Government told to increase protection for women

JAKARTA (JP): While dismissing the possibility of completely preventing women from going out at night, the Women's Solidarity for Human Rights (SP) on Thursday called on the government's seriousness to provide safety for women traveling at night.

"The government should restore the people's safety, especially women, who have activities at night," Nunuk Murniati, SP coordinator, said in a written statement released to the press.

She was commenting on last week's case of the vicious rape of twenty-three-year-old Mhr alias Ruth, in a Kotas (Koperasi Taksi Sepakat) no. 154 with registration no. B 1714 MX.

The South Jakarta Police have arrested four men, identified as Rusdi, Koming, Iwan and Suhadi.

Nunuk said the government should impose heavy punishment on rapists.

She said the government should also strengthen its supervision of taxi firms.

"The government should monitor the operational activities of taxi firms, including their services to consumers and the drivers' wages.

"The government must also take stern measures against any violations committed by the taxi firms," said Nunuk.

She said last week's vicious rape occurred because the government had neglected to seriously monitor the city's public transportation.

"The government has so far ignored supervision on taxi service. The government did not learn from experience that many rape cases occurred in taxis in the past," she said.

On the other hand, Nunuk called on the taxi firms to improve their services to customers.

She also called on the taxi firms to seriously follow up on any passengers' complaints.

Nunuk said she disagreed with the calls that women should not go out at night to avoid from raped.

"People should not blame such rape cases on the victims.

"They should instead reprimand the government, the party which should be held responsible for the case," she said. (asa/imn)