The Tetuka Adiwira

The Hikayat Negarakrtgama Ihwal Tiga

I try to look back at her gaze. It was heavy, because that pair of eyes was so clear and mesmerizing. But I have to be professional. The woman not only asked for an answer, but also my attention to show how real my answer was.

“Begini Mbak Erika's. Films, literary works and oral narrations are instant ways to present history. There is a lot of truth in it. But we can also both know that the inaccuracy contained far exceeds the truth in it. We cannot rely on things that give a gap to a fact. To compile a fact and truth, of course, the elements obtained in folklore or fiction are quite necessary as a form of perspective and interpretation. But it can't be absolute. For example, this Pitung. Did you know, Ms Erika, that there are actually many versions of this Pitung story?”

I'm very happy to mention his name compared to just ‘anda’. Sounds sweet to the ears.

Erika did not respond or show any signs of response. Those pair of beautiful eyes were still staring at me.

“According to Van Till himself the Pitung was basically known by the Dutch East Indies government at that time as a criminal. Even so, its nature of robbing only the Dutch and their minions and distributing the results of the robbery to the indigenous poor makes Pitung known as Robin Hoodnya Betawi.

“In one of the versions of the oral story, explained that the real name of this Pitung is Salihun. While the name Pitung itself is thought to come from the Sundanese language, namely pitulung, which means ‘ask help or helper’. But it does not stop there, in another version it is said that the Pitung is considered as a group of thieves and robbers who number seven people, not a certain figure. In Javanese, this group is called ‘Pituan Pitulung’. So, the name Pitung comes from the word ‘Pitu’ in Pitulung Pituan earlier which means ‘seven’.

“While for some people who think that Pitung is a real hero, not a group of people, his death is still a mystery. Some say he was shot dead using a gold bullet, there is also a version that says he died because ‘dilaken’ magic because of his hair cut. So, according to me, from here we know that basically the inconsistency of the story about the character of Pitung actually reflects the social rebellion by the Betawi people against the ruler at that time, namely the Netherlands.”

Erika nodded steadily.

“Persis like the current phenomenon, so you mean, Mr Country?” erika said she greeted my explanation excitedly.

“Persis! Society today feel they need ‘liberation’ from the colonization of the nation itself. The society was no longer against the Dutch colonialists, but corrupt officials; economic, social and political instability; to the exalted violence that was everywhere. These things are actually enough to be the reason for the emergence of this superhero figure that will help them to feel safe and free, just like the Dutch colonial era.”

Erika nodded back.

“Honestly, the explanation of this theory is quite interesting, Mr. State. However, my next question, is it that easy for society to suddenly and suddenly create some kind of imaginary superhero character because of the situation they are experiencing today?”

I can't refuse to smile. I can already guess the questions of that beautiful reporter.

Interview and discussion session is over. Erika shook hands with me, the professor of Sociology; a well-known writer in social, cultural and literary fields; and a qualified critic of social problems: Negarakrtagama.

The show aired on television is inevitably played repeatedly on various occasions, both news on the television station, video channels on the Internet, and celebrity gossip shows on other television stations.

The term official superhero is used in all media to replace the term mysterious figure.

Currently, starting from three months ago, the time is estimated to begin the emergence of the phenomenon*superhero*ini, this, I was busy writing a book in sociology about the culture of violence in this nation. A theme that is accidentally similar to the phenomenon of the emergence of the superhero.

Uncommanded, I temporarily dismissed my writing.

Nothing, this suddenly warm and heated issue can be an invaluable treasure as the latest real data for the book I am writing. I had to search through as much data as possible to strengthen my writing. In my mind, the events that are rife in society through modern media will be a real example that people worship violence as a form of problem solver and solution to the problems they face at all times.

How not, in the first month of the emergence of this news, some random events that occurred spread in various places on this island. Incidents*superhero* in cities across the province that stretch along the island successfully attract the attention of the public. Where gangs of robbers who often act breaking into banks, ATMs and gold shop robberies, it was found in a state of severe injury, although not to death.

In another town, three of the robbers suffered broken legs and arms. Lying in a very prominent and attention-grabbing place, downtown!

In two other cities in the same province, gangs, including motorcycle gangs, were reportedly injured and brutally incapacitated while carrying out acts that threatened security. According to witnesses, they were violently and quickly crushed. Several gang members according to eyewitnesses were thrown far in various directions by the movement of an unknown figure. Not only that, all of their motorcycles were destroyed like a tank.

In the capital, for several weeks, people known as thug heads and gangs who are feared even by the police themselves, are found battered by known people. The events of the past few weeks began just a day after a movement of thugs found threatening traders at a shopping center because they were considered to be against and in favor of the local government which is actively supporting the police force in efforts to eradicate thugs and pungli.

The incident that I thought was random at the time did have a red line. Witnesses said they had always seen a mysterious figure who was found to have severely beaten the rioters and lawbreakers. The character of the figure is almost similar. Long pants and wear a jacket with hood or hood. Agilely he jumped here and there with agility while conquering all his bullies easily using his bare hands!