Growing crime
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