Sidetracked by traffic in Samarinda

Musthofid ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Samarinda   |  Sun, 07/13/2008 10:06 AM  |  Sports

I was at the National Games hang gliding venue in Samarinda, Kalimantan, when I received an SMS that read: "A press conference with KONI (National Sports Council) deputy Hendardji (Supandji) at MPC, Palaran Stadium, at 11.30 to explain about a soccer brawl."

I stopped by at a tae kwon do event at Mulawarman University to pick up results and a match schedule on my way to Palaran. Entering the main road, I noticed that the traffic had slowed to a halt and that several cars were turning around to avoid the jam.

The road connects the city's downtown area to the sports complex, which is on the other side of the Mahakam River. A number of ships were anchored there, unloading coal.

One ship was refueling at a nearby fuel depot. There next to the river stood a grand mosque, which is said to be the biggest in the region. Workmen were busy patching up the floor of a nearby parking area.

I was hoping the driver would know a shortcut, but it turned out he was a newcomer to the city, having arrived recently from Banjarmasin. On the way to Temindung airport, where the hang gliding event was being held, he stopped to ask fellow drivers for directions.

He was our new driver. The previous one had resigned, saying he was not satisfied with his pay. However, Sukri, who is in charge of transportation affairs, said some drivers had resigned for family reasons.

"I'm sorry I can't serve you as of tomorrow," he said on Friday night. "I wanted full payment within six days, but they would only give me a down payment," he said, adding that five of his colleagues were also quitting.

The organizers provided free cars with drivers for media workers, although the drivers demand extra after 9 p.m..

"I've decided to quit. So please take another car tomorrow," he said.

His name is Toto, he is 47 years old and unmarried. People may mistake him - as I did - for someone from Maluku. In fact he is Javanese. He has been living in Samarinda since childhood. That's why he knows a lot.

He told us a story about superstition. "If you journey from Balikpapan to Samarinda after midnight, you'd better be prepared for the shock of seeing...", he went on to describe the frightening appearance of a ghost, which he referred to as a dead spirit. "Either you or the driver may see it."

He also informed me of an interesting fact about the Dayak tribe, although I have yet to verify it. He said: "People say Dayaks are the indigenous people of Kalimantan, but they're not. They are people who fled China and lived in the jungles."

The Dayaks are one of the ethnics of East Kalimantan. The others consist of the Banjars and Kutais, while the majority of newcomers in the province are Javanese, Bugis or from South Sulawesi.

The new driver is from Banjar, he is not married yet, and I suppose he is about 25 years old.

Another SMS came. "Due to traffic, the press conference with Hendardji is canceled."

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