Poet Pulo Lasman Simanjuntak Again Targets Corruption Cases Through Poetry
JAKARTA – Poet Pulo Lasman Simanjuntak from Jakarta has again targeted corruption cases—amidst the increasing number of protests and demonstrations—in Indonesia over the past few weeks through two new poems written in August and September 2025.
“I will reveal the latest corruption case that has named former Minister of Education and Culture Nadiem Makarim a suspect in the corruption case of Chromebook laptop procurement, as well as the sting operation (OTT) of former Deputy Minister of Manpower Immanoel Ebennezer, also known as Noel, by both the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and the Attorney General’s Office. The KPK is currently investigating the alleged corruption case involving the 2014 additional Hajj quota, which involves former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoum,” said poet and writer Pulo Lasman Simanjuntak to reporters in Jakarta on Friday afternoon (September 5, 2025).
Social criticism—accompanied by unresolved solutions—a literary work (read: poetry/verses!) is also the “voice of the people” in the form of inner and spiritual writings from the fingers of a poet who is critical of this nation and state.
“As a poet and writer, I am also concerned about the current state of our country. In the two poems I wrote below, I hope they can represent the conscience of the people of this country,” he said.
He further stated that over the past three years, Pulo Lasman Simanjuntak, also known as a journalist and religious figure, has written numerous poems about the developments in corruption cases in Indonesia, which are said to have cost the state nearly Rp 1,700 trillion.
“I support the students’ agenda to immediately pass the bill on asset confiscation to impoverish corruptors and their families,” he concluded.
Poem
Pulo Lasman Simanjuntak
CORRUPTION IN THE COUNTRY OF FOOTPRINTS
Corruption in the land of our feet has been packaged
into an economic crime
extraordinary
the loss to this nation
infecting poverty
stabbing-
stomachs of the hungry
exploding the voices of the people
in parliament buildings
and security guards
without uniforms
without weapons
fueled by anger
with tear gas
looting is always
accompanied by choruses
clashed on social media
one hundred trillion rupiah throughout the year
one thousand trillion rupiah throughout ten years
can feed
street children
we, on behalf of the oppressed people
still faithfully give alms
under the blazing sun
our bodies crushed
until we have no thumbs
sucking our own blood
for a plate of rice
and a piece of salted fish
that’s all
we have
Jakarta, Friday, September 5 2025
INDONESIA CORRUPTION EMERGENCY
-episode three-
In front of the DPR/MPR building
Today, the people called out with one voice
: Disband the DPR
Confiscate assets from corruption
From a distance,
the clouds are still foggy
I myself
am still
singing political parodies
while continuing to carry the sun
my poems are lying down
due to the spray of live bullets
covered with the shouts of the student masses
Let’s roll down tyranny
on the gallows
Suffering food prices
Taxes are soaring
Soaring into wild sex
With revenge
very high
Hey, where is this country going?
Keep waving the red and white flag
Then together we ask
the thousands of black skies
appearing before the eyes
of greedy people
hypocritical officials
why is corruption happening again
I ask
you must answer
until
when
will
all the myths of this extraordinary crime end
Jakarta, Thursday, August 28, 2025
Biodata:
Pulo Lasman Simanjuntak, born in Surabaya on June 20, 1961. Hundreds of his poems have been published in 7 solo poetry anthologies and 50 collaborative poetry anthologies with poets throughout Indonesia. From 1980 to 2025, his poems have appeared in 23 print media (daily newspapers, weekly newspapers, and magazines) and published (published) in 300 online media (websites) and digital magazines in Indonesia and Malaysia. His poems have also been published internationally, such as in Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, the Democratic Republic of Timor Leste, Bangladesh, and India. He is frequently invited to read poetry at the Jakarta Arts Center (PKJ) Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM) Jakarta, Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI-Jakarta Station), Balai Pustaka Literature Cafe, and several literary community venues in the Greater Jakarta area. Two of his poems, “Writing Poetry for the President Episode Two” and “Meditation on the Stone,” have been adapted into poetic songs by composer and pianist Ananda Sukarlan.
He works as a journalist and lives in Pamulang, South Tangerang City.
Contact: 08561827332 (WA)
Social Media:
Facebook: Bro
Instagram: Lasman Simanjuntak
Tik Tok: Lasman Simanjuntak
YouTube: Lasman TV.
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Contributor: Eykel Lasflorest
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