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