Advantage of Smoke in Indonesia

The Advantage Smoke In Indonesia

By Akbar Wasisson

The number of smokers in Indonesia has increased over the years. Although, they know if smoking is very harmful to their health, but people are still smoking. This is reasonable because cigarettes are addictive. Smokers prefer to risk their health by smoking. However, smoking does not only endanger the smoker itself, but also all those around the smoker. They inhale the smoke from a cigarette that spread everywhere through the air. Although cigarettes are very harmful, cigarettes are also beneficial for the country. Therefore, the government of Indonesia should still keep the cigarette still exist in Indonesia.

       Smoking will harm another person just by inhaling the smoke. Studies have shown that second-hand smoke kills. Besides that, secondhand smoke or passive smoker causes heart disease and stroke. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), “used smoke can be unsafe from numerous points of view. For example, it influences the heart assault and stroke in non-smokers. A few examinations have connected SHS (secondhand smoke) to mental and enthusiastic changes, as well. For example, a few investigations have demonstrated that presentation to SHS is connected to side effects of sadness. More research is expected to better comprehend the connection between SHS and emotional well-being.” It means that being near a smoker, people who do not smoke can get effect because passive smokers are more dangerous in health problems than active smokers.

      Smoking can be useful to put a person into ease, especially when a person is feeling under pressure. in contrast, other people claim that smoking is not dangerous. Because it will heal human stress and pressure which will also affect a good physical health. In fact, according to health journal Nicotine and Tobacco research “smokers face fatigue and boredom in working 34% faster than non-smokers. Smoking can also cause mood changes, anxiety disorders, and depression. Research in the UK showed that 65% of people who face anxiety disorders are smokers.”  In addition, smoking also supports the economic development in Indonesia. It happens because there are many people who work in the cigarette company.

    Smoking is not about health, but also in the economic aspect. In fact, the cigarette company help Indonesia's government to reduce unemployment and give a big contribution to Indonesia’s GDP. We can not deny the fact that there are many people work in cigarette companies. According to Minister of Industry Saleh Husin during a visit to PT. Gudang Garam Tbk, Kediri, East Java said that "The industry involves a workforce of up to 6.1 million people and has become part of our nation's history and culture, especially clove cigarettes,". If the tobacco company in Indonesia is closed, then the worst scenario that will happen very much because many workers in cigarette factories are women. They could be a laundry worker or another job whose income is not as much as being in a cigarette factory.

The government of Indonesia still keeps the cigarette still exist. In general, I think the world would be a better place for creatures without cigarettes but, we can not judge if we banned smoking in this world. Because cigarette is like a pair of shoes, can not be separated from humans. Cigarette support to the economic development in Indonesia. It happens because there are many people who work in the cigarette company. It means that cigarettes also gives a benefit in this country. Besides, bad things from cigarettes.

Beef Cheek Rendang

Beef Cheek Rendang

By Akbar Wasisson

What’s your favorite curry?  Maybe you will say Jalfrezi and Dhansak from India?  Thinking further east, there are two wonderfully aromatic curries besides India, the first is Thai curries fragrant with lemongrass and lime tempered by luscious coconut and Japanese curries are sweet and fruity. Now if you were to ask me what my favorite curry is, I would have no doubt in saying Rendang. In various culinary International festivals, Europeans often look for Rendang as a culinary to taste. At first, Minangkabau people used to wander everywhere. Therefore, Rendang was made because people of West Sumatra needed a cuisine that can be brought wherever they go for more than two months. Besides, it was used as cuisine stocks of Hajj people because it took for months to go to Mecca. In addition, many people don’t know that Rendang has some uniqueness that makes it well-known. 

Firstly, Rendang has a difficult cooking method. Cooking Rendang is quite difficult because it needs a real acquisition of someone to create the typical taste of Rendang. If we only cook it with small fire then it will just be a meat curry. If the cooking process is not completed or half-baked then it will just be a Kalio, whereas when we cook it a little bit longer then it will be a Rendang. Because of that, cooking Rendang needs a long time, it is around 3-4 hours to make the flavors soaked out perfectly. In cooking Rendang, we must use coconut milk in order to get the tasty taste that is made by the fat that is contained in the old coconut. One thing that should be prioritized in making Rendang is stirring the coconut milk which is done continuously until the Rendang blackish colored.

Secondly, Rendang has a special characteristic of its taste. As we know, Rendang is a typical food from West Sumatra. So, it is made with Indonesian traditional flavors such as onion, ginger, salt, etc. But most of the people don’t know that Rendang is also made with Indian flavors such as red chili, coriander, and garlic that were gotten from Gujarat sellers. This kind of collaboration brings a unique taste that differentiates Rendang and other Sumatran traditional foods. Europeans also love Rendang because its taste has a particular combination between Eastern Europe and Indian special taste. Because of its unique taste, Rendang can be served with any side dishes, especially eggs and omelets. Rendang is usually mixed with sweet potato, that is cut into small pieces and dried. By its special characteristic of taste, Rendang is claimed as the most delicious traditional food in Indonesia.

Thirdly, Rendang has a uniqueness that is not owned by other foods because Rendang can last up for 2 months without having heated anymore. It is really suitable for overseas students or students who are eager to save money. The longer Rendang is stored, the better Rendang we will have. Rendang can be that long-lasting because it is cooked with natural herbs that consist of an antiseptic essence such as garlic, red onion, ginger, and galangal. Therefore, they can kill pathogenic bacteria and become a natural preservative. No wonder, Rendang can be stored for months. That’s why Rendang is unique and different from other traditional food in Indonesia.

From all those explanations, we know that its difficult cooking method, its special characteristic of taste and its long-lastingness are the reasons why Rendang is an unique food from West Sumatra. Those also the reasons why many people around the world love Rendang and claim it as one of the delicious foods in the world.