT. Star Gold and Copper (FR. SGC) is determined to walk from where he lives to the Governor's Office. It took 3 days to get there. Not just local people. But a number of NGOs and students across East Java joined in voicing the injustice.
They carry banners. Demand PT. SGC revoked its license. Citizens get their right to return and compensate for the losses of affected citizens.
There were even citizens who dared to sew their mouths. As proof that their voting rights have been castrated. For days they were doing a demo in front of the Governor's Office. But there seems to be no solution for the mass action.
This moment did not escape the observation of a senior journalist. Demas Prasetyo's. He even followed the investigation from the beginning of the case.
One by one the participants of the strike fell. Their bodies were limp and deathly pale. He eventually collapsed and was taken to hospital.
Demas ran around when he saw the black Crown Royal Saloon L-1. A man who is no stranger to him. But he could only look at her from a distance. Because the car went directly into the Governor's office and the gate was immediately closed. Care was also tightened.
But he didn't lose his mind.
Waiting for the car to come out again. Or at least the familiar figure left the location.
“Pak, can info phone number Jatim-1?” His request to his boss in the office. By telephone.
“Oke, I'm sending you.” From across.
Before long the monochrome sailing phone displays a message a mobile number. He quickly pressed the keys to the phone button.
The first dial tone is not lifted. Then the second connect tone is also so. But in the third connective tone a voice sounded, but,
“Halo ...” From across.
“Ya, hello .. I am Demas from Retro Newspaper. Can I speak to the Governor? Or can I meet him?” He knew that the one who received this call must be his adjutant.
“Sorry ... he is busy.”
“I beg. I need confirmation for a moment.” His sergeant was quick so his phone wouldn't be disconnected.
No sound from across.
Waited for a moment.
“I Demas Prasetyo .. definitely bell ...”
“Turned at 19.30 at his private residence.”
Tut .. tut .
**
At 19.15 WIB Demas arrived at the Imam's private residence. Showing identification as a journalist in security. Leave the ID ID at the guard post.
Wait about 10 minutes at the guard post. Until finally he was welcome to enter by staying accompanied by an adjutant dressed in official uniform.
“Please sit ...” Say that adjutant. He was taken to a gazebo next to the house. Sitting on a bench of Garuda bird-carved teak chairs. With large round table.
“Demas ..” Call someone from behind him. He looks. It's not wrong anymore.
It's standing fast, “Ka Imam?” Sergeants.
They shake hands with each other. Asking news. Then sit facing each other. Round table in the middle.
“We meet again. Congratulations ... Ka Imam is now the number 1 person in Jatim,”.
“Thank you,” reply Imam.
“Not yet 100 days, surely a lot of busyness should realize the promises of the campaign.” The next as reminded.
Priest clucked, “You fit into my timeses.” Clumsily.
“Not times. But I'm one of the voters who yesterday voted and supported you.”
“Thank you ...” Reply Imam again.
“But don't forget Ka, PT settlement. SGC was also one of the campaign missions of that time.” Again and again he reminds me of that.
The priest breathed. Demas' statement is true.
“Not mean pressed here and there, make guts squint and shrivel.”
“Promise is debt. And the debt must be paid off. Except ...”
The priest looked at him fully.
“...., the people of East Java create the debt.” Straightforward.
“Do not try to close your eyes and ears. They need clarity and partisanship.”
“Ask the heart of Ka Imam. The heart cannot lie. And berkilah ..”
In the meeting Demas dominated the conversation more. He is a brave man who voices the people. He's a man with a million ways to be the mouthpiece of society.
Many times the Imam gulped his saliva. Hearing Demas speak firmly and straightforwardly. Cornering it. Like wanting to skin him when interviewed.
“This month I will finish. I can't be rash either. You know for yourself, right?” Imam berkilah's. But it became his last move.
**
In fact, the gold and copper mining company is still operating. After one month of promise. He did not expect the government's decision to continue to give permission for PT. Star Gold and Copper.
The public is disappointed especially they are given compensation that is not comparable by the company.
“Nda, maybe this week you live there. Residents around the company will be protesting again.” His love for Nani the wife. When he slid his body next to it.
“Children's tag ..” Reciprocity. Then kissed Nani's forehead and cheeks. They sleep facing each other.
“Abang sure to continue this investigation?” The woman looked at him with a look. Worry is clearly not to be removed.
“They are weak. Need assistance when the people who should be on duty for it is the opposite. Who else will voice them?” He breathed heavily.
“But, Bang ...” The woman knew how risky her husband's job was. Even since covering and escorting the case, his life has been intimidated. Like unidentified people pacing in front of the house. They look like they are watching from far away. Even though her husband never told her and she did not ask. But he could feel the atmosphere.
“That's important you guys are safe,” It says. Although he actually got terror several times.
“Jaga Kirei and Ken. They are our most precious treasure ... Brother is fine. Don't worry.” Basically reassuring. Then he hugged his wife.
He wanted to hold his family for a long time. Don't want to split up. I don't want the day to pass so quickly. He wants to be like this forever and ever.
However, work awaited him. Besides being a senior journalist who has been in a dozen years. He was also listed as a lecturer. Efforts that were pioneered when they were students have now changed to adjust the times.
Still with his two best friends, he established cleaning service and laundry. They named it GoBabu. It has 4 branches so far.
**
That morning with a heavy heart he said goodbye to his son and wife. Even he had to seduce his favorite son to let go. Because from earlier Kirei pouted and sulked not wanting to be left behind.
“Free 1 week.” His ray while raising his little finger a promise sign. “After that we holiday,” the children have already completed the test of the class hike. It's a long holiday soon, he thought.
Hearing the word vacation, her daughter immediately sparkled happily. His face changed and put a smile on it.
“Really?” Kirei convinced her words by shaking his head.
He nodded confidently.
Then the girl clasped her little finger.
Without a cue he lifted Kirei up high into the air.
“Yeeaay ..” Shouted the girl.
His wife and son only saw them with their heads.
Before heading to the location of the company located at the eastern end of Java island. He stopped by the Surabaya branch of Retro. Its headquarters are in Jakarta.
Take some coverage equipment. Then say goodbye to the boss and his colleagues who happened to cross paths.
“You are careful ...” Meaningful message words from his superiors, “big risk for us to keep the news headline,” Mr. Sangkot knows very well as Wapimred (Deputy editor-in-chief) Retro. They are also affected by terror. But they also do not fear. There have been protective press laws since the reform. And as long as the news is balanced according to facts.
Demas nodded.
Arriving at the company location, he stopped at a rented house that he had rented for several months. Put a small suitcase filled with change of clothes. Then hurry to the coverage location.
Conditions are getting worse, while the security forces are getting desperate.
“How is the situation there?” Ask Mr. Sangkot through the mobile phone network.
“It looks like it ended clashing.”
“You must be careful. Take care ...”
“Report today directly up print, latest info Kapolda down.”
“Good, Sir.”
Seen Kapolda gives direction through the speaker toa when the action participants began to heat up.
“Please action participants can exercise restraint .. emotion control ...”
“Process according to the law .. do not be anarchist ... do not be a provocateur.”
“Party of the government of East Java is meeting with the company and representatives of you .. so please control yourself...”
Some participants are still trying to break into the company fenced barbed wire.
Some shouted, “Huuuuuuu .. promise .. teruuuss promise.... we are not fools!”
“WE DEMAND JUSTICE!!” Shouted the coordinator of mass action through toa.
“Betull ...!" Sahut participants action.
“TURN MINE PERMISSION RIGHTS!!”
“Cabuuutt ..!”
He rushed to the hotel based on the info where meetings between the government, citizen representatives and companies met behind closed doors.
But when he was about to enter the lobby he was confronted by several people with sturdy and sturdy clothes semi-formal.
“I journalist ...” Point it at the identity card hanging around his neck hidden in the front pocket of the shirt.
“Stay cannot, Sir!” Called one of the five.
He clucked, still trying to find the gap “Oke, I want to wait in that chair ...” He pointed to the sofa that was in the lobby waiting room.
However, two of the five people followed him to a seat.
At first glance he saw a familiar figure with his 2 aides walking into the lobby.
It's approaching soon, “Ka Bagas!” Exclaims.
The man dressed in a brown uniform turned his head and stopped his steps.
“We meet again ...” Imbibuhnya by publishing a small smile.
Bagas looks a little surprised, “Demas.”
“Ya .. finally after so many years we meet again.”
“How are you?” He extended his right hand.
Bagas welcomes his hand out, “Baik .. we recommend going to resto.” Take Bagas. Because in the lobby they become the center of attention of people who pass by there. Also, Bagas wants to talk more freely with him.
He followed Bagas. Upon arrival at the hotel resto they choose the VIP room. Two of his aides were waiting outside.
“Congratulations ... Kaka has occupied Kapolda.” Say it as an opening sentence when they are already sitting facing each other.
As a journalist, of course, know the development of anyone who occupies an important position in this country.
“You're a journalist? So community tongue connector as you wish.” Bagas asked by looking at him.
“Ya ..”.
“But unfortunately, important people in the country close their eyes and ears.” The sarcasm.
Bagas laughs discordantly, “They are not closing eyes and ears. But, work according to procedures and rules. Can't be rash.” Struggling Bagas does not want to lose.
“Which obviously did not dare. Doubtful about making a decision. It should even take months. Waiting for the fall victim ...” His words were fierce but still showed a smile.
“You don't know they're in a difficult position,” argue Bagas. They mean the people who sit in government.
“It is difficult because they are more afraid of losing office than increasing casualties.” Legally.
“Dem .. Our bureaucracy is like that. There's no way we're acting alone.”
Demas took a breath. He threw his gaze at the glass that went straight outside the garden.
“Sori .. This time I disagree. And I have a different view. If you work slow and keep the company full of manipulation. I will go forward to fight for their voices.” His words sounded bold and threatening. He knew neither Bagas nor the Imam could be expected.
“The risk is big, Dem .. you have to think about that!” Tandas Bagas's.
“And an official who should protect the people..It is precisely a place to hide rats berdasi?”.
“You're wrong!” Bagas spray triggered emotions.
“Ya .. that's reality. The company is clearly manipulating the license. Assume that everything can be bought. But unfortunately, the people can't be bought, Commander!"
Their discussion is fierce. Maintain each other's opposite thoughts.
Even clearly Demas declares, “I'll raise their voices until I'm tired. And unfortunately I will not be tired unless they force my life out of my body.” He growled, then got up and immediately left Bagas who was still fixated.
The meeting of two friends who should break the longs is actually colored by the dispute of two opposing camps because of interests.
“You are still the same .. care about the less fortunate. May luck always be with you ..” Mumbled Bagas in prayer while staring at the shadow of Demas who was disappearing.
-
-
Thank you for stopping by, reading and providing support .... 🙏