‘Thank God I survived a test of life and death’

The Jakarta Post | Tue, 04/29/2008 2:45 PM | 20/20

Effendi Gazali, in the best tradition of the brains behind the scenes, is willing to let others get the lion’s share of attention. The outspoken creator of the political satire Newsdotcom was the long-suffering straight man to a colorful cast of characters. Although the show died a sudden death after cast member Jarwo Kwat was implicated in a financial scandal (probably much to the delight of inept politicians around the country), Effendi returned with a new show, SIKAB, in February (MetroTV replaced Newsdotcom with another satirical program, Demo-Crazy). “We used to believe that this government was truly democratic but now I’m not so sure,” says the 41-year-old University of Indonesia communications professor.

What’s on your mind?

Recently I was imagining Jarwo’s family distressed because of what has happened. I always think of that because I don’t have a family like him, and that maybe things have happened because of me.

Your dream as a young man?

I wanted to be a journalist, and I imagined that I would be at the University of Indonesia. And that’s what happened. I was the winner of a comedy contest in my hometown in West Sumatra, I later came to Jakarta. And then later I ended up doing Newsdotcom.

My best trait ...

I always like to see everything from how others experience it. So, if I see people who are hard or violent, I see it from their perspective, why they are like that. I believe that my type of parody is not the most cutting, because I always see how people like SBY are. I try to have empathy with them.

And my worst ...

I’m a moody person. So, if I see people not doing the work they are supposed to, it ruins my day. It takes a long time for me to get over it.

Craziest thing I’ve done ...

My decision to make a political parody. The first time it was shown, my friends were fearful for me. Yes, I received threats by SMS that my home would be attacked and by e-mail that I would be murdered, but I went on with it anyway.

Friends say I am ...

Someone who solves my problems in my own way. Maybe some people think the new show on MetroTV is a betrayal, but I don’t. We need friends, and I find some of the jokes to be funny.

I would never ...

Throw away garbage recklessly. It’s a simple thing but important. You see people throw out stuff from their luxury cars.

I want to create ...

There are two things. I hope to have my own TV station, which would be run differently from the major stations today. I also want all Indonesians to get their own special university program. I want to find a sponsor to set up a place for all students to be able to call up their friends and go there at night. Comfortable and safe. They could have coffee, relax, without anything like illegal drugs. Sometimes there would be a guest speaker and professors to provide consultations.

What would you like to see on the political front ...

That campaigning would not be carried out with street rallies, but moved to TV and radio, with only occasional community visits by the candidates. And, like in Germany, everybody would be given their chance to discuss their platform on TV. So it would really be about quality. Right now, all the campaigning can only be done through the support of cukong (tycoons), which means the winners owe them something when they get into power.

My happiest moment ...

We were going fishing in Banten when the driver became sleepy and the car rolled over seven times at 2 a.m. in the morning. When we emerged from the car with only a few scratches, we were very thankful to God to have survived this test of life and death.

My favorite journey is ...

To an old castle in Bruges, Belgium. They told us a movie about Dracula was filmed there years ago. It was a very scary sight from the road, but it was so beautiful inside.

The unforgivable is ...

For me, everything is forgivable. Because I think to err is human.

What about those who you believe wronged you recently?

I’m very angry at them but I’m not vengeful. And I always think that everything turns around eventually. Right now, they are in power, but one day they may be the accused. If you do something bad to the public, then it will come back to you.

Regrets?

I’m a person from the regions who tried to make something of himself. It was so difficult during the Soeharto era to achieve something, it took so long. I wish it would have been more open so that more young people would have been given the chance. That is what I regret.

Dream dinner guests?

I wouldn’t hesitate to invite Jon Stewart, from The Daily Show, and then Barack Obama. They both have creative ideas. Jon Stewart always makes things funny even though he may be too sarcastic for Indonesian tastes.

How would you like to die?

If I could choose, at an old age, writing short stories and film scripts. As for something more alarming, I’ve never thought about it. You die, but it’s others who have to face it.

+ Bruce Emond

Illustration Martin Dima

Comments (0) | Post comment

A | A | A |