Put them in their place<\/p>\n
We are confronted all the time by stories about the lording of
\npower by the military and police, from the Army ringleader of a
\nband of thieves in Bandung, the soldier who fatally shot another
\nman after he cut him off in his car, to the petty bribery so
\nglaringly obvious on the streets, regardless of what the National
\nPolice chief may say about it being certain oknum, the odd bad
\napple.<\/p>\n
While I know from experience that all military personnel and
\npolice officers are not bad, I also know that it is the public's
\nrole to define its rights and stand up for them. It is not about
\nburning military vehicles, or giving back a little of the rough
\ntreatment when a soldier or police officer is outnumbered, but
\nstanding up and being counted for our rights.<\/p>\n
Yes, the sight of a policeman here is more likely to engender
\na feeling of fear than security, which is what I felt last Friday
\nnight when I was stopped in Puncak on my way to Bandung. The
\npoliceman was not content to take my passport from me as I sat in
\nthe back seat, but also told the driver to open up the boot so he
\ncould inspect my bag.<\/p>\n
Enough was enough.<\/p>\n
\"If you're going to look through my stuff, you should inform
\nme and have me stand next to you in case something is missing
\nlater because you're responsible,\" I told him. He stopped, but
\nthen started telling me that I needed \"travel papers\" to leave
\nJakarta.<\/p>\n
Strike two.<\/p>\n
No, I informed him, a KITAS yearlong permit is sufficient to
\ntravel within West Java; travel papers, while indeed needed by
\nmembers of the military and police, are not necessary for
\nforeigners with valid visas.<\/p>\n
That was that. He asked me how long I had been in Indonesia,
\ncomplimented me on my Indonesian and I was waved on my way.<\/p>\n
While I know that I am privileged simply by the color of my
\nskin in this society, I also hope that others can get by with my
\nexample by knowing their rights -- and speaking up for them. In
\nsome cases, it works.<\/p>\n
BRUCE E.<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/put-them-in-their-place-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }