Fighting Corruption Through Music

VIVAnews – Fighting corruption is not necessarily limited to education or law enforcement. Slank fights corruption in a different way. Through their lyrics, Slank urges young people to stay away from corruption.

Memang kantongku memang kering (True, my pocket is empty)
Jangan menghina yang penting bukannya maling (But, don’t insult me, at least I’m not a thief)
Memang jaketku memang kotor (True, my jacket is dirty)
Jangan menghina yang penting bukan koruptor (But, don’t insult me, at least I’m not a corruptor)

A couple months ago, these lyrics have enraged several House members. So much so, that the House Disciplinary Committee even sent an official protest to Slank. According to its chairman, the lyrics, from Slank’s alblum PLUR (Peace, Love, Unity, Respect), is an insult to the parliament.

Kaka, Slank’s vocalist, said that his band had intentionally put anti-corruption messages in their lyrics. “When we’re on stage, or during an interview, we would always send anti-corruption messages, saying that corruption is a crime,” Kaka told the VIVAnews. 

According to Kaka, Slank has been putting anti corruption message in its lyrics for quite some time. Slank band members Akhadi Wira Satriaji (Kaka), Bimbim, Ivan, Ridho, and Abdee said that they share a common vision and mission with anti corruption institutions.

Slank has been an anti-corruption ambassador for the the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) since 2007. Kaka recalled that two years ago someone from KPK came to band’s place and asked for cooperation. "Whomever asks us to cooperate, we would of course agree,” said Kaka.

Throughout their career, the band has released 16 albums. They usually sing songs about love, nature, the spirit of youth, and social issues. However, songs like Gosip Jalanan (Street Rumors) and Seperti Para Koruptor (Like the Corruptors) have also been successful and became hits despite their unusual themes. 

The band was formed when Perguruan Cikini High School founded Cikini Stones Complex or CSC in December 1993. According to Kaka, since most of their fans are young, he is optimistic that someday these youth will become the champions of anti-corruption

Translated by: Edwin Solahuddin