My Trip to Republic of Nusantara

That afternoon I came home feeling bored after teaching political science at Universite de Paris. As I looked around at my city, Paris at the end of autumn looked gloomy although many tourist kept on coming from many countries. Or maybe it was not the city but my heart that got bored these days. Despite all of these gloomy feeling, I was happy because I had an invitation to a seminar about democracy from Republic of Nusantara.

Passing by Rue Manuel, I took a glance at apartment number 1. It looked as it was twenty years earlier, old but clean and tidy. When I was at college my girl friend used to live there. I remembered the old days. The good old days went by so quickly. But I did not have any intetion to drop by, what for ? May be there was none that I knew anymore. Memory of a young beautiful cheerful girl peeped into my mind. She has married to a lecturer and lived in a far away country. I did not have any idea about her profession. For sometime I enjoyed my passage of the road while thingking about my student days.

Suddenly I remembered my old friend Pierre. Mon dieu ! Due to our business it had been a long time I did not see him. It had been several months. I teach and write while he is a tour leader who works at a big travel company - Voyage de l'Asie that specializes on organizing tours to and from Asian countries. At the time he had his own travel company - Voyage du Monde.

I conveyed my intention to take tours to Asia when I had dinner with my wife and my three daughters. I told them that I wanted to visit Asia after the seminar. They were all very happy to hear that. Mireille, my first daughter, Deborah or Bobo my second daughter and Catherine my third daughter were very enthusiastic. They often see Asian tourist in Paris but they never go there. So was my wife Annette.

After dinner I immediately called Pierre, but there was no answer. His cellphone did not respond either. Then I called to his office. This time an answering machine greeted me.

The next morning I called him again. He answered.
'Allo ! Pierrre ? '
' Allo ! Alain ? '
' Pierre, long time no see ! '
' Oui, Alain where have you been ? '
' As usual I teach and write. I called you last night'
' Oh, I had dinner at an Asian restaurant with my family. I missed their meals. I never went there for the past twelve months.'
'Pierre, I want to talk to you about tour to Asian countries, when will you have time ? '.
' For you, anytime you want I will have time'.
' How about today ? Let's have lunch '.
' Avec plaisir' .
' A toute a l'heur ! '.*

That day Pierre invited me to have lunch at an Asian restaurant. It was a nice restaurant whose specialty is fried chicken. First news from him was really surprising.

' Alain, have you heard news about Pauline ? ', that's the name of my former girl friend. I was surprised with his sudden and unexpected question.

' Not yet ' I replied briefly while expecting he would tell more about Pauline.

' As you know, she married to a lecturer then she followed her husband who teaches French language in Nusantara. She has a daughter, she is now ten years old. About one year ago I met her when I accompanied French tourist there. We talked for a while. That time she told me that she had divorced ! What makes her heart painful is that her only daughter chose to live with her father!'.

' Mon Dieu ! I was really surprised to hear the bad news. I was speechless for while, I did not know what to say.

' So how is she know? ' , then I asked Pierre.

' I don't know, we just talked for a moment then after that I never met her again'.

I really never imagine that the something will go wrong with her. I felt a little pity for her. But I could control my mind. I knew that getting too close with her again may put my marriage at risk. I 'd better do nothing about her. Furthernore I had a happy family. Now that we were seperated by distance and situation, c'est la vie ! *.

' What does she do there ? ' I asked Piere.

' She teaches French language at a tourism school in Jayakarta'. Many of her students worked as tour guide and worked at my company there. They often told me about Pauline and gave me her telephone number. Once I called her and talked for a moment. Last year I met her when I went there as a tour leader. At the time she was observing her students who were on the job training and as usual I guided a group of tourists. Then we had lunch and she told me about her problems. But since our last meeting I never see her again. As you know now I spend most of my time here in my new position'.

I did not want conversation about Pauline dominated our lunch that day so I talked about other things.

' Pierre , merci* for your information about her. But that's not my purpose to see you. What I want is your help to arrange my vacation to Asia. My family last night had decided to spend our vacation this year in one of Asian countries. Luckily last month I received royalty from my publisher. Besides, I received an invitation to a seminar about democracy in Nusantara. But the invitation is only for me while I want to go with my family. That's why I need you to help me arrage this plan.'

' Alain, don't worry. I will do my best to make sure that you can mix work and pleasure with your family. Let me see to it. I will call you when everything is OK. You are right to go there because this country is really special'.

Then Pierre showed me some tourism brochures with beautiful pictures of beaches, hotels, temples and many more with detailed informations. He explained them to me clearly. I listened attentively and asked few questions.

' Especially for you Alain, because you are my best friend for a long time, I will give you forty percent discount from the published rate here.

' And I will find the best ones for you - hotel, taxi, French - speaking tour guide etc. take these brochures and show them to Annete and your kids!'.

' OK Pierre, I think this is enough and merci for your help and informations.

' And merci for your trust on me. My best regards for Annette and the kids'.

Surprising and impressive lunch, I said to my self. I can't wait to go home to tell Annette all informations from Pierre this afternoon.

*
Long flight from Paris to Jayakarta was tiring although there was no reason to complain to good airlines. We landed smoothly at Jayakarta airport. A young man from Nusantara greeted me at the airport. Speaking Fench fluently he introduced himself as a lecturer at Nusantara University and a member of the seminar committee. Along the way to hotel he acted well as our guide, explaining everything clearly.
*
That morning I woke up feeling fresh and happy. After breakfast I waited in the lobby with Annette and the kids. They had to wait for the seminar to end. So they just stayed at hotel. After seminar then we would visit many beautiful places in this country. Several minutes later the man who met me yesterday came. After some small talk we went to the campus of Nusantara university.

Entering the gate of Nusantara University I felt impressed. This is a great country, I thought. A developing country but possessing a good university. This is really an excellent investment. In the entrance there were for lanes in each side. At both sides of the boulevard there were shady trees and bamboo trees. They were nicely designed and well maintained. In the middle of the boulevard there were palm trees and small flowers that made the atmosphee fresh and agreeable. Before long we arrived at the main building. It was a very beautiful building in local style of architecture.

The international seminar was really great. Participants came from many countries like US, Japan, China , Korea, ASEAN and, of course, Republic of Nusantara. The opening ceremony was held by Political Minister. I was wondering what his real role was. I was certain that the man was the real ruler.
Then my turn came. My name was called to give my prsentations. As a leading expert on democracy from Europe speaking in front of public from developing countries, I felt very confident. As an authoritative speaker I was sure that I will receive respect I deserve. My initial assumption proved to be true. As I was called and then walked to the podium people warmly welcomed me.

I presented my paper. The title was : "The long road to democracy : Experience of France". I have prepared it at home few days earlier. I was sure and I hoped that this paper would help Republic of Nusantara build their young democracy. Its content is to give advice on how to build democracy based on stages that France had passed before.

When I had finished presenting my paper, as usual the moderator offered the audience to ask questions or to comment. But they kept quiet. Then once again the moderator offered the audience. It was quiet. Nobody asked or commented. I was very surprised. I was wondering what had happened. For the third time the moderator gave them opportunity. Then someone asked about possibility to implement my theory in Nusantara since it was based on France experiences. He questioned the grat difference of socio-political conditions of France and Nusantara. I insisted that my theory is universal. It can be applied anywhere but maybe it needs minor adjustments.

And that was the only question for me during the seminar. The moderator repeatedly gave opportunity but still the audience stayed quiet. There was no enthusiasm. Their facial expressions were pale, childish and ignorant. I had to end my presentation. I was very disappointed. I was sure that they were good at courtesy but not at learning. Their democracy was still very young and vulnerable so they must learn a lot from me. They had to use that opportunity lo learn a lot. They should invite me to teach, that was my hope. But it never happened so I was disappointed.

The next speaker was a man from Nusantara. His name is DR Abdi Rakyat, an expert in political science who had an international reputation. He got his Ph D from US. His paper :"Cleptocracy : an alternative development theory for people, a case study of Republic of Nusantara", explaines that the best political system is cleptocracy because it can assure prosperity, justice and human right. In the system evrybody can get rich by stealing others' or state's wealth. Even people with low salary can get rich, it depend on their creativity. This system provides get-rich-quick-scheme. In case there are less wealthy people, it is because they lack of creativity, he added. It is not because the system is wrong. There is nothing wrong with the system. In addition, this system is just because thieves are protected by the state and highly respected by the society. So there is no discrimination on profession. Being a thief is a prestigious career here, he said, Thieves, especially the big ones, even become idol in the society. The bigger he steals the more he proud of it and the higher his social status will be. People's response is also very warm. Every year thousands of elementary school up to college graduate sign up to become one. Those who are successful will be proud and those who fail will be disappointed. Parents want their son and daughter to become one or have a thief as spouse.

Human right is also protected here, he said, because those thieves are not punished. So their human rights are respected by the state and society. Due to the long experience of Republic of Nusantara in developing political system of Cleptocracy, Dr Abdi Rakyat offered the concept to the world. This is our contribution to the world, he said proudly. He also offered trainings in Republic of Nusantara or abroad.

Response of the audience was extraordinary. Soon after he finished presenting his paper audience gave him standing ovation. Even before the moderator offered an opportunity to ask, many hands were raised to ask questions.

None of the expert opposed him. All of them asked him questions as to how to best implement his theory in their countries for public interests. Professor DR Abdi Rakyat once again enthusiastically explained his thought for different settings. And once again he offered to give training. He said that he had prepared several package of trainings. He said that for further informations his secretary are happy to serve.

That experience made very very surprised, disappointed and I felt embarassed. I was also curious. That theory was really new to me. I never heard that before. I never thought that a developing country can invent such a sophisticated theory that may give prosperity, justice and human right for its people. I was so curious so I raised my hands to ask a question.

' How do you explain oppression, involuntary disappearance, and violence to protesters, student activists, journalists, and human right actvists ? Do you think they are not human right violations ? '.

' Anywhere on earth, said Abdi Rakyat again, there are people who rebel. And it means breaking the law. Is arresting and and punishing them means human right violations ? Is it against the law and democracy ? '

Audience were giving applause once again. It was like a boxing fight. They their favourite fighter knocked his opponets down and the gave applause. I just stayed quiet.

The seminar lasted for two days. The closing ceremony was also very great. There was a dinner for all participants. The minister of corruption, collusion and nepotism gave the closing speech. The dinner was accompanied by an elegant art show.
*
The day that I waited for finally came. With my family I would go on an overland tour. At 08.00 AM we went down to lobby and there a handsome boy greeted us. Speaking French fluently the boy introduced himself as the guide that Pierre had ordered.

I was impressed by the seminar a day before so I asked my guide to show me the result of Cleptocracy to me.

'Oui Monsieur !' *, he replied.

Along the way he proudly showed me central business districts that he said was the property of thieves. He said that it was the pride of his country. He said the world admired them for that great achievement. He also showed me beautiful houses and offices of thieves and their luxurious cars. Their cars were very luxurious. All latest and most modern ones were there. O la la ! , I was very impressed. Even in Europe thieves are not as prosperous as here. Here in the Republic of Nusantara they live in elite residential area. All of them were elegant and beautiful. They had most modern and luxurious cars. I began to understand why Pierre praised them. They are his loyal customers for a long time. They are rich and not demanding. In addition their hobby is shopping in expensive boutiques. Each month Pierre serves them to visit Europe. They are his prime customers. When they were in Paris they would buy anything including winter coat while there is no winter in Nusantara. They are highly respected in the society. No wonder that every year thousands of school graduates compete to become one. They are number one citizen here. They are idol and hero. This a country of thieves!

*