Law-based state

Statements that this state is law-based and that the presumption of innocence is honored have often been made by high- ranking officials in this republic, Perhaps these statements have been made too often, leading to boredom on the part of those who hear them. All too often state officials, the police, lawyers, prosecutors and judges will make these statements. If we are honest enough to ourselves, the reality is indeed contrary to these statements. Bulls--t, so the Americans would say.

High-ranking officials of the state assigned in the legal area seem to be oblivious to what is happening in the community. Want proof? Well, can a major case be settled in a court of law? The answer must be in the negative. The best we get are statements like these: "Still in process", "Evidence is being collected", "Complete evidence is needed" and so forth. So, if street justice is not allowed in the present era, the government must translate into reality a law-enforcement process. Do not discriminate.

Therefore, do not blame the people for taking the law into their own hands. Whether or not people resort to this method depends on the performance of the government in enforcing the law in Indonesia. Today there is a tendency that the people no longer need promises. They have become fed up with waiting for a proper law-enforcement process. Until now has been no sign that this law enforcement process will run in its correct, honest and fair course.

Now the people need only the facts that law enforcement is still practiced in Indonesia. If orchestration in this respect still goes on, it is only a matter of time until this country collapses. If this is the case, those engaged in corruption will have a big smile while other people must suffer. So, it is entirely left to the ruling government whether or not it wishes to prove that ours is a law-based state. It all depends.

WAGIMIN

Jakarta