REVIEW OF RADIO SORERAM IN SURYADI'S WORK

by Tressi A Hendraparya
rioembeer@yahoo.com
 
Since its establishment in 1990, Radio Soreram Indah (RSI) was still struggling in the effort to obtain permit to broadcast on FM. Nevertheless, the struggle to develop the Malay culture through radio broadcasts still continue to be maintained and developed in accordance with the motto "Developing Malay Culture". "I am proud to have worked there". 
 

 The following is an article about Radio Soreram on Suryadi's work is Reviewed by Kara Lawton and  Edited by Priscilla Penate.
"SURYADI (2005) ; Identity, Media and the Margins: Radio in Pekanbaru Riau (Indonesia), Journal of Southeast  Asian Studies, 36 (1), 131 - 151"
The Suharto regime in Indonesia forced the country’s diverse ethnic population to identify with one unified, nationalistic culture. Since the Reformation Era or zaman Reformasi began in 1998, regionalism has become a major aspect of political, economic and cultural life. Suryadi examines the expression of regional identity in private radio programs and its effect on the, “national culture-under-construction in post-Suharto Indonesia.” The study examines how locals identify themselves through the electronic media, primarily through radio programming.

Suryadi conducted fieldwork in Pekanbaru, Riau in 1999 and 2000. The study is based on his fieldwork, continued observation of media developments since the fieldwork was completed, and a case study at Radio Soreram Indah (RSI). His research focuses on the audio-visual media and the radio programs that use regional languages and cultural discourse.  Located close to Singapore and  Malaysia, the Riau province receives programming from both international and domestic media. Suryadi frequently focuses on Malays, an ethnic group struggling for cultural and national identity, and especially influenced by international media.

The author presents an in-depth political, economic and cultural description of the province and Malays. The article also includes a detailed history and the status of Indonesian television and radio, particularly in Riau. Radio is the strongest media presence in the country and represents more regional languages than other mediums. Unlike television, radio provides a forum to voice dissent and, “has considerable subversive power against the state.”  

 Pekanbaru residents consider RSI a trademark of local culture. The station generates considerable advertising revenue. Popular RSI programs air readings of audience-composed poems, host commentary, guest storytellers and regional music requested by listeners (played from cassettes). They broadcast in the local language or dialect of the show’s target audience, which range from Malays, Minangkabau and by social class. RSI’s programming changes to appeal to emerging ethnic groups like Gendang Ocu and Ranah Minang Maumbau.

 Local Riau radio programs target specific ethnic groups. The different languages and dialects they broadcast promote listeners' desire for a local cultural identity distinct from the previously imposed national one. This development allows for greater expression of regional identity and pride, but increases the tension between different ethnic groups in Riau. Local communities now realize they have a presence within the media.  According to Suryadi, the local content embraced by Pekanbaru audiences demonstrates radio’s potential to help protect traditional culture from the effects of globalization. The study gives a comprehensive overview of radio broadcasting's cultural impact in Indonesia.

a Book : ONDERAFDEELING BAGANSIAPIAPI

COUNTRY'S LARGEST FISH PRODUCER IN THE WORLD

 This book tells the story of Onderafdeeling Bagansiapiapi conditions, an entity in the Rokan River Estuary reaches heyday as the country's largest fish producer in the world in the era of the Dutch East Indies. Starting from the arrival of Chinese sailors around the year 1875 (Vleming), which with a wealth of natural resources fish fauna in the Rokan estuary, Strhength of human resources, capital and political developments in the Area East Coast of Sumatra, making Onderafdeeling Bagansiapiapi into an area that developed and developing countries on track cross the Straits of Malacca. Nevertheless, fishing is not the only livelihood for residents, also recorded Rubber plantations, copra and coloring economy Pinang joined the population, ranging from "Hulu Sungai" Rokan to "Hilir" region. Onderafdeeling Bagansiapiapi divided into three sub-districts, namely the Bangko,  Tanah Poetih and Koeboe Sub-district, inhabited by Malays as the indigenous people of this region. The interesting thing is, on the book cover shows the image of the Port Bagansiapiapi the Year 1924, which was a trading port and bustling Fisherman. As for his condition at the present time has been changed to the mainland by a dense residential population. This condition is according to Butcher (1996) one of which is suspected due to the silting that occurs in Rokan estuary that has been going on since 100 years ago, when deforestation in upstream areas of rivers as a logical consequence of meeting the needs of large quantities of wood for the development of fish industry and housing development .

Author : Tressi A.Hendraparya
Publisher  : Soreram Media
                 Jalan Putrinilam No.51 Pekanbaru 28128 - Indonesia
                 Contact Person: 0813-7134-5316
Printed by : PT.Pekanbaru Grafika
159 pages,  20 x 14 cm
ISBN: 978-602-9968-0-7
September,  2011
rioembeer@yahoo.com 

RELATIONSHIP AND SOCIAL PATTERN IN BAGANSIAPIAPI

Observation in 2003 - 2006

This study is an assessment of inter-ethnic social relations in Bagansiapiapi. Bagansiapiapi chosen due to the background history of this city and social development of the post is so rapid regional expansion. This study uses qualitative methodology, "thick descriptive"  as suggested by Geertz.

By Tressi A.Hendraparya
rioembeer@yahoo.com

Boundaries of ethnic groups is the determining characteristic of his own group that received by other groups and can be distinguished from other population groups (Narroll, 1964). In other words, socially ethnic groups is as a social order, which can be recognized by recognized by other groups. In situations of social systems that required extensive positive bonding relationships between ethnic groups, and usually depends on the complementary nature of culture. These conditions can be assumed to lead to mutual dependence or symbiosis (Batrh, 1969). This condition is a potential for the continuation of the integration process.

As commonly associated with the integration in a social system, the people will always be in a situation to integrated rather than conflict. Such differences are reflected in the symbolic order which is often quite sharp is a boundary or barriers towards integration of the process itself. Especially in ethnic....... ect

Writing work in progress...