DRAGON CARVED JADE BRACELET
Chapter 61: DISAPPOINTED

MAY 21, 1998.

    The gripping days of the most frightening chrismone in Indonesia were the second week of May 1998. The span of time in that week has etched a black sheet in Indonesian history. At that time, there were riots everywhere. Many shops and companies were looted and destroyed by the mob. Especially the plundered ones belong to the citizens of Chinese descent. The biggest riots occurred in Jakarta, Medan and Surakarta. This mass rampage made the store owners in big cities become frightened. Although the stores were closed, they wrote down the front of their stores with the words "Native property" or "Pro-reform".

    During the riots, many people of Chinese descent left Indonesia. They are afraid of violence and rape. One of the victims was a human rights activist and humanitarian volunteer named Ita Martadinata Haryono, who is still an 18-year-old SMU student. She was kidnapped, raped, tortured, and killed for her activities touting human rights and humanity. This is an indication that cases of rape and rioting are being systematically mobilized. Dozens of activists are missing without their whereabouts known. Munir figures, who had revealed HAM, were also killed on the plane when they were about to convey Human Rights violations in Indonesia. But the fact is, until now no one wants to be responsible, not even the government is looking for who is the mastermind of the perpetrators of the riots.

    Student protests continue. Demonstrations are happening everywhere. Violence also occurred in various regions. The atmosphere is felt by the community. The security forces have been dealing with a wave of riots and demonstrations held massively. On May 8, 1998, in Yogyakarta, a violent protest led to the death of student Moses Gatutkaca. After that continued again on May 12, 1998, when Trisakti University students began to take to the streets, leaving the campus by holding a long march to the DPR/MPR Building. Four students were killed by live bullets fired by security forces. No one is responsible. No one wants to confess either.

    Violence carried out by the security forces did not dampen the protests of the students. On May 18, 1998, thousands of students from dozens of universities across the region began to take control of the parliament building. Some come from West Java, some come from Central Java, East Java, Yogyakarta, even from outside Java. They urged the council leadership to propose to the MPR to hold a Special Session in the shortest possible time and demand that President Soeharto step down.

    The mood is getting gripping. The country seems to be experiencing a war with a giant monster that is ravaging the nation. Shops were closed, offices closed, schoolchildren were not allowed to enter, streets were deserted no vehicles passed. All eyes were on the parliament building.

    May 20th, which is celebrated by the Indonesian people as National Awakening Day has a very extraordinary meaning. Including at the time of this chrismon, the commemoration of Harkitnas became a separate moment for students and people who care about the nation. At that time, along with the Indonesian nation commemorating the ninetyth National Awakening Day, this moment was also used by protesters who were not only from among students and students, but also from the community, but also people who want the condition of the country better, they control the parliament building, forcing the DPR/MPR to urge President Soeharto to resign from office.

    And the peak, on Thursday, May 21, 1998, in front of the Special Session. President Suharto resigns as President of the Republic of Indonesia. At that time, the VII Development Cabinet appointed by President Suharto was declared demissionary.  To avoid a leadership vacuum in organizing the government, then the Vice President who was held by Prof. Dr. Ing. ** Habibie is required to continue as President.

    At that time, when television broadcast live the self-employment of President Suharto, when the radio buzzed directly the voice, hysteria of Indonesian people was heard everywhere. Starting from the Parliament Building in Jakarta, to the countryside. Students and students who had gathered at the Parliament Building immediately cheered loudly.

    In the living room, Jamil, Juminem and Melian also watched live television. Between haru, pity and pleasure blend into one. The hope is only one, the nation and the country recover. The community is peaceful, peaceful and safe again. So that companies, shops and the entire economic pulse can reopen. Employees can also return to work to make a living supporting their families. And obviously, the schools are starting to come in, the re-learning is going well.

    Jamil, excited to see the news, slenderly went to work. He wants to see his master. Of course deliver the happy news.

    "Rpa .... Mr Boss ...! Thank God, Mr .... Mr. Harto lengser ..." said Jamil who shouted when he met his employer.

    "We know .... If Mr. Harto left, what do you want ...?" said brass as if indifferent to the arrival of Jamil.

    "Lhhh .., the chrismone is done, sir .... We can work again, Mr. .." said Jamil who did not understand about chrismone.

    "Krismon is done or not, that's the government's business .... But if it's a work matter here, it's my business, Mas Jamil .." said his employer.

    "Lhoh ..., lha friends how about Mr ...? We how ...? Poor the employees, sir .... They need to eat ..." asked Jamil who certainly wants to save his friends from chrismone.

    "Brazil .... You don't know what a business is, don't know how to manage management .... You are a small man, just a laborer .... Let me think of this, Mas Jamil .... You don't have to come to mind .." said the spokesman.

    "But, Mr .... Yesterday when you were charged by the bank, I was told to think. And that's my money that was used to pay off your debts ...." Jamil tried to remind his employer.

    "No more talking .... Just minjami that money has been leveraged .... You are not sincere ...?!" said the brass.

    "But if I don't pay that day, your house and place of business have been confiscated ..." Jamil again reminded his jury.

    "Mas Jamil ...!! Don't be arrogant about having that kind of money ...! This house and place of business of mine is worth more ...!!" this time the brass bellboy said loudly and as if snapping at Jamil.

    "Kok Father yelled at me ...? Maybe I need to remind you, Mr .... Yesterday the time to go to the bank, Mr. said, if my money can pay off the delinquent debt of the company, then the place of business will be handed to me. The proof of debt is gone. Even the remaining money from me to pay the debt, also you bring, is not returned to me .... That was my savings and my son's for years, sir .... I will not ask for this place, Mr .... I just want employees to get back to work, for the survival of their families. Poor thing, sir ..." said Jamil who certainly became disappointed with his boss.

    "You don't dictate to me, Mil ...!!!" snapped his instructor at Jamil.

    Jamil hush. Then stand. He walked home from his master's house with a shackle. Too heavy to step foot because disappointed with the attitude of his employer. There must have been something that really hurt Jamil.

    "Pak-e why ...? How do you pout ...?" ask Melian to her father.

    "Yes, Kang .... Listen, what's up ...?" ask wife.

    "It's okay, dear .... Nothing, Jum ..." replied Jamil who still showed a strange nature.

    "Ah, is that okay? There must be something. Is the Boss in any more trouble?" ask wife.

    "No, Jum .... Only I was a bit disappointed, because Mr. Boss still did not want to open his business .... I feel sorry for my employees who are not working. Friends are expected by children and wives to be able to meet the needs of his life ..." explained Jamil.

    "Ooo .... How come Mr. Boss hasn't opened his business, why, Kang?" ask his wife who wants to know why.

    "Don't know, Jum .... He said that he has the right to manage his business is himself, not anyone else .." Jamil told his wife.

    Of course Melian also heard that answer. So he also says, "Pity of Pak-e's friends, pity for his wife, pity for his son .... If it doesn't work, they eat what ..." said Melian.

    "Yes, Honey .... Not only Pak-e's friends and family, but Pak-e's same Mak-e and Melian are also pity .... And if Pak-e doesn't work, what do we eat?" sahut Jamil's.

    "Eh, yes .... We are too, Mr-e .... That's outrageous Mr. Boss .... She may have never experienced her family starving, yes, sir ...?!" melian said who was also disappointed.

    "Yes yes, Kang .... How he got along with his employees, Kang .... Ah, that's outrageous, Kang .... Tomorrow again if you borrow money do not love, Kang ..." said Juminem who was also disappointed.

    The three men finally felt disappointment at the attitude of Jamil's employer, the brass craftsman's boss. They then drift in each other's minds, but of course because of his disappointment with Jamil's employer.

*******

    "Mas Jamil ...!! Mas Jamil ...!!!" there were voices of people screaming outside his house.

    Jamil rushed out, to see who was calling while shouting that.

    "God, Mas Eko .... What's up, Mas ..., why use all ...?" ask Jamil who came out the door.

    "Anu, Mas Jamil .... Anu ..." Jamil's co-worker Mas Eko looks nervous.

    "Anu what ...? Speaking of which ceto ..." said Jamil who was confused.

    "Anu, Mas Jamil .... Mr. Boss's Wife .... Mr. Boss' wife, anu ..." said Jamil's friend who was still nervous and confused.

    Jamil held both of his friends' shoulders. He shook his body. So soothing.

    "Take a deep breath .... Release .... Breathe in again .... Release .... Already now say ..." said Jamil while calming his friend.

    "Brazil .... Mr. Boss' wife hanged herself .." Mas Eko told Jamil.

    "Huh ...?! That's right ...?!" now replace the shocked Jamil.