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110 | The Activist
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2024-10-29 19:42:56I faintly heard Vincent Limantoro's name being shouted. Apparently, the villagers of Saltyville asked Amelia's eldest brother to give a speech. I thought it is appropriate for a candidate for mayor to assert himself in front of the oppressed citizens.
"Looks like you were summoned," I said.
"Yes, I think so," replied Vincent.
Vincent then turned to one corner of the stage and called the committee. He asked him. It seemed that the committee has the authority to set the schedule.
"How? Can I give my speech now?" asked Vincent.
The committee rushed to ask their colleagues for consideration, then said they agreed. Vincent was invited to come on stage to give a speech. But only 15 minutes. Vincent agreed.
Vincent also said goodbye to us and stepped into the center of the stage. I could see her confidently in the sea of people in Saltyville Square.
After giving a boringly trivial remark, Vincent then got to the heart of his speech. He fir
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In the Name of the Sacred Tree 111 | The Activist 2
In the midst of the excitement of Vincent Limantoro giving a speech about his family, Santos suddenly opened his mouth. He confirmed Vincent's story about Benjamin.Santos started talking again about the nostalgia of being a student. When the left palm was clenched in the air. When a human child was not afraid to die. When the campus really becomes a localization for young intellectuals.But now, said Santos, the campus has been reduced to a factory that produces capitalist men.I was offended because I was the only one who was still a student among the Ryg's members.“Back in the 70s and 80s,” said Santos, “Shu Benjamin was a student when he was one of the loudest critics of the New Order.”Yes, I still could not believe that Shu Benjamin - who was a quiet Wigan Chinese - was an ex political activist."Until the end, the New Order government became angry and injected political movements on campus to death," continued
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 112 | Mastermind
Listening to stories from Big K and Santos about Benjamin Limantoro's heroism amazed me. You see, Benjamin was a quiet person and did not talk much. But who would have thought that he was once a respected activist?In fact, he had principles that he still holds today. Not cooperating with the government. Moreover, the Surabaya government, led by Mayor Jamaal Alrasheed. Because of that, the garment business was just like that, never getting rich.Even so, it actually amazed me. Benjamin's children had become humble Chinese in the villages of Wigan and Certajava.I remembered Amelia Limantoro. How was she? Should I send her a message? She was already staying with me when I was in shock that my house was attacked.But now I was with her brother, Vincent Limantoro, who is giving a speech on stage."What are you thinking?" Kacey suddenly startled me."It's okay," I said, "I'm just admiring the Limantoro family.""Yeah, I've heard about Ben
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 113 | Mastermind 2
"He is the leader of the Surabaya mafia," said Gerald, looking straight into my eyes, "you are from Surabaya, but you don't know him. Very weird?""I'm not one to get involved in that sort of thing," I said defensively.In fact, in my mind, I wanted to say that Brody was my uncle. However, I still could not believe that the two corpses are Uncle Brody's men. Were the two people really ordered by my uncle, or did they act alone?"Yeah, you're more suited to just playing music," said Gerald sarcastically.“Then what do the police know about this Brody?” I asked."Do you really want to listen?" asked Gerald, still looking into my eyes as if suspecting something."Yes, of course, tell me," I replied.Gerald then explained that his old man was the most powerful person in the underworld in the city of Surabaya. The thugs in this metropolitan city even submit to him."If that one person has said something, it will happen,"
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 114 | Mastermind 3
“Yes, two mafia leaders were fighting over a baby girl. But that was just a story circulating on the streets. Not necessarily true," said Gerald.But somehow, I felt otherwise. I felt the rumors about it were true. But I did not know. Maybe it was just my feeling."Are you guys done?" Kacey asked, suddenly breaking my confusion."Yes, can we go now, Gerald?" I asked."Please," replied Gerald, still looking at me intently.Kacey and I packed up our things and got ready to leave. Just turning around, Gerald called out to Kacey."Miss!" called Gerald."Yes!" Kacey replied."I'm sorry I didn't greet you earlier because of this terrible case," said Gerald, "you're right, Kacey Scielhort, aren't you?""Yeah, that's me," Kacey replied, "Is something wrong?""No," said Gerald, "please send my regards to Mr. Torstein.""Okay, but how do you know my father?" Kacey asked.I also had the same thoughts as K
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 115 | Prejudice
Kacey and I finally returned backstage. There, friends are still enjoying music and art and cultural performances by the villagers of Saltyville.I just parked the car, and Kacey immediately jumped out of the car and rushed to near the stage. Apparently, there was a puppet show by Mr. Wayan.When Kacey and her friends saw the puppet show, I didn't see Mr. P and Matt. Where were they? Did they find something that interests them?Just let them have fun.I then joined Big K, Santos, Cole, and Vincent, who turned out to be talking again. When I approached, I found they were talking about money laundering.According to Vincent, the Rasheed family received bribes from various groups ranging from officials to businessmen to smooth political careers as well as giant government projects.It was just that, Vincent continued, this was just a guess and could not be proven. However, the indications of corruption are very clear. Then he wondered why the I
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 116 | Prejudice 2
We then continued to enjoy the arts and cultural performances performed by the residents of Saltyville Village. Shortly after, Mr. P and Matt appeared to reveal themselves."Where have you been?" I asked."We were just playing around a bit," said Mr. P."He went back to the brothel to go to 'school', he said," said Matt, who was immediately slapped by Mr. P."I told you not to say anything," said Mr. P, furious.My friends laughed at that."No wonder you look cleaner. Just took a shower, huh?" quipped Tiffany."Damn!" grumbled Mr. P.But wait, who was Mr. P 'school' with. Did not let Zoey be the teacher. Oh no! I did not want Zoey with Mr. P playing teacher-student."Wait, who did you go to school with?" I whispered to Mr. P."I was going to spend all my money on that girl who sings well," said Mr. P.I started biting my own teeth."But she's been with by a fat man with curly hair," complained Mr. P.
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 117 | Greed
I thought I was thinking hard about everything that's happened to me lately that I fell asleep in Gary's car.It felt like the closer I got to Saltyville, I felt as if I was being dragged into a maelstrom of power I couldn't find a connection with."Come on, I'll take you home," said Kacey."Thanks," I replied, "but I still don't want to go home.""Do you want to go somewhere?" Kacey asked."I don't know, let's just go home," I changed my mind. "Besides, we have to pack up to get ready to leave for Brazil tomorrow morning.""I think you're right," Kacey replied.We then moved to Kacey's red Mazda. She handed me the car keys, and I drove the car off-campus.Along the way, Kacey never stopped talking about how amazed she was at the unique culture of the Saltyville coast. I could understand that because Kacey has been abroad for a long time and did not know the native culture."I didn't think Saltyville would be evicted by
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 118 | A Superhero
"HEY, wanna talk to something else?" Kacey asked."Yeah, just light stuff. My head is already full of confusion," I said."Shall we chat about a movie?" asked Kacey again."Sure. What movie?" I answered.“What do you think about superhero movies?” Kacey asked."About what?" I asked back."About gender stereotypes," Kacey said.Ouch!According to Kacey, in 2017, the cinema universe was packed with mainstream superhero genre films based on giant comic publishers DC Comics and Marvel.There were recorded six feature films with superhero themes. However, of that number, there is only one film that features female-led superheroes (superheroines), namely Wonder Woman.Even more ironic, said Kacy, in the last two decades or so, there had only been three solo superheroines comic versions made on the big screen. They include Catwoman (2004), Elektra (2005), and Wonder Woman (2017).In the same period, tr
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In the Name of the Sacred Tree 283 | The End
News of my arrest spread rapidly and wildly - from surrender, twisted by the Indonesian Herald by forced arrest. The wave of mass demonstrations was getting bigger in Surabaya.Until one day, a man was demonstrating alone carrying the body of a woman in the Surabaya House of Representative building yard which was recorded by television broadcasts. A moment later, he poured gasoline over his body and the old woman's body. Then, he started a fire which quickly burned himself and the body he was carrying.Everyone knew that he was Mr. Wayan who intended to show his protest by presenting himself and his wife in front of the people's representatives. He had a desperate on the government.When that happened, I was in the detention room.All the prisoners present stood up to learn of Wayan's self-immolation on television. I thought the prisoners would kill him for being the instigator of this distressing incident. Apparently, they even cursed the authorities. Th
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 282 | The Black Mask Movement
Julia then revealed that her pregnancy was actually from my seed. Therefore, Julia asked in return whether it meant that the child she was carrying was a bastard child too. That was why Julia was forced to accept Gerald's marriage proposal to cover my disgrace.I asked Julia why she hadn't said that earlier. Julia admitted that she had tried but was afraid to ruin my happiness. At that time, I received a phone call from Quinn if I was appointed as Hendryx's replacement at The Boumerank. Besides, I was already a famous person. Julia was afraid of damaging my image and defaming Bradley.I also asked how could this happen? Julia reminded me of when I lay in the courtyard of a closed Middle Eastern restaurant. That night, I forced Julia to make love to vent my frustration.I asked why Julia didn't refuse or fight me. Julia admitted that if she fough
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 281 | The Bastard
When my mother found out that I wrote a book, she could only cry. I softly asked Lidia again. Lidia admitted that she did not want one of her loved ones to be lost in front of her again.Lidia finally told how Bradley disappeared. At that time, Brad and George were advocating for Saltyville residents not to be evicted by the government. The reason at that time was the same, namely the eviction of the brothels. The goal was to control coastal land to build an industrial complex.Bradley struggled on the pitch staging protests, while George, a journalist, struggled through writing. Because George's writings were considered threatening, he was hunted down by a group of unknown people. George during the New Order era was more famous than Bradley because of his profession as a critical journalist.One day in February 1998, a group of people dressed i
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 280 | Saltyroth Rhapsody
I visited Aisha at her palace at Royal Certajava. There, I asked Aisha if it was true that the Rasheed's were eyeing a new source of oil in Saltyville. Aisha said she knew, but was not involved.I asked, why didn't Aisha try to block her family's intentions? There were thousands of people living on the land of Saltyville. Aisha replied that she was only a Muslim woman. She had no power to decide. I accused Aisha of enjoying the result.Aisha started crying, telling me this was not what I accused her family of. I asked, then how exactly. Aisha replied she couldn't expose it.Then, I clashed with Aisha by accusing her of being hypocritical because she pretended not to know what was going on. We both mourned each other and move away from each other.So it was with Kacey.
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 279 | Investigation
Knowing that I again urged my mother to talk. However, Lidia did not budge. Then, I said goodbye and would find out for myself and continue Bradley's struggle. Lidia strictly forbade my intention. But I was determined.Based on clues from Brad's book and Zoey's notes, I and Amelia, with Vincent's help, discover the mode of money laundering by the Rasheed and Schielhort families. Bribes to and from Jamaal, Syahnaz, Fatima, and Malloch, were deposited through the CLIF Foundation and Islamic boarding schools and houses of worship as a form of charity.Besides, some were used to establish Islamic boarding schools in Jombang and Madura. This was done by asking one of the pesantren students to be used on his behalf. That way, the Rasheed and Torstein families were not legally touched. An example was Bowie.While tracing this dirty practice, I continued to experience terror.Exploring further to Jakarta, I also discovered a flow of money to state officials. The
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 278 | Bradley's Diary
The next day, I asked my mother, Lidia, about Saltyville in more detail. The village elders refused to talk about it unless Lidia had already told me. And how did Bradley relate to all of this? But Lidia refused to talk about Bradley and Saltyville.I insisted that I read old documents at the Dr. Sue Thompson Regional Hospital. The document stated that there was the name of Lidia Tanoto, who gave birth to twins without a father. Lidia didn't budge.I was not broken. Then, I rushed to the warehouse of my house. I unpacked old chests and suitcases that were there. Every old document I read to find what I looking for. But, actually, I didn't know what I was looking for. I only knew Bradley and Saltyville.Then there was a clean pocketbook, tied with ropes from torn cloth. I opened it slowly because the book had rotted with age. In the book, apparently, Bradley wrote his daily life up to three days before mysteriously disappearing.In the book, Brad wrote abo
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 277 | Burning Revenge
After Brody investigated, it was Troy who was about to collect Zidan's debt from Jamaal. Troy told Jamaal that Zoey was somewhere in Newton and would kidnap her as bail. Shortly after, there was an IMD raid into the Guysville prostitution complex that left three people dead.We said Brody - referring to himself and Troy - concluded that the mastermind behind the brothel attacks was the Rasheed's. Brody also revealed that the most responsible behind Calliope's past to bring down Jamaal was Vincent. I was surprised.Brody added that Vincent found out from Zidan. And the Zidan was pretending to be angry and running away from the house so as not to stand out, that he was the one who leaked it.I also asked, how did Zidan know if Calliope was Zoey aka Melody? Well, therein laid the mystery. Who told Zidan? Said Brody.I further asked why Brody was willing to let Zoey go to me. Brody answered because I was his nephew.Then, I was reminded of Troy. Actual
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 276 | Climax
Then, suddenly the rumor spread that Vincent Limantoro was a descendant of communists. Vincent's family said the issue once defended Saltyville because they wanted immorality to continue in Saltyroth. George Limantoro was touted as a dissident against the regime.Shortly, Mayor Jamaal announced three villages, not two, whose citizens were asked to leave immediately. The problem was, the three villages would be evicted by the authority in a couple of days. The three villages were Saltyville, Wigan, and Certajava. For Saltyville in particular, the eviction would be the next day.Those facts made me even angrier. I ignored Brody's advice to remain silent. At a concert that refused the eviction in Saltyville, I participated in openly voicing my rejection of Jamaal.At that concert, I was no longer wearing Che's robes. I wanted the world to recognize me and the voices I represented.Then hundreds of IMD masses suddenly attacked Saltyville. There were clashes b
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 275 | Dangerous Teror
It was Santos. To me, Santos confessed that he and other service officials travel to Singapore for a comparative study on the construction of city parks also the cleanliness rules. He gambled in his spare time. At first, I understood Santos's reasons.We then talked about music and other things. We didn't have much time together because Santos had to leave, while Quinn and I went back to the hotel.The next day, I had a concert with Boumerank. As usual, the atmosphere is always lively. After that, we all returned to Indonesia.Day by day, Zoey's life began to improve. I had also kept his promise to fulfill Zoey's dream of becoming a singer.However, when everything seemed fine, I and Zoey were suddenly hunted down by strangers. They demanded me and Zoey shut our mouths or be killed. Zoey and I at first thought it was someone from Zoey's past.In the midst of her popularity, news spread that Calliope was a former drug addict and prostitute with the
