"Laut Bercerita" - A Historical Fiction Novel About Activism and Tragedies during Indonesia's New Order Era

Leila was awarded the SEA Write Award 2020 for her novel "Laut Bercerita" ("The Sea Speaks His Name"), which also won the Kusala Sastra Khatulistiwa Award 2013 for its historical novel "Pulang" ("Homecoming"). "Laut Bercerita" is a historical fiction novel that tells the true story of a missing student activist during Indonesia's New Order Era.

The novel's strengths lie in its wealth of data and accuracy in describing the ideas, experiences, and feelings of its two main characters, Laut and Mara. The novel uses a realistic style to describe events at a specific time and place, with a table of contents consisting entirely of places and years, from "Sayegan, 1991" to "In Front of the Presidential Palace, 2007". This novel raises questions about whether the history depicted in the novel is indeed true.

The genre of historical fiction is not new to Indonesian literature. Leila may have followed in Pram's footsteps to adhere to socialist realism and demonstrate the reality that erasing the traces of radical figures from history is tantamount to continuing the colonial political policy of building a false national narrative.

Activists fought for rights that had been taken away by the government. The military of the New Order held the representation of how to govern the country at that time, with discussions being considered dangerous, and their counter will always be monitored by intelligence. Activists were locked up in barracks, interrogated, and tortured as if it has become a routine for months before they were finally vanished from their lives. The activists who challenged the government were considered traitors and were often threatened not to fight against the government. The government's hegemony has rooted in the ideology and culture of society, making people blind to follow the established rules.

The conflict between farmers and soldiers in the Tanam Jagung Blang­guan Action at the beginning of 1998 became the trigger for activist struggles. Covering the story of Biru Laut and 12 other missing activists has become a symbol of the tragedy for the activist movement. Nine other activists who survived the violence continue to suffer trauma until now.

People who joined the Indonesian Student Solidarity for Democracy (SMID) group, including Mugiyan­to and Nezar Patria, were arrested and tortured by the New Order. On May 23, 2016, CNN Indonesia featured Mugi's story of being kidnapped on March 13, 1998. At that time, Mugi had just finished attending a meeting with a solidarity organization for Timor Leste from Australia in the Menteng area, Central Jakarta, representing SMID to manage international relations. On February 4, 2008, Tempo featured a story written by Nezar Patria about his experiences as an activist who was kidnapped, interrogated, and tortured for days in March 1998.

"Laut Bercerita" novel was made based on research, but the storyline that was taken is the author's choice. There are historical embellishments to strengthen the narrative, but still showing Leila's literary attitude as entertainment medium. Leila used WS Rendra's poetry, which is inseparable from social-political criticism, as part of the novel to offer readers an approach to the storyline. The poem "Seonggok Jagung" ("A Pile of Corn") became a basis for activists to resist.

The term "missing activists" refers to activists who were abducted or disappeared and were never found again. In the post-New Order era, literary works often exploited elements of sexual and moral freedom and opposed government dictatorship. Leila Chudori explored the theme of sexuality in her novel "Laut Bercerita" in a way that is not lewd or disgusting. The simplification of the theme of sexuality in literary works can trigger readers to question the moral values they hold and acknowledge the inadequacy of these values. Although sex outside of marriage is still considered taboo, Leila explores the idea that sex can be something fair and enjoyable for both parties.

Alex uses food as the subject of his portrait and displays photos of a gudeg and jamu seller in his room. Food also becomes Mara's tool of communication to Laut through imaginative letters. Leila's desire to depict the other dimensions of Indonesia with a blend of tumult within can satisfy her yearning to narrate. Memories are awakened, and the unconscious is made conscious. "Laut Bercerita" is expected to grow in the world beyond and move histories through readers' comments.

"Challenging the Status Quo: Afdillah Chudiel on the State of Education in Indonesia"

Hey guys, have you ever heard of Afdillah Chudiel? He is a writer and sociologist who wrote a book that can make you reflect on our education system. The title of his book is provocative, but the intention is to make us aware that our education institution isn't always perfect and achieving.

In his book, Chudiel shares his experience of providing trauma healing for children affected by the earthquake in West Sumatra in 2007. He found that the children there were not too concerned with school or dropping out because it didn't affect their lives significantly.

They actually felt that schools had strange rules and often created unhealthy competition among students. The complicated curriculum also made them confused and ineffective. There were also cases of children being mistreated by schools, which should have been a place of protection for them.

Education, which should have helped them achieve their dreams, became a problem in itself. The National Exam made them fearful and pressured. Moreover, our schools seem to be factories that produce high-quality individuals who can compete with other humans. In reality, there are still many children in remote areas who cannot attend school due to poverty and limitations.

This book makes us reflect on the bitter reality faced by our children in various remote areas. Hopefully, this book can become a breakthrough to generate solutions for improving our education system. We all have a responsibility to open our minds and awareness of the importance of quality education.

Duties dan Fungsi Guide Haji Menurut Prof. Dr. KH. Akhyak M.Ag.

 On the sixth day of the certification program (Friday, March 10th, 2023), Prof. Dr. KH. Akhyak M.Ag, who serves as the Director of Postgraduate Studies at UIN Satu Tulungagung, was a speaker at the afternoon session from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM (WIB). The focus of the lecture was to understand the duties and functions of the Hajj guide, including the latest dimensions and issues. As a speaker, Prof. Akhyak performed exceptionally and professionally in providing a detailed understanding of the services for Hajj pilgrims to the participants of the certification program. The moderator, Dr. Budi Hariyanto, M.Fil.I from UIN Satu Tulungagung, accompanied him.

Prof. Akhyak emphasized that Hajj guides must appear friendly and healthy because, for a long time, they were known to be frustrating, irritable, and irresponsible. Therefore, the speaker suggested that if the participants become Hajj guides, they must provide excellent service to the pilgrims. This is determined by the results of a poll from the pilgrims with a very high target polling rate for our services. This indication is because the Hajj pilgrims judge the service of the Hajj guides with the main principles of sincerity, honesty, politeness, and responsibility.

Firstly, the Hajj guide is an Indonesian citizen who is a Muslim, has competencies (knowledge and technical skills) in the field of performing the Hajj pilgrimage/guide. To have these competencies, certification is needed, which is the process of assessing and recognizing the government's ability and skills of a person to conduct professional Hajj guidance.

Secondly, the Hajj guide is responsible for providing guidance to pilgrims from before departure, during the journey, and while in Saudi Arabia until their return to Indonesia. To carry out this duty, the Hajj guide functions to (1) provide guidance to Hajj pilgrims organized by the government and society, both individually and in groups. (2) Provide guidance to pilgrims with minimal materials, including Hajj guidance, travel, and health.

Thirdly, the implementation of Hajj guidance is as follows: (1) The regular Hajj guidance by the government is carried out at least 8 times a day (twice at the district/city level and 6 times at the sub-district level). (2) One meeting lasts for four hours of lessons, where 1 JPL (Jam Pelajaran) equals 60 minutes.

Fourthly, the Hajj guidance materials include:

- Policy for conducting Hajj worship in Indonesia and Saudi Arabia (Taklimatul Hajj)

- Guidance for performing the Hajj pilgrimage (Hajj manasik), both theoretical and practical

- Guidance for Hajj travel (flight safety)

- Health services guidance

- Fiqh Hajj and the wisdom of Hajj worship

- Arbain and pilgrimage

- Akhlaq, customs, and culture of Saudi Arabia

Fifthly, the rights and obligations of the Hajj pilgrims and the formation of Karu, Karom, and Kloter. The guidance of the Hajj manasik by Kelombok Bimbingan is at least 15 times. After participating in Hajj guidance, the pilgrims are expected to: explain the government's policy in conducting Hajj worship, explain the process of Hajj worship from embarkation, in Saudi Arabia, to returning to Indonesia, mention the requirements, pillars, and obligatory acts of Hajj, recite the intention of ihram and talbiyah, explain the meaning of standing at Arafah and staying at Muzdalifah and Mina, practice tawaf, sa'i, stoning, and tahallul, mention the prohibitions of ihram, perform the Hajj manasik and the process of Hajj worship according to Islamic law, explain the meaning and places of pilgrimage in Mecca and Medina, and explain the concept of a haji mabrur (accepted Hajj) and how to maintain it.

Based on the duties and functions mentioned above, the Indonesian Hajj Guide Training and Certification Center (TPIHI) has the following roles:

- Organizer, who organizes and coordinates all Hajj worship activities, worship problem-solving, and Hajj manasik in their respective Kloter with the Head of Worship and Guidance Supervision of the Daker (Working Area), Sector, and Head of Daker.

- Facilitator, who provides services to the pilgrims in their respective Kloter and other relevant parties.

- Ustadz/Ustadzah, who provides consultation regarding worship and Hajj manasik problems to the pilgrims in their respective Kloter.

- Analyst, expected to be able to analyze the problems faced by the Hajj pilgrims in their respective Kloter, from the cause of problems to providing solutions and resolving them.

- Administrator, who accumulates data, processes data, compiles narratives and reports on all worship service activities for the Hajj pilgrims in their respective Kloter and reports to the Kloter Chairman to the Sector or Daker.

Prioritizing the Scientific Phase: A Message to Students

As a student, the scientific phase should be a top priority. The late night discussion with Mr. Dede reminded me to write this small note. We talked about the world of education, which has become our battleground until now.

Mr. Dede explained that we have lost our direction in education. Yet, the world of education is the backbone in advancing the nation. According to him, a shift in the mindset regarding science has occurred. He referred to the scientific phase as the phase of life, meaning people have been affected by the instant syndrome, which is in contrast to the actual scientific phase.

A student who should still be in the scientific phase is mixed up in the phase of life, where it is not yet time to experience it. A student must focus on their studies and not be caught up in domestic affairs that are not yet relevant. They must prioritize primary and secondary matters, and always be aware of their position and status.

Moreover, a student must pay attention to the scientific phase to achieve their vision and mission in acquiring knowledge. The life phase, social phase, or economic phase can be experienced, but they should not replace the scientific phase's main position.

The scientific phase should be more enduring and become a caretaker that takes us to the gate of freedom to think and create. The scientific phase will always be a spirit where a person will not be separated from space and time. The scientific phase will become a student's main mentality. Therefore, a person will still be a student forever, even when they have become a family person, an entrepreneur, or occupies a specific position. The dignity of science will not be removed just because people's needs have shifted into the life phase.

So, as students, let us prioritize the scientific phase. Focus on studying, prioritize primary and secondary matters, and always pay attention to the vision and mission in acquiring knowledge. Because the scientific phase is the caretaker of our future aspirations, the gate to freedom of thinking and creating.

"Registration for UM-PTKIN 2023 Now Open: How to Apply and Important Dates to Note"

Good news for those who want to continue their studies at state Islamic universities (PTKIN) in 2023. Registration for the PTKIN entrance exam or UM-PTKIN will officially be opened starting tomorrow, Monday, April 10, 2023 at 4:00 PM WIB and will end on May 15, 2023.

UM-PTKIN is a selection attended by 58 PTKIN (UIN, IAIN, STAIN) and PTNs with Religious Study Programs whose operational permits are issued by the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs. The selection process itself is done through a written test based on the Electronic Selection System (SSE) which will be held simultaneously in all universities spread throughout Indonesia.

The Coordinator of the PMB National Publicity Pokja Humas, Dr. M Rikza Chamami MSI, confirmed that UM-PTKIN registration for 2023 can be accessed through the website https://um.ptkin.ac.id.

To be eligible to participate in this selection, participants must have an NISN and be a graduate of educational units such as MA / MAK / SMA / SMK / Mu'adalah Boarding School / Formal Diniyah Education / Equalization Education of Salafiyah Islamic Boarding Schools or equivalents dated 2021, 2022, and 2023. In addition, you must also pay a UM-PTKIN registration fee of Rp. 200,000 through the bank specified by the Central Committee.

You can register through the website https://um.ptkin.ac.id and must complete your biodata online until you receive an invoice. After that, you can make payments at the bank listed on the invoice, and don't forget to save the payment slip / proof of payment. Then, you can log back in to the website https://um.ptkin.ac.id and continue the registration process until you get the Exam Participant Card.

For program choices, each participant can choose a maximum of 3 (three) study programs, where the order of selecting the Study Program indicates priority. Participants who choose only 1 (one) Study Program may choose to study at an Islamic Religious College (PTKI) anywhere, while participants who choose 2 (two) or more Study Programs, one of which must be a study program from a PTKI in the same province as the place where the participants take the test.

Don't forget to take note of important schedules such as registration and payment which will start on April 10 to May 15, 2023, SSE test which will be held from May 29 to June 8, 2023, and the announcement on June 23, 2023. Prepare yourself and good luck!

"The Struggle of UKM/UKK/KM Groups in Adding Recruitment Article: Victory or Vain?"

On Wednesday, September 2, 2020, a debate ensued among several student groups in an institute about Extra Campus Student Organizations (OMEK). The Unit Activity Student (UKM), Campus Activity Unit (UKK), and Student Community (KM) groups were concerned as OMEK was recruiting new members after the Academic and Student Culture Introduction Event (PBAK) ended, before the inauguration and internal recruitment were carried out. Although OMEK's recruitment was part of their cadre regeneration, UKM/UKK/KM felt it could cause problems on campus. Therefore, they proposed an article to restrict OMEK's movements on campus. This issue continued to cause anxiety among UKM/UKK/KM institutions.

In a student council meeting, there was a proposal to add a new article regulating the recruitment of student organizations. However, some opposed this proposal on the grounds that it would conflict with Regulation of the Minister of Research, Technology, and Higher Education (Permenristekdikti) No. 55 of 2018. The one who opposed the proposal was the Chairman of the Student Executive Board (Dema), who turned out to be a cadre of one of the OMEK institutions.

The Chairman of Dema stated that OMEK's entry into the campus was regulated in Permenristekdikti No. 55 of 2018 and OMEK institutions were permitted to form UKM PIP (Pembinaan Ideologi Pancasila/ Pancasila Ideology Development) as a response to religious radicalism entering the campus. However, after further research, OMEK's entry into the campus should merge into one and be accommodated by a UKM PIP forum. The rationalization brought by the Chairman of Dema was not yet in-depth because the proposed article could still be adjusted to Permenristekdikti No. 55 of 2018.

In Article 3 Paragraph 3 of Permenristekdikti No. 55 of 2018, it is stated that student organizations can involve or collaborate with extra campus student organizations in accordance with the provisions of applicable laws and regulations. Therefore, if needed, OMEK can enter into UKM PIP. Permenristekdikti No. 55 of 2018 also emphasizes that OMEK's entry must comply with the regulations that apply on each campus.

However, if Permenristekdikti No. 55 of 2018 has not been socialized at IAIN Tulungagung, then these regulations cannot be implemented on that campus. Therefore, the rationalization brought by the Chairman of Dema still raises questions about whether he really wants to protect OMEK from rules that limit the existence and movement of OMEK on campus. Hence, there needs to be an official clarification from the Chairman of Dema regarding his rejection of the article proposal submitted by UKM/UKK/KM group.

After a very long debate, the UKM/UKK/KM groups finally won the proposed recruitment article. However, this rule will not be implemented because the lecture is conducted online, so OMEK will not conduct an open recruitment on campus. Nevertheless, this issue is also felt by the Chairman of Dema who rejected the addition of this article. Thus, this debate is considered in vain by both parties.

An Interesting Study on Islamic Psychology and IAIN by HMJ PI

On Wednesday, March 11th, 2020, HMJ PI held a regular study event on the balcony of Lt. 3 Gd. Arief Mustaqiem. The event was super exciting because it discussed the history of Islamic psychology in Indonesia and IAIN (State Islamic Institute).

Students from other departments also participated and all of them gained new knowledge. We were also able to express our opinions freely without fear of being scolded. Even Zulfa said that she was very satisfied to gain a broader insight.

The speakers at the event were very clever in managing the discussion atmosphere. They did not force the participants to follow their opinions, but instead encouraged us to talk and share our opinions. The event aimed to discuss the history of Islamic psychology in Indonesia and IAIN, especially about Islamic psychology literature that still confuses many people.

Although the discussion was held on a balcony that was windy, everyone was still enthusiastic in discussing until the event ended.

Events like this are very useful for PI students to become students who enjoy discussing, both in class and outside of class. The speakers hope that events like this can continue to be held and attended by PI students in the future.

The Socialization of FUAD Festival 2021 and the Importance of Preparation for the Upcoming Election

The Student Senate (SEMA) of the Faculty of Ushuluddin, Adab, and Dakwah (FUAD) conducted a socialization of the FUAD Festival 2021 on their Instagram account @SEMAFUAD on August 2nd, 2021. The purpose of this socialization is to prepare prospective members of the Electoral Supervisory Board (BAWASLU) and General Election Commission (KPU) to be better prepared for this year's democratic event. The SEMA FUAD's Commission II, which led the socialization, wants to ensure that preparations are well-organized.

According to Syarifah, the SEMA FUAD Chairman, the socialization of the FUAD Festival is considered very important, although it was done quickly. Prior to this, SEMA FUAD had consulted with the Vice Dean III of Student Affairs regarding the planned implementation of the FUAD Festival. However, the implementation system of this year's FUAD Festival is still in the raw concept stage and is not yet clear. The SEMA FUAD Chairman added that coordination with KPU and BAWASLU would be conducted to determine the appropriate implementation system.

There is a difference in the FUAD Festival this year, namely with the formation of a Council for Consideration Oversight as SEMA FUAD's effort to overcome disputes that have not been resolved. The SEMA FUAD Chairman explained that SEMA FUAD had prepared a consideration oversight team to address disputes that cannot be resolved by the BAWASLU team. This team will be authorized by the Vice Dean III of Student Affairs.

The socialization of the FUAD Festival by SEMA FUAD was also a promotion for the Open Recruitment of the FUAD Festival team so that the maximum number of festival teams could be reached. The Open Recruitment will be conducted in the midst of PBAK.

Getting to Know Student Consultative Assembly (MusMa) and the Importance of Organizational Foundation in Student Organizations

The Student Senate of the Faculty of Ushuludin, Adab, and Dakwah (FUAD) held the Student Consultative Assembly (MusMa) for three days from March 25th-27th, 2021. This MusMa discussed the basic organization principles of FUAD, such as the Articles of Association (AD), Bylaws (ART), and guidelines for annual simultaneous elections (PESTA FUAD). The event was attended by all representatives of student organizations under FUAD and was held at the Syaifudin Zuhri Building Hall on the 6th floor. The SEMA FUAD chairman hoped that all student organizations would adhere to administrative order and understand the established guidelines.

During the first two days of MusMa, which began with an opening speech by the Dean of FUAD, there were discussions on forum contracts, regulations, and new drafts of AD and ART initiated by SEMA FUAD. The chairperson of the session was appointed by the agreement of the forum and members of the faculty senate, except for observers, to become the chair of MusMa. There was also a special session that discussed the organizational foundation of student organizations in FUAD and guidelines for annual simultaneous elections (PESTA FUAD).

SEMA FUAD designed a new law for all student organizations in FUAD as it was deemed urgent to discuss in the early period of management. Second-semester students from the Department of Religious Sociology hoped that MusMa would run smoothly, despite delays in the plenary session agenda and lacking firmness in decision making during the second plenary session that discussed the AD/ART FUAD student organizations.

Online Courses Resume Due to Campus Busy Schedule

On November 14-25, 2022, UIN SATU (Sayyid Ali Rahmatullah Tulungagung) resumed online courses following the issuance of Rector Circular Number 477/Un.18/11/2022. The announcement of the online lectures was delivered to students on Friday, November 11, 2022 via Instagram and WhatsApp groups.

However, the reason why the previously face-to-face lectures became online was not explained in the circular. According to Ulil, the Public Relations of UIN SATU Tulungagung, this reason was omitted because it had been conveyed through other channels, such as social media, and because of the busy schedule on campus. This schedule included significant events such as the Dema (Executive Student Council), graduation, and the PMII (Indonesian Islamic Student Movement) National Leadership Conference.

However, some students disagree with this reason, arguing that the busy schedule on campus is not a valid justification for online lectures. Some students also feel that organizational activities should not be a reason for conducting online lectures.

Regarding this matter, the responses from lecturers vary. Some professors claimed that they were unaware of the exact reason for the lectures being held online, some believe that the reason is a matter of privacy for the university, and others suggest that the information needs to be clarified to avoid any confusion.

Reasons for Online Lectures

Recently, Universitas Islam Negeri (UIN) Satu Tulungagung held a National Leadership Conference for two weeks. This event affected the lectures on campus, although the impact was not significant. FUAD lecturer, Fiona, stated that online lectures did not affect the quality of the lectures since the students were already accustomed to online learning.

However, according to FASIH lecturer, Yusron, face-to-face lectures are more optimal than online courses because issues such as network and gadget problems can disrupt online learning. Several students also felt disadvantaged by this online lecture policy, such as Ayu and Sabrina, who experienced difficulty in understanding the material during the ten-day online lectures.

In addition to its impact on the students, the National Leadership Conference also affected the activities in the UIN SATU ma'had. The ma'had building was used for the accommodation of conference participants, resulting in the cessation of ma'had activities. The students were instructed to return home while bringing all their belongings, although the information regarding this sudden instruction felt abrupt. Many students had already returned to their hometowns on Friday morning, thus they had to go back to the ma'had to pack their belongings on Friday afternoon.

Some UIN SATU students complained about sudden information stating that the dormitory had to be vacated because it would be used as the location for the PMII's National Leadership Conference. This forced those students who had already left to return to the dormitory to clean up their belongings. This also affected students who came from outside the region since they could not go home due to the sudden notice.

However, there was a facility for students who could not go home; they could stay at one of the lecturers' houses by paying a fee of 50 thousand per week. The dormitory management also confirmed the existence of this facility. Meanwhile, the ma'had muadzin and mosque caretaker were also impacted since their rooms were used to store the goods for the conference. This made them feel undervalued by the takmir and ma'had authorities since they were not given enough time to prepare themselves.

The Significance of Student Press in Indonesia: Upholding Community Journalism amidst Freedom and Technology

 In the current era of press freedom, the general media has grown rapidly and even become more daring in revealing facts. However, the role of student press in Indonesia remains distinct and significant. The student press upholds the principle of community journalism and remains a nonprofit entity.

The student press values community journalism that presents information without the pretext of profit. This fundamental difference sets the student press apart from the general media, making it continuously needed to present in-depth information and alternative paradigms.

In the context of Indonesia, the student press is still very much needed, even with the greater democracy that exists. The government's guarantee of press freedom has benefited the student press, as it is free to criticize various inequalities. The student press presents opinions from a local perspective based on the understanding and thinking of their community regarding national issues. This way, the student press can truly be grounded, growing, and developing from their own community.

Nevertheless, the student press is also expected to keep up with the rapid development of information technology. Many student magazines (in Indonesian) are published online. Student press activists must quickly anticipate the development of the internet and use it appropriately. Without precision in utilizing the internet's development, the student press will be unable to compete with the general media, which has strong capital and professional personnel.


Original Source: Pers Mahasiswa Dibutuhkan 

Concerns on the Implementation of Student Election Regulations

The Student Election (Pemilwa) of the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology (FTIK) on December 30, 2022 showed a discrepancy in the number of Permanent Voter Data (DPT) used with the applicable regulations. Student Regulation No. 1 of 2022 states that the number of DPT for the election of the Student Executive Council (Dema-F) is 10 percent of the total number of active students in each department, while the voting rights of each study program are 10 percent. However, in Pemilwa FTIK Decree No. 5 of 2022 regarding the Amendment of the DPT for the Election of FTIK Dema Chair and Vice Chair, it was determined that the DPT for the election of the FTIK Dema Chair and Vice Chair in the 2022 Pemilwa amounted to 426 students.

This shows that the FTIK Student Executive Board Election Committee (KPUM FTIK) did not comply with the applicable regulations and raises questions as to why KPUM FTIK used a different number of DPT than the applicable regulations. According to Adit, one of the members of the FTIK Student Executive Board and Presidium III in the Special Session for the formation of FTIK Perma No. 1 on Pemilwa, it is actually not allowed if the DPT is less than 10 percent because it clearly contradicts Perma-U and Perma FTIK. However, KPUM FTIK argues that 10 percent is the maximum limit and that DPT below 10 percent is not a problem.

This phenomenon shows a decrease in understanding of the hierarchy of regulations and raises questions about the usefulness of the Special Session which has regulated the number of DPT if it is not used in the end. Therefore, this should be a concern for KPUM FTIK and related parties to ensure that the applicable regulations are properly enforced in future Pemilwa.


Original Source: Sebuah Refleksi Dari Pemilwa FTIK 2022 | DIMëNSI (dimensipers.com)

The Urgency of Public Involvement in the Revision of Indonesia's Criminal Code (RKUHP)

 If everything goes according to plan, the ratification of the Revised Criminal Code (RKUHP) will be done soon. The ratification of RKUHP, which was postponed in 2019 because some articles were deemed dangerous and could become vague articles, is still being refined and perfected. However, the government and the House of Representatives (DPR) are still reluctant to reveal the latest draft of the RKUHP.

The public is demanding that the latest draft be published and the discussion of RKUHP be done transparently. Considering the suspicious articles found in the 2019 version of the RKUHP, such as the article on attacking the dignity of the president and vice president and the article on insulting the government, it is believed that these articles will generate different interpretations. One-sided interpretations could be made by the government. For example, when the people criticize and correct government policies, but instead, it is considered as an insult. This is not an unfounded accusation, as the actions of the current government have left a bad mark on democracy, which supposedly upholds freedom of expression.

Those who are vocal in criticizing the government's 'outrageous' policies are often the ones trapped in defamation cases, such as through the ITE Law. Most of the victims are those who express criticism, not insults. Even, the Southeast Asia Freedom of Expression Network (SAFEnet) revealed that around 35.92% of state officials such as ministers, regional heads, heads of agencies, and security forces report citizens by utilizing the ITE Law.

If the hidden RKUHP still contains similar articles in its latest draft and is ratified unilaterally by the government and DPR, then the current government becomes more authoritarian and difficult to criticize. This is also an effort to silence the critical voices of the people towards government policies that often do not side with the people.

This is the illusion in democracy that claims that the highest sovereignty is in the hands of the people, but the people themselves are not allowed to speak up. In the end, this reality only becomes a boomerang for the ruling government. In fact, criticizing government policies is something important and even obligatory.

In Islam, this activity is called dakwah muhasabah or inviting the ruler to correct his policies. Government policies such as raising the prices of food, oil, gas, taxes, and other essential commodities in the midst of a difficult economic situation for the people, selling state assets in the form of natural resources to foreigners, must be criticized, not silenced, because they are unjust policies.

Even in a hadith, the Prophet said, "The greatest jihad is to speak the truth in the face of a tyrant ruler." (HR. Abu Daud, at-Tirmidzi, Ibn Majah, and ad-Dailami).

This kind of leadership attitude is worthy of emulation. Because in essence, the ruler is a servant and protector of his people. It is only right for the government to fulfill the rights of its people, including in terms of democratic transparency.

Therefore, the issue of RKUHP must be truly guarded by the people so that the discussion is done openly and involves the voices of the people. The people should not lose their right to express criticism and correction towards the government and its policies, as expressing opinions is also the people's right.

Original Source: Intransparansi RKUHP : Bumerang bagi Demokrasi | DIMëNSI (dimensipers.com)

Fighting Against Child Marriage and Poverty in Tulungagung: Socialization and Local Government Programs

 There is a middle-aged couple sitting on the porch of their house, enjoying their time with their cute and well-behaved grandchild whom the wife is carrying. The husband is also playing with the child. This lovely child is actually their first grandchild, the child of Nawang (not her real name) who has been married for a year to Jaka (not his real name). At the time of their marriage, Nawang was only 16 years old and Jaka was 18 years old. Nawang had not even started high school at the time, while Jaka had already graduated.

The reason behind their marriage is quite typical in Indonesia, where couples get married early due to unwanted pregnancies, and they are usually married by their parents. There are also those who get married early to avoid fornication. This is the case with Kunti (not her real name), who recently got married to Pandu (not his real name). Kunti is only 16 years old, while Pandu is already 22 years old, and they got married last September 2022.

Pandu works as a cattle farmer, while Kunti is a housewife. Although they are still young, they are grateful that their financial situation is sufficient for their daily needs. However, there are negative impacts of getting married at a young age, such as Kunti having to quit school. Therefore, getting married young is not always as beautiful as portrayed in soap operas.

It seems that the trend of early marriage is increasing in Tulungagung. Every year, there is an increasing number of marriage dispensation applications (Diska), especially after the age limit for marriage for women was raised to 19. However, the number of marriage dispensation applications keeps increasing rapidly, despite the goal of reducing early marriage.

According to the data from the Information System for Case Tracking (SIPP) of the Religious Court of Tulungagung Regency, in 2020, the number of Diska applications increased two-fold from the previous year. From the Diska application data in 2021, the top five subdistricts with the highest number of Diska applications were Sendang, Pagerwojo, Rejotangan, and Kalidawir.

When asked why many people get married at a young age, the Head of the Office of Religious Affairs (KUA) in Sendang Subdistrict, Jauhari, stated that the majority of people who do not continue their education to a higher level tend to get married at an early age. Early marriage has even become a common and deep-rooted practice in the local community.

In addition to the factor of early marriage being considered acceptable, economic factors and free association also contribute to the increased number of early marriages in Tulungagung. Dropping out of school is also one of the dominant factors that drive early marriage among people in all subdistricts of Tulungagung regency in 2021. This is closely related to the economic issues of the community because dropping out of school can increase the unemployment rate.

Hopefully, increasing access to education and raising awareness of the negative impacts of early marriage can help reduce the number of early marriages in Tulungagung.

The Link between Child Marriage, Unemployment, and Poverty

There is bad news coming from Tulungagung Regency, my friends. According to data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), the number of unemployed people has increased from 2017 to 2021, with the highest increase occurring in 2020 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. As a result, the number of people living in poverty has also increased, and this has been a contributing factor to the high number of marriage dispensation requests in the area.

Have you ever heard of child marriage? It is when children who are below the legal age get married. Well, this also happens in Tulungagung, and economic factors are one of the reasons. Some get married because of parents' illnesses or to change their family's economic status, for example.

However, child marriage has the potential to cause new social problems such as domestic violence, divorce, and child neglect. Economic factors are also affected by child marriage because underage couples are not ready for economic issues.

It is essential to prevent unemployment and poverty in our area. Besides potentially damaging the economy, it can also affect social and moral aspects of society. Let's support our region's development with positive and long-term impact solutions!

Child marriage is a severe issue in Indonesia, but the Tulungagung Regency government is working hard to tackle it! One of the efforts made is to socialize about the dangers of child marriage to the public. The Head of the Subdistrict Office of Religious Affairs and the Office for Women's Empowerment and Child Protection have conducted socialization to religious leaders, students, and parents. They also provide education on healthy social media use, developmental growth in the digital era, reproductive health, the effects of premarital sex, underage marriage, and narcotics.

However, unemployment and poverty are also factors affecting child marriage. Therefore, the Tulungagung Regency government has implemented programs to combat unemployment and poverty, such as the development of Integrated Child Social Protection Services Units, the expansion and strengthening of job training programs, the construction of toilets for the poor, and the development of women's cooperatives. In addition, the Social Affairs Office updates social assistance recipient data or the Integrated Social Welfare Data (DTKS) and provides technical guidance on DTKS management and social assistance programs.

With these efforts, child marriage can be prevented and poverty can be fought in Tulungagung Regency!


Original Source: Gagalnya Pengentasan Pengangguran dan Kemiskinan Picu Pernikahan Dini di Tulungagung | DIMëNSI (dimensipers.com)

Exploring Philosophy through "Sophie's World": A Review of Jostein Gaarder's Novel

 Dunia Sophie is a novel by Jostein Gaarder that discusses the development of ancient Greek philosophy. The novel was first published in 1991 in Norwegian with the title Sofie's Verden. Through his book, Jostein Gaarder provides a brief lesson on the history of philosophy with language that is interesting and easy to understand.

At one point in the novel, Sophie Amundsend, a 14-year-old girl, receives a mysterious letter from an unknown sender. She also receives strange letters addressed to Hilde Moller Knag. The letters contain messages from Hilde's father for her birthday. Sophie believes that the sender of the mysterious envelope, the questions inside it, and the letter to Hilde are all related.

Sophie's philosophy lessons continue as she receives a large brown envelope containing pages about the history of philosophy. The pages also contain some keywords for questions that Sophie has not been able to solve. The lessons continue until one day the sender of the letters, Alberto Knox, introduces himself to Sophie. He is an old man who lives in a shack behind Sophie's house with his beloved dog. Alberto has been sending letters to Sophie as a means of teaching her about the world beyond what she knows.

In addition to learning about the history of philosophy and its figures, Sophie also learns about Christianity, including the Old and New Testaments, the Semitic and Israelite peoples, and the Prophet Jesus (Isa) from a Christian perspective.

However, Sophie herself is a fictional character created by Hilde's father as a learning material for his daughter. This is revealed by another point of view in the novel, which shows that Sophie is a fictional character. The reality that she is a fictional character for Hilde is supported when Sophie tries to interact with Hilde but receives no response from her.

The philosophy lessons between Sophie and Alberto end with a big bang. Hilde has met her father, who works at the United Nations, and he tells her about the solar system. This can be referred to as the Big Bang theory or a cosmological theory. Her father also explains that there will be a big bang, which is in line with what God says in the Bible.

Overall, Jostein Gaarder's novel is very interesting to read and offers a valuable lesson on the history of philosophy.

Original Source: https://dimensipers.com/2023/02/07/sejarah-filsafat-dalam-baluran-fiksionalitas-dunia-sophie/

Success Story of Ahmad Shofiyuddin Selling Es Mokel During Ramadan in Tulungagung

 Ramadan is a special moment where people seek blessings, including seeking fortune from selling takjil (refreshments) as an occasional business opportunity. While some choose to sell in stores, some opt to sell by the roadside, just like Ahmad Shofiyuddin, a student from UIN SATU Tulungagung who sells es mokel near his campus.

Some people ask why he chose the name es mokel. It turns out that he was inspired by the word "mokel," which means breaking the fast. Yet, he's only selling it during iftar. It just so happened that the name aligns well with Ramadan. "It's clear that when breaking the fast, people crave sweet drinks. So, I sell delicious es mokel to attract more buyers," Ahmad said.

He invested Rp. 300,000 as startup capital for his es mokel business and earned twice the amount every day. His location is convenient enough, right around his campus. Therefore, it's no surprise that he gets approximately 40 visitors or more every day.

To surpass the competitors, his es mokel must have a delicious taste with an affordable price. It consists of various fruits, jelly, and leci-flavored Marjan syrup to make it even more delightful. Unlike regular fruit ice, each ingredient is separate. Apparently, this is the secret of his successful es mokel business.

Original Source: https://kabartulungagung.com/banyak-yang-suka-mokel-salahsatu-mahasiswa-uin-satu-tulungagung-ambil-peluang-bisnis

Ecological Feminism and Women's Role in Advocating for Environmental Sustainability Discussed at HM-PS AFI UIN SATU

 Wow, recently the Student Association of Aqidah and Islamic Philosophy Studies (HM-PS AFI) at Sayyid Ali Rahmatullah State Islamic University (UIN SATU) successfully held a momentous discussion event! The event had the theme "Ecological Feminism: Women’s Role in Advocating for Equality and Environmental Sustainability". It was amazing! The discussion was held under a shady tree located behind the rectorate building. How cool!

The event was attended by several students who found the discussion to be cool and comfortable. Cut Hillary, one of the participants, expressed that the venue was different from typical discussion places such as warungs (food stalls), classrooms, and terraces. Wow, what an exciting new place for discussions!

The discussion started from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm and was conducted in a conducive manner. Two speakers were invited to be the main sources of information: Dian Meiningtias, a writer from Nggalek.co and Rizka Hidayatul Umami, a coordinator from GUSDURIAN Bonorowo. They discussed the ecological feminism movement and the role of women in advocating for equality and environmental sustainability.

In the discussion, Umami explained that the spirit of the ecological feminism movement originated from the concerns of feminist leaders about the deteriorating environment. Excessive exploitation of nature has forced humanity to embrace the richness of nature as a way to protect and care for the environment.

There's also the Chipko movement, which began in India in the 1970s. The movement was born as a form of protest against environmental exploitation in India. The term "Chipko" comes from the word "hug" or "attach," which describes the movement's efforts to protect nature from over-exploitation and destruction in the Uttar Pradesh region of India.

Dian also discussed women's roles in the family. Women are more involved in household chores such as cooking, washing, and taking care of babies. In relation to this, there is a bigger problem with finding a source of water. We all know that water is the most important commodity for life, and women are often the first victims of environmental damage.

In this discussion, it's not just men who are responsible for protecting the environment. According to Umami, all humans have the same responsibility to maintain environmental integrity.

The discussion was very exciting! This event was one of a series of activities organized by HM-PS AFI UIN SATU in response to International Women's Day and International Forest Day in March. Hopefully, this discussion can provide insights and awareness about gender equality and environmental awareness, to create a better environment for all.

Insights on Developing Institutions from a Focus Group Discussion with the Director of Islamic Higher Education

 It's the second day of Ramadan, guys. At the beginning, it's a bit difficult to adjust to this new routine. But hopefully, we can adapt quickly and carry out the fasting smoothly.

Yesterday was a long weekend, which would've been ideal to rest longer at the start of the fasting period. However, unfortunately, some of us had to work. So it was quite a hectic day.

But, I had a Focus Group Discussion with the Director of Islamic Higher Education, which was quite a relaxing event. I found some inspirational insights for developing institutions.

Lately, I've been in the habit of taking notes of important points from any activity, be it a religious lecture, discussion, or Friday sermon. Sometimes, I jot them down in my note-taking app, and sometimes on paper. But these notes can be very helpful as references later on.

At yesterday's event, Prof. Dr. Maftukhin, M.Ag shared some essential things about institution development. Firstly, human resources must be of high quality. Therefore, efforts to increase the number of doctorate holders and professors are continuously being made. Secondly, infrastructure is also crucial to support student needs. Thirdly, inter-institutional collaboration should also be maintained. Fourthly, financial management must be well-handled. And fifthly, general study programs should also be developed.

Subsequently, Prof. Dr. Ahmad Zainul Hamdi, M.Ag spoke about several essential points. Firstly, institutional transformation presents its challenges but can also be an opportunity for further growth. Secondly, digital transformation should also be quickly embraced. And thirdly, internationalization is also crucial to staying competitive globally.

In essence, we must stay enthusiastic and productive during the fasting period. Hopefully, we can carry out the fasting smoothly and successfully. Amen!

Original Source: https://www.spirit-literasi.id/2023/03/hari-kecepit-dan-inspirasi-pengembangan.html

The Paradox of Growing Wealth Disparity During the Pandemic in Indonesia

 Hi there! How are you? Today, we're going to talk about the surprising fact that the number of bank account owners with a balance above IDR 1 billion is actually increasing during the Covid-19 pandemic.

This situation can be considered as an irony that reflects the national economic orientation that seems to prioritize growth over quality and tends to favor only a few wealthy individuals.

According to the Rector of Widya Mataram University Yogyakarta, Prof. Dr. Edy Suandi Hamid, MEc, the contraction situation that occurred during the pandemic should have made it difficult for many people economically. However, the reality is that account owners with large balances have emerged during this pandemic period.

Not less than 317,772 bank account owners with an IDR 2 billion balance and 110,892 account owners with an IDR 5 billion balance appeared in 2020. Meanwhile, in 2021, there are around 312,385 account owners with an IDR 2 billion balance and 117,198 account owners with a total balance of IDR 5 billion.

We cannot ignore the fact that the Covid-19 pandemic has had many negative impacts on many aspects of life. However, if we look at it from this perspective, there is something quite surprising. Hopefully, we can learn from this situation and create better policies for the benefit of all, not just for the benefit of a few wealthy individuals.

However, this situation also shows an increasingly widening gap between the rich and the poor in Indonesia. Many people still do not have bank accounts and have difficulty fulfilling their daily basic needs. The Gini Ratio of Indonesia has increased from 1964 to 2021, indicating a higher level of expenditure inequality.

According to Prof. Edy Suandi Hamid, the growth of wealthy individuals in Indonesia during the two years of the pandemic is actually higher than the three years of normal periods before. This indicates that the level of inequality in Indonesia is getting worse because the growth of wealth among the rich is much greater than that of the poor.

The root of the problem actually lies in a low-quality growth system pursued by the government. Policymakers still apply growth policies based on old theories, such as the trickle-down effect theory embraced by the New Order. However, this model is no longer effective in addressing social and economic inequalities in Indonesia.

According to Prof. Dr. Nurhayati Rahman MS, the very apparent inequality between the rich and the poor shows an erosion of local values ​​related to humanity and justice. Values ​​such as empathy and solidarity are starting to fade from society, causing many people to suffer.

To overcome this problem, there needs to be a reorientation in development that focuses on the majority's interests, namely the grassroots economy. Hopefully, policymakers can change their policies and improve the economic situation in Indonesia to become more fair and equitable for all people.

Original Source: original source: https://lldikti5.kemdikbud.go.id/home/detailpost/masa-pandemi-melahirkan-ribuan-pemilik-rekening-gendut#

Madin BTA: Safeguarding Trust in Guarding the Qur'an through the Annahdhiyah Method

 Exciting news! UIN Raden Fatah Palembang is adopting the management of Ma'had Al-Jami'ah based on the model of UIN Sayyid Ali Rahmatullah Tulungagung. They have conducted numerous studies there to learn about the management of Islamic boarding schools, especially in terms of teaching non-resident students.

This year is a year of proof for UIN Raden Fatah Palembang, especially for its Islamic boarding school. They will gradually implement the methods of UIN SATU Tulungagung, with a focus on madrasah education, particularly in teaching Quranic reading and writing (BTA). To realize this, they are collaborating with Rabithah Ma'ahid Islamiyah (RMI) of South Sumatra Province, led by K.H. M. Syarief Chumas Asy-Syawaly.

After the signing of the MoU, RMI South Sumatra immediately moved quickly by bringing in the management of Ma'had Al-Jami'ah UIN Sayyid Ali Rahmatullah Tulungagung and LP Ma'arif Tulungagung as speakers and instructors for Quranic reading and writing education using the Annahdhiyah method. Hopefully, this plan will be successful!

During the MoU ceremony between UIN Raden Fatah Palembang and RMI, K.H. M. Syarief Chumas Asy-Syawali spoke loudly, saying that this MoU is a heavy responsibility in preserving the Quran. He also said that we must have a commitment to succeed in this program with a spirit of teaching and loving the Quran. He also said that we must follow the successful Annahdhiyah method in Tulungagung to achieve success in this program.

There was also a representative from Ma'had UIN Sayyid Ali Rahmatullah Tulungagung who explained the management of Ma'had Al-Jami'ah, the pattern of interaction between the Islamic boarding school and partner institutions, and the obligations of partner institutions. He also emphasized the importance of commitment from all parties to ensure the success of this program.

Then, there was an instructor of the Annahdhiyah method from LP Ma'arif Tulungagung who taught directly in the classroom. The participants were very enthusiastic about following the activities from beginning to end. In summary, this BTA madrasah program is a remarkable step and must be carefully maintained to ensure its success. If it fails, it could have a broad impact on the Islamic boarding school and UIN Raden Fatah's policies related to the existence of this program.

Original Source: https://uinsatu.ac.id/berita/1861-serius-tangani-madin-uin-raden-fatah-palembang-rmi-wilayah-sumatera-selatan-dan-tim-mahad-uin-satu-tulungagung