Guarantee of security

Guarantee of security

From Sinar Pagi

One Saturday evening in November, I went to Cafe Shinta in Tasikmalaya, West Java, with my fiancee and her mother to watch a fashion show.

Since it was a full house, we were forced to take seats on the balcony, where I could also take photographs of my girlfriend's cousin, a participant in the show.

As the show proceeded, my fiancee's mother wanted me to take pictures of her with her friends, who were also on the balcony.

When the show was over, a grim-faced policeman approached us, asking me why I had photographed the Tasikmalaya Police chief and air base commander. Arguing that there was no rule banning one from taking pictures there, I explained to him that the object of my photographs had been my relatives and not the officials.

The policeman then told my fiancee to report to the Tasikmalaya Police and air base heads and tried to prevent me from accompanying her. But as the officer's request was unfounded and he used harsh language, I pulled my girlfriend away and would not allow her to apologize.

On the way to my fiancee's house and as I returned to the hotel where I was staying, I was haunted by fear because I was still under the Tasikmalaya Police' jurisdiction. My fear was triggered by local authorities whose task is to provide a feeling of security for members of their community.

The way the police chief sent his man to accuse me of taking pictures of officials has tarnished the image of the National Police in terms of their efforts toward reformation of their personnel and the institution.

SUPRA SILITONGA

Address withheld