A policeman's lot

A policeman's lot

Jakarta's traffic police are renowned for their diligence in
upholding the letter of the law, particularly toward the end of
the month when a cash shortage will see them on the streets in
numbers, lurking behind bushes near one of Jakarta's tiny and
often obscured traffic signs, waiting for an offense which may
add a contribution to their pocket.

This is no secret, and is acknowledged by all drivers as one
of the hazards of driving in Jakarta, particularly during the
last half of any month.

Though drivers are cynical about this, most would agree that
it is good to see the traffic police on the streets, and that by
and large they do a good job in impossible circumstances -- and
that they are grossly underpaid.

However, it is distressing to note that traffic police flout
the very laws they are diligent in upholding. In the last week I
witnessed two instances of police flouting the law. The first was
an officer (out of uniform, obviously returning home, but on a
police bike and still in uniform trousers) taking the turnpike at
Semanggi after leaving the Police Headquarters (Komdak) on a busy
Friday afternoon, turning north on to Jl. Sudirman. An officer on
duty waved him a cheery hello. If any ordinary citizen tried this
on a motor bike they would be swiftly detained.

The second example is even more blatant. Jl. M.H. Thamrin on
the Sunday before Idul Adha at 10 a.m. is a deserted
thoroughfare. Even so, crossing a solid line from the slow lane
into the central stretch and then traveling the full length of
Jl. M.H. Thamrin towards the Hotel Indonesia roundabout is not
permitted for motor cycles (and is a double offense).

This is what an officer in uniform did, at such a leisurely
pace that did not indicate he was breaching the traffic law in
the course of duty.

In fact, we in a legal four-wheeled vehicle followed him to
the HI roundabout, where he pulled off in a leisurely way looking
like someone in search of an early lunch.

Law enforcement is an issue of concern in Indonesia these
days. We hear much about how all must observe the law, from the
observance of taxation law to the fact that the office of the
President is not above the law. It seems there is some need to
popularize observing the law among the traffic police and the
fact that this is not 1980 anymore.

If law enforcement officers themselves continue to flout the
law in a manner that was acceptable in the past, as they seem to
be doing, what hope is there for imbibing respect for the law and
its observation among the Indonesian community?

A uniform brings responsibilities as well as privilege, and it
is high time this was learned and understood by the traffic
constabulary of Jakarta.

ROBERT KINGHAM

Jakarta