A few months ago Ponari was just an ordinary boy from Jombang, a small town in East Java. He has since rose to stardom and is having his moment in the sun, catching media headlines with his “power” to heal any illness with the help of a magic stone, obtained after being struck by lightning.

Tens of thousands of people from across the region have flocked in throngs to his house with their sick loved ones on a daily basis in the hope that Ponari’s water will heal them. Media reports have stated that 40,000 people gather near Ponari’s humble home to drink the magic water on a daily basis.

Four people, who were waiting in the harsh outdoors of a dirty alley, reportedly died among the commotion of the crowd. Recently, a toddler who was suffering from meningitis died a few days after drinking water from Ponari. Whether or not his death related to Ponari’s prescription remains unknown.  

The whole mystery as to whether or not ailments can be cured by drinking the water, which Ponari has dipped the stone in, linger, as nothing has been done to ascertain the properties of the rock.  

Ponari’s sudden fame adds another interesting chapter to the history of this small town. It may not spark a nation-wide uproar, but this seemingly insignificant matter reveals a hidden, chronic problem that this country has long been suffering from and which leaders have tried to keep it under the rug.

Spiritual healing and alternative medicines have long been part of this country’s culture. Some are just beyond belief that rationality cannot match. Despite the robustness of organized religions, Indonesian’s are still deeply attached to the animist traditions inherited from their ancestors. Java, for instance, abounds with religious rituals blended with strong animism beliefs. The concept of musyrik in Islam clearly means that any attempt to ally to anything other than God’s power is sinful.

But on a talk back show on a private radio station a listener preached otherwise: “It is not musyrik. God works mysteriously. Ponari is clearly getting the power from God so whoever doesn’t believe Ponari, he or she simply doesn’t believe God.”     

Point taken — commanding people to ignore such practices is futile because people will always manage to link such power with their faith.

Many have felt the windfall from the operation of Ponari Family Inc.; neighbors sell food and water and petty officials can make further revenue. It’s a newfound business opportunity for many, producing instant cash.  

But what’s the good of it all? The striking irony is that Ponari — and perhaps other shamans — uses unfiltered water to heal his patients. Believe it or not, whatever power is in the water, it is still raw, dirty water and needs to be boiled before it is safe for consumption. That’s a simple fact that even elementary school students know, but it’s been turned upside down.

People overlook the basic knowledge of public health simply because they believe Ponari posses supreme power.

Amid a backdrop of debilitating economic conditions and distrust of leaders, people are reeling from ongoing hardships to practices that lure them with instant medicines based on mumbo-jumbo.

One possible reason is that leaders don’t walk the walk. No amount of good will better the lives of the people, concrete action must be taken. Basic rights and necessities that people must get in return are not fully delivered. Proper education and health services have yet to be put in place in this East Java town, like so many others.      

Public health services that are supposed to be within reach — both in terms of location and affordability —remain elusive. The infrastructure may be there but service depends on what’s in ones wallet. The popularity of Ponari and other young shamans sheds light on this fact.

Thus, it’s either that people have lost their faith in public health services or that people simply have given up hope in the government.

Debate continues as to how to handle Ponari. There are two opposing camps: Shut him down, or allow him to continue under some restrictions. But is he really the problem? Ponari, at such a tender age, has become a hero for many, but he has been robbed. His rights as a child have been taken away. He has been given no time to develop as a child.

Wouldn’t it be wiser for doctors and researchers to set up a study — a real one — to dig deep into such practices and establish a clearer perspective as to why this oddness still happens and why people turn away from modern health services? Rather than appearing on television giving sound bites on this phenomenon they should offer real, lasting solutions. Taking what happened in Jombang and other places with an attitude of “it’s just one of many cases we’ve seen before” or “people will get tired of it soon” will only leave the problem to fester.   

After Ponari, there are a few other children who claim to have a supernatural ability to cure the sick have been exposed by the media. If this continues we will see our public health service deserted. Public health services, an investment in a better, healthier generation, are about to collapse and what will come if that happens?     

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