Pak Harto Loves Bang Ben's Jokes

Benjamin Sueb (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

JAKARTA - The typical joke of the legendary Betawi artist, Benjamin Sueb is hard to forget. Bang Ben doesn't just rely on his antics and quirky style. Each of his humor is often shrouded in social criticism. The problem of Jakarta until the New Order. His fans are diverse. From commoners to officials. Even President Soeharto and his wife, Siti Hartinah alias Bu Tien.

Suharto once challenged Benjamin to a joke at TMII. Bang Ben is not afraid. It appears as it is. This appearance made Suharto fond of Benjamin's jokes. Benjamin is the complete artist ever. In addition to comedy, he is known for various other images, ranging from musicians, actors to directors.

His productivity in his work is second to none. He has released approximately 73 music albums, which are insanely diverse in genres. However, one thing that makes his music long-lasting and widely remembered is his foresight to include a touch of Betawi typical gambang kromong as an identity in each of his songs.

It is the same in the Indonesian film industry. He has planted his nails as a well-known actor and director by producing more than 53 film titles. His ability as a top-notch public figure becomes even more convincing. The touch of Betawi culture that upholds antics is the secret.

Betawi culturalist Masykur Isnan agrees with this. Armed with Betawi culture, Benjamin's ability in comedy is increasingly honed. Anything can be used as fuel for people to laugh out loud. Yes, although the content of the joke is purely criticism. From the life of the Betawi people in Jakarta to the performance of the New Order government.

“His comedic abilities are more or less influenced by the culture of Bang Ben's homeland: Betawi. This means that being a Betawi child, you should enjoy life. Which means that every problem he faces is considered a comedy in life. Roughly speaking, Betawi people are used to laughing at life. That spirit is adopted by Benjamin in each of his works.”

Benjamin Sueb (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

"So Bang Ben's level of antics looks natural. Without contrived. He said anything could be funny. Therein lies the genius of Bang Ben as a comedian. Not to mention that every joke is always infiltrated, if there is no moral message, then criticism. His courage to throw criticism through comedy cannot be doubted. If Bung Karno ever gave the advice that life must live a life of pericoloso, then Bang Ben should be in the main line. It's only natural that Bang Ben is called a legendary comedian," said Masykur Isnan when contacted by VOI, November 11.

Take for example the film he has starred in, Benjamin Tukang Ngibul (1975). The film by Nawi Ismail was used as a creative field by Benjamin. In the film, Benjamin contributed to creating satire against the New Order government.

The question is how in the New Order era everyone who expressed an opinion or disagreed with the government, especially Suharto, would deal with the authorities. Benjamin freely plays the character of Benny the kibul.

Benny's figure is considered by Bang Ben as a voice medium. Benny is told as a young man who is forced to continue to cheat in order to survive in the midst of the vicious life of the capital city, Jakarta. Benny's figure also illustrates the stark difference between the poor and the rich.

“Benny is just one of the cases that we find in the film Benjamin Tukang Ngibul whose job is indeed full of deceit. Benny is just a case that gradually becomes a phenomenon that in our daily life is full of deception. Most of the people in this country seem to have taken it easy on 'cheating' so there is absolutely no feeling of guilt or guilt for doing it.”

"Look at our leaders who so lightly 'cheat' in front of their people about their achievements at both the regional and national levels, but there is something paradoxical in everyday life, the gap between the rich and the poor is widening," he explained. Subagio S. Waluyo in the book Menatap Bangsa Hoax: A Note on Good Governance Enforcement (2019).

Come on in front of Suharto and Mrs. Tien

Suharto and Mrs. Tien (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

His comedic style is what makes Benjamin rise to fame. In his eyes nothing is taboo. All broken. Therefore, the Betawi language is also popular throughout the country. The fans are growing. So are his fans. Tien's mother is no exception. The wife of the New Order leader, Suharto.

Bu Tien really idolizes Benjamin's typical jokes. Moreover, when the soap opera Si Doel Anak Sekolahan (1994) premiered on a television station in the country. The popularity of Babe Sabeni, played by Benjamin, has also raised other popular names, such as Mandra (Mandra Naih), Atun (Suti Karno), and Rano Karno (Si Doel).

Tien's mother then had the intention to witness the four of them live on stage. Suharto then moved to ask his confidants to invite four people from the 'Si Doel family' to perform at the Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) in the mid-1990s.

The invitation was immediately accepted. Benjamin, especially, knows that joking in front of Suharto and Ibu Tien is not an easy matter. Suharto's anti-criticism image became the estuary. It is said that every comedian that Suharto invited was almost certainly not funny. In fact, Benjamin's friend and friend, Mandra, has repeatedly said this.

"In front of Mrs. Tien, in front of Pak Harto, nothing is funny. You see who the comedian is (definitely) isn't funny, I'll bet. How not to be tense. Two months from the day before we played, from the first time we were booked until the next day, we never left for two days when we visited (Paspamres).”

"I'll say it like this, you can't do this, it's a good comedian. How about a joke, come on, from the first (practice) you can't say this, not like this, not like this. The longer it takes, the closer it comes from here, from there, tell me what the protocol is. So we haven't done anything yet," said Mandra in a broadcast on her Youtube channel entitled Dipanggil RI 1: The Story of Babe Benjamin S.

Benjamin Sueb (Source: National Library)

All protocol matters for the Si Doel family do not feel free to express themselves. Especially for Benjamin and Mandra, who in fact live and grow up from comedy. The confusing protocol is not just about restricted words. The background music is also set so it's not too loud. Afraid that Ibu Tien would have a heart attack, he said.

Benjamin chose defiance. He chose to appear as is for the event which took place at the Sasono Langeng Budoyo Building, TMII. Mandra also agreed with Bang Ben's decision. As for later their jokes will cause problems, that's later.

Because, the most important thing is to do something according to conscience. Even criticism of social problems does not forget to be included in his jokes. Even though every joke that is processed on stage is followed by Paspamres eyes that are not friendly to the four.

The jokes played by Benjamin were actually accepted by the invited guests. Echoes of laughter continued to emerge from the audience stands. Suharto and Ibu Tien also laughed. They enjoyed watching the comedy action of Si Doel's family.

Benjamin began to improvise to lighten the mood. He tried to try out his talent humming the song Ngarak Ondel-Ondel (1971). Without thinking Benjamin gave the microphone to Mrs. Tien to say the lyric: Nyok.

Mrs. Tien's involvement in singing with Benjamin made the whole of Sasono Langeng Budoyo even more lively. The action of Si Doel's family was broken.

“Orba to that point. It means to have that experience on stage. It's worth it in our hearts if the comedian is anywhere. Singers everywhere. In front of him (Soeharto and Mrs. Tien) if I said yes, you can admit that you are arrogant on the outside, that's when you were there (joking in front of the president), it's not done yet, it's been fixed. What are we talking about? Comedians are still not funny. Anyone who wants to make jokes is already scared," closed Mandra.

*Read other information about the NEW ORDER or read other interesting articles from Detha Arya Tifada.

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