On Playboy's Editor vs FPI

It is a sad thing to see how freedom of press in Indonesia is being butchered. One of the recent victim is Erwin Arnada, Editor-in-Chief of Playboy Indonesia. Erwin was sentenced to 2 years prison by the Supreme Court.
Playboy in Indonesia has spread a controversy throughout the society. Mostly because the image of Playboy is a magazine with naked chicks in it. But Indonesia's edition of Playboy is the type of magazine which you buy for the articles. Now, when Playboy Indonesia was still active, I couldn't read it because I was still underage. But I did take a peek of what's inside the magazine and inside it was only articles and photos from Indonesian actress, Andhara Early who was the cover of Playboy at that time. No nudity, no sexual content.

Now, this of course made Playboy no difference from other magazines such as FHM, Popular, or Maxim. But why is it only Playboy that was being criticized by the public especially those so-called troops of Islam, FPI ?
Now, FPI ordered by the leader, Habib Rizieq, was told to arrest Erwin Arnada wherever they see him. They even threatened to conduct raids on Erwin's apartment, house, or the hotel he's staying in if Erwin does not show up to be arrested. If by Monday Erwin does not show up then those goons will start the raid. FPI also distributed leaflets with Erwin's face on it bearing the slogan "Fugitive: Erwin Arnada, Moral Terrorist". They also brandished copies of Playboy magazine which they referred to as evidence of Erwin's guilt.

It is amusing and also sad that FPI always do what they want and act as a judge and executioner of morality. The arrest of Erwin should be taken care by the Police, not some thugs calling themselves religious. I do believe that Erwin is not at fault. Even a lot of people support him.
Let's just see how this case grows and what will happen to Erwin. I hope that the court will release him, for the sake of press' freedom in Indonesia.

The Expendables

Here it is, the most awaited all-star cast action movie! Just look at the poster, with all the greatest names in action movies this movie is packed with hard-hitting action, gun shootings, explosions, and bloods.

The Expendables is a group of mercenaries consisting of Barney Ross (Sylvester Stallone), Yin Yang (Jet Li), Lee Christmas (Jason Statham), Toll Road (Randy Couture), Hale Caesar (Terry Crews), and Gunnar Jensen (Dolph Lundgren). They also have mission coordinator named Tool (Mickey Rourke).
In a mission, Gunnar is kicked out of the team because of his attitude. So that leaves the team with only five people.
Then, Ross got a call from a man named Mr.Church (Bruce Willis). Churh also called Ross' rival, Trench (Arnold Schwarzenegger). Church wanted to give a mission to one of them, but then Trench refused. And so Ross got the mission. The mission is about tackling down a dictator in an island in South America.
And so The Expendables take off to do their mission

Overall, the movie was not so bad and not so good either. It received a lot of critics, despite it achieved the top of Box Office. Forget about the story, it mainly focused on the action. With the all-star action cast, you know that it is going to be fully packed action movie.
It is unfortunate that Mickey Rourke got a minor role in this movie. He is a good actor, he played very well in The Wrestler.
Well, if you're a type who watch movie for entertainment you should add this movie on your list. If you missed the action movie from the 80s, you should also watch this. But it is not recommended for people who has a very high taste in watching a movie, you'll get out of the theater as soon as the movie starts.
Enjoy then.

A Doubt of Corruption Eradication in this nation

There is no doubt that Corruption is the major issue in this country. Since the era of New Order, Corruption has planted its roots deep in this nation.
Even now, where KPK (Corruption Eradication Commission) exists, Corruptions still exist and even got worse.
SBY who commits to eradicate corruption is now doubted by the people because of his son's father-in-law, Aulia Pohan, has walked freely out of the prison. Not just Pohan who is released, there are also several corruptors being released out of prison.

The Minister of Law and Human Rights, Patrialis Akbar, who gave the freedom to the corruptors said that the remissions given to Aulia Pohan and the others are according to the rules. Syaukani, a bupati (head of region) of Kutai in Borneo, who also got the remission was also released. The remission given to Syaukani is because of his sickness that has gone worse.

Now, I wonder if the corruptors are easily released when will the corruptions that reign in this country will end? We all still remember the arrest of two KPK leaders, Bibit Samad Rianto and Chandra Hamzah. The arrest of the two KPK leaders had raised the doubt of the commitment to eradicate corruption. And now added with the release of the corruptors? Have SBY lost his mind??
Corruption is the worst crime, lower than other crimes. Even in other countries, corruptors deserve a death sentence. But in Indonesia, corruptors deserve freedom!! What the hell is wrong with this country?? If SBY doesn't want to lose the faith of the people towards him, he should do something and fast!

SBY acts as President for the thid term? Joke of the year?

Yesterday, Ruhut Sitompul, politician of Partai Demokrat (SBY's political party) stated that the Constitution should be amended so that the Presidential term will be three term, instead of the current Constitution which only allows two Presidential term. This of course will make SBY be President for three term.
Amending constitution is always possible. But what I am concerned is that we've passed the era of New Order more than a decade ago, where Soeharto reigned as President for 31 years (1967-1998). Even in the Soekarno's era, people had tried to make him President for life. The era of those two Presidents saw a hard times of ruthless and dictatorship by both of them.

So now let's take a look at what Ruhut said. If he really intended to make SBY President for the third term, he should have think first about what the people think of SBY now. When SBY started the beginning of his second term, issues like the Century Bank hit him hard and he can do nothing. To redeem the heat of the Century Bank, he released Sri Mulyani from her Financial Minister position to became one of the director in World Bank. That was one of the greatest mistake in SBY's decision.
Even now, the popularity of SBY keeps on decreasing. See the case of exploding gas tanks and the violation of freedom in religion. He hasn't do anything for those issues.
As stated in Rob Baiton's writing 'Is SBY Fit to be President of Indonesia' we should think twice if SBY is still fit to be Indonesia's President.

Currently Ruhut is expected to be summoned by the Democratic Party disciplinary committee after stating that he would fight to allow Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to sit a third term in office. Now that's what you get for being such a bigmouth.

EPL 2010/2011 Has Started

Yes lads, everyone's favorite football league has started!
The new season of English Premier League (also called Barclays Premier League) has kick-off since last saturday. This season with the comeback of Newcastle United to the Premier League and a new competition to fill the big 4 position, will be sure to entertain us.
Lucky for Indonesian viewers, 2 local televisions have the license to broadcast the Premier League. So no need to get cable television or whatsoever.
Enjoy the game lads! Be sure to support your favorite team.
For me, I'll stick on supporting Manchester United. Been supporting them since I was a kid.
Cheers.

The Drums

As I was looking for some new interesting music for my references, I came up with this new band called The Drums. My friend was listening to this band for a while, and a magazine wrote that this band has a promising future. That's why I searched for it.























The Drums is a band from Brooklyn, New York consisting of Jonathan Pierce (vocals), Jacob Graham (guitar), Adam Kessler (guitar), and Connor Harwick (drums). Their music can be included in indie-pop/indie-rock with sounds from the 80s. And they sounds like Joy Division. The band itself said that they are influenced by The Smiths, Joy Division, and The Wake as their influence in musical style.
Their self titled debut album was released in June 2010. With sounds like English bands, no wonder that they are more popular in the UK than in their own country.
If you are interested with them, you should look for their album. Try listen to 'Best Friend', 'Let's Go Surfing', 'Forever and Ever Amen' and you'll be in love with them.

The Temper Trap's concerts in Indonesia

picture taken from www.ismayalive.com

Another good news for music fans in Indonesia. The Temper Trap is coming for their concerts in Indonesia!

message from THE TEMPER TRAP

“After months of rumour and speculation, The Temper Trap will be coming to Indonesia this November for three very special shows. Indonesian fans, we’ve received your Facebook message and comments, we hear you loud and clear.

Dougy and the band are very excited to be coming out for
the very first time. Dougy, who grew up… in Indonesia said “It’s
fantastic to finally get to Indonesia with my band, everyone’s really
exicted about playing there for the first time and I want to thank
everyone for all the Twitter and Facebook messages, see you soon”

The Temper Trap will play 3 gigs in Indonesia. In Bali at 10th November 2010, Jakarta 12th November 2010, and Bandung at 13yh November 2010.
For further information you can check their website www.thetempertrap.com or the promoters' website www.ismayalive.com
Hopefully, I can catch the Jakarta concert :D See ya there

Hoping for a peaceful Ramadhan

Now, we're entering the month of Ramadhan in Islamic calendar. This is where the muslims are fasting for a whole month, and after that the muslims will have Idul Fitri to marks the end of Ramadhan.

In this another month of Ramadhan, I'm expecting a peaceful Ramadhan.
I'm worried about the peace in Ramadhan since there were some news stating that the governor of DKI Jakarta will work with FPI (the you-know-what group that has been terrorizing other in the name of Islam) to sweep all night-clubs, entertainment center and so on in this month of Ramadhan. And the issues were getting stronger when Mr.Foke (the governor) attended the birthday event of FPI.

Luckily, it has been confirmed that the government of Jakarta won't work with the goons of FPI for the sweeping. Thank God! If it happens, we don't know what will happen in this holy month of Ramadhan.
But I believe those goons are still up to something in this month of Ramadhan. Who knows? Extremist-fanatics like them will do anything as long as they think it is the right thing to do (even harming other people).

Well then, I'd like to say happy fasting in this holy month of Ramadhan. Let us enjoy the beauty of this holy month.
Cheers~

Vampire Weekend is coming to Jakarta!

Yes, it is confirmed! Vampire Weekend is coming to Jakarta at 24th October 2010! From their official website www.vampireweekend.com , the tour date for Jakarta has already added in it. They're gonna play in Bengkel Night Park.

For those who haven't heard of Vampire Weekend, a brief introduction for you.
Vampire Weekend is an American indie-rock band from New York City, formed in 2006. The line-ups are Ezra Koenig (guitar/vocals), Rostam Batmanglij (guitar/keyboards), Chris Tomson (drums/percussion), and Chris Baio (bass). The band has released two albums, Vampire Weekend (2008) and Contra (2010).
For those who are curious about Vampire Weekend, you can look for their songs. And for Vampire Weekend's fans (including me) the concert is a-must see concert!