Don't poison the people

Don't poison the people

Leader of Bali Bombing investigation team Insp. Gen. I Made
Mangku Pastika has stressed that media news and reports refrain
from poisoning the minds of the people, who have been suffering
the impacts of a multidimensional crisis.

He made these statements at a press briefing in Denpasar,
Bali, on Nov. 17.

Trying to restrain his anger he said, "I have said, don't
contaminate the people's minds with dirty and unclear thoughts or
ideas." He referred to media reports alleging National Police
chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar to be the mastermind of the Bali
carnage.

One of the media's function is to criticize and cultivate
public perception. This function will be credible if it is also
open to criticism and cultivation by others.

The reports in question contained comments, statements, and
observation from public officials as quoted by the media. No
wonder that Pastika pointed his finger to the news source.

We can understand why Gen. Pastika was so upset. The
complicated process of the investigation into the Bali blast has
been very tiring. Assistance from the foreign police force has
created trust among foreign countries, but at the same time
evoked allegations that our police have been "guided" by foreign
pressures.

"Let's do our best for this country, which has been suffering
a prolonged economic and political crisis, as well as other kinds
of crises," he said. With heroic spirit he called upon us to do
what we could for the country.

Recent polls have indicated that the public image of the
police has improved in relation to the Bali bomb investigation.

-- Kompas, Jakarta