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