He was popular for his gritty-witty ballads accentuated on life of Indonesia's marginalized groups or political satire on the troubled Indonesian social/political scene under Soeharto. His socially aware hit-songs including: "Oemar Bakri" tells about teacher, "Lonteku" is a love story between a criminal and a prostitute, and "Wakil Rakyat" is about members of parliament.
After Reformasi movement on 1997 which leads to democratisation he was a kind of losing the edge for political satire, but his mature musical experience keeps him on Indonesian pop chart with inward-looking songs and songs about personal relationships.
Dan Orde Paling Baru
Iwan Fals Lyrics
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kelurahan
Banyak orang yang kehilangan
pegangan
Perlu pemimpin yang demokratis tapi
bertangan besi
Kata seorang tokoh yang baru
sembuh dari sakit
yang mimpin
Yang penting kebutuhan hidup yang
wajar terpenuhi
Kelaparan kemiskinan dan
pengangguran masih terjadi
Ya banyak orang yang hidup dibawah
garis kemiskinan
Kota besar menjadi magnit
Karena televisi mengiming imingi
Yang jelas rakyat butuh pendidikan
Tapi pendidikan yang didapat adalah
rongsokan
Soal kesehatan sulit didahulukan
Sebab bisa makan sehari sekali saja
sudah hebat
Jangan tanya soal sandang dan papan
Loakan dan kontrakan lah jadi
jawaban
Juga kolong jembatan
Kapan ya bisa kembali normal
Karena memang keadaan ini tidak
normal
Itu sebabnya bermunculan
paranormal
Seperti jamur dimusim hujan
Tutup lubang gali lubang
Falsafah hidup jaman sekarang
Sebenarnya sih dari jaman dulu
Dari jaman orde lama, orde baru
Dan sampai sekarang ini
Jaman orde paling baru
KKN berkembang biak sampai
kelurahan
Banyak orang yang kehilangan
pegangan
Perlu pemimpin yang demokratis tapi
bertangan besi
Kata seorang tokoh yang baru
sembuh dari sakit
KKN berkembang biak sampai
kelurahan
The lyrics to Iwan Fals's song, "Dan Orde Paling Baru," describe the state of society in Indonesia. The pervasive corruption, known by the acronym KKN, has spread even to the local levels of government, leaving the people without a sense of stability or direction. The singer asserts that what is needed is a leader who is both democratic and strong, able to navigate the treacherous waters of politics and actually make a difference in the lives of those they govern. The themes of poverty, hunger, and unemployment also feature prominently in the lyrics, highlighting the stark realities faced by many in the city. Education is another issue that the singer touches on, lamenting the prevalence of sub-standard education that only serves to perpetuate the cycle of poverty.
The singer's tone is one of frustration and resignation, as if they have seen it all before and are convinced that things will never change. The repeated refrain of "KKN berkembang biak sampai kelurahan" underlines the pervasiveness of corruption, which seems to infect every level of society. This is a song of social commentary that cuts to the heart of the issues that have plagued Indonesia for decades. It is a call to action, a plea for leaders who are genuinely committed to improving the lives of their people.
Line by Line Meaning
KKN berkembang biak sampai kelurahan
Corruption, collusion and nepotism spread like wildfire even to the smallest administrative unit
Banyak orang yang kehilangan pegangan
Many people feel lost and hopeless
Perlu pemimpin yang demokratis tapi bertangan besi
We need a leader who is democratic yet has a firm hand in dealing with corruption and injustice
Kata seorang tokoh yang baru sembuh dari sakit
According to a figure who has just recovered from sickness
Sementara rakyat tidak perduli siapa yang mimpin
Meanwhile, the people don't care who leads them
Yang penting kebutuhan hidup yang wajar terpenuhi
What's important is that their basic needs are met
Kelaparan kemiskinan dan pengangguran masih terjadi
Hunger, poverty, and unemployment are still rampant
Ya banyak orang yang hidup dibawah garis kemiskinan
Yes, many people live below the poverty line
Kota besar menjadi magnit karena televisi mengiming imingi
Big cities become magnets because television promises a better life
Yang jelas rakyat butuh pendidikan tapi pendidikan yang didapat adalah rongsokan
Clearly, the people need education, but the education they receive is secondhand
Soal kesehatan sulit didahulukan sebab bisa makan sehari sekali saja sudah hebat
Health concerns take a backseat because being able to eat once a day is already considered an achievement
Jangan tanya soal sandang dan papan, loakan dan kontrakan lah jadi jawaban juga kolong jembatan
Don't ask about clothes and shelter, a rented room or bridge underpass will suffice
Kapan ya bisa kembali normal karena memang keadaan ini tidak normal
When will things go back to normal when the current situation is already abnormal?
Itu sebabnya bermunculan paranormal seperti jamur dimusim hujan
That's why paranormal activities are mushrooming like in the rainy season
Tutup lubang gali lubang
Stop making the problem worse by creating new problems
Falsafah hidup jaman sekarang sebenarnya sih dari jaman dulu dari jaman orde lama, orde baru dan sampai sekarang ini jaman orde paling baru
The philosophy of life nowadays is actually the same as in the past, from the old order, the new order, and up until now in the latest order
KKN berkembang biak sampai kelurahan banyak orang yang kehilangan pegangan perlu pemimpin yang demokratis tapi bertangan besi kata seorang tokoh yang baru sembuh dari sakit
Corruption, collusion and nepotism spread like wildfire even to the smallest administrative unit, and many people feel lost and hopeless. We need a leader who is democratic yet has a firm hand in dealing with corruption and injustice, according to a figure who has just recovered from sickness.
Contributed by Sophie I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Gusti Nu Suci
on Mungkin
Jangan jangan semua nya sudah gila termasuk saya, mungkin