Are instructions to take strict measures effective?

Are instructions to take strict measures effective?

Each outbreak of violence in Ambon is always followed by an
instruction from Jakarta to take strict measures against those
responsible.

Jakarta called for strict measures after a bomb blast at a
shopping mall in Ambon and the burning of the Maluku governor's
office on April 3, 2002. Instructions from the authorities in
Jakarta and the civil emergency authority in Ambon were not
effective.

Several days before the self-proclaimed South Maluku Republic
(RMS) separatist group celebrated its anniversary, the
authorities issued an instruction banning the flying of RMS
flags.

However, 17 RMS flags flew in a number of places in Maluku on
April 25, and on the same day the separatist group released
balloons carrying the same flags. Of course, the flag flying
ceremony rekindled hostility between conflicting groups in Maluku
and provoked violence.

Instructions to take stern measures are generally ineffective
and tend to be ignored, until conflict and violence remerges, and
then people call for strict measures.

I call on the government, the civil emergency authorities, the
security forces and all circles who care about the fate of the
public to comprehend more seriously, consistently and
consequently the strict measures so as to restore the
government's authority.

-- Kompas, Jakarta