Don't take it lightly

Don't take it lightly

From Rakyat Merdeka

The community was startled by the assault on Matori Abdul
Djalil, deputy chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly, by
several unknown intruders in his house. In the past two months
there have been violent attacks on three political figures.

The first two were of (the late) Tengku Nashiruddin Daud and
Suryadharma Ali. The victim now is Matori Abdul Djalil, a
prominent figure of the National Awakening Party (PKB), who is
also known as a senior politician that is critical and has a
reliable opinion.

The above tragedies should be a warning to politicians to be
wary in ensuring their personal safety. Political violence is a
continuous threat. The reasons are varied: jealousy, competition,
annoyance and also revenge.

Political revenge can make somebody go berserk, no longer heed
fair play and common sense. The person will instead justify all
his means to realize his political ambition. He will not hesitate
to wipe out political foes as well as friends.

Who is behind all this? It is hard to say because it is not
clear who is the doer or the brain behind the crime. What is
clear is the attack is aimed at a well-known political figure.
The police will certainly investigate the case seriously so it
will become clear whether it was a case of political violence or
a random crime.

I would like to remind politicians that they should learn from
these incidents and display correct behavior when playing their
role. The hot political climate must be cooled and solutions must
be found immediately to enhance national reconciliation among all
the components of the nation. Politicians should introspect
whether so far they have adhered to ethics or just played
political games which just emphasize differences.

Introspection is important in order to avoid arrogant behavior
which may hurt the other side. Political ethics must be ensured
and used so that politicians are always protected by political
morals which are clear and apparent. This is important so that
the old stereotype that politics is dirty, cruel and resembling
mice, can be avoided.

In essence politics is only a means to organize people making
them prosperous. Politics is not a wandering ghost. If political
behavior changes into devilish behavior, it is not politics but
people who are possessed by Satan. Therefore the occurrence of
violence against several political figures must not be
underestimated.

WARINO WIDODO

Jakarta