Perihal penyamun

One unique aspect in the bookcase of my mother that captivated and mesmerized me is the work of Raja Ali Haji, titled "Gurindam Dua Belas," believed to have been created or scattered around 1847. What makes me fond of this "gurindam" is its elusive form, which may be entangled or not. For a "gurindam" with an entangled form, it consists of two rows of traps, containing three to six words in each line with the rhyme scheme a-a.

Some lines together form a concept or idea that can be deciphered. Naturally, "Gurindam Dua Belas" captivated me. When I wrote my novel titled "Koro," one of the triggers or charms to this novel was built through "gurindam." "Koro," published in Indonesia by Penerbit Circa in 2022, and later translated into English by Brigitte Bresson and published by Penguin Random House as "The Koro Riots" (2023), depicts a fictional Republic of Endless Manani under a koro disease where their male members experience sudden erection.

As a political satire, I tried to expose the root of corruption and moral decay among the populace and how the protagonists, the True Patriots, upheld justice and carried out reforms. To convince the public of the existence of this imagined nation, I created a national anthem, history of being occupied by the French, socio-political and economic, borders, and most importantly, this country also has its own cultural heritage, which is "gurindam."

In this fictional republic, "Gurindam Six" is known and remembered by its people. "Gurindam Six" outlines six articles that must be considered by any nation to remain independent, safe from harm, and free from enemy attacks. Of course, I myself cannot explain how the inspiration or idea of "Gurindam Six" came to flow, except that it emerged from past readings, contemplation that took decades to absorb from excellent traditional works.

In other words, in my mind, the idea of "Gurindam Six" formed half-consciously while writing "Koro" in the years 2000 to 2022. It traveled far but eventually returned to the bookshelf next to my mother's. "Gurindam Six" says: "Listen to the plan of a people writing; compose our lamp and lantern; become the "gurindam" if not taken; otherwise, we will be afraid of the nation.

Honesty is required for the government; rules and conditions must benefit the people; four enemies are very harmful; above the people, the government should not impose burdens; even the worst enemy must be fought; the first article states that a country must remain safe and not be raised by haters; even haters come in different types; know all to be labeled as najis; first, the king's messenger makes mischief; like a cat, he commits crimes; like a bamboo, he distorts the people; pressing the people, the king's actions are deceitful; the second article states that the king's conduct is forgetful; he oppresses the people; the king makes false promises; what happened before is now forgotten; the king cannot be trusted; if he can be trusted, his actions must be honest; if the scholars are ignorant, the nation will suffer; if scholars are not alive, the nation will fall; if scholars return as hypocrites, the people will be terrified; if the scholars turn into serpents, the nation will be devastated; if scholars sell their religion, the nation will lose its path; the fourth article reminds the hearing of the king's behavior; the Malay nation, a heavy nation, rejects alcohol; the drunkard's drink is like many types; the drunkard's drink has many flavors; drunkard behavior is very serious; once the prohibition is lifted, the people will be harmed; the drunkenness reported to the people is disgusting; the drunkenness of the Malay people should not be repeated; the serious behavior of the Malay people should be avoided; the Malay people should not be aggressive; the angry Malay behavior should be eliminated; the Malay people should be friendly; refrain from harming the nation; if merchants are dishonest, the nation will be ruined; if merchants follow orders, the kingdom will be sunk; if merchants are rich, the country will be sold; the nation has no weight; if they behave shamefully, the merchants will be sold; the sixth article states that if traders come to trade, the border should be considered; if dishonest merchants appear, the nation will be ruined; if honest merchants sit on top, merchants will steal; if merchants follow orders, the government will be destroyed; if merchants are rich, the nation will be ignored; if the people want change, observe the merchants when they eat; this is the end of "gurindam six" articles authored by Otto Ali in 1263 Hijrah, arrived at twenty-three days of the Syaban month, May 5, at 05.00, in the Republic of Endless Manani.