Indonesia Students Orientation is widely known as OSPEK (Student Orientation and Campus Introduction) for tertiary student level and MOS for Junior and Senior High School. Before actively participating within learning process, the students are obliged to participate in this activity. The main purpose of the implementation OSPEK in university is as an introduction for freshman about the campus, academic activities and also extracurricular activities.

The Ospek and Mos have been practiced in Indonesia since the 1950s. Unfortunately, the major problem is this campus orientation practiced seemingly by imposing violance conduct physically and verbally. It is undeniable that one thing comes first when people imagine the student orientation it would be bullying, violence, harassment, coercion, oppression.

The senior students always become the committee of this orientation and most of them manipulates this activity. The freshmen are sometimes treated unethically. They are often ordered to wear unusual and weird accessories or hairstyles to embarrass themselves only to entertain the seniors. Far more profound, this tradition seems has violated the purpose of Campus Orientation and indeed, this has no relation to the introduction process of the campus. Punishments are also uncommon. The students are punished due to simple problems Another crazy thing is the seniors create regulation which is beneficial for them that consist of 2 statements: 1st seniors never wrong; and 2nd if the seniors are wrong, do apply the first statement.

In proportion to Indonesian Campus Orientation, western educational institutions provide a better and beneficial system of campus orientation. The aim of this orientation is truly to introduce the campus and its surroundings. Besides, the freshmen are asked to develop their critical thinking by dividing them into a group in order to know each other followed by discussion and presentation concerning certain issues. Surely, this will be an effective method to sustain the educational development.

As a final point, OSPEK practically gives more harm than good. Setting good values to the freshmen under the senior pressure would never be effective and it may cause the psychologial trauma. Therefore, it is believed that OSPEK should be banned and replaced with new orientation system.

By: Rozaini Abidin | Executive Board of HEC

As is generally accepted, people all over the world are in need of clothes. The clothes are very useful. It can cover our bodies and prevent direct radiation of Sun that is potentially harmful to our skin and so on. With respect to the fashion, people may also prefer certain characteristic or type of clothes differently. Therefore, importing second clothing or locally known as Cakar is one alternative to provide and distribute various clothes with low price that may seem to be interesting to the people.

Surprisingly, there has been an investigation that revealed the existence of alien substance such as micro organism and bacteria on these second clothes. In response to this investigation, people with low economy caste wondered about the new policy that has been issued to stop the distribution of this imported second clothing due to these potentially dangerous substances.

 In fact, the prohibition of imported second stuff including second clothinghas been applied in this country but unfortunately, it seems the government has no concern with this issue. At last, the minister of trade, RahmatGobel, took step to moderate this issue. “Imported second clothing isseriously dangerous and it may cause various diseases such as itch, skin transferred disease nad on the fatal level, it may cause HIV,” The Minister said.

  Absolutely, the pro and cons has become evident among the traders. They claim that they can only gain sufficient income to ‘make end meet’ from the trading of those second stuffs. The traders even explained further that the buyers could put their second clothing into the hot boiled water, so that there will be no microorganism remained.

 In addition, almost all costumer of this second clothing are those with low economy class. They assume it is the surest way to find clothes which have good quality and low price. They prefer to go to cakar rather than go to the mall to find qualified clothes due to lack of money.

  This new policy should consider the rights of both the buyer and the seller. It should also have solution to the merchants on how to gain sufficient income beside of selling second clothes. In the other hand, this policy automatically will increasethe national income (Cakar) because people buys their own local product.

Written By : M. Herdian Fajar│The President of HEC

The issue of friction between Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and National Police (Polri) has been popped up (v. muncul) in this country lately through their action in condemnation (n. penersangkaan) of their masters each other. This issue has brought society to nationally pay heed (n. perhatian) on the two big law institution of this country, even being confused.

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All was started by the desicion of the president Joko (Jokowi) Widodo to appoint (n. pengangkatan) Gen. Budi Gunawan as a single candidate to replace Gen. Sutarman as The Chief of Polri. Before the House of Representative (DPR) legitimated (v. mengesahkan) Gunawan’s to be General Chief of Polri,KPK turned out to condemn him being involved in a graft (n. suap)case. Gunawan actually was red-highlighted by KPK beforehand in ministry selection process.

This condemnation made the President suspend (v. menunda) his inauguration due to the investigation of KPK to his case. In the other hand Polri eventually proceeded a handcuffing (n. penangkapan) to Bambang Widjayanto, Vice Chief of KPK as a report fromSugianto Sabran, a member of IndonesiaDemocratic Party – Struggle (PDI-P), with accusation for beinginvolved in a case of perjury (n. sumpah palsu) in a regional election dispute (n. sengketa) in 2010.

Obviously seen from the events happening above, KPK and Polri attacked each other in responding their master’s condemnation. This far the rest three chiefs of KPK have been reported to Polri with respective (adv. masing-masing) criminal case.

Responding to this case, President Jokowi had summoned (v. memanggil) both institutions’ leader, ministry of POLHUKAM to discuss about the matter of what really happens between KPK and National Police. After the meeting, Jokowi turned to give his remark (n. pernyataan)in the Bogor Palace.In the remarks he suggested both intitutions keep proceeding the recent case objectively and in line with regulation.

According to the former of Antigraft Watchdog Corruption Watch (ICW) Danang Widyoko, Jokowi was wrong to issue such equivocal (adj. klise) statement. The statement he said was reflecting his doubtedness (n. keragu-raguan) in making firm (adj. tegas) decision to resolve the case since his party was still behind him controlling.

As an institution in the first line of corruption eradication, KPK slowly losses its strength in its function. The conviction (n. penuduhan) of Polri to the four KPK commissioneries is considered to be a dilutoin (n. pelemahan) and an effort to criminalize KPK. Absolutely the effort successfully puts off (v. menunda) KPK investigation to allegedly bribed Kapolri candidate, Gen. Budi Gunawan.

The complicated conflict has made Jokowi formed Tim Sembilan which consists of experts of Indonesia governmetal figures to investigate the case and hoped to give recommendation of overcoming (v. mengatasi) the problem. This step of President even makes things worse because the role of board of advisor (Wantimpres) that he just formed lately is judged useless. At last, President puts himself in problematic position, whether following his party coalition’s will or public’s will.

Meanwhile (n. sementara itu) as Jokowi was in elusive (adj. sukar) condition, Jokowi tried to approach his political opponents, KIH, to cooperate in settling (v. mengatasi) the conflict. Jokowi asked for support from its leader as well as his ex-competitor in presidential election, Prabowo Subianto. The support he finally gained (v. dapatkan) from Prabowo has told Jokowi implicated his planning to get over with KIH, his present party coalition.

Above all, public still puts big hope in president’s shoulder to finish the conflict between KPK and Polri. It has given many impacts for governmental programs though, including in enforcing (v. menegakkan) the law of this country. Furthermore, society along this porgram has learned about the dynamic of recent Indonesia politic. So that, hopefully, public can transform into smarter watcher towards government agenda to create prosperous democracy country in the future.

Author: Muhammad Arham | Fajar Radio Announcer

Recently, the issue of synthetic rice has been a very popular issue among Indonesians. This issue of synthetic rice firstly emerged from Dewi Nurizza Septiani (29th), an entrepreneur in Mustikajaya, Bekasi.

She wrote on her Facebook that the rice was different from the previous rice that she bought. It seems to be mixed with plastic substance. She also spread the photos to her Instagram and reported to the radio in Bekasi.

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"I have spread the photos to my social media, Facebook and Instagram, and I have also reported it to the radio" she said in her eating house (May 19th, 2015).

It is believed that the synthetic rice is imported from China. According to Korean media, The Weekly Hong Kong, The rice was made of potatoes, yams and plastic and it is free to sell in the market. However, further inquiry should be taken to prove the validity of this news.

To confirm the issue of synthetic rice, Commerce Minister, Rachmat Gobel, stated that there was also a video in social media that illustrated the procedural steps on how to produce synthetic rice. In contrast, after being investigated, it is ,in fact, the procedure of producing plastic pellets.

In an event in Bekasi mayor’s office, Thursday (25/5), the head of Laboratory Testing Sucofindo, Adisam NZ, announced the results of two samples provided by Bekasi Commerce Department. It was discovered that the samples of rice are combined with polyvinyl chloride, a chemical substance commonly contained in plastic products such as cables, pipes pralon (PVC) and so on. The chloride mixture composition is as many as 6.76% of 250 grams after the identification.

Then, Andi Amran Sulaiman, Agriculture Minister, affirmed that the laboratory tests by the police, the Food and Drug Control Agency (BPOM), Ministry of Trade and Ministry of Agriculture denoted negative results of plastic substances from the rice samples. The samples were taken Laboratory Testing Sucofindo.

Furthermore, he pointed out that the trading of synthetic rice was unprofitable due to the expensive price. The price was approximately Rp.12,000 per kilogram, while the natural rice was Rp.7,300 per kilogram.

This argument was supported by Hasanudin Abdurakhman who led a Japanese company which manufacturesd plastic materials. He assumed that plastic rice was unreasonable in terms of production and economy.

" It will be very expensive because of the expensiveness of the raw material and the demand of high technology. Furthermore, plastic substances cannot be digested and it is easily tasted by the tongue" he said.

Although, the result from the laboratory tests of the police, the Food and Drug Control Agency (BPOM), Ministry of Trade and Ministry of Agriculture denoted negative results, this issue has remained a massive terror to Indonesians because the result from Laboratory Testing Sucofindo was positive and there has not been further clarification from Sucofindo untill now.

The ministry of agriculture affirmed that his office had conducted daily market check with respect to the issue post-haste.

"We have already checked markets, and the case is now in the hands of the police," he said.

Writer : Harmila S.S ( Internal HRD)

Youth is synonymous with a key for a nation future. To whom the foundation of a state lays and is the future reflection of what country is. Therefore it is essential to care, to empower and to support them for country better future. Yet, it might just be realized by having strong optimism, trust and especially for the youths, they have to have sense of belonging to this country.

In average, youth rate of Indonesia is around 50% among age levels (BPS, 2014). It means Indonesia youths have great opportunities to contribute on country advancement in every important sector of social welfare . In some ways, a country must recognize the youth recent condition in terms of how their commitment to give contribution in country development.

In measuring how much youths want to give constructive impact to country, Ministry of Education of Singapore at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) 2013 held a youth annual event aiming at testing the teenagers’ awareness of the country’s condition in accord to improvement in the future. Mr Teo, the key note, asked any response by using their smartphone in thought about Singapore future. As the result, the survey proved that only 53% were optimistic for Singapore future and the other 62% were optimistic in their life. The result disappointingly concluded most youths in Singapore were less sense of belonging for their country. Beforehand , this event was to discuss the challenges of global issues such as a potential economic recession and trumping concerned over in Singapore. That was how Singapore government identify and enhance their youth awareness. Not only to get their success future career, government led them also to think how important they contribute to their country within their success so they can achieve both. “To discover for themselves that life is not an escalator; you actually have to work to make your country better, you have worked hard to make your life better,” Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean was quoted as saying.

The question now addressed to the countrymen of Indonesia is how to empower Indonesian youth to have sense of belonging to Indonesia. Indeed we need to do it for the growth of the youths is dynamic and the future of Indonesian youth does not only lay over their own hands but also in the participation of the stakeholders. Singapore has done a way of youth preparation for the country’s future since they realized to notice their future foundation as early. Therefore, based on this point, Indonesia needs to do by the same method of Singaporean or by another one.

This intent also assists Indonesia to concern highly to Indonesia international-graduated students. Government needs to accommodate them to serve their knowledge to Indonesia as well as to achieve their career. Indonesia definietely does not want to lose such a brilliant scholar like B.J Habibie, a statesman  and Indonesia former president, who drained his knowledge to Germany just because of Indonesia political system. Many other Habibies that this country must save. Habibie’s sense of belonging to Indonesia is no more doubtedly questionable. Only the morality of the government which tends to dirty politic for power, position, and money. Thus, from the very early, it is important to notice and understand how the sense of belonging of teenagers to Indonesia and its future and then to cultivate sense of belonging to Indonesia in their heart.

Written By: Taufik Akbar | English Teacher of A Public School
Picture : www.wikihow.com

 In 2011, Human Development Index (HDI) of Indonesia decreased from 108 in 2010 among 169 countries to 124 in 2012 among 187 countries. This data was released by the report of United Nation Development Program. This index was measured by the quality of Human Resource of the country through education, economy, and health. Also in 2011, percentage of human health index of Indonesia was 0,779 %; education was 0,584 %; and economy was 0,518 %.

Government has so many programs related with human development index such as free education, free health, and many job vacancies through several policies and ideas. Government has spent much national budget for education in the biggest portion. Some of that policies including BOS (operational cost for school), scholarship from DIKTI, electronic book, and free tuition fee, etc. We also have many universities and courses either state or private that could support all of younger become master in certain subject. Not only education, but also health is the main focus of the government. This is proven by several real programs of the government for making people more healthier and no discrimination between the rich and the poor as well as those who are not able neither to buy medicine nor check up to the hospital. These health programs are including JAMKESMAS (health guarantee for citizen), and free check up for poor people, etc. In economy government has marked up the minimum salary of nation and always promotes our nation for investment and tourism that could bring to a new make job vacancy. Indonesia has much natural resources and big number of citizen but they still cannot increase the Human Development Index unless the government maximizes the potential of all resources.

Then what make Indonesia become really poor in HDI, whereas it has all of criteria to become super power country? Our country is left behind by the countries which also have a big number of citizens such as USA, China, and India. And the most embarrassing is I have ever heard statement from Americans that most of Americans consider Indonesian as a fool people, and also Germany categorized our nation as the third world country that indicates Indonesia lack of education and prosperity. Now, as Indonesian we have to think about it, and search for the solution. So let’s discuss it brother and sister.

picture : http://www.rimanews.com

by Zulkhaedir | Executive Board Member of HEC | zulkhaedir@gmail.com 

Every 17th of August, every year, we commemorate our beloved country's independence, Indonesia. Indonesia has been independent since 1945. That means that we have commemorated the independence of Indonesia for 65 times. And today, August 17, 2011, we commemorate the 66th independence of Indonesia. 

Indonesia is one of the countries that gained its independence with great difficulty. Citizens had to fight against the invaders like the British, Dutch, Portuguese, and Japanese who came alternately. Indonesia struggled crucially at the time. In addition to the weapons and war equipment were inadequate, citizens were also still not quite good at fighting so they often did guerrilla war. Indonesia took about more than 350 years to be independent from colonialism. Hundreds of thousands of people and warriors were killed during that time until finally, on August 17, 1945, Sukarno and Hatta declared the independence of Indonesia. 

Since then, Indonesia formally became an independent state. Nevertheless, the struggle did not end there. Most of the invaders countries did not acknowledge our independence. Consequently, to defend the sovereignty (kedaulatan) of the state, Indonesia had still to struggle. There is one quote which states that freedom is difficult to achieve, but it is far more difficult to defend it. It is true indeed, and that's what happened in our country at that time. People and warriors had to back to fight and not a few among them died in the war. 

If we look at history, both achieving and defending the independence of our country, hundreds of thousands of people had to die to pay the price. Therefore, we should be thankful, because at this time, we do not have to do bloody battle to defend the independence that we have achieved. The problem is, most of us, in my experience, do not realize how valuable the struggle of the warriors in the past to obtain this independence so that what we see along the road every August 17 is just a meaningless noise. I'm not saying that the celebration of August 17 is not important. Only, we are always seduced by pleasure, so we often forget the true meaning of the independence itself. 

Proves? Every year the people of Indonesia both domestically and abroad, rabble (rakyat jelata) up to the officials commemorate the Independence Day of Indonesia. However, there are still many cases that do not reflect an appreciation of the independence itself. For example, corruption still occurs everywhere. In the past, the problem was how to be independent from the colonizers, while the current problem is how to be independent from the corruptors. I often shake my head when watching the television showing the cases about corruption. People just did corruption as if they were free to do it. They didn’t care about how hard the independence was acquired. They just think how they could become rich by exploiting the State. I’m wandering, what would they do if they find themselves in the same situations to the previous warriors? 

There are various ways that we can do to defend this independence, nowadays. Certainly, we do not need bleeding just like the previous warriors. In my opinion, as good citizens, to defend this independence, we can engage in various fields such as education, economics, law, and other fields. In economics for example, by increasing our income and encouraging others to do the same thing, we already participate in advancing this nation, and that is, of course, one manifestation of the State defense. In education? Well, we can become experts in our field of study, so that the country will no longer need to import specialists or experts from abroad. Anyway, there are many ways, you just choose one or more of them. (@visionasc)

by Naskar Hansam | Hasanuddin University

Indonesia as a law country is being crisis in law itself now. Not only caused by some citizens who do not obey the law, but also the law enforcer could not maintain the law itself well. Most citizens begin to not believe the government or the law enforcer anymore. The jurisdiction (=pengadilan) as a justice institution have not been able to give satisfaction to the citizen, especially to low society. It is proven by many incidents happen in this country. Corruptors which has been proven that they do corruption is still free to go anywhere, even go abroad. In fact, they have corrupted millions or billions rupiahs citizen money. On the other hand, in some small village in this country, pickpockets (=copet) or little thief usually get many violent as a punishment of little crime they have done. Even though, they steal because they are perforce (=terpaksa) to do that. They are perforce to steal just to fulfill their daily needs. It is clearly not fair. The corruptors which have stolen great much citizen money get lower punishment than little criminalist citizen get. 

Police as one of law enforcer who have to cover and protect citizen could not give good service to them. Sometimes, some of them misuse their job to get extra money, beside their salary as police. They only think about their self without obey the regulation. A criminalist, such as drugs consumer or drugs distributor, can go out freely from the prison by giving money with certain number of money. It makes the criminalist doesn’t need to law process anymore after paying. It seems money can control the law enforcer, not law itself. Beside money, party need of certain community will be the first priority than society need overall, as long as they can pay the law enforcer. 

Let’s take a look in one of corruption case in this country. About two years ago, Century Bank case was being hot discussion topic. Sri Mulyani, previous Economic minister of Indonesia, was accused corrupting some number of money on that bank.. In her law process, she rarely attended her jurisdiction and law enforcer couldn’t do something more to present her in jurisdiction. It seemed, as economic minister, law didn’t give any sense on her. It had been clear that the government is not fair in enforcing law in our lovely country, moreover, when she got job offer from World Bank in America. Now, Mrs. Sri Mulyani can do her daily activities on abroad much better than she was in Indonesia. Even though, she still has case in Indonesia which she has to finish. Her law process is not discussed anymore like blowing wind. It is like being forgotten. Indonesia law doesn’t give any sense on her case. That was one of sample that law enforcement in our country is very poor. 

In one survey named “world justice project 2011 rule of law”, there were 65 countries had been surveyed about their law enforcement. In this survey, Indonesia was in rank 47 in global. It means corruption has been grown significantly in Indonesia and law have not been able to overcome it yet. 

Finally, to overcome this problem, we have to have clear law which is able to be obeyed by the citizen and can be enforced by the law enforcer. We don’t have to reconstruct our law. The thing we have to do is improve our law system by observing every false point in our law system. The most important thing we have to do is educate our children well as the next generation of our country. (are_home)

by Muhammad Arham | Hasanuddin University