Dalton Tanonaka: Advice for what it's worth

Nobody asked me, but I hereby offer my few rupiah worth of advice to make Indonesia a more liveable and likeable place to call home.

My suggestions come with sincere respect, some more serious than others, but all with a genuine desire to improve the quality of life in the country that gave the world Java Man and Anggun.

1)  Street musicians must be able to play their instruments

I was excited to see a young man stroll up to my car strumming a ukulele, which originated in my Hawaiian birthplace. But as the window slid down and the music flowed in, it was immediately clear that he was not playing a Blue Hawaii solo. He wasn't even playing Bengawan Solo.  I made a vow right then to double the amount I give to anyone who uses the ukulele as more than a prop.       

2) Do away with "fiskal" tax

What was once a way to discourage Indonesians from making shopping trips to Singapore has now become a major drag on the country's international growth.  The Rp 1 million fee on every resident who leaves the country is downright silly.  Those who can afford Orchard Road aren't stopped by it. 

And those who can bring benefits to Indonesia, such as students and overseas workers, are the ones getting pinched.  Get rid of it.  And if the government needs to replace the lost revenue, impose a much smaller fee and make it apply to everyone departing.

3) Make drinkable water a national priority

Is it too much to ask public servants to provide residents with the most basic element of life?  I can't think of a more important project that would be such a huge step forward for this country than drinkable tap water.  Focus on it, spend the money required, and the savings in health care costs alone in the years to come would more than make up for the capital investment. 

And it would also be a tremendous psychological boost for Indonesians yearning to climb up out of a Third World rut.

4) Promote Jakarta's “pleasure factor

There isn't a single major attraction that makes Jakarta a desirable visitor destination. Monas?  Nice from far away.  The National Museum?  Not even close to Taiwan's or the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.  The Jakarta Zoo featuring all the hundreds of unique species in this country?  Jakarta has a zoo? 

To snag tourist revenue and create jobs, industry leaders should be promoting what the city does best.  A current global trend is the "spa" experience.  Ads should tout "The best 90-minute foot massage you'll ever get for US$8.80" at places like Pondok Indah Mall's Wellness Reflexology. 

Or spotlight the cool jazz scene that is surprisingly abundant. 

The Java Jazz Festival has become a musical mecca for musicians around the world.  And visitors will find hot artists like Tompi onstage and in the audience at the newly-opened BlackCat Jazz Supper Club in Senayan. 

And then there's golf.  Not many cities can offer a round at a private club for $20, including a beauty queen caddy who knows the course. 

People need reasons to come, and there's no greater draw than personal pleasure.

5) Require flight attendants to wear batik

Though others lay claim to it, batik is Indonesia's gift to the textile world.  So why is a neighboring airline's "Singapore Girl" an icon among international travelers?  Besides sterling service, it's her colorful, form-fitting batik dress. 

I realize flag carrier Garuda has more serious problems to solve, but a simple and cheerful image-building move would be to get the men and women back in batik.  Get master fashion designer Iwan Tirta to lend his talent and name to the line.

6) Enforce motorbike laws regarding multiple passengers

I cringe every time I see a mother holding her baby with one arm on the back of a motorbike.  An adult takes a calculated risk on a two-wheeler, but a baby is at the mercy of parents.  And everyone's seen the "family plan" roll by much too often - kid in front, dad, another kid, and mom clutching toddler.  Police need to stop this dangerous practice. 

7) Make Nyepi a monthly holiday

Shades of Lebaran.  Driving on the Hindu holiday was such a joy.  No six lanes of vehicles on four lanes of road.  No need for an in-car toilet on the tollway.  No 80-year-old grandmas or 6-year-old boys thumbing for jockey money.  Declare a monthly "Nyepi Monday" and just watch your road rage blood pressure plummet.

8) Do away with the two-cheek kiss

We lose enough time in traffic (see above).  Imagine if everyone puckered up for the obligatory hello peck on only one cheek?  That's a 50-percent efficiency gain!  People would be late less often.  You'd get less Ibu makeup smudged on your face.  And if you need to compensate for the intimacy loss, do what I plan to do: Go straight for the lips.

Hawaii native Dalton Tanonaka is the co-anchor of Metro TV’s  Indonesia Now program, seen on Friday nights at 7:30 p.m.  He can be reached at dalton@metrotvnews.com.

Home