Economy criminals

Economy criminals

From Neraca

The eradication of corruption, collusion and nepotism (KKN) now being demanded by the entire Indonesian population seems to focus on civil servants only. This is valid because they have abused the power given to them by the people by promoting their self-interest to the people's cost.

On the other hand, economic crimes committed by businessmen seem to escape the people's attention. These businessmen actually carry on practices which are no less evil than corruptors' activities. By means of bribery they collude with civil servants to rob the state treasury which also belongs to the people.

Neraca recently quoted Cooperatives Minister Adi Sasono who said that the government would take firm steps against economic criminals. That is good news. He said, "There will be no discrimination on the basis of whether the culprits are indigenous or non-indigenous".

We need that to enforce justice. Steps are taken against non- indigenous businessmen not because of the color of their skin but because of their crimes. Likewise the indigenous are prosecuted on account of their crimes.

The government has so far refrained from taking firm steps. The lower strata of the community have now begun to act in similar vein by arbitrarily violating rules and regulations. The most evident example is the lack of traffic courtesy. The law of the jungle prevails. Wherever there is congestion the traffic lights do not function if there is no traffic policeman around.

In the meantime we have heard and seen criminal activities, such as holdups and robberies, happening in public places. This worries the people to a great extent. On the other hand, if a number of people catch a criminal, the culprit without any legal procedure is mobbed and often fatally beaten.

The Cooperatives Minister's promise needs concrete follow-up steps by the government for the sake of justice and for the protection of all the people's rights. It should not be done because of mounting pressure of the people who are dominant in this reform era, but more importantly because the aim is justice.

Is justice not a precept followed by the Indonesian nation alongside gotong royong (mutual help)?

ANANG

Jakarta