Law expert laments rising crime rates

SEMARANG, Central Java (JP): Satjipto Rahardjo, a prominent legal expert and human rights activist, says Indonesia is facing an increasing incidence of crime, waning social solidarity and flourishing materialism.

Soaring cases of rape and street crime have tainted Indonesia's history after 50 years of independence, Satjipto said during a seminar at the headquarters of the Suara Merdeka daily yesterday.

"Fading social solidarity and a lack of good manners among the public also represent black stains that Indonesia has to clean up," said the member of the National Commission on Human Rights.

The seminar, which also featured respected cultural observer Umar Kayam, was held to mark the 50th anniversary of Indonesia's independence from the Netherlands. Indonesia celebrated its 50th anniversary on Aug. 17.

Satjipto, also a well-known columnist on legal matters, said Indonesia's rapid economic progress was bringing materialism to the various layers of the society.

Materialism was causing people to want to become rich overnight without working hard, he argued.

"The consequence of this worrying trend is that quality is often sacrificed. People believe it's OK not to have brains so long as they look classy.

"Good manners and intelligence are less important than physical appearance and powerful positions," said Satjipto, who is a professor of law at Semarang's Diponegoro University.

He said that although a great number of Indonesians still live in absolute poverty, overall Indonesia has achieved spectacular progress in its economic development.

For example, he said, the country has managed to boost its per-capita income from less than US$100 in the 1960s to $920 at present.

According to official statistics, an estimated 27 million of Indonesia's 195 million people still live below the poverty line.

Although his speech contained many scathing criticisms of certain cultural trends, Satjipto said that Indonesia's soaring per-capita income was an indicator of economic progress that deserved applause in view of Indonesia's vast size.

Umar Kayam, a professor at Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta, said that although Indonesia had enjoyed independence from colonial rule for 50 years, some people in the political elite still abused their power to further their private interests.

"They behave as though Indonesia were their personal property and the people their servants (kawula)," he said. (har/pan)