Thursday, February 14, 2008

PEOPLE: Wahidin Halim


A zealous mayor, sweeping all before him

Multa Fidrus
The Jakarta Post, Tangerang

When Wahidin Halim was elected Tangerang mayor in October 2003, no one could have predicted that he would go that extra mile to develop the municipality, create clean governance, uphold the law and clear liquor and prostitution from the city.

Despite facing intense criticism and the threat of lawsuits, the mayor, known as "WH" locally, continues to pursue his vision of a more moral society through controversial regulations that ban alcohol and prostitution.

"We shall go ahead and punish any violations," he said, adding that his administration was prepared to face the consequences that might result, including class-action lawsuits by disgruntled locals.

The regulations were not of his own making, but merely the wish of the people, as represented by the municipal council, he said.

The antiprostitution regulations became a national issue after the administration tried 31 people charged with violating them.

The misdemeanor trial was held in public at the city hall in conjunction with the celebration of the municipality's 13th anniversary on Feb. 28.

Lilis, 34, the pregnant wife of an elementary school teacher was caught, along with 26 other women, by public order officers enforcing the prostitution regulations, as she waited at the side of the road for a public minivan.

But the woman, who pleaded not guilty, was unable to prove to the court that she was not a prostitute. She could not show her identity card nor she could present her husband or members of her family to testify in her support during the trial.

Her "prostitute-like" appearance convinced judge Barmen Sinurat to dismiss her explanation and fine her Rp 300,000. She was held in custody because she could not pay the fine and was released three days later.

Commenting on the case, Wahidin said the regulation upholds the dignity of women; criticism must have been orchestrated by groups out to exploit women to satisfy their own vices.

Religious and community leaders have praised the mayor for his efforts and urged the authorities to be forceful in their enforcement of the regulations because they believed that no religion allows prostitution or the excessive consumption of alcohol.

The municipal council endorsed the regulations on Nov. 21, 2005. The liquor bylaw bans the distribution and sale of alcoholic drinks, except in three-, four- and five-star hotels and designated restaurants for on-the-spot consumption.

Violators can face imprisonment of up to three months or a fine of up to Rp 50 million. Article 4 in the bylaw on prostitution bans people, either in public places or locations visible to the public, from enticing others, either by words or signals, into acts of prostitution.

It also bans public intimacy, hugging and/or kissing that is deemed to trigger passion, either in public places or places visible to the public such as hotels, restaurants or entertainment centers. Violators may face up to three months in prison or a fine of Rp 15 million.

Since the regulations are capable of multiple interpretations, the administration has been preparing a draft containing instructions for its technical implementation.

Wahidin, a sibling of foreign affairs minister Hasan Wirayuda and the father of three from his marriage with Niniek Wahidin Halim, began to make significant changes across the municipality just 10 months after he became mayor.

Within three months, the public praised him for his assertiveness in returning roads, pavements and riverbanks to their proper use. He also named publicly nine industrial firms that were judged to be polluting the environment.

Five months later, Wahidin told all administration employees to wear Muslim garb every Friday, while non-Muslims could continue to wear civil servant uniforms as normal.

With the clothing requirement, Wahidin wants to remind his staff to stick to the vision of the akhlakul kharimah (religious, responsible and honest) leadership he initially committed himself to.

Wahidin is not the type of a leader who simply sits behind a desk in his office, barking orders at his staff. He often makes unannounced visits on foot, meeting and talking to local people, students, schoolteachers or traders at markets and listens to their complaints.

"Wahidin is a capable organizer, regulator and communicator; that's the reason why a leader like him is needed," movie director Garin Nugroho commented on the dust jacket of a book written by Wahidin, adding that an important element in leadership was the support that grows from the grass roots.

Wahidin, avoiding formality, always appears exactly as he is, treating all he meets as friends, and is always in good humor with a joke ready. None of his staff, journalists or whoever meets him feel uncomfortable in his presence because Wahidin always makes them laugh.

He is the first regional administration leader to have spent 42 percent of the administration's total budget in 2005, and 49 percent this year, on improving education.
"How can we create high-quality human resources if we ignore the educational infrastructure and other supporting facilities?" he said.

He made an agreement with private investors to obtain low-interest loans repaid under an installment scheme, with total investment reaching Rp 228 billion, to renovate 221 damaged schools last year.

To enable citizens to voice their aspirations, and to identify emerging problems, Wahidin has also initiated "SMS democracy" in cooperation with a local newspaper. It publishes daily information from the community sent via cell phone text messaging (SMS).

However, not all of Wahidin's policies have been accepted. His proposal to relocate all amusement centers in Karawaci was opposed, and he has postponed it for the time being. His plan to eliminate becak (pedicabs) from several main streets was also opposed by becak drivers.

Born in 1954 in Pinang village, which was formerly part of Cileduk district, Tangerang municipality, Wahidin has spent all of his life there. He declined to move to the mayors' official residence on Jl. Daan Mogot.

Walking barefoot every day to elementary school in Pinang and junior high school in Cileduk was his habit because his father, a schoolteacher, could not afford to buy a bicycle for the young Wahidin.

He finally got a bike after he started senior high school in Tangerang, continuing his studies at the University of Indonesia. After graduation, Wahidin was elected the first village head with a university diploma, in 1978.

The young Wahidin married soon after he was became a civil servant in 1979. In the early 1980s, he was promoted to the position of district administration chief at Ciputat (twice) and Tigaraksa.

By late 2002, he became Tangerang municipal administration secretary and a year later was elected mayor.

Wahidin has acquired much organizational experience as chairman of many community groups. As manager of Tangerang regency's Persita and Tangerang municipality's Persikota football teams, he has placed a priority on education.

He established the Nurani Kami Foundation, which regularly gives scholarships to 150 poor school and university students each year.

A gubernatorial seat now awaits Wahidin; he has promised to announce his willingness to be nominated as a candidate by the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) in June, in order to compete in the Banten gubernatorial election in November. (April 29, 2006)
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Keladi Tikus Obat Kanker

Keladi Tikus Obat Kanker

Kanker Bukan Lagi Ancaman

Penyakit kanker sudah tidak lagi jadi ancaman yang mematikan bagi kehidupan manusia sebaba para penderita kanker kini memiliki harapan hidup yang lebih lama dengan ditemukannya tanaman “Keladio Tikus” (Typhonium Flagelliforme/ Rodent Tuber) sebagai tanaman obat yang dapat menghentikan dan mengobati berbagai penyakit kanker dan berbagai penyakit berat lainnya.

Tanaman sejenis talas dengan tinggi maksimal 25 sampai 30 cm ini hanya tumbuh di semak yang tidak terkena sinar matahari langsung. “Tanaman ini sangat banyak ditemukan di Pulau Jawa,” kata Patoppoi Pasau, orang pertama yang menemukan tanaman itu di Indonesia.

Tanaman obat ini telah diteliti sejak tahun 1995 oleh Prof Chris Teo K.H, yang juga pendiri Cancer Care Penang dari Universiti Sains Malaysia. Lembaga perawatan kanker yang didirikan tahun 1995 itu telah membantu ribuan pasien dari Malaysia, Amerika, Inggris, Australia, Selandia Baru, Singapura, dan berbagai negara di dunia.

Di Indonesia, tanaman ini pertama ditemukan oleh Patoppoi di Pekalongan, Jawa Tengah. Ketika itu, istri Patoppoi mengidap kanker payudara stadium III dan harus dioperasi 14 Januari 1998. Setelah kanker ganas tersebut diangkat melalui operasi, istri Patoppoi harus menjalani kemoterapi (suntikan kimia untuk membunuh sel, Red) untuk menghentikan penyebaran sel-sel kanker tersebut.

“Sebelum menjalani kemoterapi, dokter mengatakan agar kami menyiapkan wig (rambut palsu) karena kemoterapi akan mengakibatkan kerontokan rambut, selain kerusakan kulit dan hilangnya nafsu makan,” jelas Patoppoi.
Selama mendampingi istrinya menjalani kemoterapi, Patoppoi terus berusaha mencari pengobatan alternatif sampai akhirnya dia mendapatkan informasi mengenai penggunaan teh Lin Qi di Malaysia untuk mengobati kanker.

“Saat itu juga saya langsung terbang ke Malaysiauntuk membeli teh tersebut,”ujar Patoppoi yang juga ahli biologi.

Ketika sedang berada di sebuah toko obat di Malaysia , secara tidak sengaja dia melihat dan membaca buku mengenai pengobatan kanker yang berjudul Cancer, Yet They Live karangan Dr Chris K.H. Teo terbitan 1996.

“Setelah saya baca sekilas, langsung saja saya beli buku tersebut. Begitu menemukan buku itu, saya malah tidak jadi membeli teh Lin Qi, tapi langsung pulang ke Indonesia ,” kenang Patoppoi sambil tersenyum.

Di buku itulah Patoppoi membaca khasiat typhonium flagelliforme itu. Berdasarkan pengetahuannya di bidang biologi, pensiunan pejabat Departemen Pertanian ini langsung menyelidiki dan mencari tanaman tersebut. Setelah menghubungi beberapa koleganya di berbagai tempat, familinya di Pekalongan Jawa Tengah, balas menghubunginya.

Ternyata, mereka menemukan tanaman itu di sana. Setelah mendapatkan tanaman tersebut dan mempelajarinya lagi, Patoppoi menghubungi Dr. Teo di Malaysia untuk menanyakan kebenaran tanaman yang ditemukannya itu.

Selang beberapa hari, Dr Teo menghubungi Patoppoi dan menjelaskan bahwa tanaman tersebut memang benar Rodent Tuber. “Dr Teo mengatakan agar tidak ragu lagi untuk menggunakannya sebagai obat,” lanjut Patoppoi.

Akhirnya, dengan tekad bulat dan do’a untuk kesembuhan, Patoppoi mulai memproses tanaman tersebut sesuai dengan langkah-langkah pada buku tersebut untuk diminum sebagai obat.

Kemudian Patoppoi menghubungi putranya, Boni Patoppoi di Buduran, Sidoarjo untuk ikut mencarikan tanaman tersebut. “Setelah melihat ciri-ciri tanaman tersebut, saya mulai mencari di pinggir sungai depan rumah dan langsung saya dapatkan tanaman tersebut tumbuh liar di pinggir sungai,” kata Boni yang mendampingi ayahnya saat itu.

Selama mengkonsumsi sari tanaman tersebut, isteri Patoppoi mengalami penurunan efek samping kemoterapi yang dijalaninya. Rambutnya berhenti rontok, kulitnya tidak rusak dan mual-mual hilang. “Bahkan nafsu makan ibu saya pun kembali normal,” lanjut Boni.

Setelah tiga bulan meminum obat tersebut, isteri Patoppoi menjalani pemeriksaan kankernya. “Hasil pemeriksaan negatif, dan itu sungguh mengejutkan kami dan dokter-dokter di Jakarta ,” kata Patoppoi.

Para dokter itu kemudian menanyakan kepada Patoppoi, apa yang diberikan pada isterinya. “Malah mereka ragu, apakah mereka telah salah memberikan dosis kemoterapi kepada kami,” lanjut Patoppoi.

Setelah diterangkan mengenai kisah tanaman Rodent Tuber, para dokter pun mendukung Pengobatan tersebut dan menyarankan agar mengembangkannya. Apalagi melihat keadaan isterinya yang tidak mengalami efek samping kemoterapi yang sangat keras tersebut. Dan pemeriksaan yang seharusnya tiga bulan sekali diundur menjadi enam bulan sekali.

”Tetapi karena sesuatu hal, para dokter tersebut tidak mau mendukung secara terang-terangan penggunaan tanaman sebagai pengobatan alternatif,” sambung Boni sambil tertawa.

Setelah beberapa lama tidak berhubungan, berdasarkan peningkatan keadaan isterinya, pada bulan April 1998, Patoppoi kemudian menghubungi Dr.Teo melalui fax untuk menginformasik an bahwa tanaman tersebut banyak terdapat di Jawa dan mengajak Dr. Teo untuk menyebarkan penggunaan tanaman ini di Indonesia .

Kemudian Dr . Teo langsung membalas fax kami, tetapi mereka tidak tahu apa yang harus mereka perbuat, karena jarak yang jauh,” sambung Patoppoi. Meskipun Patoppoi mengusulkan agar buku mereka diterjemahkan dalam bahasa Indonesia dan disebar-luaskan di Indonesia.

Dr. Teo menganjurkan agar kedua belah pihak bekerja sama dan berkonsentrasi dalam usaha nyata membantu penderita kanker di Indonesia. Kemudian, pada akhir Januari 2000 saat Jawa Pos mengulas habis mengenai meninggalnya Wing Wiryanto, salah satu wartawan handal Jawa Pos, Patoppoi sempat tercengang.

Data-data rinci mengenai gejala, penderitaan, pengobatan yang diulas di Jawa Pos, ternyata sama dengan salah satu pengalaman pengobatan penderita kanker usus yang dijelaskan di buku tersebut.

Dan eksperimen pengobatan tersebut berhasil menyembuhkan pasien tersebut. “Lalu saya langsung menulis di kolom Pembaca Menulis di Jawa Pos,” ujar Boni. Dan tanggapan yang diterimanya benar-benar diluar dugaan. Dalam sehari, bisa sekitar 30 telepon yang masuk. “Sampai saat ini, sudah ada sekitar 300 orang yang datang ke sini,” lanjut Boni yang beralamat di Jl. KH. Khamdani, Buduran Sidoarjo.

Pasien pertama yang berhasil adalah penderita Kanker Mulut Rahim stadium dini. Setelah diperiksa, dokter mengatakan harus dioperasi. Tetapi karena belum memiliki biaya dan sambil menunggu rumahnya laku dijual untuk biaya operasi, mereka datang setelah membaca Jawa Pos.

Setelah diberi tanaman dan cara meminumnya, tidak lama kemudian pasien tersebut datang lagi dan melaporkan bahwa dia tidak perlu dioperasi, karena hasil pemeriksaan mengatakan negatif.
Berdasarkan animo masyarakat sekitar yang sangat tinggi, Patoppoi berusaha untuk menemui Dr. Teo secara langsung. Atas bantuan Direktur Jenderal Pengawasan Obat dan Makanan Departemen Kesehatan, Sampurno, Patoppoi dapat menemui Dr. Teo di Penang. Di kantor Pusat Cancer Care Penang, Malaysia , Patoppoi mendapat penerangan lebih lanjut mengenai riset tanaman yang saat ditemukan memiliki nama Indonesia .

Ternyata saat Patoppoi mendapat buku “Cancer, Yet They Live” edisi revisi tahun 1999, fax yang dikirimnya di masukkan dalam buku tersebut, serta pengalaman isterinya dalam usahanya berperang melawan kanker. Dari pembicaraan mereka, Dr. Teo merekomendasi agar Patoppoi mendirikan perwakilan Cancer Care di Jakarta dan Surabaya.

Maka secara resmi, Patoppoi dan putranya diangkat sebagai perwakilan lembaga sosial Cancer Care Indonesia , yang juga disebutkan dalam buletin bulanan Cancer Care, yaitu di Jl. Kayu Putih 4 No. 5, Jakarta , telp. 021-4894745, dan di Buduran, Sidoarjo.

Cancer Care Malaysia telah mengembangkan bentuk pengobatan tersebut secara lebih canggih. Mereka telah memproduksi ekstrak Keladi Tikus dalam bentuk pil dan teh bubuk yang dikombinasikan dengan berbagai tananaman lainnya dengan dosis tertentu. Sumber (Milis Alumni Smandel)

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