Anti-drug day, national illusion

Anti-drug day, national illusion

On Wednesday, Indonesia for the first time took part in World
Anti-drug Day, organized by the National Drug Agency (BNN).

Drugs have become the national enemy, but political awareness
to fight the menace is still low. One of the indications is that
BNN has yet to be "equipped" with adequate organization,
management, budget and laboratory.

Thus, it is now time for the government to empower the BNN and
to make it as strong as the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration
(DEA).

Fighting against drug needs energy, goodwill and commitment
that might be translated into a long-term strategy. Without all
that quality, the anti-drug effort would be nonsense. And this
will make us disappointed as drug can destroy generations.

The anti-drug effort is a claptrap. Or should we wait until
one day our president's children also become victims before the
government thinks it is time to fight it. -- Media Indonesia,
Jakarta

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ANPAk..r..
Other-State-Official
Other Opinion
JP/6/OTHER2

State officials' extravagance

Is it proper for a vice president to stage a wedding party in
the holy city of Mecca? If the nation was in normal conditions,
when all Indonesian people were wealthy enough, it would be a
normal thing. But if it was done while the nation was in crisis,
what would the people say about it?

Although it has been mentioned by only one or two media, Vice
President Hamzah Haz's plan to hold the wedding party in Mecca
have already raised pros and cons.

Those in favor say it is Hamzah's personal right, while those
who are against it say it reflects the absence of a sense of
crisis among the country's state officials.

Similar criticism was previously voiced about the lavish party
Attorney General MA Rachman gave to celebrate his daughter's
marriage and the extravagant observance of the birthday of
Taufik Kiemas, President Megawati Soekarnoputri's husband, in
Bali.

The criticisms should serve as a warning to all sides that
the people are now keeping a close watch on what their leaders
do, not only in their capacity as public servants but also as
private individuals.

There is, in fact, a message in the criticisms, namely that
leaders should feel compassion for the ordinary people who daily
undergo the hardships of life. Hopefully, the leaders will
understand the message. -- Republika, Jakarta

28 June 2002
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ANPAk..r..
Other-Conspiration
Other Opinion
JP/6/OTHER3

Conspiration between defendant
and security personnel

Tommy Soeharto, a defendant in the Goro-Bulog embezzlement,
admitted that security personnel had helped him when he was on
the run for about 18 months.

The youngest son of former president Soeharto could move from
one place to another place freely including from his residence in
luxurious Menteng district to a comfortable apartment in Central
Jakarta without other people's notice.

Tommy also told the court that he could stay in his relatives'
houses freely such as in Taman Mini area and Solo (Central Java)
thanks to the police.

Therefore the people who have allowed the defendant to go
freely and did not tell the police about the defendant's
whereabouts must be brought to court if not 210 million
Indonesian people will never respect the law in this country.
-- Republika, Jakarta