Shoot-on-sight order timely<\/p>\n
I feel sorry for Gen. Wiranto, our Armed Forces (ABRI)
\ncommander. Whatever he does seems to be wrong in the eyes of the
\npublic. What has actually gone wrong with this handsome general?<\/p>\n
At a time when rioting is spreading to every corner of the
\ncountry, people are questioning Gen. Wiranto. They are
\ndisappointed by ABRI's lack of anticipation of such savage riots.
\nAgain, when the crime rate rises to out of control proportions,
\nand Jakarta again becomes a city of robbery, hoodlums and brawls,
\npeople start looking for Gen. Wiranto to take his responsibility
\nin maintaining security. It appears that people often lose
\npatience and trust. They get frustrated and become helpless. The
\nsecurity forces are supposed to give security and protection to
\npeople. Yet ABRI seems to be blind to everything that happens in
\nthe country. Gen. Wiranto claims that provocateurs do exist
\nbehind the riots. However, he does not seem to be interested in
\nfollowing up the matter. That makes people apathetic in the end.<\/p>\n
When Gen. Wiranto gave the order to shoot on sight, some
\npeople responded rather coldly. It seems they would prefer Gen.
\nWiranto to get the provocateurs once for all instead of ordering
\nthe shooting of rioters. They may fear that ABRI will shoot the
\nwrong people, like when students were shot in the Trisakti and
\nSemanggi incidents. Some also argue why on one side we should
\napprove the shooting of looters who probably loot merely to
\nsurvive the economic crisis, but on the other side we let corrupt
\nofficials who stole from the state go unpunished. Some people may
\nthink that shooting on sight is against human rights.<\/p>\n
Whatever arguments people may have and however sarcastic they
\nmay react toward Gen. Wiranto's order, I personally think the
\norder is a positive move. First, because I do not interpret the
\norder literally. I believe that ABRI has its own categories and
\nstages to exercise the order itself. ABRI personnel have to give
\nprior warnings to their targets. Shooting is only under certain
\ncircumstances. They are not allowed to shoot wildly. Second, such
\na firm order is a sign of ABRI's seriousness in fighting crime.
\nThe shoot-on-sight order should warn off criminals in the first
\nplace.<\/p>\n
They will have to think twice before committing a crime, for
\nwhich they could pay highly. On the other hand, the order, at the
\nsame time, gives spirit and courage to the community (members of
\nwhich are always the victims) to fight against criminals. For now
\nthey can be assured that ABRI is on the people's side.<\/p>\n
Firm and effective action is a good beginning to restore the
\ncountry from further anarchy. Whatever reason people may use to
\njustify the act of rioting or committing a crime, they have to
\nrealize that harming other people, robbing and looting properties
\nand committing arson, are all improper, immoral and unlawful. To
\nfocus on protecting the criminals' rights by neglecting and
\nsacrificing many innocents' rights is very much absurd.<\/p>\n
People have been living in constant fear of the brutality of
\nhoodlums. Therefore I would say that this time Gen. Wiranto has
\ntaken the right decision to show his seriousness in combating
\ncrime and unrest in order to restore peace and order to this
\ncountry.<\/p>\n
JENNY LAURITZ KHOENG<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/shoot-on-sight-order-timely-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }