Iwan Fals, born Virgiawan Listanto on 3 September 1961 in Jakarta, is a cha… Read Full Bio ↴Iwan Fals, born Virgiawan Listanto on 3 September 1961 in Jakarta, is a charismatic Indonesian singer/songwriter and remembered as Indonesia's the most dangerous singer on the '80s and '90s.

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.

Surat Buat Wakil Rakyat
Iwan Fals Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Untukmu yang duduk sambil diskusi
Untukmu yang biasa bersafari
Disana di gedung DPR

Wakil rakyat kumpulan orang hebat
Bukan kumpulan teman teman dekat
Apalagi sanak famili

Dihati dan lidahmu kami berharap
Suara kami tolong dengar lalu sampaikan
Jangan ragu jangan takut karang menghadang
Bicaralah yang lantang jangan hanya diam

Dikantong safarimu kami titipkan
Masa depan kami dan negeri ini
Dari Sabang sampai Merauke

Saudara dipilih bukan di lotere
Meski kami tak kenal siapa saudara
Kami tak sudi memilih para juara
Juara diam juara he eh juara hahaha

Untukmu yang duduk sambil diskusi
Untukmu yang biasa bersafari
Disana di gedung DPR

Dihati dan lidahmu kami berharap
Suara kami tolong dengar lalu sampaikan
Jangan ragu jangan takut karang menghadang
Bicaralah yang lantang jangan hanya diam

Wakil rakyat seharusnya merakyat
Jangan tidur waktu sidang soal rakyat
Wakil rakyat bukan paduan suara
Hanya tahu nyanyian lagu "setuju"

Wakil rakyat seharusnya merakyat
Jangan tidur waktu sidang soal rakyat
Wakil rakyat bukan paduan suara
Hanya tahu nyanyian lagu "setuju"

Wakil rakyat seharusnya merakyat
Jangan tidur waktu sidang soal rakyat
Wakil rakyat bukan paduan suara
Hanya tahu nyanyian lagu "setuju"

Wakil rakyat seharusnya merakyat
Jangan tidur waktu sidang soal rakyat

Wakil rakyat bukan paduan suara
Hanya tahu nyanyian lagu "setuju"

Overall Meaning

In Iwan Fals's song, "Surat Buat Wakil Rakyat" ("Letter to the People's Representative"), the songwriter addresses the members of the House of Representatives in Indonesia, urging them to use their voices to represent the people, rather than their own personal interests. The lyrics speak of the disillusionment that the people feel towards their elected officials, who are seen as a group of powerful individuals who are distant and out of touch with the citizens they should be serving.

The song begins by recognizing the power that the members of the DPR (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat) hold, as a group of influential individuals who hold great responsibility to the people. The chorus repeats the message that it is the people's hope that their representatives will use their voices to speak out on behalf of the citizens and not remain silent. The people are requesting that their representatives, who are traveling extensively, carry their messages with them and use those opportunities to speak out, as their voices hold great power.

The second verse of the song calls upon the representatives to be more grounded in their roles, and not go to sleep during sessions. The song emphasizes that the role of the representatives is to serve and represent the people, and not just blindly conform to the music of the majority. Therefore, they should use their power to voice the opinions and concerns of the people, who have selected them as their representatives.

Overall, "Surat Buat Wakil Rakyat" encourages the members of the House of Representatives to remain true to their role as servants of the people and to use their voices to advocate for the people's well-being, and not simply nod along with the rest of the assembly.

Line by Line Meaning

Untukmu yang duduk sambil diskusi
This is for you who sit and discuss.

Untukmu yang biasa bersafari
This is for you who frequently go on safari.

Disana di gedung DPR
There in the Parliament building.

Wakil rakyat kumpulan orang hebat
Representatives of the people are great individuals.

Bukan kumpulan teman teman dekat
They are not a group of close friends.

Apalagi sanak famili
Let alone family members.

Dihati dan lidahmu kami berharap
In our hearts and on our tongues, we hope.

Suara kami tolong dengar lalu sampaikan
Please listen to our voice and convey it.

Jangan ragu jangan takut karang menghadang
Don't hesitate, don't be afraid, even if obstacles come your way.

Bicaralah yang lantang jangan hanya diam
Speak loud, don't just keep silent.

Dikantong safarimu kami titipkan
We entrust our future and the future of this nation to your travel bag.

Masa depan kami dan negeri ini
Our future and the future of this country.

Dari Sabang sampai Merauke
From Sabang to Merauke.

Saudara dipilih bukan di lotere
You were not chosen by a lottery.

Meski kami tak kenal siapa saudara
Although we do not know who you are.

Kami tak sudi memilih para juara
We refuse to elect champions.

Juara diam juara he eh juara hahaha
Champions just keeps quiet and laughs.

Wakil rakyat seharusnya merakyat
Representatives of the people should represent the people.

Jangan tidur waktu sidang soal rakyat
Don't sleep during sessions related to the people.

Wakil rakyat bukan paduan suara
Representatives of the people are not a choir.

Hanya tahu nyanyian lagu "setuju"
Only knowing the song "approve".