Drugs, corruption equally bad

Drugs, corruption equally bad

From Rakyat Merdeka

The rampant abuse of drugs in a number of regions has received
a serious response from various circles: the security forces,
relevant government agencies and mass movements launched by
neighborhood communities. Many things have been done to put a
stop drug abuse: Posters have been stuck up everywhere, banners
put up in many places, appeals made and even houses of alleged
drug traffickers set on fire. All these efforts have been made to
ensure that the abuse of drugs is cut to the minimum.

In this context it is interesting to note the statements made
by the chief of the National Police, the chairman of the central
executive board of the Indonesian National Youth Committee and
many other figures to the effect that drug producers, as well as
drug traffickers, deserve capital punishment.

That such strong statements have been made is understandable
considering the adverse impact that the abuse of drugs has on the
people, especially the young generation. However, a sense of
justice must be taken into account.

It is indeed very easy for the chief of the National Police or
other high-ranking officials to loudly say that capital
punishment must be exacted on drug producers and drug
traffickers. However, it is worth asking whether they have the
guts to make the same statement about those involved in major
corruption.

No matter how bitter a reality is, government officials must
not hastily make a statement as otherwise it will boomerang on
them. It would be better for them to find out the main cause of a
problem so that it may be handled more effectively.

MELKIANU

Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara