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s if the geographical and political rattles last year were not enough for Indonesia, several soothsayers predict 2010 will be just as grim and precarious.

So, this year expect not to be soothed by fortune tellers, but realize it is better to be safe than sorry.

One such soothsayer, Suhu Benny, advised people to avoid speculation this year, the Chinese Year of the Metal Tiger, since things could slip up and fall apart easily.

"Those who like to force their will upon others will face danger.

"Those who like to create ripples or desire to be distinguished among others will have a hard time," he says.

Suhu Benny said that among the elements (or combinations of them) that would be at play throughout most of 2010, the Earth's element of wood and Heaven's element of metal, would not be friendly. Thus, yet another year of instability lies ahead, he says.

"The economy will still be unstable... those who speculate must be more careful," he says.

The metal element will effectively take over on Feb. 4, Benny says.

Another soothsayer, Ki Gendeng Pamungkas, also predicts instability, with slightly more extreme consequences.

"There will be two bombings in Jakarta between April and October... there will be a powerful earthquake of between 6.9 and 8 in magnitude, which will occur between February and August," he says.

The tumultuous year will not only be marked by natural incidents, but also political and social occurrences, Ki Gendeng says.

"There may be a riot in Jakarta between the local people and those from other areas such as Maluku."

There will be friction in President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's Cabinet, which will lead to the ousting of one or two ministers, he says.

The President will also face difficulties in maintaining his facade of calmness and kindness, Ki Gendeng adds.

"SBY has lost his Javanese nature... he has lost his spiritual status," he says.

Instability and troubled times will continue, up to a climax in 2010.

"If we think of this as a race, next year we will only be at the starting line," Ki Gendeng said.

A little good news, however, came from Suhu Benny, who said that there would not likely be major riots next year, especially if the ensuing problems, such as the Bank Century brouhaha, could be settled before well into 2010.

"If these problems do not persist until April *next year*, there will be less danger," he said.

Soothsayer Mama Lauren also warned of the tiger's sharp claws, but also mentioned the silver lining that may appear next year.

"There will be many moments that will call for the restructuring of systems and rules.

"But there will be many difficulties... there will still be leeway for innovation, although the practice may be very hurtful," she said in her "2010 prediction" paper.

Mama Lauren said there would be many success stories and emerging stars in sports and entertainment.

"The sports field will see a big, global success," she said.

Fashion will shift toward bright colors to match the nature of the tiger, and plenty of breakthroughs regarding everyday objects, such as ballpoint pens and disposable cameras, Mama Lauren added.

It seems a tough year is ahead of us.

Surely, things have never been easy for this country, ever since Sukarno's Vivere Pericoloso speech in 1964.