Friday tragedy<\/p>\n
My heart cried and my eyes misted over when I saw the
\nterrifying war-like scene on television on Nov. 13. It was a real
\nbloody Friday! The nightmare we feared -- a clash between
\nsecurity forces and student protesters -- came true. The endless
\nsound of shooting, the kicking, the beatings and the punching
\nwere all mixed on the \"battle field\", resulting in not only a
\nhorrifying violent atmosphere, but also the deepest human agony,
\nthe loss, the death and injuries among students.<\/p>\n
I don't understand why some people have chosen a hostile and
\nvulgar way to solve conflicts. Ironically, protected in an ivory
\ntower, the honorable members of People's Consultative Assembly
\nlooked casual and relaxed and apparently ignorant of the tension
\noutside.<\/p>\n
Innocent people are always the victims of every political move
\nand conflict. The May riots and rapes are still fresh in our
\nminds. The Banyuwangi massacre remains a big question to be
\nanswered. So too is the (Friday) Semanggi tragedy and the
\noutbursts the following day. I felt sorry when I saw on
\ntelevision a captive policeman being kicked, punched and clubbed,
\nwith blood all over his head, kneeling and asking for mercy and
\nprotection. Brutality and violence evokes our concern no matter
\nwho the victim is.<\/p>\n
Why is violence allowed to happen again and again despite our
\nawareness of it always being innocent people who fall victim?
\nLife has been burdensome to all of us, especially to the little
\npeople. Chaos, anarchy and endless uncertainties will take the
\nnation nowhere but further down the drain. Have people lost their
\nsense of belonging to the nation and togetherness as well as
\nbrotherhood? Whoever it is -- the government, the students, the
\nintellectuals, the prominent figures, the opposition leaders --
\nall layers of people must aim for similar goals, i.e. to bring
\nthe ailing nation to recovery, and to build a stronger and better
\nIndonesia. As Martin Luther King Jr said: \"We all may have come
\non a different ship, but we're in the same boat now.\"<\/p>\n
The students who sacrificed their lives and the ones who have
\nstruggled tirelessly to bring reform to the nation deserve an
\nhonor. Young people are full of energy, potential and
\naspirations. They are driven to bring justice and democracy for
\nthe well-being of the nation. Consolidation among the current
\ngovernment, students and opposition leaders to prepare for the
\nnext general election is the best way to build the political
\nstability so crucial for economic recovery.<\/p>\n
My deepest sympathy goes to the parents and to those who lost
\ntheir children and their loved ones in the tragedy. I know that
\nwords do not suffice to bring about comfort at such a time of
\nsorrow. But I want them to know that their sacrifices will remain
\nin the hearts of the people who are looking forward to a better
\nand peaceful Indonesia.<\/p>\n
JENNY LAURITZ KHOENG<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/friday-tragedy-1447899208", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }