{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1032196,
        "msgid": "sheltering-a-criminal-a-crime-1447893297",
        "date": "1996-09-18 00:00:00",
        "title": "Sheltering a criminal a crime",
        "author": null,
        "source": "JP",
        "tags": null,
        "topic": null,
        "summary": "Sheltering a criminal a crime I am responding to Mr. Suharsono Hadikusumo's letter of Sept. 6, 1996. I agree that the role of a Catholic priest (also a Kyai or Buddhist monk or professional of any other religion) is partly to give help to persons who are confused, cornered or anxious. But, in my opinion, the help given should be right and proper. In this case, the help given by Romo (the priest) may be misleading and may cause one to go astray. I quote Mr.",
        "content": "<p>Sheltering a criminal a crime<\/p>\n<p>I am responding to Mr. Suharsono Hadikusumo&apos;s letter of Sept.<br>\n6, 1996.<\/p>\n<p>I agree that the role of a Catholic priest (also a Kyai or<br>\nBuddhist monk or professional of any other religion) is partly to<br>\ngive help to persons who are confused, cornered or anxious. But,<br>\nin my opinion, the help given should be right and proper. In this<br>\ncase, the help given by Romo (the priest) may be misleading and<br>\nmay cause one to go astray.<\/p>\n<p>I quote Mr. Suharsono&apos;s statement: &quot;The Priest&apos;s duty is<br>\nidentical to that of a doctor&quot;. But, I think, the statement is in<br>\none way correct and in another way wrong. For example, if a thief<br>\nor a criminal goes to a doctor for treatment (help), the doctor<br>\nwill give medical treatment and after that he or she must hand<br>\nthe thief over to the police, and not provide shelter or<br>\nassistance. To shelter or hide a wanted person -- intentionally<br>\nor not -- is itself a criminal offense. If it is done<br>\nintentionally, the punishment will be more severe.<\/p>\n<p>In the interrogation by the authorities, Romo argued that he<br>\nsheltered the PRD (Democratic People&apos;s Party) personnel on the<br>\ngrounds that, they were afraid of the PANGDAM&apos;s (regional<br>\nmilitary command) &quot;shoot on the spot&quot; warning. Romo and Benny<br>\nwere quite aware that the sheltered and hidden persons were<br>\n&quot;wanted&quot;. So Mr. Suharsono was illogical and irrational in his<br>\ndefense by saying that Romo and Benny were not aware that the<br>\nsheltered persons were &quot;wanted persons.&quot; They were certainly<br>\naware of the situation.<\/p>\n<p>Mr. Suharsono was worried that the international community<br>\nwould criticize Indonesia if Romo and Benny were tried. I am sure<br>\nthe criticism -- if there is any -- will not be as harsh as the<br>\ncriticism against America for the bombing of Iraq.<\/p>\n<p>Instead of sheltering and hiding Budiman Sudjatmiko and<br>\nothers, Romo and Benny should have advised them to surrender to<br>\nthe authorities.<\/p>\n<p>Romo and Benny cannot escape the lawsuit, and Mr. Suharsono<br>\ncould help them with legal aid in order to lighten the possible<br>\npunishment.<\/p>\n<p>SUNARTO<\/p>\n<p>Jakarta<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/sheltering-a-criminal-a-crime-1447893297",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}