War against preman: why now?<\/p>\n
The police declared all out war against hoodlums (locally
\ncalled preman) and the Army immediately issued a statement
\nsupporting the effort. Kompas March 13, 1995 reported that the
\nGovernor of Jakarta and the Chief of Bakorstanasda have joined
\nthe choir. Not only that, three youth organizations (why only
\nthree?) decided to give their support. All these are felt like a
\nfresh, cool breeze on a hot afternoon.<\/p>\n
But still a disturbing question lingers in my mind: Is this
\nvengeance? It seems to be, since the declaration of war from the
\npolice came directly after a police officer was brutally murdered
\nand another wounded by hooligans. But I sincerely hope that my
\nsuspicion is wrong.<\/p>\n
I remembered when an Army Brigadier General was killed in
\nalmost the same manner there was no war declared. Normal law
\nprocedure was followed, the culprits were arrested and
\nintensively interrogated.<\/p>\n
Another thing lingering in my mind is the fact that this
\nhooliganism has existed for quite a long time.<\/p>\n
The hooligans disturbed the peace, were engaged in extortion
\nand planted fear in the hearts and minds of small-scale
\nbusinessmen. But why did we not take action or declare war
\nearlier?<\/p>\n
Even the new Army Chief Gen. Hartono said in Semarang that the
\nstrange thing is, why did we keep quiet all this time?<\/p>\n
We must try very hard to solve this social problem and try to
\nfind the core of this phenomenon. I am not of the opinion that
\nthese youths are real criminals, but the social conditions,
\nsocial jealousies, environment, unemployment etc. have helped to
\ncreate this unfortunate situation. Our efforts must be a
\ncombination of hard hitting tactics and a show of goodwill and
\nunderstanding. This is not a matter of vengeance and vendetta.<\/p>\n
I would like to draw the readers' attention to a speech of
\nPresident Soeharto on Aug. 16, 1976 on the occasion of the
\nrelease of communist rebels from Buru. He said: \"However big
\ntheir crime was, which almost sent our beloved country to the
\nbrink of destruction, they are and still remain members of
\nIndonesian society. We have to receive them back in our midst.
\nWe must make them realize their previous mistakes. We must ask
\nthem to participate in establishing their own private life and
\ntogether develop our society.\"<\/p>\n
What a noble and touching expression of fatherly love and
\naffection for those who once went astray. No vengeance, no
\nrancor.<\/p>\n
In the back of our minds, to rehabilitate the preman must be
\nthe most important consideration. This does not mean taking a
\nsoft attitude. Far from that. We have to be resolute and firm and
\nmaintain a no nonsense attitude.<\/p>\n
I will never tire of stressing that the whole society must
\ngive their wholehearted support, because this war waged along
\nmoral lines as stated above is for our benefit.<\/p>\n
SOEGIH ARTO<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/war-against-preman-why-now-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }