Fanaticism is all that's erected here.

Here's five people who could have made a better statue than little Barry Obama in Taman Menteng:

1. Prita Mulyasari. Whether she wins the case or not, she will always be remembered as one of the victims whose rights were taken away by some international, capitalism chain. She portrays an ordinary, next-door-woman who tries to voice her complains but ended up being a prey of a heartless company.

2. Nirmala Bonat, or someone who can symbolizes the migrant workers. Remember Nirmala? In 2004, she was put under the spotlight when Malaysian police found bruises all over her body and later she admitted that her employer had been abusing her every day. And her case was just the tip of an iceberg. Needless to say, many of those migrant workers are underpaid, under physical and mental pressure, and definitely underappreciated and overlooked by the government.

3. Ali Alatas. Because he was one of the greatest diplomats this country has ever had. East Timor aside, he was involved in the peace process of the Free Aceh Movement back in the Megawati era.

4. R.A. Kartini. Because didn't you go to elementary school and learn something about the woman?

5. Of course, Munir. I also don't need to say more about the guy, do I?


What has Obama done for this country, that's all I'm wondering. The statue construction is organized by his fellow classmates in that Menteng school. Oh my. Fanaticism is really something disturbing in this messed up land -- well, archipelago, I'm afraid it will be something that will tear us apart and bring us down.