Australia, Indonesia formalizing military diplomacy

Melbourne was still dark, under a light rain and with a temperature of 8 degrees Celsius, but these conditions did not stop thousands of Melbourne residents congregating at the Shrine of Remembrance, a national monument in the town center. It was 5 a.m. and a bugle sounded the start of proceedings.

It was April 25, 2012, the day Australia commemorates Anzac Day. On this day, people pause from their daily lives to remember the fall of 8,000 soldiers of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) at the Gallipoli landings in Turkey, 97-years-ago during World War I.

Nowadays, ANZAC Day has also become a day of public admiration for all Australian servicemen and women, past and present. That is the way Australians value their military services.

A number of young Indonesian Military (TNI) officers — Maj. Agus Yudhoyono; Maj. Frega Wenas and myself, Maj. M. Iftitah Sulaiman S. — have accepted the Australian government’s invitation to visit a number of military establishments as part of the annual Young Future Leaders 2012 program. Apart from being given the chance to see various attractions, there will also be interaction with Australian leadership candidates.

The question is why does Australia — a commonwealth country — want such close military ties, with the aim firmly on future leaders? What are the benefits for Australia and Indonesia?

On July 3,
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Wiro Sableng #42 : Badai Di Parang Tritis

WIRO SABLENG

Pendekar Kapak Maut Naga Geni 212

Karya: Bastian Tito

SIANG ITU laut selatan tampak cerah. Ombak memecah tenang di pantai Parangtritis. Burungburung laut terbang berkelompok-kelompok dan angin bertiup membendung teriknya sinar sang surya.

Belasan perahu tampak berjejer di tepi pasir. Para nelayan sibuk memperbaiki dan membenahi jaring masingmasing untuk persiapan turun ke laut malam nanti. Di tepi pantai, dibawah jejeran pohonpohon kelapa anak-anak ramai bermain-main. Baik nelayan-nelayan maupun anak-anak itu semuanya serta merta memalingkan kepala ketika telinga mereka menangkap suara tiupan seruling yang keras dan merdu. Yang meniup seruling ternyata adalah seorang bocah bertelanjang dada. Anak ini meniup suling bambunya sambil duduk di atas punggung seekor kerbau yang melangkah di sepanjang jalan di teluk.

"Anak si Kantolo itu pandai sekali meniup suling. Mengalahi kepandaian ayahnya...." berkata salah seorang nelayan lalu menyedot rokok kawungnya dalam-dalam.

Ketika anak dan kerbau bergerak menjauhi tepi pasir seorang nelayan berseru, "Bocah pintar! Berhenti saja di bawah pohon kelapa
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