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We speak the language of humans, not of crocodiles
A crocodile is a dangerous predator, whose mere prehistoric look already scares victims
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crocodile is a dangerous predator, whose mere prehistoric look already scares victims. Due to its thick skin, strong teeth, dinosaur shape, and calm appearance, this reptile becomes a symbol of crime due to its tricky behavior in catching victims effortlessly. A gecko, on the other hand, is a small lizard, whose chirping sounds accompany many Indonesian families before bedtime.
Indonesians label a man who can give false promises to many girls easily as a crocodile, which has now earned a new pejorative designation from the Indonesian public. Many Indonesians, who dream of earning a lot of money instantly, lately have been hunting a big gecko, whose colorful skin is attractive and whose sounds are loud. This lizard is priced at millions of rupiahs, due to its repetitive sounds and weight. The more weight a big gecko is, and the more consistent its sound is, the more expensive it becomes.
It started when the three law enforcement institutions, the National Police (Polri), the Attorney General's Office (AGO), and the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) became involved in the tragedy.
The story of hunting geckos is more or less similar to that of gelombang cinta, aka anthurium, a subtropical indoor plan which used to be sold for millions of rupiahs. But now, you can find abundance of pots with these plants in the verandas of houses in Jakarta and Yogyakarta easily. However, the gelombang cinta is not a queen any longer, and nobody wants to spend millions rupiahs on this plant.
Poor gecko! Poor anthurium!
Like the crocodile, the gecko has earned a new label. It has become a symbol of a crocodile's victims. The cruel crocodile can easily eat the gecko, which is beautiful, small, and weak.
Whereas gecko's sounds attract listeners (who often patiently count whether its repetitive voices are odd or even, and relate them to a bad or good luck), the crocodile never speaks.
It threatens other animals. It waits for any victims silently on the bank of the river, and camouflages its body in mud; as soon as a victim approaches the predator ambushes. Strong teeth in a long big mouth stop the victims from escaping.
Before this crocodile versus gecko drama, the public was entertained by another show, namely hunting terrorists. In this drama, the protagonists and antagonists were clear. The police force, supported by the Indonesian society, is the hero, who, like Rambo, Batman, Spiderman, or Gatotkaca (a hero in the story of a shadow puppet show), slayed the villains. The hunting was successful, and the audience applauded loudly. The hero deserves credit, and the society takes a deep breath. Bravo the police force!
Now, in the drama of crocodile versus gecko, the real crocodiles are still blurred, whether they are parts of the law institutions or just opportunist brokers. Or both. If any law enforcers are involved, self-surgery in their institutions is necessary. While this piece was written, two high-ranking officials of the two law institutions officially resigned. In the New Order period, to resign was meant to give up, not showing humility or responsibility. But Soeharto, whose presidency lasted more than three decades, finally resigned during the turmoil.
The crocodile versus gecko drama has no hero. The drama flows naturally. The geckos, symbolizing the framed KPK leaders, are the first victims. Nobody can claim to be the hero.
Yet some - the victims, the people, the media, and the pundits - indeed have played their own roles. They are true heroes.
The victims have suffered a lot. The students and pundits have voiced their moral messages via mailing lists, Facebook and personal websites. The media has reported every move of the gecko and any potential crocodile.
This drama is so open. So is the record of conversation between "self-proclaimed crocodiles", which was played in the Constitutional Court. The transcript of this conversation has been displayed in every Indonesian newspaper. Nothing is hidden.
Where are the Indonesian political parties? Whom do they represent? The people? Or their own interests?
In fact, the people can speak on their own behalf in this drama of crocodile versus gecko. The people speak a human language, not that of crocodiles.
Where are those who protested against and banned Miyabi's visit to Indonesia for the sake of morality? Where are the proponents of sharia in many local areas? Do they include the eradication of corruption in their moral agenda? Their voice is not heard. I cannot hear you..!
The writer is a lecturer at State Islamic University, Sunan Kalijaga, Yogyakarta
