Growing crime
It seems that everything is growing in our country, something we can be proud of. When you follow the news in several of the dailies, you realize that so many things are growing. The economy, no doubt, occupies a prominent place in this growth process. Our annual per capita income has grown from a mere US$500 to almost $1,000. This is a figure showing only the average, it does not shows the fairness of wealth distribution.
Political trouble, especially that of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI), is also growing. We do not see a light, any silver lining in the dark sky and apparently, support for Megawati is growing, which makes a solution to the party crisis more difficult.
In this context a very interesting opinion is given by political expert Arbi Sanit (Merdeka, July 18, 1996, front page). According to Arbi Sanit, the problem in PDI is caused by Megawati, who wants to play real politics, while, in fact, at the moment, political parties are expected to play just a symbolic role. The real political role in the New Order is played by the executive. Because of Megawati's desire to give the PDI a real role she is disliked by certain circles.
On the opposite side, certain elite members of PDI feel that they are right because they have got the support of the government, although they realize that they are killing the independence of the party. Arbi Sanit indicates that the political parties should be content with the role of puppets and they should sacrifice their independence, because this is the real political format of the New Order.
Another case of growth is the growing rift in our highest legal institution, i.e. the Supreme Court, caused by the accusation that there is a collusion and corruption in its midst. All this trouble because two Indian groups are fighting about who should control the Indian-run schools, a very financially lucrative source of income.
This is a real sad thing because the Supreme Court should be the last strong bastion of justice and unconditionally trusted by the people. Dissent is growing against the Chief Justice, who has asked the President to dismiss his deputy. And it seems that support is growing for Adi Andojo. All these put our President in a very difficult psychological position.
If there is solid evidence for this accusation of collusion and corruption in the Supreme Court why not go to the court and let the court decide who is right or who is wrong?
Another growth worth mentioning is in crime. I am very concerned to learn about the young boys, who, after being sexually molested, were murdered. Rapes, murders and burglaries are common news today.
Sinar magazine reported about school girls -- as young as 15 years old -- offering their bodies for money. These young girls, called anak baru gede (preteen children), offer sexual favors for money, ranging from Rp 100,000 to Rp 500,000. The number of these amateur prostitutes is growing.
We must do something, we cannot let this situation continue. Contribution of thoughts and opinions are necessary in the effort to find the best possible remedy for these social ills. Perhaps we should establish a new association called the "Association of Moral Restoration".
SOEGIH ARTO
Jakarta