'Are the police afraid of militants?'<\/p>\n
Following the vandalizing of several nightspots in Greater
\nJakarta during Ramadhan by militant groups, the U.S. Embassy has
\nwarned its citizens to take precautions by avoiding stand-alone
\nbars, clubs and nightclubs. Despite criticism of such violent
\nraids, no legal action has been taken against the groups. The
\nJakarta Post asked some residents about their views on the issue.<\/p>\n
Glenn Marsalim, 31, is a creative director at an ads agency on
\nJl. Sudirman, Central Jakarta. He lives in Kebayoran Baru, South
\nJakarta:<\/p>\n
I see that recurring vandalism every Ramadhan has become a
\ntradition. It happens every year, and, therefore, the
\nbusinesspeople should have been prepared for it.<\/p>\n
Do you notice that the night spots raided are the same as in
\nprevious years'?<\/p>\n
The businesspeople should have closed their premises as
\nrequired by law. They should have been aware that this would have
\nhappened.<\/p>\n
I myself do not go to any entertainment spots during Ramadhan
\nto avoid the predictable vandalism. There's nothing wrong with
\ntaking a one-month break from visiting entertainment venues. I
\nexpect my friends to do the same.<\/p>\n
Paulina, 30, is a civil engineer who works with a contractor
\nin South Jakarta. She lives with his husband and daughter in
\nCinere, also in South Jakarta:<\/p>\n
These incidents reflect that the authority of the police is
\nnot acknowledged by these militant groups.<\/p>\n
They argue that they take these actions because the police
\nhave done nothing about nightspots which violate the regulations
\non opening hours. But, we can see that these people picked their
\ntargets subjectively as they also smashed up restaurants that
\nwere closed.<\/p>\n
I also read in the newspapers that the police were actually
\nthere watching the raids, but did nothing. Are they afraid of
\nthese people, who are blatantly violating the law by disturbing
\nthe peace and damaging the property of others. Or, are they all
\nin cahoots?<\/p>\n
So, whatever the police do now, it's too late. They have
\nbecome a laughing stock at the hands of these groups.<\/p>\n
--The Jakarta Post<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/are-the-police-afraid-of-militants-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }