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