Gambir Station, Like July, Fading Away…

When I arrived in Jakarta, not quite a quarter century ago, I’d done my swotting with a ‘Rough Guide to Indonesia,’ so I knew there were buses from Soekarno Hatta Airport….

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The big statue at the airport

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…into the heart of the capital.

My research also told me that Gambir Station was their destination.

It was very late that January night, but, having a fine familiarity with UK railways, I was confident that, as with every major British city station, there’d be an hotel built in, or on, thereto.

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Not at Gambir.

So it’s fair to say that the first emotion Gambir caused me to experience was disappointment.

Yet even that first night, the view of Monas was more than impressive.

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Monas after dark

…though I knew almost nothing of its history.

After almost 24 hours OTW ( a long delay at Brunei) I was exhausted but sharp enough to use my book again, the ‘cheap hotels’ part of which suggested a street named Jalan Jaksa…

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Jalan Jaksa, in its glory days

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….and the map to help me get there.

Boldly ( foolishly, some might say!) I set out to walk there, using the map location of Monas and Gambir to guide me vaguely southwards.

A long and weird night ensued, but I woke up the next day seriously contemplating an immediate return to the airport!

But I didn’t, and by my second night in Indonesia, was lodged in the Hotel Tator…

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…which had no TV, nor AC, but did have a bed, and a shower, two vast improvements on the previous night’s abode.

The Tator was okay!

And it’s still there.

And I’m still here in Indonesia.

I have often been back to Gambir, at times on my own, at other times with pleasant company, catching trains to Bandung, Semarang and Jogja…

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….but probably not again, if it’s now only serving local trains.

Yet thanks to that first night, I’ll not forget it.

 

I was moved to write the above after reading this little memoir.

3 Hal yang Akan Saya Rindukan dari Stasiun Gambir

Jakarta’s Coming Alive! With A Haunted House!

So many people have been so down, for so long.

I know some of us have tried to maintain a semblance of social life…

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..,but it’s been nothing like the Jakarta we knew and loved before the Chinese Virus was unleashed on the world.

 

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I used to have almost daily items, letting local readers know about interesting or just plain fun things that were happening.

But when even such a simple thing as small talk had  begun to diminish, so did my items.

No longer!

And how nice, to resume my public service role with a Haunted House!

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Enjoy!

Bravo, Tempo! Now Name And Shame Jakarta Q-Dump!

Tempo is easily the best English-language newspaper in Indonesia, infinitely better than the leftist Jakarta Post.

And its report last week, sent by one of my Jakarta readers, about the horrid hotel (apparently owned by ‘local governnent!’) into which some hapless foreigners were quarantined, makes gripping, scary even, reading…

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…not mere annoyances like ‘toiletries that were far from decent’ and a ‘bed sheet that had holes in it,’ and worse even than those, a ‘smelly toilet.’

One anguished guest complained ‘it was not uncommon for cats and rats to be seen.’ https://en.tempo.co/read/1548487/foreigners-lament-poor-services-of-jakarta-quarantine-hotel

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OMG!

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Cats I don’t mind!

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So it’s good that the relevant hoteliers association (PHRI) has removed the dump from its listing.

I should hope so.

But WHY only for a week?

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Why have the managerial staff not been dismissed?

And WHY has Tempo not NAMED and SHAMED both the hotel and the ‘local government’ said to be its owner?

https://en.tempo.co/read/1548487/foreigners-lament-poor-services-of-jakarta-quarantine-hotel

Jakarta – Fanatic Arrested – No Tears Here!

A little whiff of irony, maybe, to read the story of Munarman…

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..till recently a senior figiure in the now-outlawed sectarian vigilante gang that oddly styled itself the ‘Islam Defenders Front…’

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…in The Diplomat, of all publications!

Far from diplomacy, the characteristic that springs to mind when I think of the lawyer closely associated with  Rizieq the Fanatic is tantrum-throwing.

Munarman’s deplorable behaviour, live on tv, a few years ago, when I dubbed him Munarman the Lout…

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• …invited onto TVOne to discuss FPI’s hoodlum behaviour, Munarman lost the argument and then totally lost his infantile temper, hurling a glassful of water over the mild-mannered academic who’d bested him.

• Look Who’s Talking? FPI Lout Munarman Calls Ahok Arrogant! 

….one of various incidents which we have mentioned more than once, and which did not result in jail-time…

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But he’s locked up now, and it seems possible that his latest difficulties with law enforcement this week…

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Munarman, left, with Rizieq the Fanatic

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…after being investigated by the admirable officers of Densus88, may be more than a minor headache.

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The anti-terror specials allegedly arrested him for not only ‘inciting people to commit terrorist acts,’ but also for ‘pledging allegiance to the Islamic State group…‘

Of course we must await judgement as the majesty of rhe law unfolds, but the media report makes for an enjoyable read.

The arrest took place in Tangerang, just a few miles from where I live in Jakarta, after police interrogated ‘scores of suspected militants detained after an attack outside a Roman Catholic cathedral during Palm Sunday Mass last month.’

We covered that shocking incident….

Makassar – One Less Foul Fiend In The World? 

…and it’s interesting that the police also cobducted a no doubt diligent search of the vigilante gang’s former HQ and turned up ‘chemicals for use in explosives.

Very interesting!

Jakarta Fury –Merkel Flunkey Prowling Fanatic HQ!

We wrote quite a lot about their HQ, when Mama Stasi Merkel’s agents were prowling about there a few months ago!

Now what?

“He is accused of an evil conspiracy to carry out acts of terror,” National Police spokesperson Argo Yuwono said in a statement….

Patience is our watchword!

But no sympathy!

it’s hard not to think about all the people harassed and hurt by cowardly FPI thugs.

 

Kesurupan? Nut-Megh Coming To Jakarta?

In the deranged duchess’s search for amelioration…

A Great Comment On HM And Mental-Health-Meghan!

…of her self-declared ‘mental health’ problems, may we…

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…who dwell in Indonesia’s lovely capital city expect an ex-royal visit soon?

I am moved to ask because today I woke at 6.30 am, to hear shrill screams…

‘Aaaargh!’

…echoing from beyond the little park across the street from my home.

Rarely if ever surprised by anything that happens in Jakarta…

 … I nevertheless arose and went outside.

Passers-by were strolling along, seemingly oblivious to the far from merry din…

…which continued for over an hour!

I asked the neighbour’s driver if some brat was throwing a prolonged tantrum.

‘No, Pak,’ he answered. ‘It’s an adult. She’s kusurupan.’

This word means ‘POSSESSED! ‘

Not possessed of a noisy disposition…

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…but possessed by a demon!

Such cases get into the news frequently here.

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Try Google Search!

I append an extract from a Central Java newspaper, from last year, when a cleric was interviewed about the problem.

One of the reasons Satan enters the human body or causes a trance is because the human is far from worshipful. Ustaz Khalid Basalamah said, demons dominate humans with the aim of misleading.. 

https://www.solopos.com/?p=1077029

There we are!

XHRH should listen to Ustaz Khaild’s wholesome counsel!

Worship more often!

A possibly more convincing explanation for Nut-Megh’s affliction than pathetic fake-trauma over a family member asking which side of the family a baby might look like.

All she has to do is get her swanky fat ass off Oprah’s sofa and go to church!

BTW, we have a fine old English Church here.

Alas, it’s closed for the time being, but for Nut-Megh, it might re-open!

Much more seriously, the poor lady across the park is an example of REAL mental health problems.

SO unlike the garbage-grumblers we hear on tv all the time, who put boredom, fatigue and frustration in that category, like the fool who said he didn’t feel like getting out of bed in the morning.

Many people, royal and/or commoner, need to GROW UP!

Pseudonymic Soni’s Death? Jakarta Cops Unforthcoming!

We recently wrote quite a lot about Maaher, the fanatical cleric whose real name was Soni Ernata.

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 Maaher At-Thuwailibi aka Soni Ernata

Pseudonymic Soni Jailed – 800 Thugs M.I.A. 

He died in police custody on Monday but there’s no blame attached to the cops.

They are in fact showing consideration and  uncommon sensitivity as regards the malady which brought about the extremist’s death.

According to vivanews, the cops’ PR man, Inspector General Raden Prabowo Argo Yuwono, speaking at National Police HQ in Jakarta…

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National Police HQ, Jakarta

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….was tight-lipped about ‘the illness suffered by Ustaz Maaher At-Thuwailibi or Soni Eranata…

https://id.berita.yahoo.com/mabes-polri-sebut-sakit-ustaz-082904808.html

“The malady is sensitive, which could make the family name tarnished if we mention it here, said Argo on Tuesday.

Now there will be nothing but speculation until somebody spills the beans.

There’s already been a bit of a commotion on ‘social media,’ since somebody decided to scold the police for detaining Maaher.

https://bekasi.pikiran-rakyat.com/nasional/pr-121405966/polri-dinilai-berlebihan-dengan-maaher-novel-baswedan-jangan-keterlaluan-apalagi-dengan-ustaz

One can imagine how the police would have been scolded had they NOT taken Maaher into custody, after his menacing rants aimed at a brave young lady here. .

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Bravo Nikita! Sexy Star Faces Fanatic Mob Threat!

But I’m not going to get into that all over again.

All very curious.  

 

Kenapa Telkomsel Grapari Ga Punya Manajer2? Hati2, Ya?

This past weekend, Saturday, I went to Telkomsel’s ‘customer service’ centre in Jakarta’s Central Park.

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Like many foreigners here, I have two handphones, one for daily use, and another, my old Nokia, which I keep at home as a back-up, in case the newer one is lost or stolen.

Being able to contact those overseas who matter is very important.

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Even more so in the current situation, with Indonesia beset by the Chinese Virus.

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It occurred to me last Thursday or Friday to ensure that my back-up was fully re-charged. I re-charged it and sent an sms to somebody important.

Or rather I didn’t.

I tried, but ‘message not sent.’

Twice more I tried, for I knew there was enough pulsa, having loaded it up at the ATM and not used it much at all.

No go!

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Hence my trip to Telkomsel’s Grapari, where I waited only five minutes before being called, at about 11.30am, to Counter 6, where a rather dour young woman asked my purpose.

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Not at Grapari, it seems!

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I explained the problem, she looked at the phone, then told me that Telkomsel had annulled my number because of infrequent use!

Why, I asked, had they not called or smsed me to warn of such an arrogant cut-off?

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Nor had any repayment been made of the money I had spent on the pulsa which Telkomsel’s high-handed action prevented me using to make calls.

Number 6 merely repeated her previous response, like a robot.

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I was not impressed, and pointed out that what had been done by her company was impolite, indeed unprofessional, plus2!

Since she was obviously programmed to offer the same weasel words over and over…

…..I asked to speak to her manager, to make a formal complaint.

’There is no manager!’

At first I thought she’d misunderstood, though my Indonesian is adequate for such a basic conversation.

So I rephrased my statement – 

‘No boss, no superviser?’

‘No!’

Frankly, I find this hard to believe.

I intend to go to Telkomsel HQ this week to pursue the issue.

But let this be a warning to everybody, foreigners or Indonesians.

 

Achtung, German Journos! Wer Ist Suzanhol?

Surely there are some competent investigative German journos in Indonesia?

On Monday, 28th December 28, the story we’ve been trying to unravel…

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Jakarta – German Envoy Has No Idea What His Staff Do?

….got splashed all over all manner of Indonesian media….

https://www.suara.com/news/2020/12/27/111857/terbongkar-orang-kedubes-jerman-yang-datangi-markas-fpi-ternyata-mata-mata

…and in quite a sensational manner, the above example leading us to a dramatic headline…

Uncovered!

 The German embassy people who visited the FPI headquarters turned out to be spies

…with a statement by a leading Indonesian legislator, a Mr. M. Fahran…

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Muhammad Farhan

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…..who belongs to the National Democrat Party, which is NOT extremist, that – 

….based on the data he obtained, it was known that Suzanhol’s name was recorded at the Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND), a German intelligence agency…She is not a government employee registered at the German Foreign Ministry. She is registered as an employee at the BND. BND is the German Intelligence Agency,” Farhan said..

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However, apart from one French source…

Commission de la Chambre des représentants J’appelle les étrangers visitant les employés du renseignement allemand du FPI Page all

…the Western media seem to be ignoring it!

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Okay, maybe British and American hacks here don’t feel like it’s worth following up on the rather shocking revelations, about this woman, named variously as Suzanne Hall or Suzanhol…

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But I have had a look in news search engines and there seems to be nothing in DW, or any other German tv channel or newspaper. 

From that now-notorious photo we showed you..

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The German Embassy

….of a blonde figure entering the HQ of the fanatic sectarian outfit that likes to call itself the ‘Islam Defenders Front,’ or FPI, I’d have said it was a man, not a woman, but in the twilight zone of ‘intel,’ who knows?

Frankly, this case is getting fishier and fishier.

In fact it stinks.

And exactly who do the German media think they’re helping by not covering the story?

Or was my own research not thorough enough – it’s still the holidays for some of us!

So will one of my readers in Germany find at least a mention of Frau S.H.?

All info gratefully received!

 

 

Fanatic’s Fans To Cause Jakarta Traffic Hell Again?

And once again, deliberately staging their demo ‘action’ on a working day rather than a Sunday, the followers of Rizieq the Fanatic are likely to cause major disruption to decent citizens of all creeds trying to go about their lawful business.

Jakarta Facing Another Fanatic Friday – and Thursday…and Besok? 

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Not for the first time!

Even in the current situation, caused by the Chinese Virus, traffic can get bad in Jakarta.

It seems those notorious sectarians, the ‘Alumni,’ aka PA 212, are going to hold their demo outside President Jokowi’s State Palace tomorrow….

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…demanding the release from detention of Rizieq the Fanatic, the ‘grand imam’ of the infamous self-styled  ‘Islam Defenders Front……’

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….after Friday prayers!’

That’s 1pm tomorrow!

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On the poster there’s a cheery message from Rizieq.

“If I am imprisoned or killed, continue the struggle.”

https://jakarta.suara.com/read/2020/12/17/063000/bada-jumat-besok-pa-212-gelar-aksi-1812-di-istana-minta-rizieq-dibebaskan

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Curiously, the malcontents are saying the main organisers are not the so-called ‘alumni’ but a relatively new outfit on the sectarian scene, ‘Anak NKRI’ – ‘the Children of the Republic of Indonesia!”

I suspect ( and hope!) these ‘children’ will not turn out to be actual little kids but merely a mob of extremists, similar to those who shuffled past the palace a number of years past.

The protesters, most of whom were men dressed in white Muslim attire, were heard yelling, “We want a Muslim governor,” “Burn Ahok!” and “Kafir!”   http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/10/14/thousands-hard-liners    

However, having said that, my thoughts strayed to those repulsive chanting brats I wrote about

Ramadhan In Jakarta -‘Kill Ahok,’ Sing Parading Child-Bigots!

Ahok

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….when the fanatics’ witch-hunt against the Christian Governor of Jakarta was under way a few years ago.

Jakarta Police ‘Ask’ Fanatic Not To Bring Mob?

Aha!

I see the Indonesian Police have summoned Rizieq the Fanatic to appear on Monday.

A Million-Strong Fanatic Mob In Jakarta Today?

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After he failed to appear last week, because he wasn’t feeling up to it – but could not provide his lawyer with a medical note to back up his excuse…

Fanatics Fail To Show Up. So What Next? 

….this is interesting, and not only to honest citizens worried about disorder and traffic madness, congestion which anti-social extremists have often inflicted on the blameless decent folk here.

Beware! Very Short Fanatic ‘Long March,’ Jakarta, This Friday! 

Strangely, the police are reportedly ‘requesting’ him to come along with his lawyer but without a mob.

A ‘request?’

Might be better to call it a warning, rather than a request, and to have water-cannon on standby to hose down any obstreperous rabble who tag along.

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They could use some of the disinfectant trucks who regularly spray our komplek’s streets!

Alternatively, they could just go to that alley in Jakarta’s Pertamburan area, where the Fanatic has his lair and drag him out.

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Last week we saw a pack of oafs in paramilitary outfits saying who could and could not enter the alley!

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That arrogant goon-squad could do with being put in their place!