The Kudu-kudu Paradox

Journalists, in matters of democracy, including regional elections, continued Sujiwo, must have the courage to keep asking questions.

The Chairman of the National Awakening Party (PKB), Muhaimin Iskandar (left), conversed with cultural figure Sujiwo Tejo during the Centennial Seminar of Nahdlatul Ulama in Jakarta on Monday (30/1/2023). The centennial moment of the Nahdlatul Ulama, falling on February 7, 2023, is being utilized by various groups to hold various events welcoming the largest Islamic organization in the country.

Visiting Bengkulu, last Thursday (2/5/2024), cultural observer Sujiwo Tejo found a paradox in the "piece" of food he ate for lunch. At a beachside restaurant, the multitalented artist enjoyed a dish of fried kudu-kudu fish, which he admitted was the first time he had ever discovered it. The soft flesh of box fish wrapped in salted egg really charms the tongue of Sujiwo, who is also known as a puppeteer and actor.

Processed kudu-kudu fish is known as a typical Makassar dish because the box-shaped fish with a hard shell is more commonly found in the waters of South Sulawesi. However, this time the kudu-kudu fish was found in Bengkulu, which is more than 1,900 kilometers from Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi. Kudu-kudu fish (Ostracion cubicus) is relatively rare so its price is expensive. This fish is often thought of as a puffer fish, but in fact the two are different species.

Kudu-kudu fish is box-shaped and has hard skin. Pufferfish have round, spiny bodies and are able to expand their bodies by introducing wind when threatened. What these two fish have in common is that they can produce poison. Kudu-kudu fish produce the poison ostracitoxin or pahutoxin when they feel threatened. Kudu-kudu fish poison is not dangerous to humans so it can be processed into delicious food.

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Sujiwo Tejo, who was born with the name Agus Hadi Sudjiwo, also called the kudu-kudu fish a paradox. It's ugly with a square body and tough skin, but its flesh is ueenaakk.” It is poisonous, but can be eaten deliciously, as long as you don't break the liver, because it will affect the taste of the meat. In fact, the meat of the kudu-kudu fish may no longer be enjoyed.

"The fish I enjoyed yesterday, the kudu-kudu fish, had a life full of paradoxes, just like humans. When I was processing it, I was told not to let its heart burst. It's like a woman, if her heart is hurt it can affect her surroundings. It's no longer comfortable," said the author of a dozen books, speaking at the 2024 Election Coverage Workshop, organized by the Press Council in Bengkulu on Friday (3/5/2024).

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

Artist Sujiwo Tejo, who was present and listened to the Chief of Indonesian National Police Police General Listyo Sigit Prabowo's End of Year Release in the Rupatama Room of the Indonesian National Police Headquarters in Jakarta on Wednesday (27/12/2023).

Human life is full of paradoxes, which are interpreted as seeming to contradict each other, although in reality they contain truth. Elections are referred to as a democracy party: of the people, by the people, for the people. However, in reality the people do not choose. The people have already been chosen by political elites or political parties. The people only choose what has already been chosen, including in the upcoming regional elections. The people cannot reject what has already been chosen, and can only choose what they prefer. This is the paradox....

Journalists, in matters of democracy, including regional elections, according to Sujiwo, must have the courage to continuously ask questions and question the various paradoxes in life. "I am still a journalist because until now I still regularly write and am published in the media," said the man born in Sumenep, Madura, East Java.

A paradoxical life should constantly bring up various questions and statements from journalists. Journalists will never run out of questions to uncover the truth and facts of something paradoxical. "Life is a paradox. So, keep asking," said Sujiwo. (TRA)