Law expert laments rising crime rates
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)