A traditional Javanese theatrical performer, known as a Ketoprak artist, from Boyolali, Central Java, has been arrested after being caught stealing two goats in a Semarang village in order to make up for the lack of demand for his performances
traditional Javanese theatrical performer, known as a Ketoprak artist, from Boyolali, Central Java, has been arrested after being caught stealing two goats in a Semarang village in order to make up for the lack of demand for his performances.
Struggling artist Gudel, 48, said that he had received very few requests for his performances in January, driving him to steal goats to make ends meet.
'Usually I perform in the Pati region and its surrounding areas. One performance usually costs Rp 200,000 [US$16.03]. But this month, there've been no requests,' Gudel said on Tuesday at the Semarang police headquarters as quoted by kompas.com.
Gudel only received two performing jobs in January. On average, the performer would stage at least 17 performances in a month, highlighting the struggles of artists and entertainers to earn a living in Indonesia.
The goat theft took place at Tawang village, Semarang regency, on Thursday, Jan. 22, and was conducted along with an accomplice. Gudel and his accomplice planned to sell the goats before being caught by the police on Friday in Boyolali.
Semarang deputy police chief Adj. Comr. Naf'an explained that Gudel and his partner in crime would be charged under Article 363 of the Criminal Code (KUHP) on livestock theft and might face up to nine years in prison. (dyl/nfo)(+++)
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