Shallow humanitarianism<\/p>\n
From Prospek<\/p>\n
Arswendo Atmowiloto may feel relieved after ending his prison
\nterm. Being a creative and productive writer before Monitor
\ntabloid's publishing license was revoked, he resumed writing in
\nthe media.<\/p>\n
However, I am criticizing Arswendo's article in Tempo a few
\nweeks ago about a Malaysian citizen named Steven, alias Chan Tin
\nChong, who was sentenced to death by the State Court of West
\nJakarta for smuggling 420 grams of heroin into Indonesia.<\/p>\n
I should have sent this letter to the magazine which published
\nhis article, but it is too late because the magazine has been
\nbanned.<\/p>\n
Arswendo concluded his article by saying "It is not the death
\nthat concerns, but the verdict that causes the end of life of a
\nfellow creature." Correct! Our life and death are in the hands of
\nGod.<\/p>\n
But God also teaches us law. And God's law is the most just.
\nMankind must obey God's law if one wishes to be safe here and
\nhereafter. We know that the legal sanctions imposed in Indonesia
\nare usually light, while Malaysia is very strict in this matter.
\nA drug smuggler will certainly get the death penalty there.<\/p>\n
It seems to me that you show tolerance to uncivilized crimes.
\nA lot of young people have become victims of drugs or heroin
\nsmuggled into Indonesia. And still many others must suffer from
\nside effects of the drugs. Rapes, murders and other forms of
\nviolence have threatened the safety of the society.<\/p>\n
Should we let our own relatives become victims of such
\nactions?<\/p>\n
Logically speaking, a murderer must be sentenced to death. But
\nwe must examine the case deeper to discover why one human being
\nkills another. Is the murderer sane or insane, or in a state of
\ndrunkenness?<\/p>\n
This is the responsibility of the police. In the case of
\nSteven, he was sane, not insane, and not drunk. Through the drugs
\nhe smuggled, he indirectly killed thousands of young people.<\/p>\n
He might also smuggle similar substances into other countries.
\nHow can we tolerate this?<\/p>\n
I appreciate Arswendo's altruism, but I respect the court's
\nverdict more.<\/p>\n
NUNGKY HARTONO<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/shallow-humanitarianism-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }