Bright or Dark?

Indonesia is in the middle of an emergency situation. By this, I don't mean bad things such as war or military coups. I mean, there are communication issues among citizens that make a healthy discussion impossible. Health is, of course, a broad term. 

Lately, students, academics, and think tanks have expressed their concerns over the political-economic situation. Their critical sentiment is enshrined in the popular colloquial term "Indonesia Gelap," which means "dark Indonesia." Not until recently did the government, via one of the ministers, commence a counter-campaign entitled "Indonesia terang" (Bright Indonesia).

As an Indonesian citizen living abroad, I couldn't do anything except observe. All problems should be treated in detail and using a pragmatic and technocratic approach. I see that political bias and partisan sentiment dominate the underlying intentions. 

Indonesian problems have been in place for decades. Not only does it need a comprehensive solution but also a long-term plan. These problems are, among others, political party dominance, high-cost elections and businesses, infrastructure and human development gaps, income gaps, corruption, and ineffective bureaucracy. 

This writing does not seek a solution or provide one. I try to give a broad overview of what has happened in Indonesia. Hopefully, it is a good beginning to discuss more about the current situation in Indonesia. 

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Good Morning, Indonesia

Good morning, Indonesia. This is a greeting from an Indonesian living in Birmingham, UK. 

I live in a distant country that many people long for. I used to dream of living and being a student in Europe or, at least, in East Asian countries. This was my dream, and I'm lucky enough to have finally experienced it. I have lived in this city since 2021. It is a big city, just like Jakarta, Indonesia. Yet, this city does not have the same situation as Jakarta. I mean, the crowd and traffic are less disorganized of a town as big as Birmingham.  

This is a little note from me. The above paragraph does not capture all my views about this country and Birmingham in particular. The background for comparing Birmingham and Jakarta is contextual and situational, even cultural and political. I will unpack and discuss these in future writings. 

Thank you.

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Englishmen Versus American

I have just read a passage about the cultural differences between two old countries – the USA and the UK. Mind-set and behavioral differences, such as responses to failure and success, are discussed in the article, as well as financial openness. It is not a robust and large-scale research supported by extensive surveys. So, it attracts various challenges and criticism. For the same reason, you can not find a genuine response from a straightforward, well-designed research framework.

In the above paragraph, I differentiated between individual observation and extensive scientific research, which is usually equipped with sophisticated methods, ground-breaking approaches and theories, and mass observation. I do not try to imply that personal experience does not deserve equal respect and scientific recognition. How an idea is expressed and structured will attract similar expressions and structures of communication. In other words, a scientific approach will likely trigger similar scientific works, and colloquial expressions will attract rebuttal or agreement conveyed in the same expressions. 

A comparison rings our bell about similar comparisons between Indonesia and Malaysia, Malaysia and Singapore, India and Pakistan, or Japan and the Korean Republic. You can add the list. Proximity countries, be it geographically, historically, or politically, will likely have 'love and hate' relationships. Like siblings whose interactions are characterized by heated conflicts but secretly admire and protect each other, Englishmen and Americans are no exception. 

However, differences between people may not be advantageous in practical matters. The more relevant matter is their political relationship and infrastructure differences. Both aspects are important for global citizens. For example, their seemingly bonded interests can affect how the Asian economy and politics run. This is due to the cold conflict between the US and China (Russia). Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia, for example, treat China in a very different and opportunistic way relative to what has been done by the US and its allies. For the citizens of these Asian countries, like me, this political and economic stance must be maintained in an orchestrated manner among Global South countries or Southeast Asian countries.

Birmingham, 11 December 2024

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The Dead of Expertise

I finally realized that expertise is not solely about the expert—an individual. Gradually, a new horizon emerged, revealing an unprecedented understanding, at least from my perspective. I mean, a mental framework and habitual patterns underlie expertise. In other words, expertise is not a product. The products, such as theories, statements, arguments, theses, or conclusions, are merely signposts of expertise. One cannot be labeled an expert simply for producing these "outputs." 

Therefore, academic work often adheres to fixed or rigid rules, such as writing styles, structures, and specific terms or definitions. It is not about institutional or teacher dominance, but rather about established structures and representations of human thought and understanding. While this system is not perfect, any alternative must offer a comparable level of complexity and a comprehensive worldview.

Birmingham, 12 November 2024

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November in Birmingham

I have been in Birmingham, England, for two and a half years. This is a city that I frequently heard of during my childhood and teens. A far way city unknown to me and my childhood to university friends. If I looked back to those years, it was almost unbelievable and near magic that I was going to pursue my PhD in this lovely city. At that time, in Purwokerto, a small city in Central Java, Indonesia, I was struggling to finish my undergraduate thesis, not to mention thinking about doing doctoral research abroad. Yet, I'm here. Cruising through the ups and downs. Responding and trying to solve challenges and issues. Now, I live with my wife and our cute but intelligent daughter. 

November in Birmingham is cold. It's technically in the winter. Snow is supposed to be expected but none has been spotted. The temperature is already under 5 degrees Celcius in the last 7 days. Looking at how people dresses, they have put on thicker and thicker outfit. I have put on Long John when I go out and at home. This morning, we - the Indonesian community, welcomed a delegation from West Java Province that joined an important event (English for Ulama) in London a few days ago. Today they had a chance to visit the Multi-faith Chaiplance at the University of Birmingham and had a warm discussion with the Muslim Chaiplance and us. In this meeting, I can see how the cold weather was unbearable to those who are not used to it. One of them had to cover his ears with a winter hoodie. 

That's the weather. November is a month when people start to make a plan for Christmas and the New Year celebration. It's similar to Ramadhan in Indonesia. We started to prepare for a short return to our kampung (usually a place where we were born or raised). November is also a month of discounted sales. Ladies usually storm factory outlets to purchase branded products for a cheaper price. We - husbands, must devout few hours to accompany our wives visiting these outlet counters. In Birmingham, this famous shopping spot in November and December is located in Cannock. It is a small town in the sub-urban. 

November in Birmingham is not special if you expect a celebration or party.

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