Jakarta 'back to normal'

Jakarta 'back to normal'

Driving on Jakarta roads one week after Idul Fitri was enjoyable. Offices and shops were still closed, and trips from one place to another were smooth and fast, while the air was also clean due to reduced vehicular emissions.

Things changed on Monday. Myriad cars and motorcycles are back on the roads from morning until night. Vehicles continue to congregate around the schools, shops and offices. It can take up to one hour to travel a distance of 10 kilometers due to severe congestion. The attitude of motorists and pedestrians is another question.

That is the reality of life in Jakarta. Quiet Jakarta is not normal. But, chaotic and crowded Jakarta is the very place where millions of people make ends meet.

So, in spite of the fact that we are weary of the rat race, we must admit that Jakarta is loved by those who depend on it for their livelihood.

Thai people will still love Bangkok and New Yorkers' love for their city has not faded despite the high crime rate.

-- Warta Kota, Jakarta

Police' accomplishment

The Indonesian police have again proved their proficiency in the handling of the Bali and Makassar bombings. In a very short time they have managed to nab several suspects.

The police officers have also demonstrated their skill in interrogating the suspects. The result is the revelation of relations and links among the suspects. The police have adequate evidence that the bombings in Bali, Makassar (South Sulawesi) and other 2000 Christmas blasts in Bandung and several other places in the country are linked to one network.

It is not a mere network as it has a regional dimension, according to Ali Ghufron alias Muchlas, who is believed to be the key suspect in the Bali bombing.

According to Ghufron, there was a meeting in Bangkok attended by Jamaah Islamiyah's officials from several countries. In the meeting it was agreed to attack nightspots in several cities in Southeast Asia.

We've been hoping for such an achievement by police. Years after the reform movement began people's lives have been endangered by bombing incidents. Bombs have exploded in various places and times, while the police have been unable to apprehend the suspects.

Therefore, the police's recent achievement has injected optimism into society and the people are more confident that they can live peacefully.

It is obvious that we now have a professional and qualified police force.

However, police' professionalism and proficiency will face another test in Aceh, where the people were already fed up with Police Mobile Brigade officers prior to the signing of the peace deal between Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) on Dec. 9, 2002.

-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta