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