VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Welcome back to the regular program -Music Corner, a musical segment which introduces you to Indonesian music either traditional or modern one. In today’s edition, we will present Indonesian regional songs from Jambi. The song is "Batanghari" by Susi. This lyric tells about the Batang Hari River, the longest river in Sumatra which becomes a famous tourist attraction in Jambi province. Batang Hari is described as a river that looks calm, though actually swift. Batanghari song also mentions some places flown by the Batang Hari River, such as Penyaguan and Tanggo Rajo. The uniqueness of the song -Batanghari is the lyric in the form of poem from beginning to end. Jambi region's mainstay song is also impressive that Jambi is a region of poem. Rang Kayo Hitam is a powerful and courageous king who lived in the days of the Jambi Malay Kingdom which was under the rule of Mataram Kingdom. One day, Rang Kayo Hitam thwarted a tribute delivery from his brother to the Mataram kingdom. The Mataram kingdom also planned the attack and told a master to make a dagger. The keris was taken by Rang Kayo Hitam and named Siginjai. The legend of Rang Kayo Hitam's bravery and magic power was also revered in the song "Rang Kayo Hitam". The song "GADIS RIMBU BUJANG" comes from Tebo Sub-district and was composed by Lukman Sa'i. This song is often sung in a duet because it is a song about a young man who is interested in a girl from Rimbo Bujang. The initial lyric of the song "GADIS RIMBO BUJANG " is sung by men, because it tells the youth attraction to the girl. Meanwhile, the reff song "GADIS RIMBO BUJANG" is sung by women who tell that the girl also likes the youth. The song composed by Yahya AB tells the story of someone who always fared badly. In addition, he is materially deprived, but the person always faces trials and insults. But at the end of the lyric of the song "KETIMUN BUNGKUK", there is a message that the wheel of life continues to spin; after bad luck, surely good fortune will come soon. 

Welcome back to the segment of My Indonesia over RRI World Service -Voice of Indonesia. Today, we’ll present you a topic about the Indonesian Government Seriously Recovers Citarum River.

The Indonesian government seriously restores condition and environment along the Basin of Citarum River. Citarum River is located in West Java and flows eight districts and cities. Citarum River as the longest river in West Java is a source of water for three large reservoirs. The damage in the Citarum River basin reaches 8 hundred thousand hectares. Uncontrolled problems of industrial waste, agriculture, livestock, and households have also damaged the water quality. As a result, the water cannot be consumed. Pollution and serious sedimentation also occur up to the downstream of the river.

President Joko Widodo held a limited meeting on the revitalization of Citarum River in Bandung on Tuesday (16/1). The President requested that the recovery of the Citarum River should be done quickly and should be completed within 7 years. He asked all central and regional governments to work together, because the river management must be integrated, starting from the preparation of the concept, implementation, to the supervision in the field.

Coordinating Minister of Maritime Affairs, Luhut Pandjaitan has targeted, the water of Citarum River can be consumed in the next 5 to 10 years. The government is ready to spend trillions of rupiah from the State Revenue and Expenditure Budget and Regional Revenue and Expenditure Budget. He views that the Government of West Java province cannot solve the Citarum River problem alone and it needs synergy. Therefore, President Joko Widodo will soon issue a Presidential Regulation.

Minister Luhut Panjaitan said in a press release in Jakarta on Wednesday that at an early stage, the government will start rehabilitating the forests and inviting both civilian and military leaders in their respective regions to call  for all communities to tackle this issue together. The Citarum River will be divided into 22 sectors and high-ranking TNI officials are demanded to coordinate with environmental experts, lawyers, humanists, students and the whole community.

Previously, the Regional Military Command -Kodam III/Siliwangi has initiated the revitalization of the Citarum River since early 2018, by cleaning from upstream to downstream area. Head of Information of Kodam III / Siliwangi Colonel Dessy Arianto explained, the Citarum upstream area was done with a greening movement, on an area of 690 thousand hectares. Therefore, it takes 121 million trees. In 1 to 6 months, they plan to restore the area by cleaning up garbage, reducing sedimentation and building communal toilets. 

Commander of Regional Military III/Siliwangi, Doni Monardo also conveyed his presentation before the entrepreneurs related to the revitalization of Citarum River on Friday 12/1. 

A number of entrepreneurs have expressed their commitment to participate in the recovery of Citarum River ecosystem. Various forms of contribution will be accommodated through a foundation which will be established, especially related to the recovery of Citarum River. On that occasion, hundreds of entrepreneurs from various regions were invited to discuss about the recovery issues. A number of businesspeople then agreed to distribute relief funds amounting to Rp20 billion. 

That was My Indonesia.

Welcome back in Book and Film Review, presenting you a brief review of Indonesian books and films. In today’s edition, we will review a book entitled “(im) Perfect Serenade” written by Irene Dyah. Since 2014, Irene had written more than 10 books. Although her books are mostly about love drama, Irene always put important messages for the readers. In her masterpiece entitled “Around the World With love”, Irene collected several love stories written by her and some other Indonesian authors. 

“Ya it’s the newest batch of around the world with love series so in the fourth batch we have four books all written by different authors”. Irene said. 

Irene wrote another love story in “(im) Perfect Serenade”. The book was about a smart woman named Serenade and her husband – Bansar. In an interview with Voice of Indonesia, Irene shared further detail about the book. 

“The main character her name is Seranade she is working in Verona as secretary of Juliet. Her job is to answer letters or emails from all around the world. So the girls mainly or anyone can do curhat in email or letter to Juliet like asking Juliet advise or telling their story and the secretary of Juliet will answer it that’s why the story happen in Verona. In her job Seren meet a lot of love story happy and not happy, she found that many people is looking for a perfect couple, a perfect love story, a perfect ending which is for her actually that never exist” Irene added. 

The 242-page book contains deep meaning in its simple conflict. Irene explained that the plot apparently was not that simple, if the reader tried to read deeper. 

“If we talking about a novel or love story film usually the story is about two person and they start like and love each other and then as the ending they are married and finish. Actually the married also the other start of another love story it’s also not easy. It has more challenge so I always want to write a story after married which is for me I understand it is more up and down here compare to the love story before married because we need to keep the sparks in our married for years with the same person. With us 24 hours 7 days a week so it’s not easy”. She said. 

Everyone has their own stories. Love can blind all who experience it, but love will also unite all people across boundaries in the world. Alright listener, that was our brief review of a book entitled “(im) Perfect Serenade” written by Irene Dyah. 

Welcome to the Rhythm of the Indonesian Archipelago, a weekly segment introducing you to Indonesian traditional music and musical instrument from across Indonesia. This week, we’ll invite you to know more about a traditional instrument from Indonesia. Talking about traditional music in Indonesia will never end. In West Java, there is new innovation of traditional instrument. The province, which is rich of bamboo trees, makes West Java people never stop to create innovation. At Citengah village, in Sumedang, people make instrument from bamboo, namely Songah or Songsong Citengah. Bapak Ulis, who is a creator of Songah instrument, explained why this instrument is called Songah. 

“…Songah is Songsong meaning blowing bamboo because I am from Citengah, so its name is Songsong Citengah.” Pak Ulis said 

Early February 2012, at Citengah village, South Sumedang sub-district, a tradition called “Hajat Lembur” was held and art performance was also held at the event. The event was opened uniquely by blowing “Hatong” massively. Hatong is wind instrument made from bamboo which produces sound like bird’s sound. After the event dismissing, young people used pieces of bamboo to be blown and combined with other bamboo instruments. The idea was inspired from the habitat of  Citengah villagers who still use bamboo’s Songsong as tool to blow fire and to begins dim when cooking at the kitchen by using stove or Hawu.

“…Previously, I only had Hatong but my friend tried to blow Tamiang like bamboo’s big flute. Then, we tried to combine Hatong with Tamiang. In fact, we found tone in harmony and melodious combination.” Pak Ulis added. 

The sound of the instrument is heard weird but soft and able to bring anybody who hears it to imagine as if she/he is at shady forest with fresh air. That’s why, Songah is also called forest music. 

What does Songah instrument consist of? Here is the explanation of Bpk. Ulis.

“...It  names Hatong Buyut, Hatong sakur, Kokoprak or Karinding, and then Songsong Nengah, Songsong Nengeun and Anom flute. All of them are Songah music.” Pak Ulis Explain. 

Citengah villagers who still preserve mutual cooperation, make them be able to pass limited creativity and use anything at surrounding areas. Well, that was a glimpse of traditional instrument from West Java featuring Songah instrument.