Indonesia’s both improving and at the same time, decreasing.

For improvements, you could see it from the macro economic side. The Jakarta Composite Index has been increasing, reaching all-time high records. The USD-IDR exchange rate now is better, touching the 8000s.

However, things goes worst for freedom and corruption. Take a look at a plan to censor ALL the porn sites on the net by our newest, seems-to-be-an-extreme-Arab-trying-to-ignore-that-Indonesia-is-not-an-Arabic-country-by-tweeting-Arabics-constantly-like-crazy technology minister. The plan is controversial among all netizens of Indonesia. The war has begun, and there are also some people who were shouting AGAINST the plan. The implementation sucks, even several ISPs don’t know what to do when the implementation was going to be started at the beginning of Ramadan. And when it was executed, some NEWS websites are blocked. This is getting quite insane and ridiculous.

Next thing: Some extremist group who’s been describing themselves as a pressure group, terrorizes people and their freedom of religion. Let’s just the name bluntly, it’s FPI (Front Pembela Islam, translated as Islamic Defender Front). Their violent act has begun since 1998, the year of which it was created. If you’re reading Indonesian, this not-so-full list could make you pray and said thanks for not living in fear in Indonesia. This is a nasty picture, so beware:

I've warned you. This is FPI's victim.

And having 12 years of anarchy, our beautifully-arranged governments simply sit and do nothing. They should at least put the dear-leader of this damned group, Habib Rizieq behind the bars. And FPI simply said, “it’s not us, it’s just another person doing things in the name of FPI.” AND HOW COULD YOU EXPLAIN THAT FREAKING LONG LIST OF YOUR DOINGS??

Enough said about FPI. Let’s take a look at the good things now. 4 corrupt ex-Deputy-Governor of Bank of Indonesia has been released from their sentences. They was sentenced in 2008, and sentenced either 4 years or 4 and a half years in prison. And today, they were released. One of them is Aulia Pohan, our rhetorical President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s relatives. They’re getting remissions and remissions. Good enough news to celebrate Indonesia’s 65th year.

However, if you wanted A LOT of REAL, good news from Indonesia, then I suggest this website for you. However, their layout quite sucks, as there are some html codes flying all over their website. But their site will really gave you a different perspective of Indonesia.

Alright, let’s continue all those good news from here.

Our rhetorical President, while failed to impress the public on the state of the union speech on August 16th, has impressed the whole Indonesia by trying to sell his album. Yes, you’ve seen it correctly. Our President got an album, which is claimed to be sold successfully, according to the President’s spokesperson. Anyone could sold their album, however the President is selling his album on his own personal official government website, which caused a stir here. Almost all of the netizens (especially twitter users) have opposed this.

The next thing: Despite the empty rooms and meeting halls, our parliament’s attendance list was almost full. That’s great. And even if they came to their office, several of those respectable parliament member were caught sleeping, or blackberry-ing their fellas, or anything else. And those same guys were the one who almost ripped the government’s cash of Rp50,000,000,000 (equal to 6 million dollars, approximately) with their so-called aspiration fund. While in reality, the productivity of those parliament members is very low. If they could have a manager above them, all of them will surely be fired from their office.

Well, that’s the great news today. See ya later.

Well, not in all case.

The case is simple; don’t argue with other person when you’re in front of me. It makes me sick, you attention-lover.

Take this one particular case. When I was boarding in the Changi Airport, going back to Jakarta, there’s this one person in front of me, complaining why the plane was late. (Actually, I like the sound of the plane being late. Gives me time to buy Burger King AND ate it).

Here’s how it goes, about that man whining against the innocent employee of the said low-cost carrier airline:

Is the plane late? Where’s the plane? WHERE’S THE FREAKING PLANE? This airline’s service sucks! It always goes like this! Every time I’m flying with ******r, the plane was always late! ALWAYS!

And as someone who’s BEHIND him, hearing all his whining and nonsense, I couldn’t wait to start an argument. But then, I didn’t.

Like, if you’re whining in front of the employee, would that make the plane land faster? Is it a grace that they realized a technical difficulties on their plane, and they delayed the plane? What if the plane was NOT delayed, however the plane crashes somewhere in Bukit Barisan and we all die safely to heaven?

If you don’t like their lateness, how about spending a little more of your money and take a Singapore Airlines instead? Some people said that beggar couldn’t be chooser, and that’s true to the extent that chooser should have a lotta money.

That’s one. Another thing?

Seeing my mother asks my father for a really mundane thing, and my father suddenly transformed into BOTH a defensive form and an offensive form. For example, just this night, my mother asks, “Does my car’s insurance could be used with a 3rd party?” or something to that effect, and my father replies, “I don’t know about your car. I DON’T KNOW ANY SINGLE THING ABOUT YOUR CAR.”

And at that moment I realize that this could turn into a large-scale epic battle between Angels and Demons, so I decided to break The Da Vinci Code and turn on the radio, switch it to Hard Rock FM, and turn up the volume so that if they were to argue, I couldn’t hear them.

After that? What do I do?

Lagunya bagus. (Nice song!)

That was what I said. And the silent goes. I saved the day. Yay.

So, if you were to argue, don’t do it in front of me. I’ll find a big enough speaker and turn the volume all the way up, and it would be a really nice song.

So I decided to post a list of places in Singapore, where I’ve been and where I haven’t.

Been there:

• Chinatown. Almost all the times, I stayed here when I came to Singapore. Nothing much to explore though, it’s just almost the same with Glodok (Jakarta’s Chinatown), however the architecture is unique here. Chinatown is located at the south of Singapore River. Some sources says that the south is intended to traders and merchants from China, and the north is for the European settlements. Some merchants are here, and there are also several shopping centers, like People’s Park Center and Complex, and also Chinatown Point.
• Orchard Road. A must visit, even though you don’t like to shop. Several ice cream uncles are standing by in front of high-rise buildings on Orchard Road, selling Singapore-style ice cream sandwiches. The last time I went to Singapore, everyday I always took an MRT to Orchard Road to just taste the ice cream. Sounds crazy, eh? Also check out the shopping centers. Some of the notable stores are Takashimaya, Kinokuniya (books), Wheelock, Wisma Atria, Paragon, and the newest one: ION Orchard. Don’t worry about missing ION Orchard if you come by MRT; you definitely won’t miss it.
• Little India. From cheap stores to Singapore’s only 24-hour shopping mall, Little India has a lot to offer. The foods here are cheaper than the rest of the islands (however it still can’t beat NUS canteens ), and also several backpackers’ hostels are here. The last time I was in Singapore, I stayed in Little India. There’s also a famous temple here, Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, and several other temples and mosques. A hint: NEVER TAKE A TAXI if you want to go to here. It will cost you about SGD10 from Chinatown to Little India, which is really expensive, considering that they’re on the same stretch of roads, and it will only take you a single bus ride. *yeah, I was a victim*
• Singapore Science Center. It’s a bit far from the city, but on a 710 km2 island, it’s not really far. There are many interesting attraction there, and it changes quickly. I don’t remember anymore what’s there, because the last time I’ve been there was like 3 years ago.
• Suntec City and around. There are several malls around Suntec City and Marina Centre, like Citylink, Marina Square, Raffles Place, and Esplanade (yeah, I know this is NOT a mall, but whatever). And should you come to Suntec City, don’t miss the Fountain of Wealth, the largest fountain in the world. It is really big.
• Bugis. Bugis is the largest street market in Singapore. From shirts, snacks, to even sex shops (yeah, those things are in Singapore.. openly), it is a place for you to start bargaining at cheap things. But many things concerned, there’s no interesting merchandise there, except a “Singapore is a fine city” shirt, which is practically sold anywhere on the island.
• and several other places, such as NUS, NTU, Marina Barrage (don’t ask me how I ended up there), Clarke Quay, Boat Quay, etc. Maybe you’re interested to take some picture near Raffles’ Landing Site. There are some unique buildings there.

Wanna there:

• Singapore Flyer. World’s largest ferris wheel, but very expensive. A $30 half-hour ride sounds expensive and boring, if you’re going there alone.
• Jurong Bird Park. There should be a lot of birds there, and maybe a good park to spend half a day there. But usually I don’t have time to go there, because each time I went to Singapore, I only spend 3 days there. Maybe I’ll go there next time.
• Sentosa Island. Trust me, I’ve never been there. People says that “If you haven’t gone to Sentosa, then you haven’t gone to Singapore.” I really hope this doesn’t applies to me. Besides, there’s not any single interesting thing to visit in Sentosa Islands before Universal Studios opened there. Maybe the next time I’ll drop by there.
• Lau Pa Sat, and Newton Hawker’s Center. It is a shame that I’ve never been there, considering that I REALLY LOVED Singapore’s food (except Nasi Padang; I’ve had enough of them), and I would really love to go there. And my problem is just that I’m also really lazy to go there. Considering that the places required some walk from MRT station (Lau Pa Sat), or the place is located out of the city (Newton’s Hawker Center). The next time, hopefully I could pay a visit.
• …and all another places that I failed to mention now.

That’s from me. How about you? Have you been to Singapore? Any places to recommend?