DRAGON CARVED JADE BRACELET
Chapter 58: THE MONETARY CRISIS

IN 1998, INDONESIA EXPERIENCED A MONETARY CRISIS.

    Melian who from childhood treated Juminem and Jamil by way of treatment of villagers, with a simple condition, of course with the values of goodness and truth. Melian grew up like any other village boy. Melian also plays with her neighbors. The little children in Kampung Naga, who always come to the house of Jamil, of course to invite Melian to play with him. Of course because the home page of Jamil is quite spacious and shady with mango trees and lush guava. Jamil's house is also crowded by the activities of children who play together. Sure, the traditional village toys.

    Melian had already grown into a beautiful, jovial and affectionate little girl. All the children in the village are friends. He does not distinguish between boys and girls. Likewise with the big and the small. All the same, playing together. Melian likes to help her friend, kind and not arrogant. At school, he was kind to everyone.

    Melian's weirdness is invisible. Unknown to his friends were the teachers and neighbors. It was as if Melian was just an ordinary child. No sign of weird. All they know is that Melian is a little girl with white skin and narrow eyes, like a child of Chinese descent. All they know is that Melian is really Jamil and Juminem's son. The same is recorded in his birth certificate.

    Jamil and Juminem don't want to tell anyone anything about Melian. Including various peculiarities that used to be often experienced. It's both of them's secrets. What was clearly undeniable was that Melian had a pendant and a jade bracelet. Yes, because the bracelet on the arm or necklace that is circular on his neck can not be removed. And strangely, the bracelet and necklace also developed following the size of Melian's body. That is what Juminem suffers from every time he takes care of his son.

    In 1998, Indonesia was hit by a monetary crisis, or often known as "Krismon". At that time Melian was still in elementary school. Still a kid who doesn't know what an economic recession is. Krismon at that time was the saddest moment for the Indonesian economy. All regions and layers of community life were churned by the event. The value of the rupiah currency plummeted and the people's economy was in chaos. The economic crisis experienced by the Indonesian nation at that time was the worst economic collapse.

    Krismon that occurred at that time resulted in the value of the rupiah currency weakening. The main cause of this chrismone is the swelling of the number of debts of our nation abroad that exceeds the limit of foreign exchange reserves. So that the Indonesian people cannot pay the debt. Moreover, the interest is getting bigger because of the falling rupiah value. On the other hand, government policies in dealing with the financial crisis are considered plintat-plintut caused public trust and the market began to collapse.

    Seeing that the economic situation is deteriorating, it turns out that this situation is used by irresponsible people. They began to break into politics. That began to launch a vote of no confidence in the government of President Soeharto. Especially when negotiating with the IMF which is said to be a monetary funder institution, which in fact the IMF's recommended financial reform package actually makes customers decide to withdraw massive funds. Of course, the financial crisis is getting bigger.

    As a result of the chrismon, many companies went bankrupt. All banks in Indonesia experience bad credit because companies cannot pay debts and bad credit occurs. Then there was a massive termination of employment or PHK. Unemployment arises here and there, poverty is increasing.

    In addition, the price of the tree increased. The increase in the price of this staple makes people restless because they lose purchasing power. Money no longer has value. All prices of basic necessities soared unachievable by society. Not to mention the confidence of investors and foreign countries that will help Indonesia's finances is precisely frightened. Even investors who have entered actually run away from Indonesia. Foreign investors no longer believe that the money invested in doing business in Indonesia will give good results. Foreign companies are desperate to do business, they immediately went out of business.

    Unfortunately, officials are not willing to sacrifice for the people. They profit from the suffering of the nation. So this problem is peppered with political words. So the Indonesian people began to struggle, to rebel. Massive protests have taken place in almost all of Indonesia. Students and students staged a demonstration, but somehow suddenly there was a clash between students and the police. The protests lasted from early to mid-1998. And what was very terrible happened in early May 1998, which demanded that President Suharto immediately resign.

    Riots continued, until there was looting, robbery and racism, even kidnapping. Protests continue throughout Indonesia. Students and students, who were then ridden by figures who wanted to damage the country, demanded that the new order regime withdraw from power because it was considered to fail to overcome the problems of the Indonesian economy. But the protests suddenly turned into fandalism. Looting occurs everywhere, even rape and violence that results in lives lost. Bloodshed is inevitable. Security officers arrested people perceived as instigators and fray-makers. Some students are missing. Some were even shot.

    The shooting, which killed four Trisakti students, did not dampen student protests. Those who are now loaded with various elements, actually do more terrible actions. Radio is controlled by students, television broadcasts are also controlled, and the parliament building is the main target directly occupied by students and students. Circumstances everywhere became gripping. Schools were closed, shops were closed, even offices were not open.

    At that time, Melian who was still in the fourth grade of elementary school, was approached by her mother. He can't go to school. The reason is that the atmosphere is stirring. It's not safe to leave the house. Especially for small children, afraid later if kidnapped.

    Actually, Juminem was very worried about his son. The news that he heard from the neighbors many girls who were kidnapped and then raped. And most of those who were raped were children of Chinese descent. Juminem who heard such news, must have been very worried about Melian. Because his son had no village skin at all. Not the same as Jamil or Juminem. Melian is a child of Chinese descent. So starting from his narrow eyes, skin yellow whitish, anyway all there is no doubt that Melian is a Chinese child. Despite his upbringing, his association, his way of life, his language and his habits are all Juminem and Jamil, but physically cannot be lied to. Therefore, Juminem immediately forbade his son to go to school so that things do not happen that are not desirable.

    Like that morning, when Melian came out of the house with the intention of sweeping the terrace, helping her mother clean the house. Suddenly there were some men. At first it looks normal to pass in the front road of the house, but once saw there is Melian sweeping on the terrace, suddenly two men in mousy clothes and dirty faces like people who have never bathed, went straight into the yard. Then the man ran and caught Melian. It must be her plan to be kidnapped and raped. Basic human beings, garbage useless society.

    However, how shocked the two men got to the front of the terrace, right in front of Melian. Initially they wanted to catch the beautiful little girl, as Melian swept the floor of the terrace, it turned out that there was a strange power coming out of the broom. Not only was the dust or dirt swept away, but the two men were also thrown by the movement of the broom that Melian swung.

    "Glabrought ....!!" the sound of two bodies falling on the ground.

    The man who tried to catch Melian floated up and fell on the road, where his friends were waiting. Surely his friends are shocked not dumbass.

    "What's up ...?!"

    "Why ...?!"

    The two people who had just thrown and fallen were grimacing in pain. They held boyok and his knee. His body was completely unsettled. Then after being able to stand straight ..., "Lariiiii ...!!!" the two men shouted loudly while taking their friends to run away. They also run down the ridge like a dog chased.

    "Well, Mel ...?" ask her mother who came out of the house. He must have heard some commotion outside as well.

    "No idea, Mommy .... Those people were running around scared.

    "Oo, yes already .... Melian's okay, right ...?" ask Melian's mother.

    "It's okay, Mommy .... This is still nyapu ..." said Melian who continued her work.

    "Cong, Kang .... How come home ...?!" ask Juminem who is certainly surprised. It's still morning to get home from work. Even the day has not yet come.

    "My employer is bankrupt, Jum .... Earlier all employees were collected, he said he no longer had money to pay employees and turn the business ..." said Jamil who was certainly very weak.

    "Pak .., we go in first .... Sitting in a chair, I made a warm drink .... Let's relax, let go of fatigue .... Yes, Mr. ..." suddenly Melian invited his father in, and of course had taken his father's arm.

    "Yes, Kang .... It is not good to talk about fate outside the home. Later if the hearing of people can get to the whole universe." Juminem timpal.

    They finally entered the house. Sitting in the family room, and of course while watching television that broadcast live demos that are everywhere, throughout Indonesia.

    "Is the craft business shut down, Kang?" ask Juminem who would like to know.

    "Pak ..., this is warm tea .... Drink it first to relieve the esophagus ..." said Melian who has prepared tea for his father.

    Without repeating his son's orders twice, Jamil immediately sipped warm tea made by his son. Refreshed. Yes, surely Jamil does not want to disappoint the child who has been struggling to serve him. It was a parent's tribute to his son. Of course, let the child be happy because what is presented has been enjoyed.

    "There's a demo here and there, sir .." said Melian, pointing to the news on television.

    "Yes .... There was also a demo in the square .... But not as big as the one in the tivi ..." said Jamil, who certainly told his son and wife.

    "Yes .... We don't go out first .... Fear of insecurity ..." - Juminem.

    "Rubber .... Mending at home first, waiting for a safe atmosphere" said Jamil, which is of course aimed at his son and wife.

    "How's school?" ask Melian.

    "So it has been announced .., schools are closed to an unspecified deadline" replied his father.

    "Ooo .... Means at home continue yes, sir ...?" ask Melian.

    "Tomorrow if it's safe to go to school again" explained his father.

    "Kang ..., he said there were plots, yes ...?" ask Juminem.

    "That's in the big cities .... It's safe here ..." replied Jamil.

    "But the neighbors said, the shops in the market were closed ..." said Juminem.

    "Yes .... They take care, do not want to give a chance .... Be safe ..." Jamil said.

    "Rubber, Mak .... If the store is open, people can come and be looted ..." said Melian.

    "Kang .... It's how Kang Jamil works?" ask Juminem who is of course also worried that her husband does not work means no income, made shopping for food what?

    "We just pray, Jum .... May the Almighty make way for us" said Jamil who always resigned.

    "Yes, Mommy ....  We eat potluck, saved and economical .... Hehehe ..." said Melian who kept smiling. That's what always pleases Jamil and Juminem.