No Absolute Goodness 

I always remember our people of our country to be warm and wonderful. Once, as evening neared, far from home I became worried as nowhere was there a country inn in the village. Fortunately, a peasant gladly took us,  my wife, two little kids and I into his home for the night and even shared his food. It was dark in the room, we had only one bed for the whole family and had to go to the bank of a rushing river in the night, – there was no toilet – and yet we all felt fine. It was an adventure and we really were very grateful.   

Another time I dropped by to watch a very old toothless farmer working in his field, when a young woman, perhaps his granddaughter, brought him his food.. “Just come and sit down, have a chat and let’s share this food together.” he invited me. And I imagine how good it must be, to have one’s food almost every day served as though on a picnic. Or what about being surprised with a bunch of fresh red colored rambutan as flowers, by two young girls just taken from the tree, tired and thirsty after running in the country? That was certainly the most refreshing  of the most refreshing drinks. 

Indonesia is ranked as one of the lowest, internationally. But I don’t believe other people  to be better than we are. Who can pride himself on being without fault? I remember coming too late at the office and going home earlier. Who has never felt being obliged to  satisfy someone’s request, to repay a debt of moral goodness as Indonesians say? If by chance we receive a gift of bananas, we certainly won’t forget to return him or her with oranges or a pine apple. And who has never treated his children first, before others? What is wrong with this? A mother hen would rather forgo her food for her chickens. It’s natural to think of our children first, than our relatives, our close friends, community and the nation. 

I even can’t trust myself to resist the offer of those luring, luscious forbidden fruits. Why search so ardently for someone who is without a moral stain? This is merely for those who believe themselves to be above a fault to prove their own superiority. 

“When we have a bad system and flawed rules, people are prone to bribery, collusion, nepotism. Rather than educate people’s morals, being a watchdog of people’s secret unlawful deals, better devise better ways, better systems to avoid it”, comments someone. “Suppose payments could be arranged through  bank accounts, perhaps there would be less  occasion for bribery. If the president is limited to a short period in office, he would have less opportunity to abuse his power and authority. 

In a system with a free exchange rate, possession of foreign currency does not make a person an outlaw, but in a rigidly controlled system, foreign money savings are forbidden. Anyone who keeps hold of  his foreign exchange is seen as a criminal and scoundrel. This system is fertile soil for bribery and open to a black market in foreign exchange.  

I remember Sir Talfourd’s saying, Fill the seats of justice with good men, not so absolute in goodness as to forget what human frailty is.  

Man is certainly not a divine being, nor is he a superman when he falls or fails to some temptation of irresistible, luring, forbidden fruits*, except perhaps he’s made of air, wood or stone. 

The
Jakarta Post, March 8, 1999 

* Pak Arif comments: 

Well, suppose there were no forbidden fruits, then there will be no such thing as falling into some temptation, as fruits are free for anyone to enjoy. Or  if we should have forbidden fruits, keep them out of reach, then no one could steal or eat them. No one would be tried.

Suppose any one was free to marry without having to take refuge to awe inspiring marital certificates, vows and promises then there’s no falling into some temptation of another love affair. Rather than claim an inhuman “you’re mine”, better  speak a wonderful, warm and free, “I’m yours”.

Can we force, forbid people not to love, desire, what they do desire or love?

Each being, any creature should be matched as nature ordained We neither can  force a cock to be honorable and faithful to one chicken only,  nor force a pigeon pair to be unfaithful and be separated from each other.

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