Police and criticism<\/p>\n
In the Jan. 9, 1997 edition of Kompas there was a
\ndisappointing statement from Jakarta Police Chief Gen. Hamami
\nNata.<\/p>\n
He was trying to explain the release of a large number of
\nstudents involved in the hijacking of a city bus which lead to
\nviolence and caused injuries to the driver.<\/p>\n
According to the police chief, the students did not hijack the
\nbus but only tried to force the bus to take them to a certain
\ndestination. However their attempt failed.<\/p>\n
If I am not mistaken, most hijackers (of planes, trains or
\nother vehicles) act exactly the same as the students did, and
\nthey all pay dearly for it. Such an interpretation of the
\nstudents' conduct is unacceptable.<\/p>\n
The students should be duly punished and not released so
\neasily. This might create a very bad precedent and encourage
\nother students to do similar things which cannot be tolerated.<\/p>\n
I recall reading an article in the Jan. 4 edition of The
\nJakarta Post which said that the National Police chief's
\nspokesman Brig. Gen. Nurfaizi had dismissed recent criticism as
\nunfair.<\/p>\n
The police could not accept criticism aired by a number of
\npeople including Kristiadi of the Center for Strategic and
\nInternational Studies (CSIS), law professor Satjipto Rahardjo, a
\nmember of the National Commission on Human Rights, and retired
\nNational Police chief Kunarto.<\/p>\n
The police spokesman said the criticisms were shallow, because
\nthe critics did not make their opinions known to the police
\nbefore revealing them to the public.<\/p>\n
Why should they inform the police about their opinions in the
\nfirst place? It's a strange idea, especially as it comes from a
\nhigh ranking police officer. Most people believe that the guilty
\nstudents must be punished according to the law. Punishment has an
\neducative value and is also important in upholding discipline.
\nOur national discipline movement must not become an empty slogan,
\nwe must do our utmost to make all programs a success.<\/p>\n
It is true that we are engaged in too many programs
\nsimultaneously: national discipline, caring for the poor, foster
\nparents for poor children, improvement of people's health etc. To
\nimplement each of the programs we have established organizations,
\nfoundations, shock units etc.<\/p>\n
Police should accept criticism and try to improve from the
\npublic's constructive comments. Psychologically speaking, people
\nlike to find fault instead of trying to point out the good
\nthings. However, as far as I am concerned, the community is
\npointing out the negative things because they hope to improve the
\nservice not discount it. People believe their life will be more
\npeaceful and enjoyable if the police take care of them and
\nprotect society. Long live the police, we respect you!<\/p>\n
SOEGIH ARTO<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/police-and-criticism-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }