It was around April 2017, and I was on my way to the Unida Gontor campus in Ponorogo. The journey was by plane. If I had taken a bus, it would have taken approximately two days and two nights to reach Java.
On the other hand, if you use air transportation, it only takes an estimated one day from Taliwang, Lombok, to Surabaya. On the day of departure, I packed my things and headed to Lombok International Airport (BIL) (then known as Zainuddin Abdul Majid International Airport) (BIZAM).
The scheduled flight was at 9:00 a.m. I didn't want to linger in Mataram City, so I chose check in earlier, with consideration in the room check in can take a moment to relax while waiting for the announcement take off. After holding the card boarding pass I rushed to the second floor of BIZAM Airport where the room was check in is at.
Unfortunately, the space check in full, crowded. It seems there is no seat There was no more space left, but everything was occupied. Even in the room, quite a few prospective passengers were standing, carrying their bags and suitcases. I took a deep breath, my intention to rest there dashed, and finally I decided to sit on the outdoor sofa..
It was also crowded outside, and I wasn't the only one caught in this situation. Several other passengers were so upset they chose to lie on the floor. Some were standing relaxed. Others were busy chatting with each other. I reached out cellphone in the left pocket of his pants, about to take it moment to be used as status WhatsApp stories.
Similar knick-knacks souvenirs, key chains, bags, marble cups and others, including typical Indonesian batik on display exclusive right in front of the sofa I was sitting on. A few moments later, my eyes fell on a sign that said PERIPLUS, right to the left. souvenir knick-knacks. Under the Periplus writing there is a poster of a book entitled 'āA Brief Story of Indonesiaā Available Now.
Curiosity compelled me to immediately approach the poster. "Is this a new book, miss?" I asked a neat woman in a batik-patterned uniform. "Yes, sir, it was actually published several years ago, but it's only just now available on Periplus," she replied politely. "Is the author foreign, miss?" I asked back. "Yes, sir," she replied curtly.
For a moment, I was stunned. I was stunned for a moment. But honestly, I felt a strange glimmer of something creeping into my mind. I don't know why, but it just slipped in. But perhaps it was just a wild thought and feeling after learning that the book's original author wasn't from Indonesia. That's Tim Hannigan from England.
In fact, it wasn't just Tim Hannigan with his bold book cover displayed large, but a row of "foreign" authors lined the Periplus shelves, both vertically and horizontally. Surprisingly, all of them wrote about Indonesia. I was even more dumbfounded, standing there with a blank stare.
Curious, I hurried into the "foreign" bookstore and looked around. And sure enough, I found almost no Indonesian authors among the books on the Periplus shelves. Perhaps my eyes weren't sharp, or perhaps it was because Indonesian-authored books were overshadowed by foreign books. I could only wonder...husnuzan.Ā
I understand, readers are probably judging me with the words 'katrok' or 'ndeso'. "Periplus is a foreign-owned bookstore. Yeah... don't look for Indonesian authors there." Something like that. satire which readers use to insinuate me. And I accept everything.
But let me ask you, wouldn't you be ashamed if you were born in Jakarta or in the land of Lombok, Sumbawa, then biography Your homeland was written about by someone else? If you don't feel embarrassed, perhaps this article isn't intended for your type of reader. Rather, it's aimed at the type of reader who feels embarrassed and is called to write about their own cultural history.
After going around Periplus inside and out, there are several book titles and authors that I still remember, such as; A Brief Story of Bali written by Willard A. Hanna. Journey Through Bali & Lombok by Paul Greenway, then Island of Bali by Miguel Covarrubias. Next Lonely Planet Indonesia written by Ryan Ver Berkmoes, Indonesia Etc. Exploring the Improbable Nation by Elizabeth Pisani.
Pisani is an American researcher living in London. This book's cover is somewhat different, depicting the Proclaimer, Ir. Soekarno, reading a text to a diverse group of people. It also features hundreds of other titles. The author of "Mancanegara" fully describes the country's culture, customs, island beauty, and coastal charm.ā
I still can't fathom the question, "Why are these 'travelers' willing to write about Indonesia?" That question remains. And I don't know where to 'ask for answers.' Perhaps I should ask the Periplus shopkeeper? It seems impossible. Because they aren't writers, they're just book workers who don't care about these foreign authors.
Especially if it's written in a foreign language, or English. It's getting more and more complicated, to borrow President Jokowi's words in one of his speeches regarding foreign investment permits in Indonesia. Honestly, I'm not judging Tim Hannigan, an Englishman who works as a lawyer. travel journalist and freelance writer. Nor am I judging Indonesian writers, cultural figures, historians, and other figures.
However, I was judging myself. "Why wasn't I the one writing a brief history of my homeland? Why did someone else have to write about Indonesia?" These two questions rattled my mind, yet they challenged and demanded answers from readers and Indonesians whose ideas and thoughts had been robbed by "travelers!".
It would be a matter of pride if foreigners wrote about us (Indonesia) with all its wonders, but for me it would be much more magnificent if Indonesian stories, history and memoirs were written by the natives themselves. Not without reason, I want the Indonesian generation to know their nation as they know themselves. Don't let other people know Indonesia better than those of us who own land.
It seems we, as Indonesian citizens, should be jealous of Peter Carey, whose knowledge of Prince Diponegoro's history is far superior to that of the Javanese, or those of us who have lived for decades under the influence of the Prince's struggle and jihad. Carey, on the other hand, took 40-50 years to research Indonesian history and culture, particularly Prince Diponegoro.
Of course, this raises a question. Haven't we, from birth to death, heard and read the Prince's life story and enjoyed his hard work? Our generation should be the one who is more worthy and able to write about him. Ustadz Salim A. Fillah is a brilliant writer who is able to read this phenomenon. This led to the birth of the novel ā'The Prince and the Last Janissary'ā A novel about Sultan Abdul Hamid Diponegoro's struggle against colonial rule. A worthy example to emulate.
Despite the above reality, recently, the news Periplus is opening up opportunities to display the works of local authors in its bookstores. It would be very interesting if this news were true. Hopefully, it's not a fake news story. ā'cynical'ā However, I think this decision is very 'classic' even though it should still be appreciated.
And Allah knows best
