Hindarto's idea on public order violators opposed
Hindarto's idea on public order violators opposed
JAKARTA (JP): City Council Speaker M.H. Ritonga opposes a
proposal suggesting that violators of public order regulations be
ostracized from society.
"I think it is not proper to impose such a penalty on
violators as it is against their human rights. Such a violation
is not identical to a crime," Ritonga told reporters yesterday.
Ritonga feels that it is more important to give people a
chance not to violate public order rules by publicizing the rules
more aggressively.
He explained that it is more appropriate to further enforce
the regulations in order to make people aware of the fact that
they are likely to be punished.
"People tend to disregard regulation if there is no
enforcement," he said.
The City Police chief, Maj. Gen. Mochammad Hindarto, proposed
over the weekend that anyone found to breach a public rule be
ostracized from society. He said it will be more effective than
legal penalties.
Hindarto said city official should not hesitate in asking the
identities and addresses of citizens who threw garbage at will
because they are violating municipal rule No 5. He said the
officials should then report these cases to the people in charge
of mosques or other places of worship near the citizens' houses.
The names of the citizens could then be announced during
public gatherings held there, Hindarto said.
He argued that such a penalty would deter them from repeating
their wrongdoings in the future.
Commenting on the fact that the facilities to support the
regulations are not adequate, Ritonga, who was a former City
Police chief from 1989 to 1992, said that this is also one of the
many things that could trigger a violation.
He said sometimes people are "forced" to violate existing
rules. "For example they want to dump garbage, but there is no
garbage can around so they just throw it anywhere," Ritonga said.
Therefore, he added, the city administration should increase
the number of facilities that could support the regulations.(yns)