Taken from ‘Bungklang Bungkling’, ‘Jemet’, a column by I Wayan Juniartha, published in Bali Post, Sunday 13th February 2011. Translated by Putu Semiada.
Jemet (Hard-working)
“Are the Balinese hard-working?” comes a question.
“Of course they are. There are no other hard-working people like the Balinese,” comments I Madé Mayus Makudus (I Madé Big Mouth).
“Look at our Balinese brother who transmigrated to Lampung and Celebes. They changed the wild jungle and hilly areas to rice field and plantation. They even start work at dawn; hoeing, cutting grass, etc. If there hadn’t been Balinese there, the Celebes people might have never known what a good rice field looks like.”
“I’m talking about the Balinese who live on this island. The Balinese migrants, of course, should work hard, otherwise they will never be able to change their life,” comments I Wayan Sinis Kritis (I Wayan Smart But Sarcastic).
“Well, why do you doubt that? I guess that the Balinese who live outside the island are as hard-working as the ones who live on the island. However, what make it different is: the later have too many other obligations,” adds I Madé emotionally.
“Firstly, as they feel that they are the majority on the island, they have to be tolerant to the minority.”
“That’s why so many jobs are ‘given’ to the Javanese and Sasak. The Balinese do not like to ‘compete’ for those jobs. They just let the Javanese and Sasak do them to help them survive, to help them looking after their children and send them to school.”
“Jobs such as cleaning ditches, road pavements, rubbish collector (pemulung), meatball vendors, catfish salad vendors, building workers, bar girls, ‘chartered’ bike drivers (ojek orderan), criminals, all are done by the Javanese.”
“Currently even harvesting and offering vendors are done by the Javanese and Sasak. So we can say that the Balinese are kind-hearted and care for their ‘brothers’ from other island very much,” he continues sarcastically.
He can’t help his tear dropping and cry. He is very touched by his Balinese fellows’ kind-hearted. The other palm toddy association members (krama sekaa tuak) begin to feel touched as well.
“Secondly, the Balinese do not like hurt others nor give instructions to or direct somebody to do something with authority and are too shy to show their abilities.”
“The Balinese do not like doing jobs which involve ‘giving instructions’; it is not because they can not do it, but it is just that they don’t like it.”
“That’s why, professions like hotel general managers all are ‘given’ to the bulés who are probably unemployed in their own countries; professions such as directors, company, restaurant and travel agent owners, as well as art critics are taken by the Chinese and Jakartans.
“You can even have bulés realtors in Bali now. The Balinese just ‘accept’ the situation in which the bulés make a very good living here, can afford to buy cars, own villas and send their children to school in Sydney and London.”
I Madé’s tear is dropping that makes everyone cry. They are all amazed by the humble and kind Balinese.
“Thirdly, the Balinese do not want do any kind of jobs with uncertain reward; a kind of job that make them sweat but very little money. They are smart in which they only take quick and easy jobs but give them big money.”
“That’s why if one has a piece of land, he will lease or sell it; money comes easily. Or if one doesn’t have, he might offer his friend’s, the village property (tanah ayahan desa), the temple’s (pelaba pura) to investor to invest. If necessary, temples and pretima (god statues) will be sold. It looks they are smart; no pain but big money,” adds I Madé’s sarcastically.
Everyone nods happily because now they know that the Balinese are “smart” and “clever” in making a living.
“Fourthly, the Balinese have ‘fighting spirit’, they are ‘nationalist’ and “heroic”. That’s why in relation to “defending our country” or “serving our nation”, the Balinese are number one.”
“No matter how good one’s job is, even with good salary; but when the time comes to “serve the nation” by becoming a civil servant (PNS), one will take the chance no matter whatever it takes. And it is not a problem for one to bribe Rp. 100 million, and sometimes they even fight one another just to be a PNS.”
Suddenly I Madé cries loudly so do the other palm toddy association members as now they realize that the Balinese including them are not just ‘hard-working’ people, but also ‘kind-hearted’ to others, do not like giving others instructions, humble, smart, wise and always ready to defend their country. So being a Balinese is really something.
