Tag : International - Asep Haryono | Satria Arta Kumbara Regrets Becoming a Russian Mercenary, Pleads to Return Home - Powered by Blogger

Satria Arta Kumbara, a former Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) Marine, has made headlines after expressing deep regret and asking to return home to Indonesia. In a heartfelt TikTok video posted on Sunday (July 20, 2025) via his account @zstorm689, Satria shared an emotional message from the battlefield in Ukraine, where he is currently serving as a mercenary for Russian forces.

You could read Satria Arta Kumbara, the Mercenary Who Fought for Russia Is an Indonesian National

In the video, he addressed President Prabowo Subianto, Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, and Foreign Minister Sugiono, asking for forgiveness and a second chance. “Please forgive me, Sir. I sincerely apologize if my mistake in signing a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense caused me to lose my Indonesian citizenship,” he said, his voice full of remorse.

“I Didn’t Mean to Betray My Country”

Satria explained that he didn’t go to Russia out of disloyalty but simply because he was trying to earn a living. Before heading out, he even said goodbye to his family and asked for his mother's blessing. “I came here just to work. Let Allah be my witness,” he added.

Now that he's experienced the brutal reality of war firsthand, Satria admits he deeply regrets his decision. Losing his Indonesian citizenship has hit him hard. He’s asking for help to get out of his contract with the Russian military and to be allowed back home.

“I don’t want to lose my citizenship,” he said tearfully. “Being Indonesian means everything to me. It’s priceless.”

Satria Arta Kumbara Regrets Becoming a Russian Mercenary, Pleads to Return Home
Photo from Tribun JatengYoutube Channel

A Hope to Be Repatriated
Still stationed at the warfront, Satria ended his message with a heartfelt request: that the Indonesian public and netizens help spread his video and his plea especially to the Gerindra Party and President Prabowo.

He hopes someone in power will hear him and help bring him back to Indonesia. It's a story that mixes regret, emotion, and a strong desire to return home. Only time will tell if his plea reaches the right ears.

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A Message From Asep Haryono

 

"Thank you so much for your time here. I really appreciate your precious moment here as well.  Please leave any comment down below.  Let me hear from you.  Greetings from Indonesia"

Tag : International, Keseharian - Asep Haryono | When a Foreigner Feels Like A Super Rich In Indonesia - Powered by Blogger

I recently stumbled upon a hilarious TikTok video by @BuleTV1/shorts called "Rupiah Make This Foreigner Laugh Non Stop" ,that totally made my day. In the video, a foreigner was exchanging her Euro bills at an Indonesian money changer and what happened next was priceless.

As soon as she got her Rupiah, she burst out laughing. Why? Because she was shocked to see a huge stack of Indonesian banknotes laid out right in front of her. It was like a small mountain of money sitting on the desk

She had absolutely no idea how different the exchange rate was between the Euro and the Indonesian Rupiah. For context, 1 Euro is roughly equal to 19,132.29 Indonesian Rupiah. So even a modest amount of Euros can turn into hundreds of thousands or even millions of Rupiah. No wonder she was surprised!

She held up the stack of cash with wide eyes and laughed, saying it felt like she had just won a jackpot. That’s when it really hit her: Spending Euros in Indonesia can make you feel like a millionaire!

Rupiah Makes This Foreigner Laughing

Image from @BuleTV1/shorts

Stack of Indonesian Rupiahs

Currency Shock Is Real
This moment is a perfect example of what I’d call “currency shock.” It’s when travelers realize how much (or how little) their home currency is worth in another country. And in Indonesia, that shock can feel pretty dramatic.

Imagine coming from Europe where €10 is just enough for a basic lunch, and suddenly that same amount gives you over 190,000 Rupiah. You walk into a local warung (small restaurant), pay with a single Euro bill, and come out with a full meal, a drink, and maybe even dessert!

Another example is a TikTok video by a user named @AmericanTurk, who showed off his fancy solo dinner at a high-end restaurant in New York City. His video tittle “POV. Solo Fine Dining at an Exclusive Restaurant” What caught my attention wasn’t the food itself though yes, it looked great but the price tag. He spent $300 (about 3.3 million Rupiah) for one meal… and he was dining alone. As an Indonesian, I couldn’t help but feel a wave of mixed emotions watching that clip. 

You can read here.

FYI, that’s what most people in my country earn in a month.” The average monthly salary for many Indonesians is around $300 USD, sometimes even less. That amount can cover groceries, bills, school expenses, and daily needs for an entire family of three or more for weeks.

So seeing someone spend it in less than an hour on a solo dinner felt... honestly, a bit crazy to me.

More Than Just a Funny Moment
While the video is funny and lighthearted, it also reminds us of how different the cost of living is from one country to another. What seems like “a lot of money” in one place might not be the same elsewhere. That’s why travelers should always check the exchange rates and learn a bit about the local economy before landing in a new country.

It also shows the charm of traveling to places like Indonesia. For tourists coming from Europe, Australia, or the US, your money can go a long way here. You get to enjoy amazing food, cultural experiences, shopping, and beach holidays without breaking the bank.


A Tip for First-Time Travelers
If it’s your first time traveling to Indonesia, don’t panic when you see the numbers. Yes, buying a cup of coffee for 25,000 sounds scary but that’s just around €1.30. It takes a little getting used to, but after a few days, you’ll become a pro at doing the math in your head. And hey when you pull out your wallet and pay with a 100,000 Rupiah bill, it kind of feels like you’re holding VIP cash.

That TikTok video gave us all a good laugh, but it also offered a fun little lesson in travel and money. So if you're planning to visit Indonesia anytime soon, be ready for a surprise when you exchange your cash. Who knows? You might end up laughing just like that foreigner especially when you realize you’re suddenly a "millionaire" for a few days!

Have you ever experienced currency shock while traveling abroad?

Ok my friends

Drop your story in the comments below I’d love to hear your funny (or confusing) money moments! And if you enjoyed this post, don’t forget to share it with your fellow travelers or anyone planning a trip to Southeast Asia 

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A Message From Asep Haryono

 

"Thank you so much for your time here. I really appreciate your precious moment here as well.  Please leave any comment down below.  Let me hear from you.  Greetings from Indonesia"

Tag : International, Keseharian - Asep Haryono | Satria Arta Kumbara, the Mercenary Who Fought for Russia Is an Indonesian National - Powered by Blogger

Have you ever imagined an Indonesian Marine suddenly appearing on the battlefield not in Asia but in the middle of the Russia–Ukraine war? Well, believe it or not, that's exactly what seems to have happened with Satria Arta Kumbara, a former member of the Indonesian Navy’s elite Marine Corps (Korps Marinir TNI AL).

Satria made headlines across Indonesia (and even abroad) after videos surfaced online showing him in a Russian military uniform. The videos, shared by a TikTok account named @zstorm689, quickly went viral. In one clip, Satria proudly wore his old Indonesian marine uniform, and in the next bam! he's suited up in Russian Army gear, reportedly preparing for combat against Ukraine.

Former TNI Navy Marine soldier, Satria Arta Kumbara, who joined Russian mercenary forces, suddenly expressed his desire to return to Indonesia. Photo from Tribun Jawa Tengah Youtube Channel.

According to the Indonesian Navy, Satria went AWOL (absent without leave) on June 13, 2022, and never returned to duty. His desertion didn't go unnoticed he was tried in absentia by the Military Court in Jakarta and sentenced to one year in prison. On top of that, he was officially dismissed from the Navy and declared no longer a member of the TNI.

What raised even more eyebrows is that Satria doesn’t see himself as a mercenary. In an interview with Republika, he said, “I’m not a soldier for hire. I’m an organic member of the Russian Army.” According to him, he joined the Russian military not for money, but as a formal soldier. That’s a bold claim and one that's hard to verify, especially since the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said there’s no official travel record of him going to Russia.

Now here’s where it gets even more serious. Under Indonesian law (UU No. 12 Tahun 2006), any Indonesian citizen who joins a foreign military without the President’s approval automatically loses their Indonesian citizenship. The Ministry of Law and Human Rights is now working with the Indonesian Embassy in Moscow to officially strip Satria of his citizenship. Once finalized, he’ll no longer be legally recognized as an Indonesian national.

Whether Satria joined through official channels or through private military networks like the Wagner Group is still unclear. But one thing is for sure: his story is a shocking and rare case of an Indonesian citizen directly involved in one of the most dangerous conflicts on the planet.

It’s a reminder that even in this digital age, individuals can make extreme, unpredictable life choices sometimes for ideology, sometimes for adventure, or maybe something else entirely.

So what do you think? Is Satria a patriot to his new cause? A traitor to his homeland? Or just a man lost between two worlds?

Let me know in the comments! 

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A Message From Asep Haryono

 

"Thank you so much for your time here. I really appreciate your precious moment here as well.  Please leave any comment down below.  Let me hear from you.  Greetings from Indonesia"

Tag : International - Asep Haryono | Miranda Rights. What is that ? - Powered by Blogger

It felt almost like a movie. It’s been a long time since something really sparked my curiosity but here we are. I had just finished watching a YouTube video titled “18-Year-Old Cashing $3,372 Stolen Check, Cries After She's Caught.” You know what caught my attention? When the police officer started reading her rights aloud.

That’s when I heard the phrase again: “Miranda Rights.” I’ve noticed this happens in many videos where police arrest a suspect there’s always that formal moment where they read something out loud. And this time, I decided to dig deeper.Aha! So it’s called Miranda Rights. This is exactly the thing I’ve always wanted to understand better.


So, what exactly are Miranda Rights?
The Miranda Rights are a set of legal protections that police officers in the United States must read to a person who is in custody and about to be interrogated. These rights are there to protect a suspect’s Fifth Amendment right the right not to say anything that might get them in trouble.

The term “Miranda” might sound like a fancy legal word, but actually, it comes from a real person: a man named Ernesto Miranda.

Back in 1963, Ernesto Miranda was arrested in Arizona for kidnapping and assault. The police questioned him and got a confession but there was a catch.He wasn’t told that he had the right to remain silent or that he could ask for a lawyer.

His case, Miranda v. Arizona, went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. In 1966, the court ruled that suspects must be told their rights before being questioned. That ruling led to what we now call the Miranda Warning.

The image from Watchdog Body Cam

The following is a full Miranda Warning say
“You have the right to remain silent.

Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.

You have the right to an attorney.

If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you.

Do you understand the rights I have just read to you?

With these rights in mind, do you wish to speak to me?”


Pretty powerful stuff, right? Why is this so important?Without being warned, a suspect might say something just out of fear or confusion and that can lead to unfair outcomes. The Miranda Rights are there to make sure people know their choices, especially in stressful situations.

So next time you hear those iconic lines on a TV show or in real news footage, you’ll know they’re not just words they’re the result of a historic legal case that changed how justice works in America.


No “Miranda Rights” in Indonesia?
The U.S. and Indonesia actually use two different legal systems. America follows what’s called a common law system, where court decisions (like the famous Miranda v. Arizona case) shape the law. Indonesia, on the other hand, uses a civil law system, which relies more on written laws and codes especially the KUHAP (Criminal Procedure Code)

That means here in Indonesia, there’s no law that says police must verbally read out your rights like they do in the U.S. But Don’t Suspects in Indonesia Have Rights Too?Yes, they do! According to KUHAP, when someone is arrested, they must be told: Why they’re being arrested, That they have the right to contact their family or a lawyer

However, there’s no requirement to read these rights out loud in a scripted way, like in American movies. Often, the rights are just included

What do you think about the Miranda Rights?

Should Indonesia have something similar?

Share your thoughts in the comments below 

I’d love to hear your opinions! 

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A Message From Asep Haryono

 

"Thank you so much for your time here. I really appreciate your precious moment here as well.  Please leave any comment down below.  Let me hear from you.  Greetings from Indonesia"

Tag : International - Asep Haryono | 4th of July: A Celebration Beyond Borders - Powered by Blogger

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Today is the 4th of July the day Americans celebrate their independence from British rule back in 1776. It’s one of the biggest holidays in the United States, full of fireworks, backyard barbecues, red-white-and-blue decorations, parades, and loud music everywhere. But here I am, thousands of miles away in Indonesia, feeling excited too. You know why? Because this celebration isn’t just for Americans. The meaning behind it actually reaches far beyond their borders.

Its me whit the US flag as my background. How was it?

Let me tell you why.
At its heart, the 4th of July is about freedom, independence, and the power of unity. When the 13 original colonies in North America decided to break away from British control, they weren’t just making history for their own people  they were sending a message to the world. That message? People deserve a voice. They deserve to choose their own future. That idea has inspired many other countries since then, including mine.

Even though I’ve never been to the U.S., I’ve watched many Independence Day celebrations online. From big fireworks shows in New York City to the presidential speech in Washington, D.C., the whole country seems to come alive. There’s something about seeing people proudly wave their flags, sing their national anthem, and gather with their friends and family it feels very human, very warm, and very powerful.

But wha\t’s even more interesting is how people outside America also take part in the spirit of the day. You might see locals in other countries wearing American flag t-shirts, joining online discussions, or even hosting small American-themed gatherings just for fun. Businesses around the world also love to join in offering 4th of July sales or promoting U.S. brands. It's like the celebration has become a bit of a global thing!

Of course, there’s more to it than just fireworks and hot dogs. The 4th of July reminds us to look back and appreciate the struggles people went through for their freedom. It also invites us to think about how we can protect those values in our own communities. After all, freedom isn't something that should only belong to one country it’s a shared dream, and something we all should cherish and fight for, no matter where we live.

You  guys may also read "A Quick History Break And Fun Fact Of 4th Of July

As someone from Indonesia, I might not celebrate the 4th of July with a picnic or sparklers, but I do feel a connection. It reminds me of our own independence day on August 17th  the pride, the history, the hope for a better future. Different dates, same feelings.

So whether you're American or not, maybe today you can take a moment to reflect on what independence and freedom mean to you. You don’t need fireworks to celebrate that. Just appreciating the idea and remembering how far we’ve all come as nations that’s already something powerful.

Happy 4th of July to all my American friends out there  and to everyone around the globe who believes in freedom, equality, and unity.

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A Message From Asep Haryono

 

"Thank you so much for your time here. I really appreciate your precious moment here as well.  Please leave any comment down below.  Let me hear from you.  Greetings from Indonesia"

Tag : International - Asep Haryono | A Quick History Break And Fun Fact Of 4th Of July - Powered by Blogger

Let’s rewind a bit. On July 4, 1776, the 13 American colonies officially declared their independence from the British Empire by signing the Declaration of Independence, mostly written by Thomas Jefferson. The colonies were tired of being taxed and ruled by a king across the ocean King George III of England. They wanted to govern themselves and have a say in how things were run.

That’s how the United States of America was born. It wasn’t easy. There was a war, sacrifices, and plenty of struggles, but eventually, they won their freedom.
And guess who became the first U.S. President? None other than George Washington — the general who led American troops to victory during the Revolutionary War. He took office in 1789 and set the stage for every leader that came after him

U.S. Presidents: From Then to Now (With Years)
Just for fun — and for those who love trivia — here’s a lightning-fast list of all the U.S. Presidents from 1789 to now (2025), along with the years they served:

1. George Washington (1789–1797)
2. John Adams (1797–1801)
3. Thomas Jefferson (1801–1809)
4. James Madison (1809–1817)
5. James Monroe (1817–1825)
6. John Quincy Adams (1825–1829)
7. Andrew Jackson (1829–1837)
8. Martin Van Buren (1837–1841)
9. William Henry Harrison (1841) – only served 31 days!
10. John Tyler (1841–1845)
11. James K. Polk (1845–1849)
12. Zachary Taylor (1849–1850)
13. Millard Fillmore (1850–1853)
14. Franklin Pierce (1853–1857)
15. James Buchanan (1857–1861)
16. Abraham Lincoln (1861–1865) – famous for ending slavery
17. Andrew Johnson (1865–1869)
18. Ulysses S. Grant (1869–1877)
19. Rutherford B. Hayes (1877–1881) 20. James A. Garfield (1881)
21. Chester A. Arthur (1881–1885)
22. Grover Cleveland (1885–1889)
23. Benjamin Harrison (1889–1893)
24. Grover Cleveland again! (1893–1897)
25. William McKinley (1897–1901)
26. Theodore Roosevelt (1901–1909)
27. William H. Taft (1909–1913)
28. Woodrow Wilson (1913–1921)
29. Warren G. Harding (1921–1923)
30. Calvin Coolidge (1923–1929)
31. Herbert Hoover (1929–1933)
32. Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933–1945) – the only president who served 4 terms
33. Harry S. Truman (1945–1953)
34. Dwight D. Eisenhower (1953–1961)
35. John F. Kennedy (1961–1963)
36. Lyndon B. Johnson (1963–1969)
37. Richard Nixon (1969–1974)
38. Gerald Ford (1974–1977)
39. Jimmy Carter (1977–1981)
40. Ronald Reagan (1981–1989)
41. George H. W. Bush (1989–1993)
42. Bill Clinton (1993–2001)
43. George W. Bush (2001–2009) 44. Barack Obama (2009–2017)
45. Donald Trump (2017–2021)
46. Joe Biden (2021–present, as of 2025)

Fun Fact: U.S. Presidents on the Money!
Did you know that some of these famous presidents are also featured on U.S. dollar bills? Yup — you see their faces every time someone spends cash in America! Let’s check out who’s on what:

• $1 bill – George Washington The very first U.S. president, and the “Father of His Country.”

• $2 bill – Thomas Jefferson The main writer of the Declaration of Independence.

• $5 bill – Abraham Lincoln Known for ending slavery and leading during the Civil War.

• $20 bill – Andrew Jackson The 7th president, known for representing the common people.

• $50 bill – Ulysses S. Grant A Civil War general and the 18th president.

• $100 bill – Not a president! It’s Benjamin Franklin He was a Founding Father but never president. Still, he was super important in science, diplomacy, and writing.

Note: Not all U.S. notes have presidents. Some bills and coins feature other historic figures like Alexander Hamilton (on the $10 bill), who was the first Secretary of the Treasury — but also not a president.

So next time you see American money, remember those aren’t just faces, they’re history in your hands!
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A Message From Asep Haryono

 

"Thank you so much for your time here. I really appreciate your precious moment here as well.  Please leave any comment down below.  Let me hear from you.  Greetings from Indonesia"

Tag : International - Asep Haryono | My reaction to a video of "Inside Ukraine’s secret deep strike against Russian bombers-CBC News" - Powered by Blogger

So, I just finished watching a video published on June 3, 2025, by CBC News. It shows Ukrainian drones pulling off a deep strike into Russian territory, and according to the report, they managed to destroy over 40 Russian warplanes.

I mean wow. It felt like watching a real-life version of Behind Enemy Lines. The whole thing was bold, tactical, and honestly, kind of mind-blowing. I just had to share my reaction.

This image I took from CBC News youtube video I have watched this morning.
Credit to CBC News

Ukraine’s Deep Strike: A Game-Changer?
Let’s talk about what just happened. Ukraine reportedly launched its longest-range drone attack yet, hitting Russian airbases deep behind enemy lines. Ukrainian officials say they took out more than 40 warplanes in one go.

If that’s true, this could be one of the most significant hits since the war began.How did they even manage that? Drones flying that far into Russian territory without getting caught? That’s next-level stuff. It shows just how far Ukraine has come when it comes to drone tech and strategy. These aren’t your average dronesthey’re clearly built for long-range, high-impact missions.

Not Just a Win A Statement Taking out that many aircraft in a single strike is more than just a win on the battlefield—it sends a powerful message. Russian bombers have been a huge threat, regularly targeting Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. Damaging so many at once? That’s got to slow them down big time.

It also proves something huge: nowhere in Russia is completely safe anymore. Even airbases deep in the rear aren’t off-limits. This might force Russia to move its aircraft even farther back, making logistics and response times a lot harder for them.

"Indonesia, my country, loves peace and harmony. We clearly support a peaceful solution based on the amendment of the UN Charter. We're friendly with both Russia and Ukraine. We have ambassadors in both countries, and they have theirs here too"


Was There Help from Allies? Ukrainian officials say they pulled this off themselves, but let’s be real—many people believe there might’ve been some help behind the scenes. Satellite data? NATO-grade tech? Possibly. Whether it was purely Ukraine’s doing or involved some behind-the-scenes support, one thing’s clear: their military game is getting more advanced every day.

My Take: Impressive but Risky. Honestly, this kind of bold strike carries risks too. There’s always the chance Russia will respond aggressively maybe by hitting civilian infrastructure even harder. The chances of escalation go up. But for Ukraine, this is also a huge morale boost. It shows strength, strategy, and guts under pressure.

Ukraine’s drone strike is more than just a military hit it feels like a turning point. Whether this is a one-time move or the beginning of a new era in drone warfare, one thing’s for sure: Ukraine isn’t backing down. They’ve made a big statement, and the whole world is watching.


What Do You Think?

This video really got me thinking about how fast modern warfare is changing. What’s your take on Ukraine’s drone strike? Was it a smart move? Or a dangerous escalation? Drop your thoughts in the comments I’d love to hear your perspective!